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

For premenopausal women experiencing moderate to severe endometriosis pain or heavy menstrual bleeding due to uterine fibroids, one option a provider may discuss is MYFEMBREE® (relugolix, estradiol, and norethindrone acetate). — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 14 July 2026

Conditions such as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), endometriosis, luteal phase dysfunction, and unexplained infertility often involve variable and complex physiological patterns. — Matt Emma, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Palvin has been open about her health journey in years past, having undergone surgery for her endometriosis. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026

Leven Rambin is recovering after a doctor accidentally nicked her aorta while performing her endometriosis surgery. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 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