Bindi Irwin has revealed she’s been struggling with ‘insurmountable’ pain for the last decade, and she’s finally shared her journey in the hopes of helping other women.

The 24-year-old mum of Grace Warrior said in an Instagram post that she’s battled for a long time, ‘wondering if I should share this journey with you in such a public space’.

“It came down to the responsibility I feel to share my story for other women who need help,” the daughter of Steve Irwin explained.

“For 10 years I’ve struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain and nausea. Trying to remain a positive person and hide the pain has been a very long road. These last 10y years have included many tests, doctors visits, scans, etc.

“A doctor told me it was simply something you deal with as a woman and I gave up entirely, trying to function through the pain. I didn’t find answers until a friend @lesliemosier helped set me on a path of regaining my life. I decided to undergo surgery for endometriosis.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)

“Going in for surgery was scary but I knew I couldn’t live like I was. Every part of my life was getting torn apart because of the pain. To cut a long story short, they found 37 lesions, some very deep and difficult to remove, and a chocolate cyst. @seckinmd’s first words to me when I was in recovery were, “How did you live with this much pain?”

“Validation for years of pain is indescribable. My family and friends who have been on this journey with me for 10+ yrs – THANK YOU, for encouraging me to find answers when I thought I’d never climb out. Thank you to the doctors and nurses who believed my pain. I’m on the road to recovery and the gratitude I feel is overwhelming.

“To those questioning the cancelled plans, unanswered messages and absence – I had been pouring every ounce of the energy I had left into our daughter and family.

“Things may look fine on the outside looking in through the window of someone’s life, however, that is not always the case. Please be gentle and pause before asking me (or any woman) when we’ll be having more children.

“After all that my body has gone through, I feel tremendously grateful that we have our gorgeous daughter. She feels like our family’s miracle.

“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 and is quietly dealing with pain and no answers.

“Let this be your validation that your pain is real and you deserve help. Keep searching for answers.”

Bindi’s brother Robert also took to social media to encourage women to seek help for the disease.

“Bindi, I’m so proud of you,” he wrote on Instagram. “It’s been a long battle through a decade of pain, but you are finally on the road to recovery. I’m so happy you can have your life back.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)

“Endometriosis is a horrible, crippling disease and too many women endure this in silence, or are never even diagnosed. Bindi, your story of resilience is a beacon for women around the world who are suffering – and it’s a wake up call for men too. It’s *everyone’s* responsibility to be allies for womens health and help spread awareness.

“You never know who’s suffering in silence, let’s make this a topic that we all freely talk about.”

What is endometriosis?

According to Endometriosis Australia, endo is a common disease that sees tissue similar to that of the womb lining, growing outside of the womb and in other parts of a woman’s body.

The symptoms can vary between women and girls, which is why it often takes up to six and half years for a diagnosis. Symptoms can include:

• pelvic or abdominal pain before and during a period, during or after sex or when going to the toilet. The pain may even be felt in the thigh of leg.
• heavy periods or irregular bleeding, sometimes with clots
• bleeding for longer than normal or before a period is due
• feeling bloated, with or without pain
• tiredness
• anxiety and depression
• infertility

There is no cure for endometriosis, and the cause isn’t known, but there are some things that are thought to put women at a greater risk, including a family history, long and heavy periods and starting your period before the age of 11.

But it’s important to know that endo can’t be prevented.

How is endometriosis treated?

As Bindi explained, it can take years for a diagnosis, and by that time endo can be quite advanced. It can be treated with medicines, surgery and other complementary treatments like physio.

Bindi is one of many celebrities who have opened up about the condition, including Amy Schumer sharing her endometriosis surgery.