What Erin Barnett’s Story Can Teach Us About Endometriosis Awareness

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By Monique Missak| Published 29 October 2025

You might recognise Erin Barnett from Love Island or I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, but her most powerful story is one many never see. As a registered nurse living with endometriosis, adenomyosis and PCOS, Erin Barnett brings a deeply personal lens to endometriosis awareness.

Erin shares her story on the It Takes Heart podcast, offering an honest and often confronting look at what it means to advocate for yourself in a healthcare system that routinely downplays women’s experiences.

When common symptoms aren’t normal

As a teenager, Erin assumed the debilitating pain she felt was just part of having a period. It’s a story many girls know well. Without access to accurate information or proper care, she was left to manage her pain in silence. Erin’s experience shows why endometriosis awareness is not just about naming a condition. It’s about creating space for people to be believed.

“Just because it’s common, doesn’t mean it’s normal. A painful period is not okay.”

Despite her symptoms, Erin was misdiagnosed or dismissed over and over. She recalls being told to lose weight, take Panadol, or simply wait until the pain got worse. It took years (and multiple surgeries) before she received a formal diagnosis. Even then, treatment options were limited. At just 23, Erin requested a hysterectomy. She knew her body. She knew the pain. But she wasn’t taken seriously.

A book for the girl she used to be

In 2022, Erin released Endo Unfiltered, a candid and accessible guide for young women navigating endometriosis, adenomyosis and PCOS. Designed to be the book she never had, it explains what these conditions are, what symptoms to look out for, and what questions to ask. It’s also written for families, especially parents, trying to support their daughters through something they may not understand.

“I wanted a book someone could read when they didn’t know what was happening to their body. I even included a cheat sheet so it wouldn’t be overwhelming.”

Erin’s message is clear. Endometriosis awareness starts with education. But education is only useful when it’s backed by access, empathy and action. She encourages women to advocate for themselves and to speak up early, not just to doctors, but to friends, parents and anyone who will listen.

Living pain-free after a decade of being dismissed

Erin’s final surgery in her late twenties removed her last ovary and her appendix. It was her ninth procedure and the one that finally brought relief. Today, she is pain-free and focused on healing, but she’s also looking back at what could have been different.

“If they had just done this when I was 23 and asking for it, I would have had no problems.”

She shares her story not to shock or sensationalise, but to shine a light on the thousands of others who are still being told their pain is normal. Her journey is a reminder that endometriosis awareness isn’t just about knowing the name. It’s about fighting for change, one story at a time.

Watch Season 2, Episode 32 of It Takes Heart with Erin Barnett

More about Erin’s organisation of choice, Endometriosis Australia

Endometriosis Australia is at the forefront of advocating for those affected by endometriosis, a chronic condition that impacts millions worldwide. Dedicated to improving the lives of those living with endometriosis, they deliver a comprehensive range of programs and support services designed to make a real difference.

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