The exact
cause of endometriosis remains unknown. Some of the theories on
what causes endometriosis include: Retrograde menstruation；Genetic factors; Immune system malfunction.
Retrograde menstruation
Retrograde menstruation is also known as "retrograde menstrual flow", in which some of the tissue that a woman sheds during her period flows into her pelvis. In almost all women, some of the menstrual fluid flows backwards into the fallopian tubes instead of leaving the body through the vagina. Researchers are trying to uncover what other factors might cause the tissue to grow in some women, but not in others. Of course since endometriosis does occur in rare cases in men and also seems to not be cured by hysterectomies this seems like a very far fetched idea.
The genetic factor
Another theory about the
cause of endometriosis involves genes. It seems that genetic susceptibility plays a significant role in the development of endometriosis. This disease could be inherited, or it could result from genetic errors, making some women more likely than others to develop the condition. Some researchers suspect that some families carry faulty genes that allow abnormal cells to survive and grow in the pelvic cavity. If researchers can find a specific gene or genes related to endometriosis in some women, genetic testing might allow health care providers to detect
endometriosis much earlier, or even prevent it from happening at all.
Immune system malfunction
Retrograde menstruation occurs in almost all women, but only 3–10 per cent of menstruating women develop
endometriosis. Researchers are exploring other possible causes, as well. One theory suggests that the immune systems of some women allow
endometriosis to develop by failing to control or stop the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Estrogen, a hormone involved in the female reproductive cycle, appears to promote the growth of endometriosis. Therefore, some research is looking into
endometriosis as a disease of the endocrine system, the body's system of glands, hormones, and other secretions. Or, it may be that a woman's immune system does not remove the menstrual fluid in the pelvic cavity properly, or the chemicals made by areas of endometriosis may irritate or promote growth of more areas. So, other researchers are studying the role of the immune system in either stimulating, or reacting to
endometriosis.
Keywords: endometriosis ; causes of endometriosis
