Understanding Neural Immune Mechanisms and Genetic Influences on Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women with Endometriosis

Endometriosis, a condition where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, often leads to chronic pelvic pain in women during their reproductive years. This study aims to deepen our understanding of this pain and discover new treatment methods. Not all women with endometriosis experience pain, and some feel pain in areas not related to the disease location. Current treatments, which involve altering hormone levels or surgically removing endometriosis tissue, only provide temporary relief. This suggests that the current approach to classifying and treating pain may not be sufficient. The study will explore how sex hormones, pain processing, immune system substances, and pain-related genes interact to cause chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis. Participants in this observational study will undergo various assessments. The study will measure changes in hormonal and immune substances in the blood, endometriosis lesions, and normal endometrial tissue. It will also evaluate the role of the nerve, muscle, and skeletal systems in pelvic pain through a comprehensive pain assessment. Additionally, the study will investigate how stress hormones may contribute to chronic pain. The primary outcome includes evaluating menstrual cycle variation in systemic secretion of inflammatory mediators (IL-6) and hormones, estradiol and progesterone. The study will also measure the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, stem cells, immunologic activity, and neurotransmitters in endometriosis lesions and the endometrium.