Bindi Irwin has revealed that she has endometriosis.
In an emotional post to her Instagram account, the 24-year-old shared a photo of her in hospital, and opened up about her 'battle' with the condition.
Bindi explained that she has suffered with pain for the past 10 years and had been for 'many tests, doctors visits and scan's during that time.
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"A doctor told me it was simply something you deal with as a woman & I gave up entirely, trying to function through the pain," she said.
"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. 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 & difficult to remove, & a chocolate cyst. @seckinmd’s first words to me when I was in recovery were, 'How did you live with this much pain?'.
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"Validation for years of pain is indescribable."
The conservationist then added: "My family & 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 & nurses who believed my pain.
"I’m on the road to recovery & the gratitude I feel is overwhelming. To those questioning the cancelled plans, unanswered messages & absence - I had been pouring every ounce of the energy I had left into our daughter & family.
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"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 & pause before asking me (or any woman) when we’ll be having more children. A
"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 & is quietly dealing with pain & no answers.
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"Let this be your validation that your pain is real & you deserve help. Keep searching for answers. www.endofound.org."
Since sharing the news, Bindi's fans have taken to social media to offer her support.
Flooding her Instagram post with well wishes, many praised her for her bravery.
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"Thank you for sharing your story and using your platform to advocate for us all," wrote one.
While another added: " I cannot begin to imagine how much pain you were in….you are so strong and so brave."
Dominic Smithers