‘Star Wars’ Star Daisy Ridley Shares Message of Struggle With Endometriosis on Instagram

Culture

While Daisy Ridley's Instagram is usually the sight of impressive workout routines and cheeky Star Wars references, The Force Awakens star used the platform to share her personal struggles with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome in a candid post on Thursday. 

Underneath a selfie showing Ridley smiling with a clay mask on her face, the actress details her near decade-long struggle with endometriosis, a condition where tissue that normally lines inside of the uterus grows outside of it. Ridley also recent discovered she suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome, an endocrine disorder common among women. But, according to her post, "progress is being made" and she's had tremendous support throughout. 

"Throughout all this I've only had people being wonderful and encouraging and occasionally making me realise I'm being ridiculous and there's more to life," she wrote.  

Like Girls creator Lena Dunham, who shared her own health problems with endometriosis in a Facebook post in February, Ridley's message brings to light an issue that affects more than 176 million women around the world. And more broadly, it highlights the importance of visiting a doctor and taking care of your body. 

"My point is, to any of you who are suffering with anything, go to a doctor; pay for a specialist; get your hormones tested, get allergy testing; keep on top of how your body is feeling and don't worry about sounding like a hypochondriac," Ridley said in the post. "From your head to the tips of your toes, we only have one body, let us all make sure ours our working in tip-top condition, and take help if it's needed." 

Read more:
Lena Dunham Is Taking Time Off to Attend to Her Health, Shining Light on a Wider Problem