Olivia Culpo Shares Endometriosis Update One Year After 'Life-Changing' Surgery

Actress Olivia Culpo is also an American fashion influencer and social media personality.

The 29-year-old Rhode Island native underwent endometriosis surgery in November 2020 after years of “excruciatingly painful” periods.

In an Instagram post dated November 19, 2020, Culpo got real with her fans about what the experience of undergoing endometriosis surgery was like.

“Yesterday I had surgery for my endometriosis,” she revealed alongside a post of her lying in a hospital bed with a mask loosely covering her mouth. She posted several more shots, including one of her in a fuzzy green bra, with white gauze hearts taped over several parts of her abdomen. Some bleeding can be seen around the edges of the gauze.

After saying that she had been in “agony for years” during her period, she also alleged that she was “misdiagnosed countless times by doctors,” who dismissed her concerns by telling her to take Tylenol every day, rest more, and alleging that her ultrasounds looked normal.

“I know a lot of people out there in the Endo community are familiar with these diagnoses which is why I am so passionate about this,” she continued. “Painful periods are not normal!!!”

After thanking her doctors and the hospital staff, she wrapped up her message by saying, “To anyone out there who has endometriosis, I understand the depression and overall loneliness that can occur with a condition that is so painful yet so hard to be interpreted by other people outside of the body. It’s hard when chronic pain is not validated and you don’t get an answer or understanding. To my Endo warriors, I will continue to spread more awareness around endometriosis so that your symptoms can be validated. You are not alone and you are so strong !!!!”

On November 22, 2021, Culpo posted another photo of herself on Instagram in a hospital gown. She looks to be smiling underneath a blue face mask, while a doctor flashes a peace-sign to the camera. She also included a few throwback photos of her surgery, as well as an infographic titled “What is Endometriosis?” to help spread information and awareness.

She began the post by writing, “I can’t believe it’s been one year since my life-changing endometriosis surgery! This disease wreaked havoc on my life mentally and physically. I was consistently told ‘painful periods are normal’ or worse, I was made to feel that I was being dramatic when my monthly cycle came and I was in such agony I truly couldn’t function.”

She continued, “Because of the endo community, I found a lot of my answers on the internet and my symptoms were validated. I wasn’t being crazy or dramatic- I was truly suffering from something serious and what I saw online gave me the courage to put my foot down and not take no for an answer.”

After thanking her doctors, she said that her health has “made a complete 180!!!”

She continued, “I promised myself after going through my experience I would use my platform to provide information and support to those suffering with this condition or trying to find answers around their menstrual health. So to anyone out there suffering without answers, you are not alone and your health is worth fighting for.”

She concluded the post by saying, “Unfortunately, some women never get the help + the answers they need, and that is something I hope posts like this can help. Advocate for your health and if something feels wrong, don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Painful periods are not normal. I love you guys so much and really hope this helps someone else out there!”

Fans thanked her for her brutal honesty surrounding endometriosis and offered their support.

“Thank you for being vocal about your own experience and advocating for others to push for answers,” one fan wrote.

Another said, “Thank you for raising awareness of this horrible disease.”

“Thank you for being so open with this!” said another fan. “You have no idea how many people you’ve helped.”