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
But an endometriosis diagnosis is life-altering, at least a little.
—Alex Ross, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Advocating for more research and equity in endometriosis will be an uphill battle.
—Monique Wilson, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
Childbirth, prior uterine surgeries, such as a uterine fibroid removal or a dilation and curettage (D&C), and a history of endometriosis are also risk factors, according to Cleveland Clinic.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
The average timeline from symptom onset to endometriosis diagnosis is 7-10 years.
—Jenneh Rishe, Health, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for endometriosis
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alex Ross, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Advocating for more research and equity in endometriosis will be an uphill battle.
—Monique Wilson, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
Childbirth, prior uterine surgeries, such as a uterine fibroid removal or a dilation and curettage (D&C), and a history of endometriosis are also risk factors, according to Cleveland Clinic.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
The average timeline from symptom onset to endometriosis diagnosis is 7-10 years.
—Jenneh Rishe, Health, 4 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 24 Apr. 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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share