Bindi Irwin, the conservationist and daughter of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, recently discussed her battle with endometriosis on Good Morning America. In her first television interview since her diagnosis, she spoke candidly about her journey with the condition and her subsequent surgery.
Endometriosis affects around 11% of women in the U.S. between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the Office of Women’s Health. The condition is characterized by tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus growing outside the uterus. This can lead to symptoms such as severe cramps, pelvic pain, painful intimacy, and even infertility.
Irwin’s struggle with the disease spanned over a decade. She began experiencing unexplained pain, fatigue, cramping, and nausea in her early teens. Despite numerous tests and medical consultations, including MRIs, ultrasounds, and CT scans, her condition remained undiagnosed. “The scariest thing was that there were no answers,” Irwin recalled. She went on to share that the pain persisted even as she competed on Dancing with the Stars, got married, and started her family. During her pregnancy, the pain was so intense at times that she feared she was miscarrying.
Her diagnosis came only after undergoing a surgery earlier this year. “When I got out of surgery, the first thing [the doctor] said to me was, ‘How did you live with that much pain?'” Irwin recalled, emphasizing the validation she felt at that moment. The surgery revealed that she had 37 lesions, all of which were removed.
Post-surgery, Irwin’s health has drastically improved. She expressed her newfound joy in being able to actively participate in her family’s life and her conservation work. “I’m able to run around with [our daughter], to play with her, to have fun and revel in her joy,” she said.
Irwin’s main hope is that her story will resonate with others who may be experiencing similar symptoms but have yet to receive a diagnosis. “I hope that other people will find comfort in my story,” she stated, encouraging women to advocate for their health and seek answers.
The interview concluded with a poignant message from Irwin to women battling endometriosis: “Hold on to hope and fight for yourself.” She emphasized the importance of education about the condition and expressed her belief that one doesn’t have to live with the pain forever.
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