LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Alexa Chung attends the Bird in Hand 2019 Wine Collection Dinner at Harry’s Bar, on July 10, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Alexa Chung)

“I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member, but here I am,” wrote Alexa Chung on her Instagram followed by the hashtags #endometriosisclub, #lifelongmembership and #sorryifyouhaveittooitsucks.

It was ironically the same day the social media platform rolled out its non-numbered “like” trial across Australia – but most of you who saw Chung’s post still hearted it. That’s because on home soil the uterine condition affects one in 10 Australian women of child-bearing age (and 200 million women across the world). On average, it can take between seven to ten years to diagnose a woman with endometriosis, a chronic mensuration disorder that occurs when the tissue that lines the uterus migrates to other parts of the body like the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This causes inflammation which in turn can cause heavy periods, pain and even infertility. Surgery is usually needed to remove or burn the endometriosis.

In December, Australian parliament launched the National Action Plan for Endometriosis, a comprehensive five-year strategy (developed with the help of medical practitioners and women with endometriosis) to improve treatment in our country.

As evidenced by the comments section in Chung’s post, so many women commented with words of empathy and strength. “Welcome to the tuffest club there is. Like fight club, but with a uterus,” one commenter wrote. “By far our most stylish member,” commented another.

In true Chung style, the style icon hilariously commentated on the sartorial accents of her hospital gown. “This sexy lil number was completely open in the back and made from the finest printed cotton poplin,” she said. “Ties and trims are grosgrain ribbon. One size fits all.”

We wish her all the best during her surgery.