Pathogenesis of endometriosis: the role of genetics, inflammation and oxidative stress.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The etiology of this multifactorial disease is still unresolved and an increasing number of studies suggest that genetic, hormonal, environmental, immunological and oxidative factors may all play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. CONCLUSIONS: In this literature review, inflammatory activity, oxidative stress as well as genetic abnormalities and mutations have been studied in an effort to identify factors predisposing to endometriosis.