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
Brittany Ingram was diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), both of which can affect reproductive health, and even lead to infertility, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2015.
—Nicholas Rice, People.com, 19 July 2025
Your doctor may also run tests to look for an underlying condition like PCOS, a thyroid abnormality, or endometriosis that may need to be treated or managed with, potentially, medications or surgery.
—Julia Ries, SELF, 23 June 2025
That includes everything from endometriosis and menopause to heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for endometriosis
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nicholas Rice, People.com, 19 July 2025
Your doctor may also run tests to look for an underlying condition like PCOS, a thyroid abnormality, or endometriosis that may need to be treated or managed with, potentially, medications or surgery.
—Julia Ries, SELF, 23 June 2025
That includes everything from endometriosis and menopause to heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for endometriosis
Cite this Entry
“Endometriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endometriosis. Accessed 6 Aug. 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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share