Environmental contaminants and dietary factors in endometriosis.
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. The etiology of this disease remains elusive, but is clearly influenced by genetic, immune, and endocrine factors. Exposure to environmental contaminants has recently been added to the list of potential factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The objective of this paper is to review the weight of the evidence from hospital-based case-control studies and animal experiments for an association between exposure to environmental contaminants and endometriosis.
Foster
Warren G
WG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA. fosterw@mcmaster.ca
Agarwal
Sanjay K
SK
D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans
D004785:Environmental Pollutants