.jpeg "Bindi Irwin Opens Up About Health Battle After a Decade of Misdiagnosis")
The Crikey! It’s the Irwins star, 26, spoke candidly on the A Life of Greatness podcast about struggling with undiagnosed symptoms for more than a decade. She revealed that only her husband, Chandler Powell, her mother, Terri Irwin, and her brother, Robert Irwin, knew the extent of her suffering.
A Decade of Unanswered Questions
“For years, I was incredibly unwell behind closed doors,” Bindi shared. “People must have thought I was flaky because I kept canceling plans, but I was in so much pain that I could barely function. Every day was a battle with extreme fatigue and sickness.”
Despite undergoing numerous tests—including CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and blood work—doctors repeatedly told her nothing was wrong. She was misdiagnosed multiple times, with some dismissing her pain as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hormonal issues, or simply “part of being a woman.”
Eventually, a friend who had experienced similar symptoms led Bindi to a surgeon in the U.S. who finally gave her the answers she had been searching for. During surgery, doctors discovered over 30 lesions and a large cyst that had adhered her ovary to her side, causing agonizing pain.
A Message of Hope and Awareness
Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, affects millions of women worldwide. However, as Bindi pointed out, it is still widely misunderstood.
“I was terrified to share my story because, after so many doctors told me I was crazy, I started to believe them,” she admitted. “But when my surgeon asked, ‘How did you function with this much pain?’ it validated everything I had been through.”
Now on the other side of surgery, Bindi is using her platform to raise awareness. She became the first international recipient of the EndoFound Blossom Award in 2024, recognizing her advocacy work for endometriosis awareness.
“There’s no cure, and I may need another surgery in the future, but for now, I feel incredibly grateful,” she said. “Never give up on yourself—you will find answers.”
Through her journey, Bindi hopes to inspire others to seek help, trust their bodies, and push for better awareness of women’s health issues.
.jpeg&description=Bindi Irwin Opens Up About Health Battle After a Decade of Misdiagnosis){kind=link}