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
Last December, the actress shared her endometriosis diagnosis.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Early menopause can happen as part of medical treatment, for instance in women who take ovary-suppressing medication for a hormone-sensitive condition like endometriosis or cancer and in those who get their ovaries removed.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 31 Mar. 2026
Endometriosis has long been stigmatized and patient pain often explained away through other diagnoses, with the average diagnostic delay for endometriosis lasting four to 11 years.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Further, people seeking protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act for menstruation complications such as endometriosis, which occurs when tissue grows outside of the uterus and often causes severe pain during menstrual cycles, face an uphill battle.
—Ann Juliano, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
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Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Early menopause can happen as part of medical treatment, for instance in women who take ovary-suppressing medication for a hormone-sensitive condition like endometriosis or cancer and in those who get their ovaries removed.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 31 Mar. 2026
Endometriosis has long been stigmatized and patient pain often explained away through other diagnoses, with the average diagnostic delay for endometriosis lasting four to 11 years.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Further, people seeking protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act for menstruation complications such as endometriosis, which occurs when tissue grows outside of the uterus and often causes severe pain during menstrual cycles, face an uphill battle.
—Ann Juliano, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for endometriosis
Cite this Entry
“Endometriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endometriosis. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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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