29/03/2022
Endometriosis is not only a pelvic and gynaecological disease, but a systemic disease that has effects on the brain, metabolic and inflammatory processes, s*xual health, mental health (modulation of gene expression in areas of the brain controlling emotional and behavioural changes) and altered pain sensitization.
The altered immune function and inflammatory changes seen in endometriosis are systemic, and not confined to the peritoneum.
Fritz et al 2019 stated “differential expression of miRNAs can influence cytokine expression of macrophages, promoting an increase in inflammation. As miRNAs are stable, and can circulate in the bloodstream, this provides further support for the ability of endometriosis to have systemic effects distant from sites of ectopic endometrium in the pelvis.”
An altered immune response increases risk of other disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies, infections, carcinoma of the o***y and breast, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and melanoma. An increased inflammatory response can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Endometriosis is WAY more than bad period pains.