The 5 pathophysiological mechanisms of endometriosis

1. Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation: At the Heart of Endometriosis Pain

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

This excessive reaction 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 reaction to defend itself against infections or injuries. But in the case of endometriosis, this inflammation becomes chronic.

Endometrial cells that are found outside the uterus cause an endless 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 like infertility.
Impact on quality of life

Beyond the known medicinal anti-inflammatory approaches, there are also natural ones:

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

3. Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal Imbalance: When Hormones Go Haywire

Hormonal imbalance occurs when the body produces too much or not enough 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 located outside the uterus, they react in the same way to estrogens, leading to abnormal and painful growth of endometriotic tissues.

The Consequences of Hormonal Imbalance

Growth of Endometriotic Lesions: Estrogens stimulate the growth of endometrial cells.
Pain and Inflammation
Heavy and Irregular Periods

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

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

Endometriosis diagram:

endométriose dessin schema

Source: endonymous.fr

4. Dysbiosis of the Intestinal Microbiota

The Gut Microbiota: The Fragile Balance of Our Bacteria

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

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

The Consequences of Dysbiosis

Worsening of Inflammation
Digestive Pains
Immune System Imbalance
Hormonal system imbalance: The gut microbiota plays a role in estrogen metabolism. Therefore, dysbiosis can disrupt hormonal balance and worsen symptoms.

How to target the reduction of this intestinal dysbiosis?

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

work on reducing intestinal dysbiosis is also seen in the 3M Method: Micro-nutrition, Movement, Mental - psycho-emotional (work on reducing chronic stress, fueling digestive disorders).

5. The Dysfunction of the Immune System

The Immune System: The Defense That Weakens

The dysfunction of the immune system occurs when it fails to recognize and eliminate endometrial cells.

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

The consequences of immune dysfunction

Growth and adhesion of lesions
Persistent inflammation: A dysfunctional immune system can contribute to ongoing inflammation, worsening pain and other symptoms.
Exaggerated reaction, chronic fatigue: Paradoxically, the immune system can sometimes overreact, attacking not only endometrial cells but also healthy tissues, thereby increasing pain and tissue damage.

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

These points are addressed in the 3M Method: Micro-nutrition, Movement, Mental - psycho-emotional (work on reducing chronic stress, fueling immune dysfunction).

📢 Share this article with all the women around you!

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

Scientific study sources:

* Interaction between the autonomic nervous system and inflammation 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 reduces 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 on 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/

¿Puede la endometriosis causar un desequilibrio hormonal? : 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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