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 questions on this quiz are based on the most common symptoms people may experience with endometriosis.
—Rena Goldman, Health, 31 Jan. 2025
Concerns ranged from retrograde menstruation in microgravity causing or aggravating endometriosis, the potential for menstrual products to clog toilet filters, and the inappropriateness of space equipment designed exclusively for men.
—Lisa Falco, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2025
She was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2020, and is still waiting for surgery.
—Harriet Marsden, theweek, 22 Nov. 2024
Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis is a minimally invasive surgery in which a surgeon makes a small incision and removes endometriosis patches (lesions, adhesions, or scars).125
What Is Hormone Therapy?
—Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
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Rena Goldman, Health, 31 Jan. 2025
Concerns ranged from retrograde menstruation in microgravity causing or aggravating endometriosis, the potential for menstrual products to clog toilet filters, and the inappropriateness of space equipment designed exclusively for men.
—Lisa Falco, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2025
She was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2020, and is still waiting for surgery.
—Harriet Marsden, theweek, 22 Nov. 2024
Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis is a minimally invasive surgery in which a surgeon makes a small incision and removes endometriosis patches (lesions, adhesions, or scars).125
What Is Hormone Therapy?
—Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for endometriosis
Dictionary Entries Near endometriosis
Cite this Entry
“Endometriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endometriosis. Accessed 14 Feb. 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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