Ricki-Lee Coulter undergoes major surgery after years of 'unbearable' pain

Ricki-Lee Coulter has revealed that she underwent major surgery for endometriosis this week after dealing with chronic pain for over a decade.

Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those that line the uterus are found in other parts of the body, commonly a woman's pelvic and reproductive organs. While there is no cure for endometriosis yet, surgery can remove the tissue, which can help to reduce pain but won’t necessarily prevent it from growing back.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday evening, the singer and Australian Idol host shared a gallery of photos of herself in hospital and recovering at home.

“Anyone with endometriosis knows it takes a long time to get to the point where you have surgery and can get any kind of diagnosis - and that you have to advocate for yourself and keep pushing for answers,” she wrote.

“Over the years I have seen so many doctors and specialists, and have been down so many different paths to try and figure out what was going on - and for so long I thought the pain was just something I had to deal with. But the past couple of years, it has become almost unbearable, and is something I’ve been dealing with every single day.”

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Ricki-Lee went on to explain that she met with a new GP at the beginning of the year and was referred to a specialist who was determined to “get to the bottom of this pain”.

“The only option left was surgery. So this week I had a laparoscopy & excision surgery - and they removed all the endometriosis they found, and I can only hope that is the end of the pain,” she continued. “I’m now at home recovering and feeling good. Rich is taking very good care of me.”

Ricki-Lee's famous friends share their support

Ricki-Lee’s post was quickly flooded with supportive messages, including comments from Angie Kent, Tanya Hennessy and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson who have also opened up about their endometriosis diagnoses in the public eye.

“Sending you lots of love! You’re not alone in this,” Angie wrote. “It’s a marathon not a sprint unfortunately. But there’s an amazing chronic invisible illness sista-hood out here! I hope you have a good support system with the recovery including an amazing women’s health prac.”

“Sending you so much love. Been where you are now and it gets so much better honey,” Jackie O replied.

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The radio host also received comments from Tina Arena, Dannii Minogue and Nicole Scherzinger, who said: “Why are you thee most beautiful angel girl still with no makeup in hospital 🙏🏽🤍 sending healing energy babe”.

Her post comes shortly after she filmed the final episode of Australian Idol and her Nova radio show went on survey break for two weeks. The singer-songwriter also released her fifth studio album ‘On My Own’ last month, proving that she’s one of the busiest people in show business right now.

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