If there’s one thing we love about Bindi Irwin, it’s her down-to-earth realness. The 24-year-old has never been afraid to share an insight into her life, from motherhood to family dynamics and everything in between on Crikey! It’s The Irwins. And now, Bindi has opened up about her personal health battle over the past decade: endometriosis.
“I battled for a long time wondering if I should share this journey with you in such a public space. It came down to the responsibility I feel to share my story for other women who need help,” Bindi wrote. “For 10yrs I’ve struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain & nausea. Trying to remain a positive person & hide the pain has been a very long road. These last 10yrs have included many tests, doctors visits, scans, etc.”
Her news is extremely timely, considering today is International Womens’ Day. According to Endometriosis Australia, more than 830,000 (more than 11%) of Australians suffer from the illness — but on average, the timeframe for diagnosis is 6.5 years. And yet, there is still no real cure or long-term pain relief for those who are diagnosed with endometriosis.
Many women (Bindi included) are simply told that pain is normal and something we just have to endure. And sure, cramps and nausea come hand in hand with our menstrual cycle. But the often debilitating pain associated with endometriosis is quite often dismissed by doctors.
“Going in for surgery was scary but I knew I couldn’t live like I was. Every part of my life was getting torn apart because of the pain. To cut a long story short, they found 37 lesions, some very deep & difficult to remove, & a chocolate cyst,” said Bindi. “@seckinmd’s first words to me when I was in recovery were, “How did you live with this much pain?” Validation for years of pain is indescribable.”
Bindi then went on to thank her friends, family and the medical professionals “for encouraging me to find answers when I thought I’d never climb out.” Her 10-year journey is far from over — there is no cure for endometriosis, and many women experience its effects until menopause (or a complete historectomy).
“Things may look fine on the outside looking in through the window of someone’s life, however, that is not always the case. Please be gentle & pause before asking me (or any woman) when we’ll be having more children. After all that my body has gone through, I feel tremendously grateful that we have our gorgeous daughter. She feels like our family’s miracle,” Bindi said of her two-year-old daughter, Grace.
Bindi’s fans and friends flocked to the comments section, praising the TV personality for her strength and honesty. “Thank you for sharing!” wrote Amy Schumer, who opened up about her own experience with endo in 2021.
Bindi’s husband, Chandler Powell, also commented on Bindi’s post and shared a sweet tribute to his wife.
As Bindi pointed out, the stigma around endometriosis is real. “I’m sharing my story for anyone who reads this & is quietly dealing with pain & no answers. Let this be your validation that your pain is real & you deserve help. Keep searching for answers.”
Main image: @bindisueirwin
Do you have endometriosis? What is your experience with endo?
I do, I have had surgery to diagnose and remove lesions, struggled with infertility along with miscarriages prior. But now have two beautiful children and great medication to treat and help manage it.
Good for her for talking about this!
endometriosis. Just the word send a shiver down my spine. I have been lucky not to suffer from this, but do know several women who have and it is not much fun. |What a pity one cannot just take a pain killer and all will be fine until next month.
Why is there a stigma around it ? Women who have it know it’s not fun at all.
Far too many women have their pain dismissed. Its about time the medical profession took these things seriously.
I don’t have endo but my sister does and we pray our own daughters don’t have it.
Yes I really feel for the sufferers and good on Bindi for allowing her personal pain to be discussed so openly
I really feel for ladies that suffer from this and it gets me on my high horse when a dr says it’s all in your head. I have friends that have suffered from the condition and they just stick their head in the sand. I never had it but I had some other problems and I used to get so angry at drs telling you that it will pass and just get on with it. Something can be done and you just need to find the right dr to listen. Good on Bindi for speaking out.
I thought that having a baby helped with endo but I guess in Bindi’s case it didn’t. Thank goodness she had a baby. I hope she can have other children if that’s what she and Chandler want to do in the future.
I don’t have it but know people who do.
I used to be bedridden on the first day of my period most months with cramps and vomitting, that was enough for me.
I have had friends with endo and they have been through so much
It’s sad to see how dismissive doctors can be. Glad she spoke out about it
I didn’t think there was a stigma around endometriosis – just more of a sadness for those who suffer from it.
Modern day disease. Heard about some cases when came to live in the city, but only 10ish years ago. Before had no idea that it existed
Endo is shocking & it’s outrageous that it can take so long to get a diagnosis. Good on Bindi for speaking out.
Ive experienced it myself. Doctors and others are far too dismissive of a woman’s pain. I think I get dismissed cause I am still turning up to work. But I have to support myself so I just suffer on.
I feel for you. So much pain one would hope for some support and help.
Calls out the lack of awareness around the women reproductive system.
I do not have endometriosis but a friend does. Thanks for shining a light on it Bindy.