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
The most common cause of adhesions in women is endometriosis.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
On the flip side, becoming pregnant may tamp down symptoms of endometriosis.
—Cathy Cassata, Health, 4 Mar. 2025
Phthalates have been associated with endocrine and reproductive issues, metabolic disorders, early puberty, endometriosis, and infertility in both men and women.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025
Some medications for conditions like endometriosis, like dienogest, can also lead to issues.
—Ashley Abramson, SELF, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for endometriosis
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Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
On the flip side, becoming pregnant may tamp down symptoms of endometriosis.
—Cathy Cassata, Health, 4 Mar. 2025
Phthalates have been associated with endocrine and reproductive issues, metabolic disorders, early puberty, endometriosis, and infertility in both men and women.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025
Some medications for conditions like endometriosis, like dienogest, can also lead to issues.
—Ashley Abramson, SELF, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for endometriosis
Cite this Entry
“Endometriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endometriosis. Accessed 9 Mar. 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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