The 2012 Miss Universe opens up on how her long journey to get a endometriosis diagnosis and medical treatment for her chronic pain has really affected her life.
- Nov 29, 2022
AceShowbiz - Olivia Culpo claims endometriosis has "wreaked havoc" on her life. In a candid clip from her TV show "The Culpo Sisters", the 30-year-old model/reality TV star has opened up about her battle with the condition - which causes pain and fertility issues when tissue grows outside of the uterus - after spending years struggling to get a diagnosis and treatment, and admitted the doctors she saw made her feel as if she was "overreacting."
"Endometriosis wreaked havoc on my life. It took years and years and years to finally get a diagnosis. I remember not being able to function. It was the type of pain that kept me in bed all day," she explained in the video posted on Instagram.
Olivia said she was told "pain is normal" and prescribed medication but nothing helped. She went on, "I was almost made to feel like I was making up my symptoms and overreacting. It was very painful physically and also emotionally, because my pain was never validated ..."
"Being made to feel like my chronic pain was an overreaction was disheartening and confusing. Who was I to disagree with not one, not two, but many highly educated and well-intending doctors?"
She was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis and realised she needed surgery to help prevent possible fertility issues. Olivia went on, "After dozens of wrong turns, I finally landed on the truth, which was that I had severe endometriosis and needed surgery if there was any hope to salvage my reproductive organs. If it wasn't for those who shared their stories on random blog posts, I never would have found the courage to keep advocating for myself."
She is currently dating 25-year-old NFL star Christian McCaffrey and admits she now worries about having children as her partner is "not ready," adding it can be "very, very stressful" when thinking about the future.
