Popular children's group The Wiggles will be without its yellow performer Emma for its upcoming shows around the country, as she undergoes surgery to manage symptoms of chronic endometriosis.

In a statement, Emma Watkins, 28, said she would be admitted to hospital on Tuesday.

Her final show before surgery will be at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast on Monday.

Recovery from surgery means she will miss upcoming shows on the Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle tour, including performances in Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, and the ACT.

Endometriosis is a common disease in which the tissue that is similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body.

According to Endometriosis Australia, 10 per cent of women suffer with endometriosis at some point in their life with the disease often starting in teenagers.

"I have been in a lot of pain for the past couple of years and on advice from my specialist, a difficult decision has been made for me to be urgently admitted to hospital to have an operation to manage the pain that endometriosis has brought on," Watkins said on social media.

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"I would like to send my love to all the other women experiencing symptoms of endometriosis, it is such a debilitating and painful disease and I urge anyone suffering with the symptoms of endometriosis to put your health first and get a diagnosis so that you are in the best position to manage this crippling disease."

The Wiggles said Watkins would not be able to perform at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast on April 17, as well as at shows in South Australia later in the month, and shows in New South Wales and Canberra in May.

Two understudies will take her place in the yellow skivvy.

Endometriosis 'a society issue'

Endometriosis Association Queensland president Jessica Taylor thanked Watkins for being so forthcoming with her condition.

"It's huge — anything in the media will reach people. It will encourage people to understand, 'this isn't normal, and this isn't OK'," Ms Taylor said.

"Emma coming out and saying that will encourage a younger generation to talk about it.

"I applaud her and thank her for talking about it so widely."

Endometriosis symptoms: Unusually intense period pain

Unusually intense period pain Pain on or around ovulation

Pain on or around ovulation Bowel or bladder problems

Bowel or bladder problems Heavy or irregular bleeding

Heavy or irregular bleeding Fatigue Source: Endometriosis Australia

Ms Taylor said people were talking more about endometriosis now than when she became president of the association three years ago.

"It's not just a women's health issue, it's a society issue," she said.

"It's a huge issue that women are starting to feel comfortable with."



Hundreds of wellwishers have already left messages of support for Ms Watkins via Facebook.

"It is so brave and admirable that Emma has shared this publicly. It's sadly an all too common, but rarely talked about condition. I wish her all the best for the surgery and tough recovery," Angela Fullwood said.

"Thank you for showing our girls [and boys] that it's OK and important to take care of yourself. Thank you for communicating this so we can explain it to our little ones. You are much loved and surrounded by support," Lidia Shannon said.