'It was the worst pain': Olivia Culpo reveals people 'simply thought I was overreacting' while suffering from endometriosis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Olivia Culpo revealed she sought help from a number of doctors before she received any aid while she was suffering from endometriosis, a reproductive condition in which uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, prompting cramping and chronic pain.

The Miss USA 2012 recently appeared on the 'SHE MD' podcast hosted by former fashion designer and entrepreneur Mary Alice Haney and board-certified OB/GYN Dr Thais Aliabadi who is known for working with stars like Rihanna and Khloe Kardashian.

Olivia Culpo suffered from extreme pain since her first period

During the episode, the 31-year-old recalled dealing with “very abnormal symptoms” since her first period as a young girl. But, she refrained from speaking to anyone about it, including her parents, as it was too “embarrassing" for her. So, she opted to remain silent about it. 

“The debilitating pain happened and continued to progress as I got older and that’s when it really started to affect my day-to-day life where I really could not function,” Culpo said according to People. “It was the worst pain I’ve ever been in in my entire life,” she added.

Olivia Culpo opened up about her issue to her now-fiance Christian McCaffrey

The former Miss Universe said that when she was in her late 20s, Culpo was left with no other choice but to share what was going on with her now-fiance Christian McCaffrey because the pain was “so excruciating” that sometimes she couldn’t leave the house.

“It’s the type of pain that scares you because you know that there’s something wrong and there’s no answer and at the time, nobody knew what was wrong with me,” she said while heaping praises on McCaffrey for the support he’s given her during her search for the right doctor.

Olivia Culpo said saw at least 12 doctors

Olivia Culpo went on to reveal on the podcast that she saw at least 12 doctors about her symptoms and her pain was continuously dismissed.

“I have rectovaginal endometriosis… and they’re like, ‘Are you sure you’re wiping correctly? Are you sure that you’re really having these symptoms? Painful periods are normal. No, I can't give you an ultrasound. Let’s just put you on birth control,’ " she explained.

“There were people that were trying to rob me for my money and then there were people that just simply thought I was overreacting, which is so, so painful. I mean, you're sitting there and you literally, I remember I felt like I was going to die. I was in so much pain. And it's in that lower back, we call it butt lightning, but it's the worst pain ever,” she continued. 

“You’re hot, you’re hormonal, you’re sensitive, you’re in excruciating pain and then someone’s going to tell you that you’re overreacting or you’re lying, just making you feel insane,” she further revealed.

Olivia Culpo did not get proper help for more than a decade

Culpo pointed out that since many doctors lack basic knowledge or education about endometriosis, she did not get proper help for 12 years. The Sports Illustrated model wasn’t able to receive a proper diagnosis until she met Dr Aliabadi. 

“She did one ultrasound and saw that I had an endometrioma right on my ovaries,” she said, noting that she has been managing her symptoms well since undergoing surgery in November 2020.