Bindi Irwin has recently opened up about a heartbreaking diagnosis that left her in pain for the past ten years.
Taking to Instagram, the 24-year-old posted a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed wearing a medical gown.
Though she may be smiling in the picture, her caption suggests that she's been through a challenging time in her life, as she revealed to fans that she has spent the past decade battling endometriosis.
For those of you that might not be aware, endometriosis is a condition characterized by the presence of tissue resembling endometrium (the lining of the uterus) outside of the uterus. It causes a chronic inflammatory reaction that may result in the formation of scar tissue within the pelvis as well as other parts of the body.
The World Health Organization states that physical symptoms of the condition can include a combination of painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, painful bowel movements, and in many cases, infertility. Mental symptoms include depression or anxiety which can affect the general quality of one's life.
Those suffering from endometriosis have often reported being dismissed by doctors as well as family and friends which means they don't receive an accurate diagnosis.
In a report by Healthline, it was revealed that ninety percent of people with endometriosis say the pain and other symptoms they experience are "disbelieved, dismissed, or ignored by others."
This lengthens the time between being diagnosed and getting treatment, which is crucial in minimizing the effects of the condition.
In her post, Irwin also discussed her entire journey, thanking those healthcare professionals that believed her and encouraged her to investigate the matter further.
"Dear Friends," she started. "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."
She continued: "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."
The zookeeper then talked about how she was told that the pain is just something that "you have to deal with as a woman" which meant that she gave up on trying to find answers.
"I didn’t find answers until a friend @lesliemosier helped set me on a path of regaining my life. I decided to undergo surgery for endometriosis," she told her 5.1 million followers, before adding that the treatment process was "scary."
"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.
"[Seckin Endometriosis Center's] first words to me when I was in recovery were, 'How did you live with this much pain?'"
Irwin referred to the validation as "indescribable," adding that she was thankful to those who supported her throughout her journey.
"Thank you to the doctors & nurses who believed my pain. I’m on the road to recovery & the gratitude I feel is overwhelming. To those questioning the cancelled plans, unanswered messages & absence - I had been pouring every ounce of the energy I had left into our daughter & family.
"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," she continued. "I’m aware of millions of women struggling with a similar story. There’s stigma around this awful disease. 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."
Since it was published yesterday (March 8), the post has received over 800,000 likes, with thousands of people taking to the comment section to commend the 24-year-old for her bravery.
"It’s not easy letting people into your private life, but thank you for your courage and for sharing your story."
"As a fellow person with endo I relate and I'm sorry for how long a diagnosis takes! Endo effects (sic) people of lots of different genders including nonbinary people such as myself and trans men too so it's important to use trans inclusive language around it," another added.
Her brother, Robert Irwin, also described his older sister as his "hero" writing: "Love you @bindisueirwin. You are amazing. Not only for your strength battling through this physical and mental turmoil, but also for having the bravery to share your journey with the world to help other women who are suffering. You’re me hero, Bindi!"
And of course, her husband left some kind words of encouragement too: "You are the strongest, toughest person I know. I love you and I’m so excited for this new chapter of life."
We're wishing the star a speedy recovery and if you're struggling with endometriosis please see your doctor or find further advice on www.endofound.org.