Endometriosis’ cause remains something of a medical mystery. There are a variety of theories as to what causes this disease but a definitive diagnosis by medical researchers has yet found. It is estimated that there are over 70 million women worldwide who have problems with the symptoms of endometriosis rendering it a modern epidemic.
One issue that is apparently hindering the search for an endometriosis cause is the inability of researchers to track it on a worldwide scale. Understanding the relationships between your environmental, social and hereditary backgrounds of the ladies with endometriosis would seem to go quite a distance in determining a cause.
Right now there is still only speculative theories in terms of determining endometriosis’ cause. The more notable and medically sound theories include:
? Retrograde Menstruation – Also referred to as the “Backflow” theory it was first formulated by Dr. John Sampson in 1921. This is similar to a menstrual regurgitation in which a number of the menstrual fluid is forced backwards in to the fallopian tubes and into the abdominal cavity. While this does create a certain amount of sense, how else could endometrial cells get into the abdomen, there are a number of studies that seem to disprove this theory. Many women who experience this “Backflow” do not develop endometriosis. Dr. Sampson theory also fails to explain just how many women exhibit endometrial cells in other parts of their body including the lungs, skin, lymph nodes, and breasts. What causes endometriosis? does not explain the rare cases when endometriosis is situated in men.
? Genetic heredity – In many cases endometriosis seems to run in families. This cause was first theorized back 1943 and researchers continue steadily to pursue this line of thought. It is known that women whose mother or sister has endometriosis are 6 time more prone to get the disease.
? The theory of transplantation – This theory of endometriosis’ cause is founded on delivery through the lymphatic and circulatory system. This would explain endometrial cells that find their way to other parts of your body.
? Latrogenic transplantation – This notion has been largely disproven nonetheless it espoused the idea that endometriosis is spread through your body during surgery. This of course does nothing to explain endometriosis’ cause in women who’ve never had a surgery.
? Coelomic metaplasia – Here is the mutated cell theory. It really is thought that certain forms of cells can transform right into a different type of cell when properly stimulated. In cases like this women undergoing estrogen replacement therapy or who have been subjected to environmental factors that increase estrogen levels (see Xenoestrogens below). This theory can help explain why in rare cases men have been identified as having endometriosis.
? Xenoestrogens – An interesting thing about endometriosis may be the fact that until 100 or so years back it was a fairly uncommon medical disorder. Lots of people think its epidemic like increase is due to factors as a result of the industrial age we reside in. Exposure way too many of the industrial products such as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and more importantly plastics has brought in regards to a condition known as estrogen dominance. Estrogen is the primary “food” source for endometrial tissue and most treatment regimens work to lower estrogen levels in women with endometriosis.
? Auto-immune dysfunctions – Women with healthy disease fighting capability seldom show signs of endometriosis. Simply because a healthy immune system will seek out and destroy any endometrial tissue found outside of a woman’s uterus. It is thought that auto-immune diseases are not only genetically based but can be triggered by environmental factors. Considering that endometriosis’ cause is linked to heredity and Xenoestrogens it is easy to see why this theory has a solid foundation as being a likely cause.
? Liver disorders – The liver is responsible for regulating and removing estrogen from a woman’s body. If this ability is impaired estrogen dominance begins to rear its ugly head. This may not only fuel endometriosis but may also lead to chronic fatigue and allergic reactions that are common in endometriosis.
In addition to the many theories around endometriosis’ cause additionally, there are several risk factors that may make women more susceptible to endometriosis. These include:
? Caffeine – Women who drink large amounts of caffeine can show an increase in estrogen of nearly 70%.
? Fiber – Women who usually do not eat enough fiber also show estrogen increases.
? High fat diet – Toxins (Xenoestrogens) accumulate in animal fat resulting in estrogen dominance in women who ingest them.
? Alcohol – Studies show that women who drink have a greater incidence of endometriosis.
? Stress – Stress is just bad for anyone and may cause many imbalances in your body.
Right now there is not any medically accepted cure for endometriosis. Until endometriosis’ cause is available this will probably remain true. Mitigating its growth and managing the symptoms is the accepted practice of dealing with this disease at the moment. This can be done by way of a combination of prescription drugs, surgery, diet and exercise.