Pains of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Severe pelvic pain is often associated with endometriosis, and this pain can be diminished with therapies that suppress estrogen production. Many women with endometriosis also suffer from other chronic pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2005-06, Vol.308 (5728), p.1587-1589
Main Authors: Berkley, Karen J, Rapkin, Andrea J, Papka, Raymond E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Anatomy
Animals
Care and treatment
Causes of
Central nervous system
Central Nervous System - physiology
Cysts
Disease
Dosage and administration
Endometriosis
Endometriosis - drug therapy
Endometriosis - physiopathology
Estrogen
Estrogens
Female
Females
Gonadotropin
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - agonists
Gonadotropins
Humans
Implants
Narcotics
Nerves
Neural Pathways
Neurons
Neurons - physiology
Neurons, Afferent - physiology
Pain
Pain - physiopathology
Pelvic pain
Rats
Reproductive system
Reviews
Spinal cord
Spinal Cord - physiology
Sympathetic Nervous System - physiology
Women
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Description
Summary:Endometriosis is a disease defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Severe pelvic pain is often associated with endometriosis, and this pain can be diminished with therapies that suppress estrogen production. Many women with endometriosis also suffer from other chronic pain conditions. Recent studies suggest that mechanisms underlying these pains and sensitivity to estrogen involve the growth into the ectopic endometrial tissue of a nerve supply, which could have a varied and widespread influence on the activity of neurons throughout the central nervous system.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1111445