ENDOMETRIOSIS: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO RISK FACTORS

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease characterized by the presence of tissue similar to the endometrium, which normally lines the inside of the uterus, outside the uterine cavity. This ectopic tissue can be found in several areas, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum, intestines and, in rare cases, even in distant organs such as the lungs. Endometriosis is a condition that can cause severe pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse), and is also one of the main causes of female infertility. The presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus leads to a chronic inflammatory response, which can result in scarring, adhesions and ovarian cysts known as endometriomas. Endometriosis is a common disease, affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide. It is estimated that around 176 million women are impacted by the condition globally. Therefore, this narrative literature review gathered articles from the main databases aiming to indicate which are the risk factors related to the development of endometriosis. It was concluded that genetic, hormonal, reproductive, environmental, immunological, anatomical and epigenetic factors play interconnected roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.