These 14 Celebrities Have Struggled With Endometriosis Too

Endometriosis is, unfortunately, a common reproductive disorder that is often excruciatingly and debilitatingly painful. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to that which lines the inside of your uterus (endometrium) grows in areas outside your uterus. That might be on or in your ovaries and fallopian tubes, and can even spread to other organs like your intestines. 

Because the tissue is similar to your endometrium, it acts the same way, even breaking down and shedding when you get your period. Since it can’t exit your body, your body must take care of cleaning it up, which often involves an immune response. Endometriosis can cause the development of scar tissue and adhesions which can then cause tissues and organs in your pelvic region to stick together or can cause infertility.

Endometriosis is as painful as it is common. Though millions of women suffer every day, the experience of battling endometriosis can feel isolating. The truth is that endometriosis doesn’t discriminate; several celebrities also suffer from it and have used their platforms to raise awareness.

1. Sarah Hyland

Sarah Hyland has been open about her health struggles (mainly with kidney dysplasia)since she starred in Modern Family in her late teens, but she’s also been open about her struggle with endometriosis. In 2018, she was hospitalized again for severe pain from her endometriosis and developed an abdominal hernia. 

She had two surgeries: laparoscopic surgery for her endometriosis and another surgery to remove the hernia. Though she’s recovered from the surgery, she still has flare-ups, as she told Self, “[This week] I've had a flare-up with my endo. It has been hard to stand up straight, let alone work. But the fetal position helps a lot.”

2. Emma Roberts

Like many of us, Emma Roberts experienced painful periods in her teens and early twenties, so much so that she thought she was doing something wrong. She didn’t learn the truth until she was diagnosed with endometriosis in her late twenties. She told Cosmopolitan, “I always had debilitating cramps and periods, so bad that I would miss school and, later, have to cancel meetings. I mentioned this to my doctor, who didn’t look into it and sent me on my way because maybe I was being dramatic? In my late 20s, I just had a feeling I needed to switch to a female doctor. It was the best decision. She ran tests, sent me to a specialist. Finally, there was validation that I wasn’t being dramatic.”

She continued, “All of a sudden, there was a new world of conversation about endometriosis, infertility, miscarriages, fear of having kids. I was so grateful to find out I was not alone in this. I hadn’t done anything ‘wrong’ after all.”

3. Bindi Irwin

In March 2023, Bindi Irwin opened up on Instagram about her painful experience with endometriosis and surgery to remove 37 lesions. She wrote, "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 for other women who need help. For 10yrs I've struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain & nausea. Trying to remain a positive person & hide the pain has been a very long road. These last 10yrs have included many tests, doctors visits, scans, etc. 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 continued, “Going in for surgery was scary but I knew I couldn't live like I was. Every part of my life was getting torn apart because of the pain. To cut a long story short, they found 37 lesions, some very deep & difficult to remove, & a chocolate cyst. @seckinmd's first words to me when I was in recovery were, 'How did you live with this much pain?' Validation for years of pain is indescribable."

4. Julianne Hough

Similar to Emma Roberts, the Dancing With The Stars legend experienced painful periods in her teens and accepted it as normal. She told People, “I thought that this was just the kind of pain you have when you're on your period. For years, I was just thinking that was normal and never really talked about it."

She was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2008 when she had to leave the DWTS set with severe pain and had to have laparoscopic surgery only days after her diagnosis.

5. Halsey

The “Without Me” singer has been open about her experience with endometriosis for years. In a lengthy 2016 Twitter post, she wrote, "I was recently diagnosed after years of suffering and finding myself doubled over backstage in the middle of my sets, or fighting back tears on an airplane, or even being in so much pain I would vomit or faint.” 

She continued, "With doctors essentially telling me I was being a big baby about my period, or misdiagnosing PCOS, etc etc. Finding out that I had [endometriosis] was the most bittersweet moment because it meant I wasn't crazy! I wasn't a ‘baby’! I had every right to be feeling like the world was caving in. But it was terrifying to find out."

She has since had multiple surgeries and has raised millions for endometriosis awareness and research.

6. Daisy Ridley

In a since-deleted Instagram post, the Star Wars actress opened up about her experience with endometriosis and skin issues. She wrote, "At 15 I was diagnosed with endometriosis. One laparoscopy, many consultations and 8 years down the line, pain was back (more mild this time!) and my skin was THE WORST! I've tried everything: products, antibiotics, more products, more antibiotics) and all that did was left my body in a bit of a mess. Finally found out I have polycystic ovaries and that's why it's bad. I can safely say feeling so self conscious has left my confidence in tatters."

She continued, "To any of you who are suffering with anything, go to a doctor; pay for a specialist; get your hormones tested, get allergy testing; keep on top of how your body is feeling and don't worry about sounding like a hypochondriac.”

7. Olivia Culpo

Model and 2012 Miss USA and Universe winner Olivia Culpo opened up about her experience with endometriosis in 2021. She told People, "It was getting to the point where not only were my periods becoming unbearable, but then I've learned also that like another symptom of endometriosis as it's progressing is you have pain even in between periods. It's not only even when you're on your cycle, it could be in between."

She continued, "I really tried my hardest to pretend that it wasn't there, and just cope and be able to do normal things that I wanted to be able to do. And then eventually, I realized that it was not possible. I just remember being on planes curled up in the fetal position, just crying to myself."

8. Alexa Chung

In a candid Instagram post from 2020, model Alexa Chung shared the story of her endometriosis diagnosis and experience with laparoscopic surgery. She wrote, “Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It can be excruciating. The pain can effect [sic] your mental health, ability to work, relationships, your fertility, the list goes on. The only way to officially diagnose that you have it is by performing a laparoscopy. A year ago I put on these snazzy socks in preparation for my laparoscopic surgery.”

She continued, “Also thank you to the doctors who spotted the problem and acted on it. I understand I had the privilege of being believed and listened to. On average it takes seven years to diagnose and it’s a disease that affects one in ten women.”

9. Dolly Parton

Country music legend and America’s sweetheart was diagnosed with endometriosis when she was 35 years old and going through several other health problems. After she collapsed on stage in 1984, she was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis and had a "partial hysterectomy" in 1985.

She discussed the surgery in the 2017 book, Dolly On Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton, where she said, “All at once I fell apart. It was stomach problems and female problems – all over health problems actually. It was God’s way of telling me to get myself straight… I’m grateful it happened when I was still young enough to bounce back.”

10. Chrissy Teigen

Like many of the women on this list, model Chrissy Teigen had laparoscopic surgery in 2021 to clear up the painful tissue she developed from endometriosis. On her Instagram story, she said, "Usually I'm really good after [surgery]. This one's a toughie. My whole belly got numbed. It's gonna be numb for like, a couple days. Couple of the next days, hopefully they'll stay that way."

She continued, "It makes it hard, every little cough and stuff. But it is truly still better than the contractions and the pain of endo.”

11. Tia Mowry

In 2018, the Sister, Sister star wrote an essay for Women’s Health about her experience with endometriosis and how it affects black women. She wrote, “I thought I was alone because no one I knew personally had dealt with this. And then I realized: I'd never really seen someone African American in the public eye talking about endometriosis or their struggles with infertility. And when you don't know or see anyone else who looks like you talking about what you're going through, you feel alone and suffer in silence.”

She also shares recipes on her Instagram for foods she eats to help her endometriosis and discusses how black women often have a more difficult time accessing endometriosis-related care.

12. Amy Schumer

The comedian has been open about her experience with endometriosis for several years, most notably when she had a partial hysterectomy in 2021 that also turned into an appendectomy. In an Instagram video, she said, “So, it's the morning after my surgery for endometriosis and my uterus is out. The doctor found 30 spots of endometriosis that he removed. He removed my appendix because the endometriosis had attacked it."

On an episode of The Checkup With Dr. David Agus, she said, "I've been in so much pain, you know, my whole life – not just the week of my period, it's been really difficult.”

13. Susan Sarandon

Actress Susan Sarandon has been a vocal advocate of endometriosis research for years after she was diagnosed in her thirties. During a 2011 speech at the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s (EFA) Blossom Ball, she said, “It is not a woman’s lot to suffer, even if we’ve been raised that way. It is not OK to miss a part of your life because of pain and excessive bleeding.” 

14. Whoopi Goldberg

Hollywood legend Whoopi Goldberg was diagnosed with endometriosis more than 40 years ago, and has used her massive platform to spread awareness and make sure other women with endometriosis don’t feel alone. At the 2009 EFA Blossom Ball, she said, “There is nothing dirty about it. No religious group is going to be pissed if you discuss this. Because if you don’t discuss it, many more women are going to find themselves unable to have children, or find themselves close to dying because [the disease has] led to something else.”

Closing Thoughts

Living with endometriosis is something that millions of women across the world battle daily, and it doesn’t discriminate when it comes to status. As the medical community searches for the cause of endometriosis to help find a cure, it’s important for women with endometriosis to realize that they’re not alone in their struggle.

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