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The 5 pathophysiological mechanisms of endometriosis

endometriosis factors causes

To understand and alleviate your symptoms, it's essential to understand their mechanisms, development factors and underlying causes.

The 5 main pathophysiological mechanisms of endometriosis :

 

  1. chronic inflammation *
  2. oxidative stress **
  3. hormonal imbalance ***
  4. dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota ****
  5. and immune system dysfunction *****

     

 

1. Chronic inflammation 

Inflammation: At the heart of endometriotic pain

Chronic inflammation is one of the big culprits behind endometriosis pain. Basically, it's when your immune system reacts a little too strongly to the presence of endometrial cells where they shouldn't be, like the ovaries or intestines.

This overreaction causes constant inflammation that can lead to adhesions and scar tissue, making the pain even more unbearable.

What is inflammation?

Normally, inflammation is your body's way of defending itself against infection or injury. But in the case of endometriosis, this inflammation becomes chronic.

Endometrial cells outside the uterus provoke a never-ending inflammatory reaction... ! Your body produces inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and prostaglandins, which sensitize your nerves and cause pain.

The Consequences of Inflammation

Chronic inflammation has several consequences:

  • Intense pain 
  • Adhesions and scar tissue: Inflammation creates adhesions, bands of scar tissue that stick your organs together. These adhesions can cause even more pain, and even problems such as infertility.
  • Impact on quality of life  

In addition to the well-known anti-inflammatory drug approaches, there are also natural approaches:

  • The natural anti-inflammatory cure: PEA,
  • or the 3M Method: Micro-nutrition, Movement, Mental - psycho-emotional (work on reducing chronic, highly inflammatory stress).

 

2. Oxidative stress

Oxidative Stress: The silent enemy of our cells 

Simply put, it's an imbalance between free radicals, which are unstable molecules, and antioxidants, which protect our cells from damage. This imbalance can cause cellular damage and play an important role in the progression of endometriosis.

The consequences of oxidative stress

  • Cellular damage: Free radicals damage endometriotic cells, which can aggravate lesions and make symptoms more severe.
  • Inflammation: oxidative stress stimulates the production of inflammatory molecules, further amplifying chronic inflammation. It's a vicious circle. 
  • Intense pain: damage caused by oxidative stress can sensitize nerves, increasing pain perception.

Antioxidant approaches, such as dietary changes to increase antioxidant intake and supplements, can help reduce oxidative stress and improve symptoms. 

  • or : the 3M Method Micro-nutrition, Mouvement, Mental - psycho-emotional (work via the 3M on reducing oxidative stress).

 

3. Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance: when hormones run riot 

Hormonal imbalance occurs when the body produces too much or too little of certain hormones.

In the case of endometriosis, there is often an excessive production of estrogens. Estrogens are hormones that promote the growth of endometrial cells. When these cells are outside the uterus, they react in the same way to estrogen, leading to abnormal and painful growth of endometriotic tissue.

Consequences of hormonal imbalance

  • Endometriotic lesion growth: Estrogen stimulates endometrial cell growth.
  • Pain and inflammation 
  • Abundant and Irregular Periods

Approaches such as hormone treatments, dietary changes with Micro-nutrition to regulate hormone levels, and avoidance of endocrine disruptors can help reduce symptoms. 

  • The 3M Method addresses these last 2 points through : Micro-nutrition

 

Endometriosis diagram:

endometriosis drawing diagram

Source : endonymous.fr


4. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota

The Intestinal Microbiota: The delicate balance of our bacteria 

Dysbiosis occurs when the balance between good and bad bacteria in our gut is disturbed.

This imbalance can affect the immune system, inflammation and hormonal balance, all of which play a role in endometriosis. A healthy microbiota helps regulate inflammation and maintain a strong immune system, while dysbiosis can worsen endometriosis symptoms!

Consequences of Dysbiosis

  • Worsening inflammation 
  • Digestive pain 
  • Immune system imbalance 
  • Hormonal imbalance: the intestinal microbiota plays a role in estrogen metabolism. Dysbiosis can therefore disrupt hormonal balance and aggravate symptoms.

How can this intestinal dysbiosis be reduced?

Via our probiotics specially designed with our digestive health professionals to target the digestive symptoms of endometriosis, in addition to an adapted diet to be found in the corresponding article.

  • work on reducing intestinal dysbiosis is also seen in the 3M Method Micro-nutrition, Mouvement, Mental - psycho-emotional (work on reducing chronic stress, which feeds digestive disorders).

 

5. Immune system dysfunction

The Immune System: The Weakening Defense 

Immune system dysfunction occurs when the immune system fails to recognize and eliminate endometrial cells.

Instead, it allows these cells to implant, grow and cause chronic inflammation. What's more, a weakened immune system may be less effective at controlling the inflammation and infections associated with endometriosis.

The consequences of immune dysfunction

  • Lesion growth and adhesion 
  • Persistent inflammation: A dysfunctional immune system can contribute to ongoing inflammation, aggravating pain and other symptoms.
  • Overreaction, chronic fatigue : Paradoxically, the immune system can sometimes overreact, attacking not only endometrial cells but also healthy tissue, increasing pain and tissue damage.

Approaches such as immunomodulators, lifestyle changes to boost immunity, and complementary therapies can help improve immune response and reduce symptoms.

  • These points are worked on in the 3M Method Micro-nutrition, Mouvement, Mental - psycho-emotional (work on reducing chronic stress, which feeds immune dysfunction).

 

📢 S hare this article with all the women around you!

Together, we can break the silence, raise awareness and promote better understanding and management of this disease. Remember that you are not alone in this fight, and that with the right resources and support, it is possible to live better with endometriosis.

 

 Sources scientific studies :

* Autonomic nervous system and inflammation interaction in endometriosis-associated pain :
://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12974-020-01752-1

** Oxidative Stress and Endometriosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature: https: //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29057034/

Antioxidant vitamins supplementation reduce endometriosis related pelvic pain in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis: https: //rbej.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12958-023-01126-1

Oxidative stress and endometriosis: https: //academic.oup.com/humrep/article/20/7/2014/2356678?login=false

*** Endometriosis: Update of Pathophysiology, (Epi) Genetic and Environmental Involvement: https: //www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/3/978

Endometriosis: The Science Behind Hormone Imbalances: https: //labwellhealthcare.com/endometriosis-the-science-behind-hormone-imbalances/

Can Endometriosis Cause Hormonal Imbalance?: https://www.therealgutdoctor.com/can-endometriosis-cause-hormonal-imbalance/

***** Intricate Connections between the Microbiota and Endometriosis: https: //www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/11/5644

Gut microbiome in endometriosis: a cohort study on 1000 individuals: https: //bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03503-y

Gut and reproductive tract microbiota: Insights into the pathogenesis of endometriosis (Review): https: //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37324168/

**** Immunological Basis of the Endometriosis: The Complement System as a Potential Therapeutic Target: https: //www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.599117/full

 

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