Zookeeper and television personality Bindi Irwin announced her 10 year long battle with endometriosis on International Women's Day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
An Instagram post to Ms Irwin's followers documented her "insurmountable pain, fatigue and nausea".
The condition affects 190 million women worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation. Cells similar to that of the uterus grow outside of it, causing pelvic pain and in some cases, infertility. It is progressive and currently incurable.
"A doctor told me it was simply something you live with as a woman and I gave up entirely," the post read. "The last 10 years have included many tests, doctors visits [and] scans."
The conservationist said she tried to remain a "positive person" and "hide the pain" but sometimes had to cancel plans because of her condition.
Ms Irwin sought surgery for endometriosis after being helped by a friend. Doctors found 37 lesions and a cyst in her body.
Ms Irwin urged the "millions" of other women with endometriosis to keep searching for answers, after she found "indescribable" validation in having her pain acknowledged.
READ MORE:
"Let this [post] be validation that your pain is real and you deserve help," she said.
On this International Women's Day, the young mother asked people to be gentle and considerate before asking women if they would have children.
"Things may look find on the outside looking in through the window of someone's life, however, that is not always the case," she said. "After all that my body has gone through, I feel tremendously grateful that we have our gorgeous daughter."
She has previously addressed women's right to choose how many children they have, if they are able to.
Ms Irwin encouraged anyone searching for answers to visit www.endofound.org