The gut microbiota and endometriosis: From pathogenesis to diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease, that often leads to pain and infertility. At present, the specific pathogenesis of endometriosis has not been clarified, but it may be closely related to an imbalance of sex hormones in the body, ectopic hyperplasia stimulated by immune inflammation, and invasion and escape based on tumor characteristics. Gut microbiota is associated with many inflammatory diseases. With the further study of the gut microbiota, people are paying increasing attention to its relationship with endometriosis. Studies have shown that there is an association between the gut microbiota and endometriosis. The specific ways and mechanisms by which the gut microbiota participates in endometriosis may involve estrogen, immune inflammation, and tumor characteristics, among others. Therefore, in the future, regulating gut microbiota disorders in various ways can help in the treatment of endometriosis patients. This study reviewed the research on the gut microbiota and endometriosis in order to provide ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Pollution and endometriosis: A deep dive into the environmental impacts on women's health

“…138 This can trigger systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation, which are key factors in the initiation of endometriosis. 136,139 The gut microbiome may have a major role in the metabolism and elimination of hormones, such as estrogen. 140 Dysregulation of the microbiome may impair the metabolism of estrogen, leading to an increase in circulating estrogen levels followed by enhanced endometrial growth and the initiation of endometriotic lesions.…”

“…Dysbiosis can dysregulate the intestinal barrier, leading to increased intestinal permeability and the translocation of harmful bacteria and toxins into the bloodstream 138 . This can trigger systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation, which are key factors in the initiation of endometriosis 136,139 . The gut microbiome may have a major role in the metabolism and elimination of hormones, such as estrogen 140 .…”

Investigating the Metabolism of Estrogens in Ligilactobacillus salivarius Strains Isolated from Human Milk and Vaginal Microbiota

“…In this context, the study of the estrobolome, which is defined as the repertoire of genes of the gut microbiota capable of metabolizing estrogens [ 38 ], has recently acquired great interest [ 32 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Knowledge about estrogen metabolism by autochthonous members of the human microbiota is very scarce at present.…”

Changes in microbial composition and interaction patterns of female urogenital tract and rectum in response to HPV infection

“…The anatomical proximity of the intestine and vagina allows for potential interaction between them [ 21 ]. Previous studies have found that specific patterns of intestinal bacteria are associated with reproductive tract lesions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome [ 22 , 23 ]. Therefore, changes in gut microbes may also be an important factor for affecting female reproductive tract health.…”