Growing evidence that endometriosis is a systemic disease

Abstract

The pathophysiology of endometriosis remains unclear. Retrograde menstruation could be a phenomenon that initiates the process, but may not explain the entire pathophysiology of endometriosis. Current evidence suggests that endometriosis is a type of chronic inflammatory disease. Many conditions that affect vascular endothelium including atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and preeclampsia have shown to be associated with endometriosis. Evidence to date suggests a complex interaction between angiogenesis, hormones, and immunology stems from chronic inflammation of endometriosis. The inflammatory cells release cytokines and chemokines including tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-ά). Indeed, TNF- ά is considered to be one of the possible markers of endometriosis in the blood, endometrium, or menstrual blood. We emphasize the importance of pursuing research for novel and safer anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs that can be used by patients with endometriosis on a long-term basis.