Pop superstar has shared a vulnerability with their millions of fans, revealing to the world that she is ‘back in diapers.’
The singer, 29, who has previously shared that they , opened up about the most recent battle in , posting a photo of their stomach covered by post-surgical wrapping on Instagram.
The image shows an adult diaper, or absorbency briefs, peeking out from their pink-and-white striped trousers.
The Gasoline hitmaker seemed to be in high spirits despite ; she jokingly captioned the post: ‘Back in diapers, but at least they have little bows.’ They also expressed gratitude towards Los Angeles-based OBGYN Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, who evidently performed the surgery.
According to the , endometriosis – a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus and causes severe pain and reproductive complications – occurs in roughly 10% of reproductive-age people with uteruses worldwide. Halsey has long been an advocate for raising awareness of the disease, often calling themself an ‘endo warrior.’
While she didn’t delve into the specifics of the surgery, the star likely underwent an operation to remove tissue growing outside of their uterus, a common procedure for those afflicted with the illness.
The placement of the bandages in the photo suggests Halsey’s surgeon performed a laparoscopy, also known as keyhole surgery, which is done by making small incisions in the abdomen so that excess tissue can be eliminated in a less invasive way.
In a separate post, Halsey acknowledged others suffering from the painful condition, writing: ‘endometriosis gang.’
The Grammy nominee previously disclosed their struggles with the condition in 2018, shortly after experiencing a miscarriage during a performance. The singer underwent aggressive treatment, including surgery, and made the decision to freeze their eggs.
They said of their experience processing the diagnosis: ‘Before I could even really figure out what that meant to me and what that meant for my future, for my career, for my life, for my relationship.
She recounted on , ‘the next thing I know I was on stage miscarrying in the middle of my concert.’
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where uterine tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
, symptoms include:
- Pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain) – usually worse during your period
- Period pain that stops you doing your normal activities
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain when peeing or pooing during your period
- Feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee or poo during your period
- Difficulty getting pregnant
Addressing the challenges of reproductive illness in the interview, Halsey expressed frustration at feeling diminished as a woman at times.
‘Reproductive illness is so frustrating because it can really make you feel like less of a woman,’ she said. ‘There’s a lot of times when you’re sitting at home and you just feel so terrible about yourself. You’re sick, you don’t feel sexy, you don’t feel proud, you don’t feel like there’s much hope.’
In an essay written for Vogue following the American Supreme Court’s (the landmark case concerning the right to abortion), Halsey revealed to fans that she endured three miscarriages before the age of 24, with endometriosis likely playing a significant role.
‘Many people have asked me if, since carrying a child to term after years of struggling to do so, I have reconsidered my stance on abortion,’ wrote Halsey,
‘The answer is firmly no. In fact, I have never felt more strongly about it. My abortion saved my life and gave way for my son to have his. Every person deserves the right to choose when, if, and how they have this dangerous and life-altering experience. I will hold my son in one arm, and fight with all my might with the other.’
The Without Me singer has been open about how glad they are that she was able to have a child despite their condition.
They proudly displayed their, whom they share with ex Alev Aydin, in an Instagram Story post in 2021. In the post, they credited their scars for blessing them with their ‘angel.’
Halsey’s openness about their journey not only sheds light on the realities of living with endometriosis but also serves as a source of inspiration for others facing similar battles.
‘For those of you who have followed this battle of mine or who may suffer with it yourself, you know the extremes to which it can be mentally exhausting and physically painful’ they wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post, according to .
‘If you suffer from chronic pain or a debilitating disease please know that I have found time to live a crazy, wild, rewarding life AND balance my treatment and I hope so much in my heart that you can too.’
