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
Jen Lilley stepped in to play the role in September 2011 when Storms was forced to take medical leave after being diagnosed with endometriosis.
—Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 8 July 2025
Because endometriosis involves tissue from the endometrium, or the inner lining of the uterus, growing outside of the uterus, it’s typically formally diagnosed via a laparoscopic procedure that can show the locations of the endometriosis lesions.
—Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 2 July 2025
They have also previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, endometriosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), Sjogren’s syndrome, and MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome).
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 23 June 2025
In a 2022 American Society of Plastic Surgeons article, Amy Schumer received praise for opening up about her liposuction after having surgery to treat endometriosis.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 18 June 2025
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Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 8 July 2025
Because endometriosis involves tissue from the endometrium, or the inner lining of the uterus, growing outside of the uterus, it’s typically formally diagnosed via a laparoscopic procedure that can show the locations of the endometriosis lesions.
—Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 2 July 2025
They have also previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, endometriosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), Sjogren’s syndrome, and MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome).
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 23 June 2025
In a 2022 American Society of Plastic Surgeons article, Amy Schumer received praise for opening up about her liposuction after having surgery to treat endometriosis.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 18 June 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 19 Jul. 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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