Barbara Palvin is opening up about a deeply personal health struggle, revealing she recently underwent surgery for endometriosis after years of suffering in silence.
The Hungarian model and wife of Dylan Sprouse shared the news on Instagram Sunday (Aug. 17), explaining that she long assumed her exhaustion, intense cramps, heavy bleeding, and sleepless nights spent on the bathroom floor were just part of her cycle.
It wasn’t until she was encouraged to see a specialist that doctors discovered she had endometriosis, a chronic condition impacting an estimated 190 million women worldwide.
“I thought this was just how it works for me,” Palvin wrote. “But recently I’ve been advised to seek out an endometriosis specialist to see whether my symptoms are caused by that. I’ve been going to checkups to my gynecologist every year, I thought if I had endometriosis I would have known about it by now, but as it turns out, endometriosis can’t be diagnosed with general examinations.”
She revealed she had surgery three months ago and, for the first time, experienced what she called a “normal” period—a life-changing difference. Palvin urged her followers to listen to their bodies and push for answers if something feels off.
“Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to prevent long-term complications,” she added. “Now I’m more mindful about my body to act fast if needed.”
The 30-year-old model also addressed her three-month hiatus from work and social media, explaining that she needed the time to rest and fully recover from surgery. Now, she says she’s healthier, stronger, and ready to dive back into her career with fresh energy.
Her post quickly drew an outpouring of love and support from fans, many applauding her for speaking openly about menstrual health and helping shine a light on endometriosis, a condition often misdiagnosed or ignored.
“Barbara – as a fellow Endo warrior, thank you for your bravery and for sharing your story. This advocacy will help SO MANY. Here’s to days without so much pain,” one person commented. Another added, “I’m so proud of you for sharing and so happy you’re out of pain.”
