endometriosis

noun

en·​do·​me·​tri·​osis ˌen-dō-ˌmē-trē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
: 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
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Additional risk factors for women include endometriosis, premature ovarian failure (before age 40), and early-onset menopause (before age 45), all of which can elevate stroke risk. Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 1 Nov. 2024 Back then, even discussing things like endometriosis was completely taboo. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2024 Over the years, the singer has also been outspoken about their experience with endometriosis, lupus, T-cell disorder and infertility. Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Aug. 2024 Estrogen levels play a role in osteoporosis, endometriosis, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for endometriosis 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of endometriosis was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near endometriosis

Cite this Entry

“Endometriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endometriosis. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

endometriosis

noun
en·​do·​me·​tri·​osis ˌen-dō-ˌmē-trē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
plural endometrioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
: 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 adjective
an endometriotic cyst
endometriotic tissue

More from Merriam-Webster on endometriosis

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