Former Miss USA Olivia Culpo Underwent Surgery Due To Endometriosis, Shares Photos For Awareness

Olivia Culpo wants to raise awareness about endometriosis by sharing photo updates after getting surgery due to the condition.

The former Miss USA shared snaps taken from the hospital when she underwent surgery to treat endometriosis on Instagram. She didn't think the photos were "glamorous" but still decided to share them to raise awareness about endometriosis.

"Yesterday I had surgery for my endometriosis," Culpo wrote.

"Not a very glamorous post but I felt like I needed to share this to create more awareness around this disease."

Endometriosis is a painful disorder where the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus or endometrium grows outside of it. The condition can affect one's fertility and health. Culpo added that it can also affect one's "happiness."

"To top things off it is excruciatingly painful but nearly impossible to see through an ultrasound (unless you have endometrioma/chocolate cysts on your ovaries- that’s what I had). I have been in agony for years around my period and I was misdiagnosed countless times by doctors," she added.

In the past years, she was only advised to take Tylenol because the ultrasound looked normal and to rest more because her periods were uncomfortable. But she knew that those in the Endo community could relate to her struggles because her symptoms were familiar to them. She also stressed that "painful periods are not normal!"

Culpo went on and thanked the surgeon and the amazing hospital staff who took care of her during the operation. She was very grateful to them and even called them her "angels."

She also assured everyone that her fight for endometriosis would not end there because she will continue her efforts in raising awareness about it. Culpo could relate to the depression and loneliness of those battling endometriosis because their painful condition is difficult to diagnose and their chronic pain are often not validated.

"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 !!!!" she concluded.

Lena Dunham also suffered the same condition for a decade and decided to undergo a total hysterectomy in which her uterus, cervix and one of her ovaries were removed. The decision was painful and difficult because she had always wanted to get pregnant and become a mom.

In a new essay, Dunham got candid and shared her desperation to adopt a child after the surgery because she could no longer have a child of her own. However, after learning that her remaining ovary was still producing eggs she tried all she could to have a biological child. She underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) but the process didn't work out leaving her more desperate and lonely. True to Culpo’s words, the condition could affect one’s “happiness.”