Australian TV star Bindi Irwin, famous as the daughter of the "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, is speaking out about her long and painful battle with endometriosis. After a decade of suffering, she recently shared that she is "genuinely healing" after undergoing surgery to remove 51 lesions, a cyst, and her appendix. The 27-year-old said she is "slowly gaining my strength back" and "beginning to recognize myself again." What Is Endometriosis?Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of it, often in places like the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This can lead to severe pain during periods, sexual intercourse, and bowel movements, along with bloating, nausea, and extreme tiredness. About one in ten women have this condition, yet it is often misunderstood. Irwin's story has brought a lot of attention to the issue. She shared that for years, she was told her pain was "just part of being a woman," which made her feel "ashamed" and "weak." Now, she is pushing for a change, writing on Instagram, "We need to take away the stigma of talking about women's health. It's time to have open discussions and make change on a global scale."What Is Chocolate Cyst?The Cleveland Clinic explains that when the endometriosis tissue attaches to an ovary, it can form a type of cyst called an endometrioma. These cysts are often filled with a thick, brownish fluid, which is why they are sometimes called "chocolate cysts." An endometrioma can be a sign that a person has a more severe form of endometriosis. The most common symptom of endometrioma is pelvic pain, which can happen at any time, not just during a period. Other symptoms can include: Very painful periods.Pain during sex.Pain when using the bathroom.Feeling the need to pee more often.Back pain.Nausea, vomiting, and bloating.Endometriomas can be very small or grow quite large, affecting one or both ovaries. It's not clear what exactly causes them, but one popular theory is retrograde menstruation. This is when some of the tissue shed during a period flows backward through the fallopian tubes and attaches to the ovaries. This tissue then thickens and bleeds with each menstrual cycle, causing inflammation and forming the cyst. About 10% of people who get periods have endometriosis, and a significant portion of them—between 17% and 44%—will develop endometriomas. If an endometrioma is causing pain, is large, or is affecting a person's ability to get pregnant, there are treatments available to help. Why Do Endometriosis Diagnosis Take Years? In March of 2023, Bindi shared her decade-long struggle with endometriosis, a painful condition that left her with constant fatigue, pain, and nausea. She decided to go public with her story to help other women who might be suffering in silence. However, this is not an isolated incident, many women go through years of pain. According to 2024 British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology study reviewed 17 different publications. It found that the time it takes to get a diagnosis for endometriosis can range from just a few months to 12 years. This long wait depends on where a person lives and their specific health issues. The main conclusion is that a long wait for a diagnosis is still a major problem. The study suggests this delay is mostly due to doctors and a lack of clear understanding of the disease. Bindi ended her post saying women and girls should not feel ashamed of their pain, “We need to take away the stigma of talking about women’s health. It’s time to have open discussions and make change on a global scale.”