‘I was in pain every single day of my life’: Bindi breaks silence about endometriosis

“We tried to find out what was wrong for years. I finally gave up when a doctor told me it’s just part of being a woman,” the mum-of-one reveals.

“Suddenly the pain hit me out of nowhere,” Bindi Irwin said, recalling a moment when she was carrying her two-year-old daughter Grace up a tiny hill during an annual research trip with her mum Terry.

“I had to hand Grace to mum and curl up on the ground because the stabbing pain in my side was insurmountable,” she said in an Instagram video responding to followers asking about her endometriosis journey.

For the 24-year-old, the pain was familiar, but over time it had been getting worse.

When she was 14, the wildlife warrior started noticing symptoms: extreme fatigue, pain, nausea, and not just around her period, but all the time.

“I had pain ever single day of my life. No matter where we went, where we were going, I would be falling asleep. I felt like I constantly had the flu.”

As she got older, Bindi wanted answers. She had CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds trying to figure out what was wrong.

“I was always in pain. We tried for a year, and finally a doctor told me it was just part of being a woman.”

That’s when Bindi quit trying to seek out a pain-free life.

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Bindi Irwin shares endometriosis journey

But when she had her daughter Grace in 2021, the pain intensified.

“Some people say that having a baby can make endometriosis better. That wasn’t what happened for me. My symptoms magnified.

“After having my beautiful Grace, my pain levels were out of this world.

“I remember countless times of Grace needing me, and me crawling to her cot at night. I can remember being with Grace and lying on the floor in agony. I had a stabbing pain in my side, I couldn’t get up or I would throw up, and I was scared I would pass out.”

As she told the story to her social media followers, Bindi got teary and struggled to compose herself.

Bindi said she was having trouble eating, and she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Another doctor suggested chronic fatigue.

But then Bindi heard Doug the Pug author Leslie Mosier's story. Leslie’s symptoms sounded so familiar.

“Leslie said the only way to diagnose for sure is through exploratory surgery.”

Bindi’s family was heading to America to visit her mum’s family and Chandler’s family, and the young mum decided that the trip would be the best time to have surgery. Family would be close and they would be fully supported.

RELATED: Australia’s first endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics open across the country

Bindi was terrified something would happen to her while she was alone with Grace. Photo: Instagram

Bindi Irwin diagnosed with endometriosis

At that moment in the story, Grace woke from her nap and joined Bindi in the video, and while her tone changed, the story was no less horrifying.

“Mama went for surgery and they found 37 lesions and a chocolate cyst on my ovary,” she said in an upbeat voice.

“Ovary!” Grace parroted and Bindi laughed.

“After surgery mama feels a lot better hey? I had to recover for quite a while, and mama feels so much better, and she can run around with you,” she said, talking to her daughter.

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Grace joined the video and Bindi's mood was transformed. Photo: Instagram

Bindi Irwin raises awareness about endometriosis

Bindi said that she’s now involved in the endometriosis community and has since learned that excision surgery, in which the lesions and cysts are removed by scalpel or laser, is the “gold standard” for endometriosis. Ablation, where the lining of the uterus is destroyed, “can sometimes make things worse”.

“Everyone says we need to educate the public, but there also needs to be a shift in health care. Doctors need more information because endometriosis has myriad symptoms. Doctors need the right tools to diagnose.”

Bindi’s message was full of passion and support for other endometriosis sufferers.

“I feel like. I got a second chance at life,” the young mum said.

“If you’re in pain, it’s so hard to get up every day and forge ahead.

“Keep searching for those answers and never give up on you.”

Originally published as ‘I was in pain every single day of my life’: Bindi breaks silence about endometriosis