Unraveling the Core of Endometriosis: The Impact of Endocrine Disruptors

Efthalia Moustakli, Anastasios Potiris, Themos Grigoriadis, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Εirini Drakaki, Eirini Drakaki, Ioanna Zouganeli, Charalampos Theofanakis, Angeliki Gerede, Athanasios Zachariou, Ekaterini Domali, Peter Drakakis, Sofoklis Stavros
International journal of molecular sciences · 2025 · vol. 26(15) , pp. 7600 · doi:10.3390/ijms26157600 · PMID:40806727 · W4413020300
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This review synthesizes evidence that endocrine-disrupting compounds like BPA and phthalates may cause endometriosis by altering endocrine, immune, and epigenetic pathways.

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Abstract

Globally, endometriosis affects almost 10% of reproductive-aged women, leading to chronic pain and discomfort. Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) seem to play a pivotal role as a causal factor. The current manuscript aims to explain potential molecular pathways, synthesize current evidence regarding EDCs as causative agents of endometriosis, and highlight implications in the general population and clinical work. A thorough review of experimental, epidemiologic, and mechanistic research studies was conducted to explain the association between EDCs and endometriosis. Among the primary EDCs under investigation are polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, phthalates, and bisphenol A (BPA). Despite methodological heterogeneity and some discrepancies, epidemiologic evidence supports a positive association between some increased levels of BPA, phthalates, and dioxins in urine or in blood, and endometriosis. Experiments support some effect of EDCs on endometrial cells and causing endometriosis. EDCs function as xenoestrogens, alter immune function, induce oxidative stress, and disrupt progesterone signaling. Epigenetic reprogramming may play a role in mediating EDC-induced endometriosis. Endocrine, immunological, and epigenetic pathways link EDCs and endometriosis. Prevention techniques require deeper comprehension of those factors. Causal linkages and possible treatment targets should be based on longitudinal studies and multi-omics techniques. Restriction of EDCs could be beneficial for endometriosis prevalence limitation.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine Disruptors Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis

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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.

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