What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue growing outside the uterus, commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. This condition can lead to significant pain, especially during menstruation, and may result in various complications such as infertility. The growth of this tissue responds to hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle just like the lining of the uterus, but since it has no pathway to exit the body, it can cause inflammation, scarring, and adhesions in the pelvic area.

The other options describe different medical conditions that do not accurately define endometriosis. For instance, while ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries, they do not involve the endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus. A hormonal imbalance can affect menstrual cycles, but it is not synonymous with endometriosis; endometriosis itself does not originate from a hormonal imbalance. Lastly, while genetic factors may play a role in some women's experiences with reproductive health, endometriosis is not categorized as a genetic disorder. Thus, the defining feature of endometriosis is indeed the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus.