Origins and Progression of Adolescent Endometriosis

Ivo A Brosens, Caroline E. Gargett, Sun-Wei Guo, Patrick J Puttemans, Stephan L Gordts, Jan Joris Brosens, Giuseppe Benagiano

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleOtherpeer-review

54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Accumulating evidence indicates that adolescent endometriosis is common and often severe. Here we explore the possibility that seeding of naive endometrial progenitor cells into the pelvic cavity early in life, that is, at the time of neonatal uterine bleeding or soon after the menarche, results in more florid and progressive disease, characterized by highly angiogenic implants, recurrent ectopic bleeding, and endometrioma formation. We discuss the potential intergenerational risk factors associated with early-onset endometriosis and explore the molecular drivers of disease progression. Taken together, the available data suggest that an increased focus on early-life events may help to identify young women at risk of severe, progressive endometriosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1282-1288
Number of pages7
JournalReproductive Sciences
Volume23
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2016

Keywords

  • adolescent endometriosis
  • endometrioma
  • progression
  • stem cells

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