Pathogenesis of endometriosis

Nap AW, Annemiek W Nap, Annemiek Nap, Patrick G. Groothuis, Groothuis PG, Ayşe Y. Demir, Demir AY, Ayse Y Demir, J.L.H. Evers, Johannes L. H. Evers, Dunselman GA, Gerard A J Dunselman
Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology · 2004 · vol. 18(2) , pp. 233–244 · doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2004.01.005 · PMID:15157640 · W2052325118
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-11 ⓘ

This paper reviews the current understanding of endometriosis pathogenesis, discussing theories of retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, and stem cell involvement.

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Abstract

Many women harbour spots of peritoneal endometriosis without having any symptoms; this is referred to as the phenomenon endometriosis. Some of these women go on to develop symptomatic endometriosis. Although we know the factors potentially involved in the aetiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis, the exact mechanism by which the phenomenon endometriosis develops into the disease endometriosis, with its associated signs and symptoms, remain obscure. The widely accepted theory is Sampson's transplantation theory. Recent findings indicate that certain properties of the endometrium, and the influence of the local environment, are crucial in the development of endometriosis. Early endometriosis lesion formation is described in detail, as this seems to be a key process in the development of peritoneal endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Peritoneal Diseases Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Estrogens Estrogens Female Humans Matrix Metalloproteinases Matrix Metalloproteinases Menstruation Neovascularization, Pathologic Peritoneal Diseases

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (77)

Cited by (50)

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