Bindi Irwin 'genuinely healing' after 13 years of endometriosis pain
Irwin, who first revealed her decade-long struggle with the disease in 2023, said in an update, she was "slowly gaining my strength back" and "beginning to recognise myself again".
After feeling "utterly ashamed" when told her pain was "just part of being a woman", the 27-year-old said society needs to remove the stigma around women's health.
Irwin's story has reignited conversations worldwide about the condition which can cause severe pain and infertility, affecting about one in ten women.
"Young girls and women shouldn't feel alone with pain in the driver's seat of their lives," she wrote in an Instagram post to her 5.7 million followers.
"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."
Irwin's original 2023 Instagram post on her struggles with endometriosis got more than 1.1 million likes, with her latest update attracting about 260,000 likes.
Endometriosis is caused when tissue similar to the womb's lining grows in other parts of the body such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
It can cause extreme pain during periods, sexual intercourse and bowel movements, as well as pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea and fatigue.
There is no currently no known reason or cure for the condition.
'We wait too long for endometriosis diagnoses'
'Endometriosis is so much more than painful periods'
Endometriosis: 'There's a fire inside my uterus'
'I had endometriosis at 11 - no-one believed me'
Irwin wrote that after "13 years of fighting for answers" and two surgeries where she had 51 lesions, a cyst and her appendix removed, she was finally on the mend.
"I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain," she wrote.
"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. That is not ok."
Irwin is the daughter of Steve Irwin, an Australian conservationist and TV documentary host who was best known as the "Crocodile Hunter" before he died in 2006.
She has since carved out her own path as a self-described wildlife warrior and runs Australia Zoo with her mum Terri and brother Robert.
She is married to Chandler Powell and gave birth to their daughter, Grace Warrior in 2021.
Steve Irwin died aged 44 after being stung by a stingray while filming on the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
What is a chocolate cyst? The growth Bindi Irwin had removed — along with 51 lesions and her appendix
You wouldn't want to find one in your candy box. Bindi Irwin has revealed that she is rebounding from major double surgery after three years of 'fighting for answers' about her health issues — and it included removal of a whole organ as well as a 'chocolate cyst.' 'Fifty-one endometriosis lesions, a chocolate cyst, and my appendix were all removed across two surgeries,' she wrote in an Instagram post. 'I can FINALLY 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.' While many women are familiar with endometriosis — which is when tissue, similar to the lining of your uterus, starts growing outside it — 'chocolate cysts' may not be on your radar. In endometriosis, the misplaced tissue acts just like the uterine lining: thickening, bleeding, and shedding with each menstrual cycle. Common symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, exhaustion, pain during intercourse, heavy periods, infertility, back pain, nausea and vomiting, bloating, an increasing urge to urinate, pain when peeing or pooping, and excessive menstrual cramps. When this tissue attaches to the ovaries, it can be filled with old blood, with turns the color of chocolate. Ovarian endometriomas, or 'chocolate cysts,' can be very small, grow very large, and involve one or both ovaries. Endometriosis affects one in ten women worldwide, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Of that population, 7% to 44% will develop ovarian endometriomas. On average, it takes about a decade from the first signs of symptoms for a woman to finally be diagnosed with endometriosis. Oftentimes, symptoms are dismissed by either healthcare providers or women themselves who believe that even extreme menstrual pain — the kind that causes fainting or vomiting — is just a normal part of womanhood. 4 Endometriomas like the ones Irwin recently had removed are signs of a more advanced stage of endometriosis. Pepermpron – 'Stigma is lingering and alive,' Dr. Tamer Seckin, an endometriosis specialist, previously told The Post. 'Nobody believes it when women have pain.' 'Looking back, every woman I've treated over the last 30 years has carried a story of pain, of being dismissed, of fighting invisible battles that no one believed.' Bindi's endometriosis battle This grin and bear it ethos echoes the experience of Irwin, who first shared her endometriosis diagnosis over two years ago. She gave an update on her health on the February 3 episode of the 'A Life of Greatness' podcast, sharing that she dealt with a decade of daily fatigue as a result of her condition. 'I went for 10 years undiagnosed because doctors really didn't know enough, they diagnosed me with a million other things, like IBS, or hormones, or 'It's just part of being a woman,'' she explained. 'The symptoms continued to snowball, and it took me such a long time to find help.' 4 Irwin underwent surgery in March 2023 to treat her endometriosis. Instagram/@bindisueirwin Endometriomas like the ones Irwin recently had removed are signs of a more advanced stage of endometriosis. Irwin first underwent surgery to treat her condition in March 2023. What are complications of chocolate cysts? Beyond severe pelvic pain, complications of ovarian endometriomas include constipation, inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, an increased risk of ovarian cancer, infertility as a result of scar tissue, and the possibility of an endometrioma rupture, wherein the cyst opens and leaks, causing additional pain. However, when they're small and don't cause pain, they do not require treatment — but may be monitored. How are they diagnosed? These cysts are initially diagnosed via pelvic exam and imaging procedures like a transvaginal ultrasound or MRI. An official diagnosis is made when the cyst is removed laparoscopically and sent to a lab for biopsy. 4 Irwin was inspired to share her journey in part to destigmatize and raise awareness of issues related to women's health. bindisueirwin/Instagram How are chocolate cysts treated? There is no known cure for ovarian endometriomas. Treatment is dependent on factors such as age, symptoms, and reproductive goals. Options include medications that regulate hormones, including birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, or IUDs. They may also be removed via laparoscopic surgery. Cyst removal typically improves symptoms and reduces the risk of rupture or infertility. Irwin was inspired to share her journey in part to destigmatize endometriosis and raise awareness about issues related to women's health. '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. Young girls and women shouldn't feel alone with pain in the driver's seat of their lives. 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,' she said in her latest Instagram post. In May, The Seckin Endometriosis Research Center for Women's Health opened at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) on Long Island, made history as the first research facility within a top US scientific institution solely focused on unraveling the mysteries of the painful condition.
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Forbes
Bisabolol Is The Soothing Skin Ingredient Dermatologists Want You To Know
Bisabolol is an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant powerhouse. getty Between Instagram and #BeautyTok, skincare advice is plenty (think beef tallow and face-taping). But when the experts who eat INCI intel for breakfast tell you there's an ingredient to watch, you take note. And right now, the name on their lips is bisabolol. While it has been used in skincare for centuries (from traditional medicine to modern acne treatments and sunscreens), bisabolol largely flew under the radar until the recent shift toward natural, barrier-repairing ingredients put it in the spotlight. The naturally occurring compound comes in two forms. Alpha-bisabolol, which is commonly extracted from the essential oils of German chamomile and Brazilian candeia tree. Though it can also be produced synthetically, explains Dr. Hallie McDonald, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of ERLY Skincare. And beta-bisabolol, which is derived mainly from corn and cotton plants. 'Alpha-bisabolol is the one predominantly used in skincare because it's better studied, has a milder scent, and is considered more potent,' notes Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dual fellowship-trained dermatologist. So what exactly does bisabolol do for your skin? And how can you work it into your routine? Let's find out. How Bisabolol Benefits Your Skin Bisabolol is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse. It calms redness and irritation by reducing the skin's inflammatory response and strengthening the skin barrier, making it especially effective for redness-, acne-, and rosacea-prone skin, says Dr. McDonald. Adding to its zit-zapping street cred, bisabolol is a natural antimicrobial that prevents acne-causing bacteria from proliferating and worsening inflammation, says Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical dermatology and dermatologic surgery. According to Dr. McDonald, the bioactive compound is also an antioxidant heavy-hitter, protecting your skin from free radicals that contribute to skin damage and premature aging. Not only that, it enhances penetration of other actives like vitamin C and retinol, while its anti-inflammatory properties help improve the tolerability of these ingredients, Dr. McDonald explains. 'Think of bisabolol as a skincare wingman—it can make other actives work harder, but it can also smooth over their rough edges,' she says. Plus, it's non-comedogenic and may help correct hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage or scarring, says Valerie Aparovich, biochemist and science team lead at OnSkin. 'Bisabolol also has a very low potential for irritation and photosensitivity,' she adds. How To Use Bisabolol In Your Skincare Routine Ready to add bisabolol to your skincare arsenal? Here's how to do it right, according to dermatologists: Do a patch test first: Bisabolol is generally well tolerated, even by those with sensitive skin. But if you have a sensitivity or allergy to it or plants in the Asteraceae family like chamomile, irritation is possible, says Dr. Peterson Pierre, a Stanford-trained, board-certified dermatologist. Bisabolol is generally well tolerated, even by those with sensitive skin. But if you have a sensitivity or allergy to it or plants in the Asteraceae family like chamomile, irritation is possible, says Dr. Peterson Pierre, a Stanford-trained, board-certified dermatologist. Layer it right: Dr. Chacon recommends applying your bisabolol product in the right order for best results. For example, if you're using a bisabolol serum or moisturizer, apply it on clean skin while it's still damp for better absorption. Applying it at this stage also helps increase absorption of other actives you apply later on. Dr. Chacon recommends applying your bisabolol product in the right order for best results. For example, if you're using a bisabolol serum or moisturizer, apply it on clean skin while it's still damp for better absorption. Applying it at this stage also helps increase absorption of other actives you apply later on. Stay consistent: 'Bisabolol can be used daily, morning or night. The most important thing is consistency,' says Dr. Pierre. He recommends 12 weeks of consistent use for maximum benefits. 'Bisabolol can be used daily, morning or night. The most important thing is consistency,' says Dr. Pierre. He recommends 12 weeks of consistent use for maximum benefits. Pair it carefully: 'Bisabolol combines seamlessly with other barrier-friendly ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and zinc oxide,' says Dr. McDonald. However, she recommends exercising caution when using it alongside strong actives like prescription-strength retinoids or benzoyl peroxide. Lastly, it's important to keep in mind that no single ingredient can do everything, so combining it with healthy skincare habits like sun protection and proper sleep is essential.
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Associated Press
Australia's Top Healthcare IT Vendors Named by Black Book Research in 2025 Annual User Rankings
Live results announced today in Melbourne at HIC 2025, Australia's largest digital health and health informatics industry gathering MELBOURNE, AU / ACCESS Newswire / August 18, 2025 / Black Book Research today announced the 2025 top-rated healthcare IT vendors in Australia, recognizing leaders across 13 categories of digital health and hospital information systems. The results were unveiled live at the HIC 2025 conference and on the event website, as more than 1,500 healthcare leaders, clinicians, and technology suppliers gather at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The annual survey drew 864 validated responses from executives, clinicians, and IT leaders across 520 public and 344 private hospitals, representing a broad spectrum of Australia's health sector. Vendors were rated across 18 performance indicators. 2025 Top Vendors by Category - Australia Key Findings Australia's Public hospitals ranked Oracle Health, InterSystems, and Microsoft Azure highest for scalability and alignment with national digital health standards. Private hospitals favored Personify Care, CareMonitor, and Episoft for measurable ROI and Australian-focused patient experience improvement. Solventum earned top marks in coding and HIM, reflecting adoption of analytics and automated coding solutions. Salesforce was recognized for leadership in patient relationship management, supporting health cloud and CRM-driven engagement models. Hyland achieved top ratings in enterprise content and document management, particularly in imaging workflows and secure health records. Australian innovators Heidi Health, DC2Vue, and CareMonitor were noted for agility and responsiveness to evolving government digital health priorities. Australian Health IT Trends (Q2-Q3 2025 Update) From the flash survey in July and August 2025, 484 responses by Australian HIT professionals several trends emerged: Survey Confidence & Methodology With 864 hospitals responding, the survey sample represents two-thirds of all Australian inpatient healthcare facilities, providing a 95% confidence level with a margin of error under 3% for national benchmarking. The 2025 Australian Health Information Systems and Digital Health Survey assessed vendor performance across 18 KPIs, including compliance with Australian regulations, interoperability with My Health Record, cybersecurity and uptime, cloud sovereignty and data residency, clinical usability, ROI, sustainability, implementation support, telehealth capabilities, patient engagement outcomes, and delivery integrity. KPIs were weighted by hospital type and vendor category to reflect real-world priorities, ensuring comparability and accuracy. Access the Full Global HIT Report A complimentary copy of the 530-page 2025 Black Book of Global Healthcare IT, including Q3 updates, is available for download at: For additional data or media inquiries, contact: [email protected] or visit About Black Book Research Black Book Research is an independent global healthcare IT benchmarking firm. The company provides impartial, crowd-sourced vendor evaluations free from financial influences, helping hospitals, payers, and governments worldwide make informed technology decisions. Contact InformationPress Office 8008637590 SOURCE: Black Book Research press release
