What causes endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a common and frequent gynecological disease in women. There are many causes for this disease, the most common of which are genetic factors, immunity and inflammation. Endometriosis brings great pain to women because suffering from this disease may cause infertility and affect the implantation of the fertilized egg, causing great pain.

Causes of Endometriosis

There is still no clear answer to the cause of endometriosis. It is generally believed to be caused by ectopic implantation, and some believe it is caused by factors such as body cavity epithelial differentiation, genetics, abnormal immune regulation and inflammation.

1. Ectopic implantation

When a woman has her period, the endometrial glandular epithelial and stromal cells can flow back with the menstrual blood, enter the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tubes, implant in the ovaries and adjacent pelvic peritoneum, and continue to grow and spread there, forming pelvic endometriosis. The endometrium can also spread to distant sites through the lymph and veins, resulting in ectopic implantation. Clinically, endometriosis occurs in organs far away from the pelvic cavity, such as the lungs, skin of the limbs, and muscles. This may be the result of the spread of the endometrium through the blood circulation and lymph nodes.

2. Genetic factors

Endometriosis has a certain familial clustering, and the onset of the disease in some patients may be related to genetics. Mothers and sisters of patients with endometriosis have a seven times higher risk of developing the disease than those with no family history.

3. Immune and inflammatory factors

Abnormal immune regulation plays an important role in the occurrence and development of endometriosis, which is manifested by the weakening of immune surveillance function and cytotoxic effect of immune killer cells, and the inability to effectively clear the ectopic endometrium. Endometriosis is associated with certain inflammatory conditions such as peritonitis, which is manifested by an increase in macrophages, inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and pro-angiogenic substances in the peritoneal fluid, thereby promoting the survival and proliferation of ectopic endometrium and leading to local fibrosis and adhesion.

4. Other factors

Environmental factors may also increase the incidence of endometriosis. Studies have found that dioxins can increase women's risk of endometriosis. Angiogenic factors may also lead to the occurrence of endometriosis. Increased vascular growth factors in the peritoneal fluid can lead to increased growth of pelvic microvessels and induce endometriosis. In addition, decreased apoptosis of ectopic endometrial cells may also be associated with the disease process.