Riverdale star Lili Reinhardt reveals endometriosis battle as she shares images from surgery

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Lili Reinhart shared that she’s been dealing with a long-term health issue after posting photos from the hospital on Thursday.

The Riverdale actress, 29, has been diagnosed with endometriosis. This condition happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, causing painful cramps.

Reinhart was hospitalized and photographed with tape on her abdomen following laparoscopic surgery.

The actress said the operation comes after doctors initially dismissed her symptoms.

Lena Dunham, Halsey, Julianne Hough, Amy Schumer, and Padma Lakshmi are among the celebrities who have shared their experiences with endometriosis.

The Chemical Hearts actress explained her health journey in her Instagram caption.

The writer shared that she was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis after seeing a specialist last year. She was informed that the condition has no cure and that she shouldn’t expect long-term symptom relief.

I went to the hospital three times and saw several specialists – urologists and gynecologists – but none of them thought to investigate endometriosis as a possible explanation for my symptoms.

She explained that she didn’t even learn about endometriosis as a possible cause of her pain until she started seeing her second pelvic floor therapist.

Reinhart requested an MRI, a medical imaging technique that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create clear pictures of the inside of the body, including organs, soft tissues, and bones.

I remember when the doctor finally explained what was going on – I had adenomyosis. It’s a form of endometriosis, but it’s unique because it specifically affects the uterine lining. It was such a relief to finally have a name for what I was experiencing!

I saw a specialist about endometriosis, and we agreed that laparoscopic surgery was a good option for me. But surprisingly, another gynecologist thought I likely didn’t have endometriosis and suggested I simply start taking birth control pills, she explained.

She also talked her shock images.

Honestly, looking back at this photo is a little cringey! I don’t even recall taking it, but I realize now I was probably just seeking some reassurance after surgery – a little visual ‘proof’ that I was on the mend, I guess. It’s funny the things we do when we’re vulnerable!

As soon as I saw my doctor, I immediately asked if they’d found the endometriosis. When he confirmed they had, I felt incredibly relieved and validated that I’d trusted my instincts and decided to have the surgery.

The actress said she’s happy she followed her instincts and will keep encouraging others to do the same.

Endometriosis is a frequently misunderstood condition, and it often takes a long time – typically 4 to 11 years – to get a firm diagnosis through surgery. The World Health Organization estimates that about 1 in 10 people with a uterus are affected by endometriosis.

Reinhart posted a photo of a sign that read, ‘It shouldn’t be radical to believe women when they talk about their pain.’

She also tagged the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

She learned from her grandmother to always take an active role in her healthcare, and that’s what motivated her to be proactive with her doctors.

She explained that doctors didn’t take her grandmother’s cancer symptoms seriously for several months.

I was so frustrated learning that she had to fight to be taken seriously – she really had to advocate for herself to finally get a blood test. And it was heartbreaking to discover that by the time they did test her, the cancer had already spread. It just feels like things could have been different if she’d been listened to sooner.

She emphasized that learning to speak up for your own health needs is the biggest lesson she’s taking from this experience.

‘Do not let a doctor gaslight you or diminish your pain.’

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2025-12-11 23:37