Australian conservationist and TV personality Bindi Irwin has shared encouraging news about her health, revealing she is "genuinely healing" after enduring 13 years of debilitating pain caused by endometriosis. Irwin, who first publicly addressed her struggles with the condition earlier this year, emphasized the need for greater awareness and understanding of this often-misunderstood disease.
In her recent Instagram update to her 5.7 million followers, Irwin expressed that she is "slowly gaining my strength back" and is "beginning to recognize myself again," following a long period of hardship. Reflecting on her experience as a young woman, she recalled feeling "utterly ashamed" when her pain was minimized to just "part of being a woman."
Irwin's message has resonated globally, reigniting discussions about endometriosis, which affects approximately one in ten women. She passionately stated, "Young girls and women shouldn't feel alone with pain in the driver's seat of their lives. We need to take away the stigma of talking about women's health. It’s time to have open discussions and make change on a global scale."
Her original 2023 Instagram post revealing her combat with endometriosis gained significant attention, garnering over 1.1 million likes, while her latest update has also attracted a strong response with about 260,000 likes. The condition occurs when tissue resembling the lining of the uterus develops in other areas of the body, leading to severe discomfort during menstruation, intercourse, and bowel movements, among other symptoms.
Irwin, who has undergone two surgeries resulting in the removal of 51 lesions, a cyst, and her appendix, noted, "I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain." She underscored that her emotional struggles as a teenager and young adult were compounded by the societal notion that her pain was trivial, stating, "That is not okay."
A Wildlife Warrior and the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, the iconic "Crocodile Hunter," Bindi is now managing Australia Zoo alongside her mother, Terri, and brother, Robert. Married to Chandler Powell, she welcomed their daughter, Grace Warrior, in 2021. The conversation surrounding endometriosis has gained momentum, and Irwin's candidness is likely to inspire others to share their stories and seek the help they need.
