Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2009;88(9):968-75.
doi: 10.1080/00016340903176826.

Endometriosis-associated nerve fibers and pain

Melissa G Medina  1 , Dan I Lebovic
Affiliations
Review

Endometriosis-associated nerve fibers and pain

Melissa G Medina et al. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2009.

Abstract

The assessment and diagnosis of endometriosis remain elusive targets. Patient and medical-related factors add to delays in the detection and treatment. Recently, investigators have revealed specific nerve fibers present in endometriotic tissue, with existing parallels between density and pain severity. The aim of this review is to compile a comprehensive review of existing literature on endometriosis-related nerve fiber detection, and the effects of medical therapy on these neural fibers. We performed a systematic literature-based review using Medline and PubMed of nerve fibers detected in eutopic endometrium, endometriotic lesions, and the peritoneum. Various arrangements of significant medical terms and phrases consisting of endometriosis, pelvic pain, nerve fiber detection/density in endometriosis, and diagnoses methodology, including treatment and detection were applied in the search. Subsequent references used were cross-matched with existing sources to compile all additional similar reports. Similar nerve fibers were detected within lesions, endometrium, and myometrium, though at varying degrees of density. Hormonal therapy is widely used to treat endometriosis and was shown to be related to a reduction in fiber density. A direct result of specific nerve fiber detection within eutopic endometrial layers points to the use of a minimally invasive endometrial biopsy technique in reducing delay in diagnosis and subsequent possible preservation of fertility.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Visual representation of nerve fibers present in the endometrium using neuronal markers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Valle RF, Sciarra JJ. Endometriosis: treatment strategies. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003;997:229–239. - PubMed
    1. Lebovic DI, Mueller MD, Taylor RN. Immunobiology of endometriosis. Fertil Steril. 2001;75:1–10. - PubMed
    1. Matarese G, De Placido G, Nikas Y, Alviggi C. Pathogenesis of endometriosis: natural immunity dysfunction or autoimmune disease? Trends Mol Med. 2003;9:223–228. - PubMed
    1. Kalu E, Sumar N, Giannopoulos T, Patel P, Croucher C, Sherriff E, et al. Cytokine profiles in serum and peritoneal fluid from infertile women with and without endometriosis. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2007;33:490–495. - PubMed
    1. Kyama CM, Overbergh L, Debrock S, Valckx D, Vander Perre S, Meuleman C, et al. Increased peritoneal and endometrial gene expression of biologically relevant cytokines and growth factors during the menstrual phase in women with endometriosis. Fertil Steril. 2006;85:1667–1675. - PubMed

Publication types