Endometriosis still a challenge

J Med Life. 2014 Sep 15;7(3):349-57. Epub 2014 Sep 25.

Abstract

Endometriosis is a debilitating disease with features of chronic inflammation. Endometriosis appears to be one of the most common benign gynecological proliferations in premenopausal women since it is estimated that 10-15% of reproductive aged women suffer from pelvic endometriosis. The biology of endometriosis is unclear. Despite its prevalence, this disease remains poorly understood and current studies prove that there is no relationship between the extent of the disease and its symptomatology. There is no blood test available for the diagnosis of endometriosis. Up to this point, there is no single very successful option for the treatment of endometriosis. Due to the relatively poor efficacy of hormonal therapy for endometriosis, several other experimental therapies are currently undergoing clinical trial.

Keywords: dysmenorrhea; endometriosis; endometriosis therapy; fertility; pain.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Dioxins / toxicity
  • Endometriosis / diagnosis
  • Endometriosis / drug therapy*
  • Endometriosis / epidemiology*
  • Endometriosis / etiology
  • Endometriosis / genetics
  • Endometriosis / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menstruation / physiology*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Prevalence

Substances

  • Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
  • Dioxins