Bindi Irwin Opens Up About Her Struggle With Endometriosis

Actress and conservationist Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Australian crocodile hunter and wildlife educator Steve Irwin, has opened up about a person struggle of more than a decade. 24-year-old Irwin has long battled endometriosis, an illness in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus, also called the endometrium, grow outside the uterus, leading to severe pain and side effects. The illness also occasionally impacts fertility in women, and affects 10-15% of women overall.

Irwin recently underwent surgery to remove 37 lesions and a large ovarian cyst. She described the procedure and her path to a diagnosis in a lengthy Instagram caption. The story was paired with a photo of Irwin in the hospital shortly before the procedure.

Several famous women and Irwin’s family members offered support on her decision to undergo surgery, and her choice to share her journey publicly. Actress and comedian Amy Schumer commented “Thank you for sharing.” Additionally, Irwin’s younger brother, 19-year-old Robert Irwin shared a tribute to his sister’s perseverance.

In the post, Irwin also thanked her friend Leslie Mosier for connecting her to better healthcare resources for endometriosis care. Mosier is the owner of one of the internet’s favorite dogs, Doug the Pug, and is based in Nashville. She also offered support for her friend in the comments, writing “Bindi you amaze me! Your strength is immeasurable and sharing your story will help so many who are suffering. I can’t wait to watch you thrive. I love you sweet sister .”

Irwin’s husband, Chandler Powell, applauded his wife’s difficult decision to go through the risky procedure. Powell wrote, “You are the strongest, toughest person I know. I love you and I’m so excited for this new chapter of life.”

Fans of the Irwin family’s wildlife programming are offering their own words of encouragement. Many are starting conversations on the importance of awareness surrounding hormonal disorders in women and people with uteruses.

Others are pointing out how long it takes to even receive a diagnosis for endometriosis, and how Irwin’s painful decade long battle is common for people with this condition. Even with Irwin coming from a prominent family and having access to high quality medical care, some doctors did not recognize the extreme pain she was going through.

Women doctors and nurses are applauding Irwin for getting personal on her platform, believing that it could eventually lead to quicker diagnosis times across the board.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and many feel that Irwin chose to open up about her story at just the right time.

The Endometriosis Foundation of America currently offers further insight into the condition for those who think they may be experiencing symptoms. There is also a place to donate money to go towards education and research on the illness. These can all be found on endofound.org.

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