MOLECULAR BASIS OF ENDOMETRIOSI

Abstract

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within extrauterine sites. Estimations show that up to 15 % of women in their reproductive age areaffected. Extrauterine endometrial tissue can be found on the pelvic peritoneum, on theovaries, in the rectovaginal septum, and more rarely, in the pericardium and pleura forming three different entities: peritoneal endometriosis, ovarian endometriosis and deependometriotic nodules of the rectovaginal septum. Symptoms for endometriosis may include painful and/or heavy periods, pain during intercourse, pelvic pain, 30–50 % reducedfertility and low back pain. Pathogenesis of endometriosis is not yet fully understood. It iswell known that endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease, with distinctive genetic,immunological and environmental risk factors. CONCLUSIONS The review focuses on different cell processes which are disturbed in endometriosis patients. A better understanding of the molecular basis of endometriosis will aid in identification of molecular markers and novel drug targets in the future, providing better diagnostics and treatment