10 Celebrities Who Have Opened Up About Living With Endometriosis

“Fragile but excited,” is how Halsey described her mood for the 2022 Grammys. “The last time I attended the Grammys was in 2017 and it was three days after my first endometriosis surgery,” she explained on Instagram alongside a selfie of her wearing a medical hairnet and gown. “I walked the carpet with my seams. As luck would have it, I’m in [the Grammys] for the first time in years and I had surgery again 3 days ago (you guessed it).

Halsey’s decision to go public with her situation undoubtedly brought comfort to her endometriosis sufferers. As we’ve found, not only does it help raise awareness of important issues when celebrities open up about their health, it also serves as an important reminder that it’s more common than you might think.

Endometriosis is one of the leading examples of this: According to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. It is a chronic menstrual disorder that occurs when the tissue lining the uterus, known as the endometrium, migrates to other parts of the body such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or along the pelvis. It causes inflammation as the tissue responds to the monthly fluctuations of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Symptoms include pain, heavy periods, and even infertility. “Some women get severe scarring on their ovaries, some get cysts that rupture in their ovaries, and sometimes the ovaries become embedded in the side of the abdomen — not near the fallopian tubes — making fertilization impossible,” explains Elizabeth Ginsburg, MD, Medical Director of Assisted Reproductive Technology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston on the impact of infertility.

At least 200 million women worldwide suffer from endometriosis, and on average women suffer 10 years or more before they are properly diagnosed – that’s why we’re so grateful to the celebrities who shed light on it. Here’s a roundup of stars who raised awareness about endometriosis — and bravely helped break down the stigma around them.

Halsey

HalseyPhoto: Getty Images