These stars have shared their painful journeys to diagnosis — and their stories are helping shine a light on a condition that still takes many women years to be taken seriously about.
For millions of women around the world, endometriosis is far more than ‘bad period pain’. It’s a chronic condition that can cause debilitating cramps, painful sex, fertility struggles and years of unanswered questions before a diagnosis finally arrives.
In fact, it can take an average of eight years for people to be diagnosed with endometriosis — often after having their pain dismissed, minimised or misdiagnosed. But thanks to a growing number of celebrities speaking candidly about their own experiences, awareness is growing.
From reality TV stars to Hollywood actors and music legends, these women have used their platforms to share the reality of living with endometriosis — helping others feel seen, believed and empowered to advocate for their health.
Read more: Why are endometriosis symptoms costing women £130 per month?
Molly-Mae Hague
When Molly-Mae Hague opened up about her diagnosis in a 2022 YouTube Q&A, she revealed just how severe her symptoms had become.
The TV personality said her two biggest symptoms were “excruciating periods” and “excruciating sex”, explaining that the pain had worsened over time.
“I cannot explain the levels of pain I have experienced through my periods,” she told fans, recalling moments where she nearly called an ambulance because of the severity. At its worst, she said she would lie in bed in agony, fearing something seriously wrong was happening to her body.
Despite repeatedly seeking medical help, Molly-Mae said her symptoms were initially dismissed as thrush, bacterial vaginosis or simply needing different period pain relief. It took five visits to the doctor before endometriosis was even mentioned.
For years she convinced herself the pain must be normal or that she simply had a “super-low pain threshold”.
After eventually seeing a specialist, she was diagnosed and underwent laparoscopy surgery to remove endometrial tissue — something she says helped make her periods more manageable.
Sharing her story has helped raise awareness about just how difficult it can be to get a diagnosis.
Read more: Why are endometriosis symptoms costing women £130 per month?
Daisy Edgar-Jones
Actor Daisy Edgar-Jones has also spoken about the long journey to understanding her symptoms.
The Twisters star revealed she was diagnosed with endometriosis at 24, after years of painful periods and hormonal struggles.
“For so long, I had such painful periods and really volatile skin,” she shared in a video with Vogue. “It was definitely a relief to find out why I was going through it.”
Daisy also spoke about how the condition affected her skin during her teenage years, leaving her with persistent acne.
Read more: The best skincare products for women with endometriosis
Emma Roberts
For Emma Roberts, the path to diagnosis was long — and deeply frustrating.
The Scream Queens actor says she started suffering from severe cramps and heavy periods when she was a teenager, sometimes missing school or cancelling work commitments because of the pain.
When she first raised concerns with a doctor, she felt dismissed.
“I mentioned this to my doctor, who didn’t look into it and sent me on my way because maybe I was being dramatic?” she told Cosmopolitan.
It wasn’t until her late twenties, after switching to a female doctor, that she finally got answers and was referred to a specialist.
“Finally, there was validation that I wasn’t being dramatic,” she said.
By that point, the condition had already affected her fertility, prompting her to freeze her eggs. Emma has since spoken openly about how discussing fertility struggles and endometriosis with other women helped her realise she wasn’t alone.
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Read more: ‘I thought I was going to die’ — meet the women misdiagnosed with PCOS
Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen has also been candid about living with endometriosis, even sharing updates from hospital after undergoing surgery in 2021.
After having endometrial tissue removed, she told her Instagram followers that the recovery was painful — but still easier than the pain she’d previously experienced.
“It is truly still better than the contractions and the pain of endo,” she said.
By documenting her recovery online, Chrissy helped normalise conversations around a condition that many people still feel uncomfortable discussing.
Gabrielle Union
For Gabrielle Union, years of fertility struggles and multiple miscarriages eventually led doctors to discover the underlying cause.
Speaking at the BlogHer conference in 2018, the actor revealed she had been diagnosed with adenomyosis — a condition closely related to endometriosis in which the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the womb.
For years, she said, people assumed her difficulties getting pregnant were due to her age or career choices.
“The reality is, I actually have adenomyosis,” she explained.
By speaking openly about her experience, Gabrielle helped highlight the complex relationship between reproductive health conditions and fertility.
Dolly Parton
Even music legend Dolly Parton has faced the realities of endometriosis.
The Jolene singer was diagnosed in her mid 30s, after collapsing on stage during a performance due to internal bleeding.
She later underwent a partial hysterectomy — a life-changing surgery that also meant she would never have biological children.
In interviews, Dolly has spoken candidly about the emotional toll that followed, including a period of depression. She later said: “It was an awful time for me.”
But over time she found strength in sharing her experience and supporting others facing similar challenges.
Padma Lakshmi
Author, activist and TV host Padma Lakshmi is one of the most prominent voices raising awareness about endometriosis globally.
Padma spent years living with severe symptoms before finally receiving a diagnosis in her 30s. After undergoing several procedures, she went on to co-find the Endometriosis Foundation of America to help support research, education and advocacy.
Speaking about why she chose to go public with her experience, she said: “I am a sufferer of endometriosis. I didn’t want any young women to go through what I went through.”
She’s also reflected on the fertility challenges associated with the disease, describing the birth of her daughter as unexpected to the New York Post.
“I was very, very lucky to have my daughter — she was basically a miracle.”
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Amy Schumer
Comedian Amy Schumer has described endometriosis as a “lonely disease,” particularly because the pain is often invisible to others.
After years of unexplained symptoms, she underwent a hysterectomy in 2021. During the procedure, doctors also discovered a tumour in her appendix that had been affected by endometriosis.
Amy has since used social media to encourage women to take their pain seriously.
“My pain is real. Your pain is real,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “We have to advocate for ourselves. We have to speak up.”
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Lena Dunham
Writer and actor Lena Dunham spent years trying to manage her endometriosis through various therapies — from pelvic-floor treatment to acupuncture and yoga.
But the pain eventually became so severe that she checked herself into hospital, telling doctors she wouldn’t leave until they either stopped the pain or removed her uterus.
At 31, she underwent a hysterectomy.
Writing about the experience for Vogue, Lena emphasised that while the procedure isn’t the right choice for everyone, women should be able to make informed decisions about their bodies and reproductive health.
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Daisy Ridley
Daisy Ridley was diagnosed with endometriosis at just 15 years old, but continued to experience health challenges into adulthood.
The Star Wars actor has spoken about the emotional impact of dealing with chronic health conditions, including the toll it took on her confidence.
After years of consultations and treatments, she eventually discovered she also had PCOS, which was also contributing to her symptoms.
“We all read the stats about women being undiagnosed or underdiagnosed and sort of coming to terms with saying ‘I really, actually don’t feel good’ and not going, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine.’ It’s just normalised to not feel good.” Daisy told Women’s Health. “Even if you can deal with it, you shouldn’t have to. If there’s a problem, you shouldn’t have to just [suffer through it]”.
By sharing her journey publicly, Daisy helped highlight how complex and overlapping reproductive health conditions can be.
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Alexa Chung
Fashion designer and TV presenter Alexa Chung has been outspoken about the medical dismissal many women face before receiving a diagnosis.
After having a cyst removed and receiving treatment for endometriosis, she spoke about the frustrating interactions she experienced with healthcare providers.
In one instance, she told a doctor she’d been unable to leave a bathroom stall at an airport because of extremely heavy bleeding. Instead of investigating further, Alexa told British Vogue that the doctor asked, in a condescending tone, if she understood what periods were.
Alexa “didn’t mention the incident to another doctor for years” and says experiences like this are “unfortunately not an anomaly” — and part of the reason it can take years for women to be diagnosed.
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Lili Reinhart
Most recently, Riverdale actor Lili Reinhart revealed she was diagnosed with endometriosis in December 2025 after a long and difficult search for answers.
Over the course of a year, she visited multiple specialists and was initially diagnosed with interstitial cystitis.
It wasn’t until she pushed for further testing — including an MRI — that doctors’ discovered she had adenomyosis and eventually confirmed endometriosis through laparoscopic surgery.
“I’m glad I trusted my body and listened to my gut,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Endometriosis is an extremely misunderstood disease, leaving often a four-to-11-year gap between symptoms and a definitive surgical diagnosis,” she added, of the difficult journey many face when trying to get a diagnosis.
By sharing her experience, Lili hopes to encourage others experiencing unexplained pain to keep pushing for answers.
Halsey
Singer-songwriter Halsey has been vocal about living with endometriosis since her early twenties, speaking openly about the pain and fertility concerns that can come with the condition.
The artist has undergone multiple surgeries and has used her platform to encourage others experiencing similar symptoms to seek help and push for answers.
Speaking at the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s Blossom Ball in 2018, she urged women not to dismiss their pain.
“A lot of people are taught to believe the pain is normal,” she said. “If you think something is wrong, it probably is. You need to go and demand that someone takes you seriously.”
By discussing her experience so candidly with fans, Halsey has helped break down the stigma around reproductive health and encouraged more open conversations about chronic conditions affecting women.
Feature images: Alamy
