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
Consumer ReportsEndometriosis is one of the leading causes of female infertility and causes great pain and life disruption.—Paul G. Donohue
Paul G. DonohueExamples of endometriosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ignoring them puts you at risk of the imbalance manifesting into a more serious condition, like PCOS, hypothyroidism, and endometriosis.
—Eman Bare, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025
Bosworth has endometriosis, an incurable condition in which tissue grows outside the uterine lining, often leading to fatigue, cramping, heavy periods and infertility.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
In reality, Denner had endometriosis—a disease that affects about 10 percent of women of reproductive age—and a particularly aggressive form, with excess tissue infiltrating her vaginal area and digestive tract.
—Shreyas Teegala, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025
But an endometriosis diagnosis is life-altering, at least a little.
—Alex Ross, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
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Eman Bare, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025
Bosworth has endometriosis, an incurable condition in which tissue grows outside the uterine lining, often leading to fatigue, cramping, heavy periods and infertility.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
In reality, Denner had endometriosis—a disease that affects about 10 percent of women of reproductive age—and a particularly aggressive form, with excess tissue infiltrating her vaginal area and digestive tract.
—Shreyas Teegala, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025
But an endometriosis diagnosis is life-altering, at least a little.
—Alex Ross, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for endometriosis
Cite this Entry
“Endometriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endometriosis. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
G. David Adamson, The Journal of the American Medical AssociationAbout 40 percent of infertile women suffer from endometriosis.—Gigi Martino, Science News
see adenomyosis
Gigi Martino, Science NewsLove words? Need even more definitions?
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