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.

More than a decade of pain later, Bindi Irwin can finally breathe

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: Graphic Pictures Show The Reality Of Endometriosis

“A doctor told me it was simply something you deal with as a woman & I gave up entirely, trying to function through the pain. 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.” She wrote. She added that doctors discovered a total of thirty-seven lesions and an ovarian cyst in surgery.

Irwin expressed her gratitude to the individuals who supported and encouraged her during her difficult journey, helping her find solutions when she felt trapped. She also expressed appreciation for the medical professionals who validated her experiences of pain. Furthermore, Irwin revealed that due to her responsibilities of caring for her 1-year-old daughter, Grace Warrior, whom she shares with her husband, Chandler Powell, she was unable to engage in social activities as she was already exhausting all her remaining energy.

This is a gentle reminder to everyone out there

“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,” she wrote.

“Our graceful warrior is the most beautiful light,” the proud mom wrote. “Grace is named after my great-grandmother, and relatives in Chandler’s family dating back to the 1700s. Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior. Her last name is Powell and she already has such a kind soul just like her dad.”

“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 a stigma around this awful disease. I’m sharing my story for anyone who reads this & is quietly dealing with pain & no answers. Let this be your validation that your pain is real & you deserve help. Keep searching for answers. www.endofound.org,” She concluded.