Fitness pro Kayla Itsines reveals painful endometriosis that she’s lived with since she was 18
The debilitating condition affects one in nine women!
At a glance you’d be mistaken for thinking that as a successful entrepreneur, beautiful Kayla Itsines has something of a charmed life, but painful and debilitating endometriosis is something she was diagnosed with at the age of 18.
The 30-year-old mum-of-one has been open and honest about her struggles and shared details in March 2022, to raise awareness for Endometriosis Month.
Posting a photo of her taut frame with an extended caption about the condition, many women would immediately recognise the telltale bandage post-laparoscopic surgery. Kayla – a personal trainer who co-founded globally renowned fitness program Sweat – admits that she knew next to nothing about endometriosis (endo) when she received the diagnosis 12 year ago, and has had various surgeries to help relieve the symptoms so she can live with the disorder.
Collaborating with Endometriosis Australia to help increase awareness, Kayla said that “This collaboration is reallyyyy close to my heart,” before listing some of the many symptoms endured by women, these include but are not limited to: fatigue, pain around ovulation but that stops on your period, painful bowel movements, pain during sex, heavy/irregular periods and pelvic pain.
“I want more people to feel comfortable talking about Endometriosis. Chances are, if you don’t have it yourself, you will know someone that does… We can all do our part to educate ourselves, and create conversations about women’s issues WITHOUT shame. I’ll link Endometriosis Australia’s website in my stories if you want to know more about what Endometriosis is all about. 💕”
While endo is most associated with the productive organs, it is frequently found in the bowel and bladder, and according to Endometriosis Australia, has even been found in muscle, joints, the lungs and the brain. It also takes from seven to 12 years for an accurate diagnosis and can have a huge impact on fertility.
Kayla, who is dating fellow personal trainer Jae Woodroffe, has previously said that she didn’t think she’d be able to have children.
“I want more people to feel comfortable talking about Endometriosis. Chances are, if you don’t have it yourself, you will know someone that does…” she posted in March. “We can all do our part to educate ourselves, and create conversations about women’s issues WITHOUT shame.”
An Australian government report stated that endometriosis treatment and care costs Australian society $9.7 billion annually with two-thirds of this attributed to a loss in productivity with the remainder, approximately $2.5 billion being direct healthcare costs, says Endometriosis Australia.
“Time to put your game face on ladies!!”, Kayla posted in January at the start of her six-week Sweat fitness challenge.
Kayla’s recent social posts have been about her delight at becoming an aunt to her sister, Leah’s first child with her fiance Mitch – daughter Gigi Kayla Caon, who was born on March 7, 2022.
Food blogger and entrepreneur 27-year-old Leah was unable to bring baby Gigi home due to feeding and weight gain issues but the delight was evident when the family of three were finally reunited after three long weeks.
“BABY GIGI 🥺🥰❤️
You are absolutely perfect in every single way!!!!
This is me crying my eyes out because I’m just sooo happy to be your Auntie!!!”
Dressed in a green sweatshirt and cuddling up to her newborn niece, Gigi – who spent the first three weeks of her life in hospital – Kayla shared a similar snap of her with Arna Leia as an infant.
Kayla’s sister Leah and her fiance Mitch brought Gigi home after three weeks in hospital and couldn’t wait to introduce their daughter to her cousin Arna.
On International Women’s Day, Kayla shared a family photo with the caption “I’m SO lucky to be inspired by my mum, my Yiayia and Leah every single day.
“It also makes me soooo happy to know Arna’s circle is filled with such strong and confident women that she can look up to as she grows into one herself… and to think my little angel will one day be a role model to her baby cousin makes all of us Itsines women so proud. 💛🥺”
