Neuroimmunology of Endometriosis-Associated Pain and Its Psychological Aspects

Summary Endometriosis-associated pain (EAP) is a major health concern in women of reproductive age. Due to the limited knowledge in the etiology and mechanisms of EAP, current treatment options remain deficient. In this chapter, we review the potential mechanisms contributing to EAP in the roles of neuroinflammation, neurogenesis and neural sensitization, as well as current clinical and pre-clinical treatments for EAP. Also the current knowledge and interrelationship between EAP and psychological well-being for the EAP treatment are discussed. Potential of individualized, multisubject care, integrating medical and psychological management for EAP are appraised. Inflammation, peripheral and central pain generators, endocrine changes and structural alterations in the periphery and in the central nerve system may all contribute to endometriosis-associated pain. Psychological aspects of endometriosis-associated pain similarly evolve, with changes in mood and acceptance over the course of the disease. —Christian M. Becker Access this chapter Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout Purchases are for personal use only Similar content being viewed by others Abbreviations - ACOG: - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - ASRM: - American Society for Reproductive Medicine - BDNF: - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor - CBT: - Cognitive behavioral therapy - CCL5: - C–C motif chemokine ligand 5 - CGRP: - Calcitonin gene-related peptide - CHM: - Chinese herbal medicine - CNS: - Central nerve system - COC: - Combined oral contraceptive - COX: - Cyclo-oxygenase - CPP: - Chronic pelvic pain - DIE: - Deep infiltrating endometriosis - DIM: - 3,3′-Diindolylmethane - DRG: - Dorsal root ganglia - EGCG: - Epigallocatechin-3-gallate - ENA-78: - Epithelial neutrophil activating peptide-78 - ER: - Estrogen receptor - ESHRE: - European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology - FKN: - Fractalkine - GAP-43: - Growth-associated protein 43 - GnRH-a: - Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist - HPA: - Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal - IBD: - Inflammatory bowel disease - IFN: - Interferon - IL: - Interleukin - LNG-IUD: - Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device - LUNA: - Laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation - MAPK: - Mitogen-activated protein kinase - MC: - Mast cell - MCP1: - Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 - NGF: - Nerve growth factor - NO: - Nitric oxide - NSAID: - Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug - NT: - Neurotrophin - PF: - Peritoneal fluid - PG: - Prostaglandin - PMB: - Psychological and mind–body - PMR: - Progressive muscle relaxation - PNS: - Peripheral nerve system - PSN: - Presacral neurectomy - QoL: - Quality of life - RA: - Rheumatoid arthritis - RANTES: - Regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted - RCT: - Randomized control trial - ROS: - Reactive oxygen species - RVM: - Rostral ventromedial medulla - SCNA: - Sodium channel - SERM selective estrogen: - Receptor modulator - SNM: - Sacral neuromodulation - SP: - Substance P - SPRM selective progesterone: - Receptor modulator - TGF: - Transforming growth factor - TNF: - Tumor necrosis factor - TrkB: - Tyrosine kinase type B - TRPA1: - Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 - TRPV1: - Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 - VEGF: - Vascular endothelial growth factor - WES: - World Endometriosis Society References Zondervan KT, Becker CM, Missmer SA (2020) Endometriosis. 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Int J Environ Res Public Health 17(13) Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Editor information Editors and Affiliations Rights and permissions Copyright information © 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG About this chapter Cite this chapter Lin, Y., Wang, C.C. (2024). Neuroimmunology of Endometriosis-Associated Pain and Its Psychological Aspects. In: Rezaei, N., Yazdanpanah, N. (eds) PsychoNeuroImmunology. Integrated Science, vol 31. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72079-6_30 Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72079-6_30 Published: Publisher Name: Springer, Cham Print ISBN: 978-3-031-72078-9 Online ISBN: 978-3-031-72079-6 eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)