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Endometriosis pp 49–60Cite as

Role of Environmental Pollutants in Endometriosis

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Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Reproductive Biology ((BRIEFSREPROBIO))

Abstract

Both animals and humans are exposed to toxins in the environment that may influence the onset and progression of endometriosis. Human exposure occurs mainly through ingestion of contaminated foods. Dioxins encompass a group of environmental pollutants that act as endocrine disruptors through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and disturb the body’s physiologic homeostatic mechanisms. Some have even been labeled as carcinogens. Human exposure to toxins is often unavoidable, but measures including a detailed history taken by clinicians and lifestyle changes can help detect and limit exposure and assist in the body’s detoxification processes. Growing evidence suggests a possible link between endometriosis and environmental pollutants. Environmental pollutants such as dioxins, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), bisphenols and phthalates and their association with endometriosis are highlighted in this review along with the steps patients can take to avoid them. Even though results from studies remain contradictory, we can’t overlook the positive association between environmental toxicants and endometriosis as they are disruptors of endocrine and reproductive function. The literature reviewed in this section highlights the general pathogenesis of endometriosis and proposed theories regarding its etiology. Further, it will provide an updated discussion of the implications of environmental exposure to pollutants in the development of endometriosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Assistant Professor, Lerner College of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University, American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Sajal Gupta

  2. Professor, Lerner College of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University, American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

  3. American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Avi Harlev

  4. Lecturer, Soroka University Medical Center, Fertility and IVF Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Avi Harlev

  5. American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Beena Premkumar, Cansu Yazar & Roshni Kakaiya

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  1. Sajal Gupta
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  2. Avi Harlev
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Correspondence to Sajal Gupta .

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Gupta, S., Harlev, A., Agarwal, A., Premkumar, B., Yazar, C., Kakaiya, R. (2015). Role of Environmental Pollutants in Endometriosis. In: Endometriosis. SpringerBriefs in Reproductive Biology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18308-4_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18308-4_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-18307-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18308-4

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