Estrogens and Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a complex estrogen-dependent disease that is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. The etiology of endometriosis is multifactorial and includes complex interactions of genetic, immunological, hormonal and environmental factors. There are three different types of endometriosis with different etiologies and pathogenesis: peritoneal, ovarian, and deep infiltrating endometriosis. This review presents current theories on pathogenesis of endometriosis, followed by an overview on estrogen biosynthesis and action in ectopic endometrium. The role of individual enzymes and receptors in estrogen action is discussed and crosstalk between estrogens, inflammation and proliferation is explained.