Endometriosis And Your Immune System A Surprising Link
dometriosis with hormone therapy may be a good
idea for some women, as the female sex hormone estrogen
certainly fuels endometriosis symptoms. That being said, some
research is also suggesting that estrogen may not be the only
problem. Some theories suggest that due to the fact that
certain changes can be present in the immune system cells in
endometriosis sufferers, endometriosis may be caused by a
malfunctioning immune system.
Almost all women experience retrograde menstruation. This is
when endometrial tissue moves backwards into the abdomen via
the fallopian tubes during menstruation. However, despite this
fact, usually less than 10% of menstruating women develop
endometriosis. This has lead many researchers to believe the
theory that endometriosis is actually caused by a faulty immune
system that allows endometriosis to develop outside the uterus
following retrograde menstruation.
Those who think a malfunctioning immune system may be the cause
of endometriosis, believe that the immune system fails to detect
and eliminate endometrial tissue developing outside the uterus.
Unlike the immune system of the average women - which finds and
destroys the endometrial tissue caused by retrograde
menstruation - the immune system of women with endometriosis
appears to be less active, and even defective, when it comes to
the removal of these cells.
Researchers are not exactly sure why this happens. Some believe
that women with endometriosis have an insufficient amount of NK
(natural killer) cells, which are the part of the immune system
responsible for detecting foreign invaders. Without these NK
cells, the immune system is weakened and may not be able to
stop or recognize endometrial tissue, allowing it to invade and
develop.
Others believe that the immune system of endometriosis
sufferers may already be overwhelmed in dealing with other
problems such as allergies or infections. Still, some think
that perhaps the burden of actually fighting the development of
endometriosis, overstresses the immune system making it less
effective in managing the disorder.
Certain research is also considering the link between
autoimmune disorders and endometriosis. Autoimmune disorders
are a malfunctioning of the immune system that causes the body
to attack its own tissue. Recent studies have revealed that
immune system disorders are more common among women with
endometriosis than those without the condition.
Researchers are discovering through studies that women with
endometriosis are more likely to have:
- Fibromyalgia - Chronic pain in the soft tissue (muscles,
ligaments and tendons)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Feeling constantly fatigued for
more than 6 months without ceasing.
- Endocrine diseases - disorder that affect the glandular
tissue, such as hypothyroidism.
- Atopic diseases - conditions such as asthma, allergies or
eczema.
Most of these disorders, in one way or another, result from
unknown causes that appear to be in someway linked to the
malfunctioning of the immune system. It is also interesting to
note, that like endometriosis, they are often genetic.
Additionally, researchers have also found that women with
endometriosis seem to be at a higher risk for developing
autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic
lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
Medical and scientific research in regards to the link between
faulty immune systems and endometriosis, continue to be looked
into. Only time will reveal the true nature of the disorder.
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