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Endometriosis: Immune Cells and Their Products

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Immunobiology of Reproduction

Part of the book series: Serono Symposia, USA ((SERONOSYMP))

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Abstract

Endometriosis, defined as the occurrence of functioning endometrial tissue in ectopic (outside of the uterus) locations, is among the most enigmatic and problematic diseases affecting the reproductive health of women. Endometriosis is associated with pelvic pain and is believed to be the cause of infertility in up to 20% of subfertile women. Approximately 4 per 1000 women aged 15 to 64 are hospitalized with endometriosis each year (1). Endometriosis-related costs in terms of health care expenditures and time away from work of afflicted women are enormous, while the costs in terms of pain and suffering cannot be estimated.

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Hill, J.A. (1994). Endometriosis: Immune Cells and Their Products. In: Hunt, J.S. (eds) Immunobiology of Reproduction. Serono Symposia, USA. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8422-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8422-9_3

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