Research Progress in Nerve Growth Factor and Endometriosis-associated Dysmenorrhea

Secondary dysmenorrhea is representative of endometriosis.Due to the unknown cause of dysmenorrhea,the therapeutic outcomes are less acceptable.Nerve growth factor(NGF) is an active protein derived from nervous system and associated with neurogensis and pain.Extensive studies show that NGF is aberrantly expressed in endometriosis and associated with dysmenorrhea.This article reviews the structures,functions,and distributions of NGF and its receptors.