Olivia Culpo shared her harrowing journey of battling endometriosis, a condition where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain. The model revealed that she suffered from debilitating symptoms since her youth but hesitated to seek help due to embarrassment. As the pain escalated in her late 20s, Culpo confided in her fiancé, Christian McCaffrey, as she struggled to even leave the house at times.
Despite consulting over a dozen doctors, Culpo's pain was often dismissed, with some suggesting her symptoms were normal or questioning her hygiene practices. Feeling misunderstood and neglected, she endured excruciating pain for 12 years until she met Dr. Thais Aliabadi, who diagnosed her with rectovaginal endometriosis through an ultrasound.
Culpo emphasized the lack of awareness among medical professionals about endometriosis, leading to delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment. Following surgery in November 2020, she has been effectively managing her symptoms. The model's story sheds light on the challenges faced by many women with endometriosis and the importance of finding knowledgeable healthcare providers for proper care.