After more than a decade of searching for answers, Bindi Irwin says she is finally on the path to healing.
In an emotional Instagram post, the conservationist revealed she underwent surgery that removed 51 endometriosis lesions, a chocolate cyst, her appendix, and repaired a childbirth-related hernia.
The procedures were performed by endometriosis specialist Dr. Tamer Seckin in two separate surgeries.
“I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult,” Irwin shared, reflecting on the painful symptoms she endured for years. Her message emphasized that no young woman should feel ashamed or isolated when struggling with pain that is often dismissed as “just part of being a woman.”
Irwin, the daughter of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, first disclosed her diagnosis in March 2023 on social media. Since then, she has used her platform to raise awareness of endometriosis, a condition that affects about nine million women in the United States.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis impacts roughly 10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide. In the U.S., about nine million women are affected.
Diagnosis is often delayed—sometimes taking five to 12 years—due to stigma and frequent misdiagnosis, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the disease as a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, leading to pain, inflammation, and in some cases, infertility.
Symptoms can include pelvic and abdominal pain, painful periods, discomfort during intercourse, digestive problems, heavy bleeding, and fatigue.
When medication doesn’t relieve symptoms, laparoscopic surgery is often recommended. This minimally invasive approach uses small incisions to remove or ablate lesions. It generally allows for faster recovery compared to open surgery, known as a laparotomy, which requires a large abdominal incision.
Surgical removal of lesions may also improve fertility in some women. Recovery typically takes two to four weeks, though it can be longer depending on the severity of the condition and overall health. Potential risks include infection, bleeding, injury to nearby organs, and temporary discomfort from surgical gases.
Beyond symptom relief, such procedures can help preserve fertility.
In May 2025, the Seckin Endometriosis Research Center opened at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory with $20 million in funding. It is the first major U.S. facility devoted exclusively to understanding endometriosis, developing non-invasive diagnostics, and improving treatment options.
Irwin said she is “beginning to recognize” herself again after her surgeries and shared her hope that her story will spark broader conversations about women’s health worldwide.
“I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain,” she wrote. “Slowly, slowly gaining my strength back. I cannot express the gravity of my emotions as I am beginning to recognize myself again.”
