title: Pathogenesis of endometriosis: the role of genetics, inflammation and oxidative stress.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The etiology of this multifactorial disease is still unresolved and an increasing number of studies suggest that genetic, hormonal, environmental, immunological and oxidative factors may all play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this literature review, inflammatory activity, oxidative stress as well as genetic abnormalities and mutations have been studied in an effort to identify factors predisposing to endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. aretiaugoulea@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Augoulea
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alexandrou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Creatsa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vrachnis
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lambrinoudaki
mesh_terms: D004715:Endometriosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications*; D018384:Oxidative Stress