Current Knowledge on Endometriosis Etiology: A Systematic Review of Literature

Abstract

Objective To review the mechanisms of endometriosis development, including those related to epigenetic mutations, cellular dysregulation, inflammatory processes, and oxidative stress. Methods A systematic literature review regarding current aspects of endometriosis etiology, genesis and development was performed using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and eLibrary databases. Keywords included endometriosis, etiology, development, genesis, associations and mechanisms. A multilingual search was performed. Results Several mechanisms underline the pathophysiological pathways for endometriosis development. Epigenetic mutations, external and internal influences, and chronic conditions have a significant impact on endometriosis development, survival and regulation. Several historically valid theories on endometriosis development were discussed, as well as updated findings. Conclusion Despite recent advances, fundamental problems in understanding endometriosis remain unresolved. The identification of unknown circulating epithelial progenitors or stem cells that are responsible for epithelial growth in both the endometrium and endometriotic foci seems to be the next step in solving these questions.

The Relationship between Menstrual Patterns and Pain Scale in Endometriosis Patients at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital, Palembang, Indonesia

“…According to other studies, one of the risk factors associated with dysmenorrhea is a long menstrual cycle, and one of the risk factors in endometriosis is pain that is felt during menstruation. [12][13][14][15][16][17] where the sympathetic nervous system has not been optimally triggered. [18][19][20]…”

O potencial efeito do resveratrol no tratamento da endometriose

“…A etiologia da doença ainda não é bem estabelecida e formulada, entretanto, têm sido sugeridos diversos modelos histológicos para explicar o surgimento da patologia. O modelo de Sampson é a teoria mais comum da endometriose devido a existência da menstruação retrógrada ou refluxo menstrual (Mikhaleva et al, 2021). Em outras palavras, tem-se a infiltração das células endometriais por meio das trompas de falópio para a cavidade peritoneal (Bulun et al, 2019).…”

“…No entanto, esse processo fisiológico é comum em mulheres saudáveis, o que levanta críticas ao modelo apresentado, dado que, somente um pequeno percentual das mulheres desenvolve a enfermidade (Mikhaleva et al, 2021). É relatado que a teoria da menstruação retrógrada é eficiente ao explicar a endometriose superficial, mas não na forma profunda (Wang, et al, 2020).…”

Genetic variations in UCA1, a lncRNA functioning as a miRNA sponge, determine endometriosis development and the potential associated infertility via regulating lipogenesis

“…For some patients (around 30–50%), they become infertile either due to distorting the fallopian tubes thus fail to pick up the egg after ovulation or due to constant inflammation that affect normal functions of the ovary, egg, fallopian tubes or uterus [ 2 , 3 ]. With many biochemical changes in endometriotic lesions, the genetic/epigenetic theory was purposed in recent years to explain the hereditary aspects, the predisposition, and the endometriosis-associated changes in the endometrium, immunology, and placentation during disease development [ 4 , 5 ].…”