Bindi Irwin 'utterly ashamed' before doctors removed 51 lesions in major procedure
In a heartfelt Instagram post, the conservationist revealed the removal of 51 endometriosis lesions, a chocolate cyst, her appendix, and repair of a hernia from childbirth.
Dr. Tamer Seckin, an endometriosis specialist, removed them all during two separate surgeries.
"I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult," Irwin wrote, speaking about the painful endometriosis symptoms she suffered.
Her message? No young woman should feel ashamed or alone with pain that's too often dismissed as "just part of being a woman."
Irwin, daughter of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, first revealed her diagnosis in March 2023 through a post on social media.
The conservationist's story highlights a condition affecting millions worldwide.
Here's what to know.
Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide; in the U.S. alone, it impacts about 9 million women.
Diagnosis is often delayed, averaging five to 12 years after the onset of symptoms due to stigma and misdiagnosis, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines endometriosis as a condition that occurs when tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain, inflammation, even infertility.
Common symptoms include pelvic and abdominal pain, painful periods, pain during intercourse, digestive issues, heavy bleeding and fatigue.
When treatment doesn't help symptoms, the next step is often laparoscopic surgery, which uses small incisions to remove or ablate lesions.
This surgery often means a faster recovery and fewer complications compared to more invasive open surgery, called a laparotomy, which involves one long incision across the abdomen.
Recovery typically takes two to four weeks, though healing may take longer depending on the extent of surgery and individual health.
While relatively rare, risks of the surgery can include infection, bleeding, damage to nearby organs and gas-related discomfort.
Beyond symptom relief, procedures like Irwin's may preserve fertility by removing growths.
In May 2025, the Seckin Endometriosis Research Center opened at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, backed by $20 million in funding.
It represents the first major U.S. facility solely dedicated to understanding endometriosis, developing non-invasive diagnostics, and improving treatments.
Irwin's story sheds light on the difficult battle many women face when trying to find answers to their physical pain. Her post urged broader, open conversations about women's health on a global scale.
"I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain," Irwin shared.
"Slowly, slowly gaining my strength back," she wrote.
"I cannot express the gravity of my emotions as I am beginning to recognize myself again."
Originally published as Bindi Irwin 'utterly ashamed' before doctors removed 51 lesions in major procedure
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Sky News AU
15 hours ago
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Bindi Irwin 'utterly ashamed' before doctors removed 51 lesions in major procedure
After 13 years of "fighting for answers," Bindi Irwin says she is finally healing. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the conservationist revealed the removal of 51 endometriosis lesions, a chocolate cyst, her appendix, and repair of a hernia from childbirth. Dr. Tamer Seckin, an endometriosis specialist, removed them all during two separate surgeries. "I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult," Irwin wrote, speaking about the painful endometriosis symptoms she suffered. Her message? No young woman should feel ashamed or alone with pain that's too often dismissed as "just part of being a woman." Irwin, daughter of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, first revealed her diagnosis in March 2023 through a post on social media. The conservationist's story highlights a condition affecting millions worldwide. Here's what to know. Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide; in the U.S. alone, it impacts about 9 million women. Diagnosis is often delayed, averaging five to 12 years after the onset of symptoms due to stigma and misdiagnosis, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines endometriosis as a condition that occurs when tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain, inflammation, even infertility. Common symptoms include pelvic and abdominal pain, painful periods, pain during intercourse, digestive issues, heavy bleeding and fatigue. When treatment doesn't help symptoms, the next step is often laparoscopic surgery, which uses small incisions to remove or ablate lesions. This surgery often means a faster recovery and fewer complications compared to more invasive open surgery, called a laparotomy, which involves one long incision across the abdomen. Recovery typically takes two to four weeks, though healing may take longer depending on the extent of surgery and individual health. While relatively rare, risks of the surgery can include infection, bleeding, damage to nearby organs and gas-related discomfort. Beyond symptom relief, procedures like Irwin's may preserve fertility by removing growths. In May 2025, the Seckin Endometriosis Research Center opened at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, backed by $20 million in funding. It represents the first major U.S. facility solely dedicated to understanding endometriosis, developing non-invasive diagnostics, and improving treatments. Irwin's story sheds light on the difficult battle many women face when trying to find answers to their physical pain. Her post urged broader, open conversations about women's health on a global scale. "I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain," Irwin shared. "Slowly, slowly gaining my strength back," she wrote. "I cannot express the gravity of my emotions as I am beginning to recognize myself again." Originally published as Bindi Irwin 'utterly ashamed' before doctors removed 51 lesions in major procedure
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Bindi Irwin sparks endometriosis conversation after sharing her story
Bindi Irwin is urging women not to accept endometriosis pain as normal. The 27-year-old's post on social media in 2023 detailing her diagnosis with endometriosis has been liked more than one million times. This week, Ms Irwin stated that after 13 years of fighting for answers, 51 endometriosis lesions, a cyst, two surgeries, and a hernia, it was now time to heal. She said she felt "utterly ashamed" of her pain as her endometriosis symptoms were constantly dismissed. Like many women, Ms Irwin said this eroded her self-esteem, and she was speaking out to help reduce the stigma and secrecy around discussing the condition. Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body. About one in 10 of those assigned female at birth have endometriosis. Ebony Nykiel, 26, from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, said Bindi's post resonated with her. She said it took 13 years for her diagnosis of endometriosis. Ms Nykiel said she had her first period at 10, and from the start, her painful symptoms were dismissed by others. Her eventual diagnosis was "bittersweet". She said it was validating to learn she "wasn't crazy" but that she was left with limited treatment options. Ms Nykiel said it wasn't just a woman's issue. "It's everyone's issue," she said. Ms Irwin said she was "slowly, slowly" regaining her strength. "I can FINALLY (sic) say that I'm feeling better. Genuinely healing. I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain," she wrote on social media. "I cannot express the gravity of my emotions as I am beginning to recognise myself again. "I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult being told that my pain was just part of being a woman. "I felt lesser. I felt hurt. I felt weak." She said others should not have to endure isolation along with the trauma caused by endometriosis. "Young girls and women shouldn't feel alone with pain in the driver's seat of their lives," Ms Irwin said. "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." Jessica Spain, a social worker and PhD candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast, is researching the experiences of women and girls in regional Queensland accessing an endometriosis diagnosis. She said it was "so common" for them to be dismissed or for their pain to be normalised, misdiagnosed, or mistreated. Miss Spain said it could take six to eight years to be diagnosed. Accessing care, she said, was even more challenging for those who were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, transgender, non-binary, living with a disability, or in a regional area. "The stigma around it has kept women under wraps for hundreds and thousands of years," she said. "Females are the experts in their own bodies and we know when something's wrong." She said women were often told they were being dramatic or that it was stress-related. Miss Spain said she found Ms Irwin's post empowering. "Endometriosis doesn't discriminate," Miss Spain said. "It's so powerful for her to speak up about that because that will resonate with so many people." Monica Forlano, from Endometriosis Australia, said it was a full-body and potentially lifelong health condition. She said, historically, the female body was not studied in the same way as men's bodies. "It essentially just comes down to medical misogyny," she said. "We know so little about it, it's still a mystery, an enigma." She said that through more funding, research, and awareness, the future was likely brighter for those living with the disease. Ms Forlano said she hoped to see endometriosis discussed more widely in schools with boys and girls of all ages. "It shouldn't be a life-defining condition. People can thrive," Ms Forlano said. "They just need to be seen and heard and listened to."
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