The bidirectional relationship between endometriosis and microbiome

Cansu Uzuner; Jason Mak; Fatima El-Assaad; George Condous

doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1110824

The bidirectional relationship between endometriosis and microbiome

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Mar 7:14:1110824. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1110824. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Cansu Uzuner¹, Jason Mak¹, Fatima El-Assaad², George Condous¹

Affiliations

¹ Endometriosis Ultrasound and Advanced Endosurgery Unit, Sydney Medical School Nepean, University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
² University of New South Wales Microbiome Research Centre, St. George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Abstract

Endometriosis has been described by many different theories of pathogenesis over the years. It is now also appreciated to be a state of chronic inflammation, and the role of immune dysfunction in its development has been proven. There is increasing evidence to support the role of the microbiome in the formation and progression of endometriosis via inflammatory pathways. The dysbiosis seen in endometriosis is thought to be both causative and a consequence of the pathogenesis. Gut, peritoneal fluid and female reproductive tract microbiota has been studied to understand if there are any microbiome signatures specific to endometriosis. New research on how to manipulate the microbiome for better detection and treatment of endometriosis is emerging.

Keywords: dysbiosis; endometriosis; immune response; inflammation; microbiome; microbiota.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Endometriosis* / genetics
Endometriosis* / pathology
Epigenomics
Female
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Humans
Inflammation* / complications
Microbiota