Bindi Irwin has burst into tears as she opens up about her 10-year battle with endometriosis.
The 25-year-old appeared in her first television interview on Good Morning America on Friday and spoke about her decades-long battle with the disease.
Speaking to newsreader Eva Pilgrim about her health battle, the star made a number of shocking revelations – including how she thought she was having a miscarriage while pregnant with her daughter Grace.
“It was a long journey. “It’s been a long ten years,” she said through tears.
The Queensland zookeeper said she underwent multiple tests to diagnose the condition after suffering from “unexplained pain, fatigue, cramps and nausea” as a teenager.
Bindi Irwin has burst into tears as she opens up about her 10-year battle with endometriosis
However, at this point, doctors couldn’t find any reasons for her symptoms.
“I was checked for cancer. I’ve had MRIs, I’ve had ultrasounds, I’ve had CT scans, just to name a few. “I was checked for everything,” she said.
“And the worst part was there were no answers.”
Bindi, who has first daughter Grace Warrior with husband Chandler Powell, revealed that there were moments when the pain was so unbearable that she thought she was suffering a pregnancy loss.
Bindi, who has first daughter Grace Warrior with husband Chandler Powell, revealed that there were moments when the pain was so unbearable that she thought she was suffering a pregnancy loss
“On my pregnancy journey. “I often had moments where I thought I was having a miscarriage because I was in severe, unexplained pain,” she continued.
“I would think I was losing our beautiful daughter.”
In March, the daughter of the late Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” Irwin opened up about her battle with the disease for the first time in a lengthy Instagram post.
The Crikey! It’s the Irwins star who said she was “torn” for ten years [by] the pain” and knew she had to undergo surgery because she “couldn’t live like I did.”
She explained how the surgeon at the Seckin Endometriosis Center in New York City removed a total of thirty-seven lesions and a “chocolate cyst” – a term for a cyst filled with menstrual blood.
Endometriosis is an often painful condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus also grows outside the uterus.
In March, the daughter of the late Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” Irwin opened up about her battle with the disease for the first time in a lengthy Instagram post
Symptoms are varied: pain can affect areas from the abdomen and lower back to the pelvis and vagina.
Other symptoms include painful intercourse, abnormal menstruation, nausea, bloating and pain during bowel movements.
Bindi was initially unsure if she wanted to speak publicly about her health, but decided to speak out because she hoped to help other women struggling with endometriosis.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that resembles the lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside this layer, causing pain and/or infertility.
There are a variety of symptoms – pain can affect areas from the abdomen and lower back to the pelvis and vagina.
Other symptoms include painful intercourse, abnormal menstruation, nausea, bloating and pain during bowel movements.
The diagnosis of endometriosis can only be made through a laparoscopy and taking a tissue sample.
There is no cure, but treatments such as hormones and excisional surgery are available.
Source: Endometriosis Australia
She also wanted to draw attention to the fact that doctors often don’t take the condition seriously enough, pointing out that a doctor once told her that pain was just a normal part of being a woman.
“For ten years I have struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain and nausea. “Trying to remain a positive person and hide the pain has been a very long journey,” she began.
“Over the last decade there have been a lot of tests, doctor visits, scans, etc.”
Bindi continued: “A doctor told me it was just something you struggle with as a woman and I gave up on it completely and tried to deal with the pain.”
“I didn’t find any answers until a friend, Leslie Mosier, helped me find the way to get my life back.” “I decided to have surgery for endometriosis.”
She said: “It was scary to have surgery but I knew I couldn’t live the way I was,” adding that “every” aspect of her life was “torn apart” because of the pain.
The Crikey! It’s the Irwins star who said she was “torn” for ten years [by] the pain” and knew she had to undergo surgery because she “couldn’t live like I did”
“Long story short, they found thirty-seven lesions, some very deep and difficult to remove, and one chocolate cyst,” she continued.
Bindi told her that her surgeon’s first words after she woke up from the procedure were, “How could you live with so much pain?”
She said it was an “indescribable” feeling to receive this “validation” from a medical professional after years of having her pain relieved by doctors, before thanking her family and friends who encouraged her to find answers .
“Thank you to the doctors and nurses who believed in my pain,” she added. “I am on the road to recovery and the gratitude I feel is overwhelming.”
The DWTS champ went on to discuss how the pain had affected her life and how she had tried to cover up the issue with positive social media posts.
“To everyone who questions the canceled plans, the unanswered messages and the absences: I have poured every ounce of my remaining energy into our daughter and family,” she said.
“Things may look good from the outside when you look through the window into a person’s life; However, this is not always the case.’
Bindi also warned against asking women about their family plans, as you never know if they are struggling with a disease like endometriosis, which can affect fertility.
“Please be gentle and pause before asking me – or any woman – when we will have more children.” After everything my body has been through, I am eternally grateful that we have our beautiful daughter . “She feels like the miracle of our family,” she said.
Bindi also warned against asking women about their family plans, as you never know if they are struggling with a disease like endometriosis, which can affect fertility
“I am aware that millions of women struggle with a similar story.” There is a stigma surrounding this terrible disease. I tell my story to anyone who reads this and is quietly dealing with pain and a lack of answers.’
“Let this be your confirmation that your pain is real and you deserve help.” Keep looking for answers,” she concluded.
The daughter of prominent conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin, Bindi has been in the spotlight her entire life.
Steve, known to millions around the world as “the Crocodile Hunter”, died on September 4, 2006, aged 44, after being stabbed in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary about the Great Barrier Reef.
Bindi was just eight years old at the time.
After his death, Steve’s family, including his children Bindi and Robert, his widow Terri and his son-in-law Chandler, continued his wildlife conservation work at Australia Zoo on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The daughter of prominent conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin, Bindi has been in the spotlight her entire life. Bindi is pictured as a child with her parents Steve and Terri in 2002