“It’s something that I never thought I would do”: Emma Watkins opens up about surgery battle
Emma Watkins has opened up about her struggle with endometriosis, sharing why she had been reluctant to have a surgery for the debilitating condition.
Endometriosis, which affects more than one in 10 Australian women, is a disease in which a tissue similar to the womb lining grows in locations outside the uterus.
The Yellow Wiggle was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 28 after experiencing years of pain she assumed to be normal.
“I think there is definitely that element of fear, women are really scared to talk about it,” she told 9Honey.
Last year, she sat out the Wiggles’ Australian tour to undergo surgery, a decision that she said she did not take lightly.
“It’s something that I never thought I would do,” the 30-year-old said.
At the time, she told The Herald Sun Weekend that her condition was worsening in the lead up to going under the knife.
“What was freaking me out leading up to the surgery was I was starting to feel not great doing lots of shows,” she said then.
“I lost so much blood I had an infusion, and that’s when it started to hit me.
“I had had really bad periods since school pretty much, but when the doctors are actually in there, they can see the severity.”
She said of the procedure, “I try to be nice to my body and I didn’t really want the surgery in the first place, but now I can see it’s really helped me and my body – it’s so different than it was two years ago.”
While the procedure improved her symptoms, she said she still needs to manage her condition with pilates, yoga and a balanced diet.
Watkins said since she went public with her diagnosis, she had been approached by other women, including young mums, who said they started seeking help for their symptoms because of her.
“So many people have reached out and it’s something that has really affected a lot of people in a positive way,” she said.
The entertainer is encouraging people to see a health professional if they are experiencing pain.
“Even if your symptoms don’t sound right, it doesn’t mean you don’t have it,” she told 9Honey.
“It’s really about listening to your body, and if you don’t feel that something is right it is best to find someone you can talk to.”