Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of infertility in women. Researchers have reported that those women who have a family history of the disease are five times more likely to develop endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a condition caused by the uncontrolled growth of endometrial (pertaining to the endometrium or uterine cavity) tissue outside the uterus. This extra or ectopic tissue can block the fallopian tubes or attach itself to the ovaries, ligaments or bowels. The condition usually is diagnosed when women are in their 30s but the disease process very often has already begun many years before this.
According to researchers in Reykjavik, Iceland, it should be possible to isolate an "endometriosis gene" and to develop a genetic test for the condition. This would allow gynaecologists to identify endometriosis long before women experience its painful symptoms or become infertile. Early treatment of this condition could prevent much suffering and disappointment in a woman's life.
These researchers based their findings on information found in Iceland's genealogical database called deCODE. This unique database includes the entire current population of 290,000 Icelanders, as well genealogical
information on almost every adult Icelander going back to the 9th century.
In this study any family history i.e. even a cousin with endometriosis, increased a woman's risk by 50 percent compared to women with no family history at all. Endometriosis tends to progress with each menstrual cycle. Women can therefore benefit with birth control pills which can alter their menstrual cycles and slow down the disease process.
Women who are concerned about fertility could have a genetic-based diagnosis. This could help doctors to counsel those women who are predisposed to the disease to have babies sooner rather than later as a delay could increase their risk for endometriosis. Pregnancy is not a cure for endometriosis but it can possibly delay the onset of symptoms. It was estimated that as many as one in four women seeking in vitro fertilization (is a method of conception) carry a diagnosis of endometriosis.
Human Reproduction February 2002, Vol. 17(2)
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