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Endometriosis


Abstract

Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease of unknown cause affecting approximately 10-15% of women of reproductive age and 50% of infertile women. Estrogen dependence and immune modulation are established features of endometriosis but do not adequately explain the cause of this disease. In recent years, evidence that environmental contaminants possess estrogenic activity has led to the hypothesis that exposure to hormonally active environmental contaminants contributes to the pathobiology of endometriosis. However, hospital based case-control studies have failed to provide compelling evidence for or against an association between environmental contaminant exposure and endometriosis. Results of animal studies however, suggest that it is biologically plausible for environmental contaminants to affect the pathobiology of endometriosis. Specifically, animal experiments implicate dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in this disease. Herein the literature linking environmental contaminants with endometriosis is reviewed and the link with endocrine disruption discussed.

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