Conservationist and television personality Bindi Irwin has revealed her long-term battle with endometriosis on International Women's Day.
On social media this morning Ms Irwin posted about her 10-year journey with the disease, which affects up to one in 10 women and causes debilitating pain during periods.
She said she had suffered severe fatigue, pain and nausea, and had undergone many scans and tests before getting surgery to remove 37 lesions.
"Trying to remain a positive person and hide the pain has been a very long road," Ms Irwin said.
"A doctor told me it was simply something you deal with as a woman and I gave up entirely, trying to function through the pain.
"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."
'Keep searching for answers'
Ms Irwin said getting validation from doctors was "indescribable".
"I'm on the road to recovery and the gratitude I feel is overwhelming," she said.
"Please be gentle and 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."
Ms Irwin, who was not available for an interview, has encouraged others experiencing the condition to keep seeking help.
"I'm sharing my story for anyone who reads this and is quietly dealing with pain and no answers," she said.
"Let this be your validation that your pain is real and you deserve help.
"Keep searching for answers."
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain and in some cases infertility.
The uterus lining layer is called the endometrium. It is where a fertilised egg settles and grows, or if pregnancy does not occur, the top layer is shed during menstruation.
More than 11 per cent of Australian women, girls, and those who are gender diverse – about 830,000 people in total – suffer from endometriosis at some point in their life, according to Endometriosis Australia.
The disease is estimated to affect up to 200 million women around the world.
Johns Hopkins Medicine says endometriosis is an idiopathic condition, meaning there is no known cause.
The disease often starts in the teenage years and there are no specific ways to prevent it.
But being aware of the symptoms and whether you could be at higher risk can help when you speak with your doctor.
Can it be cured or treated?
There is no cure for endometriosis, but it can be treated.
There is also no preferred treatment because the treatments will work differently for everyone.
Endometriosis treatments:
- Medical treatments (this includes the oral contraceptive pill and progestogens)
- Surgical treatments (involving an operation, these include laparoscopy or laparotomy)
- Complementary treatments: Using other health professionals such as physiotherapists, acupuncturists, herbalists, nutritionists, homeopaths and psychologists
There are advantages and disadvantages to all the types of treatments, according to Endometriosis Australia, and this should be discussed with your doctor.
'A beacon for women'
Endometriosis Australia chief executive Alexis Wolfe said she was saddened but not surprised to hear Ms Irwin had the condition.
"Her struggle is incredibly common, which makes it even sadder that even a person with the resources that she would have … has only just been able to get some relief and answers," Ms Wolfe said.
She said it took more than six to seven years on average for women to get a diagnosis, because the symptoms were so varied.
"That time has been coming down progressively, but still, six and a half years is not an acceptable time to be suffering in pain," Ms Wolfe said.
"For Bindi to put her face to this disease and to represent all of those other people within this country that have endometriosis is significant because those individuals quite often will be suffering in silence."
On Instagram, Robert Irwin said his sister's diagnosis was "a wake up call for men'
"It's everyone's responsibility to be allies for women's health," he said.
"You never know who's suffering in silence.
Mr Irwin said he was proud of his sister for being a "beacon for women around the world who are suffering".
"It's been a long battle through a decade of pain, but you are finally on the road to recovery," he said.
"I'm so happy you can have your life back."
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.
