Endometriose
In short
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries or pelvis.
In plain words
Normally, womb lining only grows inside the uterus. In this condition, that same type of tissue grows in the wrong places. This can cause pain and problems with having babies.
A simple example
A person might have tissue growing on their ovaries, which causes intense pain during their monthly period.
Why it matters
It affects about 10% of women of reproductive age globally. Many people suffer from chronic pain and difficulty conceiving without knowing they have it.
Easy to mix up
It is often confused with period pain, but endometriosis is a specific medical disease rather than just a heavy period.