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

Most Popular For many women with endometriosis, beauty is a thorny thing. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Unlike the inner lining of the uterus, endometriosis tissue doesn’t leave the body during menstruation, and cysts and adhesions can sometimes develop. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

In 1982, Parton canceled a tour while experiencing abdominal pain and bleeding and was later diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and can cause pain and fertility problems. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 25 Aug. 2026

The stage of the condition does not necessarily predict the severity of symptoms, and endometriosis can still cause scar tissue formation, pelvic adhesions, and fertility problems even if symptoms are not present. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 4 Aug. 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