Jade Yarbrough, sister of Jasmine Yarbrough and social media personality, has revealed a private health battle after undergoing extensive surgery for stage 4 endometriosis. Yarbrough, 31, returned to Instagram after a nearly five-month absence to share details of her diagnosis and recovery.
In a lengthy post, Yarbrough explained that she was diagnosed with deep infiltrating stage 4 endometriosis, the most advanced form of the condition, where uterine-like tissue grows deeply into pelvic and abdominal organs. Surgeons removed the tissue from multiple organs and also performed an appendectomy.
"I'm a very private person and certainly not one to share anything personal on here, but I promised myself that, when I was ready, I would share this," Yarbrough wrote, adding, "And if this post can help just one girl on their journey, then it has done its job."
She expressed disappointment that despite technological advancements, a cure for endometriosis remains elusive. "The fact we're closer to flying cars than a cure for endometriosis, and still can't reliably detect it on a standard scan, absolutely blows my mind," she stated. "This experience has opened my eyes to just how many women are suffering, often silently, and how profoundly this disease can affect every part of their lives."
Yarbrough realized her health was compromised when her body "stopped making sense." She experienced debilitating pain, collapsed, and suffered a burst ovarian cyst, leading to persistent pain and blood sugar fluctuations. After numerous tests, scans, and specialist visits without clear answers, doctors initially suspected abdominal tumors.
She eventually found an "amazing specialist" who operated within two weeks, providing much-needed answers. "I'll always be grateful to him for listening, taking my pain seriously and finally giving me some answers," she said.
While relieved to have a diagnosis, Yarbrough acknowledged that her recovery is ongoing. "Some days I feel completely like myself, and other days my body reminds me very quickly that it's still healing," she shared. "I'm still rebuilding my strength, understanding my body, searching for answers and learning what life with endometriosis looks like moving forward."
Yarbrough decided to share her story after finding solace in the experiences of other women with endometriosis. "In some of the scariest and loneliest moments, I would lie in bed reading women's stories on Instagram. Women I'd never met made me feel less alone, less scared and reminded me to keep asking questions when I didn't have answers," she said.
She concluded her post by stating, "So this isn't a sympathy post. And it isn't a triumphant 'I beat it' post either. It's simply me keeping a promise I made to myself; that one day I would share my experience in the hope it might help someone else."
Endometriosis affects approximately one in seven women of reproductive age in Australia, with the average diagnosis time ranging from six to eight years. The condition involves tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside the uterus.