Endometriosis is a complex and often painful disease that affects millions of women around the world. It is characterized by the presence of tissue similar to the endometrium, normally inside the uterus, which develops outside it. This tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum (the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity), and other organs in the pelvic cavity.
The symptoms of endometriosis vary from person to person, but pelvic pain is one of the most common symptoms. Affected women may also experience pain during sex, severe menstrual pain, abnormal bleeding, digestive problems and chronic fatigue. The exact cause of endometriosis is not yet clearly understood, but several factors can contribute to its development, including inflammation, stress, and the state of the immune system.
Recent studies suggest that there is a clear link between intestinal permeability and endometriosis. If this is impaired, it can allow unwanted substances, such as bacteria or toxins, to pass through the intestinal wall and circulate through the body. Each digestion will encourage inflammation, weaken the immune system, and some scientists even suggest that it was one of the causes of the problem. Altered intestinal permeability may also allow endometrial cells that have migrated outside the uterus to travel through the blood and lymphatic circulation and spread to other parts of the body, contributing to progression of the disease.
Stress can on the one hand trigger an inflammatory reaction in the body, which will worsen the symptoms associated with endometriosis, and on the other hand have an impact on the hormonal imbalances linked to the disease.
