Love Island Australia star Erin Barnett gives health update after hysterectomy at age 27

Erin Barnett called her hysterectomy at age 27 “the best thing that ever happened to me.”

The former Love Island Australia star, who has described her health problems with her 488,000 followers on Instagram, underwent the procedure five weeks ago.

Doctors were hesitant to perform the surgery on Erin due to her age, but the star fought for it due to chronic pain.

“For now I just want to say this is the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said in images shared on Instagram on Thursday.

“I wish I was cleared for this hysterectomy at age 20, because my quality of life is now second to none. It’s going really well, health wise.’

Erin made headlines last month after sharing that she underwent the surgery to address her chronic health issues.

“I’ve said it over and over. Since I was 14/15 years old I have had problems with my reproductive organs,” Erin wrote.

“I grew up knowing that I would struggle to have children. As time went on and I went through numerous surgeries I was told I would have to do IVF,” she added.

The reality star added that she suffers from polycystic ovarian syndrome, or POCS.

“Four years ago I looked into freezing my eggs, then I was told I’m a high-risk patient for IVF because of my PCOS and how fast cysts grow and how quickly they rupture and cause internal bleeding that progresses to emergency surgery.”

She went on to say that the cons outweigh the pros for her.

In a total hysterectomy, the cervix (the lower part of the uterus near the vagina) is also removed.

The surgery takes about six to eight weeks to heal, but it will likely take longer depending on the person.

Erin confirmed that her cervix had been removed and although she was ‘nervous’ she was happy to have had the procedure.

She added that the pain level was comparable to other surgeries she has experienced.

Later updating fans, she wrote, “I’m in pain and I’m so scared to use my gut. Everything just feels weird and not right.’

She continued, “It’s only been 24 hours since I had the surgery, so I know this is all normal. But it’s very uncomfortable.’

Erin revealed in 2022 that she was at war with doctors who refused to give her an hysterectomy.

She has had 17 surgeries since she was 14 due to severe endometriosis and PCOS.

The former reality star said she wanted to have a hysterectomy to end her pain, but couldn’t find a surgeon who would agree to perform the surgery.

“It’s not a cure, but I would probably be 90 percent pain free and today I live in about 1,000 percent pain every day,” she told Nine Honey last year.

“Sure, I would go through menopause and there’s an increased risk of stroke or heart attack when I’m in my 60s,” she continued.

“But that means I have to live with pain and constant surgery for another 30 years. I accept the risks and yet they still don’t.”

Erin went on to say she was able to get breast implants but didn’t get a hysterectomy despite pain she describes as burning from the inside out.

“When I asked for large breast implants, my surgeon advised against it, but it was what I wanted, so I understood the risks and signed the form,” she said.

Previously, Erin described her symptoms on Instagram, writing, “Don’t know what’s going on! But look how swollen I am. I have pain! I feel like my insides are on fire.’

An irate Erin continued, “If you’ve had 17 surgeries since you were 14, left fallopian/ovary removed, two cyst ruptures, and diagnosed with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and PCOS, come back and tell me how to live my life.”

She added, “You have no idea what this amount of pain, suffering and surgery will do to you mentally, let alone physically.”

Erin first discovered she had these debilitating conditions when she had a three-liter cyst removed from her ovary at the age of 15.