BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND: Renowned wildlife enthusiast Robert Irwin recently spoke passionately about the significance of raising awareness for endometriosis, after being inspired by his sister Bindi's decade-long battle with the condition. Over the past ten years, Bindi, 24, has endured "insurmountable pain" caused by endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. This can lead to severe pelvic pain and difficulties in conceiving.
Just two months ago, Bindi underwent surgery, which revealed the presence of 37 lesions and a cyst, after years of suffering from pain, fatigue, and nausea. Previously, medical professionals dismissed her concerns, telling her that it was something women simply have to endure, which led her to give up seeking help until her condition started to deteriorate.
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'Robert Irwin raises awareness about endometriosis'
Robert, in an interview on Sunrise, spoke about his sister's condition, emphasizing the need to have open discussions about endometriosis. "This is something we all need to talk about, it's a discussion we all need to have. Endometriosis, like so many women's health complications, affects more people than we realize," he explained to hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr.
He continued, "She's now a new woman. I'm very vocal about women getting help and men putting it on their radar. So many women go undiagnosed and live through hellish conditions. Bindi was going downhill fast and since getting treatment after being turned down and completely written off, being told 'it's all in your head,' 'it's normal,' she finally got the help she needed and deserved, and she's a new woman."
'There’s stigma around this awful disease!'
In March, Bindi shared a photo on her Instagram page, showing her smiling from her hospital bed after undergoing surgery. She expressed her fear leading up to the procedure but emphasized that she couldn't continue living with the pain. "Every part of my life was getting torn apart because of the pain," she shared. "To cut a long story short, they found 37 lesions, some very deep & difficult to remove, & a chocolate cyst." Bindi's doctor expressed astonishment at how she had endured the pain for so many years, and she expressed her gratitude to those who supported her.
Bindi concluded, "I’m aware of millions of women struggling with a similar story. There’s stigma around this awful disease. I’m sharing my story for anyone who reads this & is quietly dealing with pain & no answers. Let this be your validation that your pain is real & you deserve help. Keep searching for answers."
