(WJW) — After two major surgeries and the removal of her appendix and 51 lesions, Bindi Irwin says she is “beginning to recognize myself again.”

The Australian TV personality and daughter of the late Steve Irwin has been opening up about her health for years , especially regarding her battle with endometriosis.

She said in an Instagram post Wednesday:

“13 years of fighting for answers. 51 endometriosis lesions, a chocolate cyst and all my appendix were removed across two surgeries with (Seckin Endometriosis Center). My hernia from giving birth that was unzipping – was taken care of. I can FINALLY say that I’m feeling better. Genuinely healing.”\

Bindi Irwin gaining strength pack after years of pain

Irwin said she can now “function in everyday life without wanting to throw up from the pain” and that she is slowly gaining her strength back.

She previously said that it took worsening symptoms for 10 years before finally receiving a proper endometriosis diagnosis.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a medical condition characterized by the growth of cells similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus, as per the Mayo Clinic.

It causes severe pain and can also impact fertility. Chocolate cysts, also known as endometriomas, are cystic lesions filled with dark brown endometrial fluid found in the ovaries, indicating a more severe stage of endometriosis, according to the National Institutes of Health.

“I cannot express the gravity of my emotions as I am beginning to recognise myself again,” she said in her Instagram post. “I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult being told that my pain was just part of being a woman. I felt lesser. I felt hurt. I felt weak. That is not ok. Young girls and women shouldn’t feel alone with pain in the driver’s seat of their lives. 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.”