endometriosis

noun

en·​do·​me·​tri·​osis ˌen-dō-ˌmē-trē-ˈō-səs 

: the presence and growth of tissue similar to endometrium in places other than the uterus and especially in the pelvis and abdomen that often results in severe pain and infertility

Endometriosis is not malignant, but it mimics cancer in the way it spreads and attaches itself to other organs—most commonly the ovary, bladder, and bowel.

—Consumer Reports

Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of female infertility and causes great pain and life disruption.

—Paul G. Donohue

Examples of endometriosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The plan targets maternal and mental health, endometriosis and other conditions, but sets no specific funding goals as the administration faces declining support among women voters. — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

According to the White House, the order calls for targeting maternal health, mental health and endometriosis. — Bill Barrow, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Humphries said her own experience with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and endometriosis forced difficult decisions about whether to spend available money on starting a family, medical needs or her athletic career. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Biopsies of asymptomatic endometriosis were obtained during laparoscopic surgeries for conditions unrelated to pelvic pain, which also led to the discovery of the disease. — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for endometriosis

• amyloidosis
• anaplasmosis
• anastomosis
• aponeurosis
• apotheosis
• aspergillosis
• blastomycosis
• coccidiosis
• cryptococcosis
• cysticercosis
• endocytosis
• exocytosis

Medical Definition

endometriosis

noun

en·​do·​me·​tri·​osis ˌen-dō-ˌmē-trē-ˈō-səs 

plural endometrioses -ˌsēz 

: the presence and growth of tissue similar to endometrium in places other than the uterus and especially in the pelvis and abdomen and that often results in severe pain and infertility

The primary symptoms of endometriosis are pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, backache, dyschezia, dysuria, and infertility.

—G. David Adamson, The Journal of the American Medical Association

About 40 percent of infertile women suffer from endometriosis.

—Gigi Martino, Science News

see adenomyosis

endometriotic

-trē-ˈät-ik 

adjective

an endometriotic cyst

endometriotic tissue