Bindi Irwin, an Australian wildlife activist, recently spoke out about her health issues. In a post on Instagram on March 7th, the 24-year-old revealed that she had been diagnosed with endometriosis. A condition where cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside of the uterus.

As per the Mayo Clinic, endometriosis impacts the pelvic tissue and has the potential to encompass the ovaries and fallopian tubes, possibly causing harm to the bladder and gut. “Dear Friends,

I 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 with other women who need help.” She wrote and posted a photo of her in a hospital bed.

Irwin recounted her experiences with pain over the last decade, revealing that it took numerous tests, physician visits, and scans before she was able to identify the root cause of her discomfort. She also shared that some doctors had initially dismissed her symptoms. Read more below