Bindi Irwin has acknowledged that she experienced a profound sense of trepidation when disclosing her diagnosis of endometriosis to the public.
“It is a daunting task to reveal the most challenging aspects of one’s self, particularly when they are deeply personal,” the conservationist stated on Friday night at the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s (EndoFound) 12th Annual Blossom Ball, where she was honored.
However, Irwin, 25, whose father was the late Steve Irwin, elected to disclose her health journey to illuminate an often misdiagnosed illness that affects approximately one in ten women worldwide.
The World Health Organization defines endometriosis as a chronic disease associated with severe, life-impacting pain during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes depression, anxiety, and infertility.
Bindi, who attended Friday’s event with her mother, Terri Irwin, and brother, Robert Irwin, informed us that the disease is still a subject that is “so not talked about.”
“It is frequently overlooked, and many women and girls are experiencing considerable distress,” the zookeeper elaborated.
“It is of the utmost importance to me to share my journey, as I believe it may inspire others and allow them to stand up and say, ‘This is not normal, and I deserve to get help.” “I deserve to feel good.”
In a post on Instagram last year, Bindi revealed that she had undergone surgery to remove 37 lesions due to endometriosis.
The “Crikey!” Additionally, the “The Irwins” star disclosed to Page Six that she had been experiencing progressively worsening pain for over a decade.
“I began seeking answers more than a decade ago,” she elucidated. “I was quite young, indeed.”
However, as is the case with many sufferers, her pain was ignored, with doctors attributing it to hormonal imbalances or stress.
Furthermore, she stated, “A physician advised me to simply consume a cup of tea and concentrate on mental clarity.” Such counsel was, in fact, wholly inadequate when I would assert, “I am experiencing excruciating pain, and I am unable to ambulate without experiencing emesis.”
Bindi, who shares a daughter, Grace, aged three, with her husband, Chandler Powell, stated that her symptoms intensified following the birth of her daughter.
“It reached a point where I was experiencing pain not only during my menstrual cycle but daily. Furthermore, the intensity of the pain increased significantly after the birth of my daughter,” the “Dancing With the Stars” alum revealed.
“Many individuals believe that once a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth, her symptoms will improve. However, for me, the opposite was true. My daughter, Grace, was a miracle baby, and after I had her, my symptoms intensified significantly.”
Bindi stated that she underwent a battery of tests, but it was not until a friend shared her own experience with endometriosis that she gained an understanding of the condition. She emphasized the importance of education in improving awareness and understanding of this disease.
Upon entering the event, the trio delivered a poignant speech that garnered considerable attention.