Girls star Lena Dunham has announced she won’t be publicising the new season of the show because of health problems.

She wrote about her ongoing struggle with endometriosis, a disorder in which tissue grows outside rather than inside the uterus, in an Instagram post.

She captioned it: “Hey Beloved Pals, I just wanted to let you know that, while I am so excited for Girls to return on Feb 21, I won’t be out and about doing press for the new season. As many of you know I have endometriosis, a chronic condition that affects approximately 1 in 10 women’s reproductive health.

“I am currently going through a rough patch with the illness and my body (along with my amazing doctors) let me know, in no uncertain terms, that it’s time to rest.

“That’s a hard thing to do, but I’m trying, because all I want is to make season 6 of Girls the best one yet.”

Lena Dunham signs the wall at AOL Studios after participating in AOL's BUILD Speaker Serie
The actress has opened up about her problems with the disorder in the past (Charles Sykes/AP)

She added that she was getting support from executive producers Jenni Konner and Judd Apatow, writing: “I’m lucky enough to have support and backup from Jenni, Judd and the whole Girls gang.

“So many women with this disease literally don’t have the option of time off and I won’t take it for granted. Wishing you all health & happiness, in whatever form suits you.”

Jemima Kirke, Allison Williams, Zosia Mamet, Lena Dunham and Andrew Rannells at the Television Academy Presents An Evening with Girls
Lena with the rest of the Girls cast (Andreas Branch/AP)

Lena has previously opened up about the illness in her newsletter Lenny.