Bindi Irwin undergoes surgery after decade long health battle

Australian television personality and wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin has issued a shocking health update after years of “quietly dealing with [her] pain”.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, March 8, the 24-year-old revealed that she had recently undergone surgery after having battled with endometriosis for over 10 years.

In Australia, the disease affects at least one in 9 women and causes urinary pain, irregular bleeding, fatigue and infertility.

 

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A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)

Bindi wrote that she had been suffering severe fatigue, pain, and nausea, having undergone numerous tests before getting surgery to remove 37 lesions.

“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,” she wrote.

Bindi went on to say that in the past, doctors were quick to dismiss her symptoms, prolonging her chance of getting appropriate treatment.

“A doctor told me it was simply something you deal with as a woman & I gave up entirely, trying to function through the pain,” she revealed.

Through the encouragement of a friend, Bindi continued to find help, finally receiving her endo diagnosis and undergoing surgery.

“Validation for years of pain is indescribable,” Bindi wrote. “Thank you to the doctors & nurses who believed in my pain. I’m on the road to recovery & the gratitude I feel is overwhelming.”

Bindi, who is mum to 2-year-old Grace Warrior, went on to note that while “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,” she urged.

“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”

Since sharing her health update, Bindi’s post has been flooded with messages of support and comments from women who have also been dismissed for their health concerns.

“As a mom with an often invisible disease (lupus) caring for an 8 year old with a different, life-threatening invisible disease (CAPS), we know you are brave and amazing and resilient. And ITS OK WHEN YOU ARENT. Thank you for sharing your story and giving hope to others. It’s not your job or responsibility to do so, but you did. I hope you find peace and healing,” one user wrote.

“Women are dismissed daily. It is outrageous. I have had make doctors tell me that I’m just a women who is stressed and needs to go home and rest. It’s a painful journey not to be believed. I’m so glad you have answers and were given the help you needed,” another added.

“All the best for a quick recovery! So many women go through this all around the World and suffer in silence. Thank you for speaking out and for making people aware!” 

Bindi’s post also coincides with March’s endometriosis awareness month.