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Australian Idol host and singer Ricki-Lee Coulter has revealed she has been battling endometriosis for more than a decade.
The radio star made the revelation after undergoing a laparoscopy and excision surgery to treat the debilitating condition.
One in nine women suffer from endometriosis in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, sometimes moving to other areas of the body.
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While its intimate nature keeps many women from talking openly about it or seeking medical advice, Coulter is bravely speaking out about the process that led her to a diagnosis.
“For over a decade I’ve been dealing with chronic pain that has progressively gotten worse,” she posted on Instagram on Wednesday night.
“Anyone with endometriosis knows it takes a long time to get to the point where you have surgery and can get any kind of diagnosis — and that you have to advocate for yourself and keep pushing for answers.
“Over the years I have seen so many doctors and specialists, and have been down so many different paths to try to figure out what was going on — and for so long I thought the pain was just something I had to deal with.
“But the past couple of years, it has become almost unbearable and is something I’ve been dealing with every single day.
“I met with a new GP at the start of the year, who referred me to a new specialist, and we went through all the measures that have been taken to try to get to the bottom of this pain — and the only option left was surgery.
“So this week I had a laparoscopy and excision surgery — and they removed all the endometriosis they found, and I can only hope that is the end of the pain.
“I’m now at home recovering and feeling good. Rich is taking very good care of me xxx.”
Coulter included a photo of her lying in bed in a hospital robe and hair net, smiling at the camera.
She also shared photos from after the surgery and of her recovering at home.
Friends and followers shared their support, led by reality TV star and fellow endo-warrior Angie Kent who said: “Sending you lots of love! You’re not alone in this — it’s a marathon not a sprint, unfortunately.
“But there’s an amazing chronic invisible illness sista-hood out here! I hope you have a good support system with the recovery including an amazing women’s health practitioner.”
“Sending lots of love,” Sunrise host Natalie Barr said.
“Feel better soon, sending you big hugs,” The Morning Show host Larry Emdur said.
“Sending you so much love. Been where you are now and it gets so much better honey,” radio host Jackie “O” Henderson said.
What is endometriosis?
Debilitating, unbearable, and chronic are all words to describe endometriosis.
It’ is a little-known disease that affects one in nine people with female reproductive organs.
Endometriosis affects people at reproductive age and can leave them in so much pain they are unable to participate in work, social and other life commitments.
So, what is endometriosis and why does it affect so many people?
“Endometriosis is a common disease in which the tissue that is similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body,” Endometriosis Australia said on its website.
“While endometriosis most often affects the reproductive organs, it is frequently found in the bowel and bladder and has been found in muscle, joints, the lungs, and the brain.”
There is no cure for endometriosis — it’s a chronic disease that can cause people so much pain they are unable to get out of bed.
There are two main problems that occur when endometriosis is present: pain and infertility.
Other symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Pain that stops you on or around your period
- Pain during or after sex
- Heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding
- Pain with bowel movements
- Pain when you urinate
- Pain in your pelvic region, lower back or legs