Pathogenesis of pain in endometriosis

Timofeeva Yu.S., Marinkin I.О., Кuleshov V.M., Aidagulovа S.V.

Novosibirsk State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, Novosibirsk, Russia
The review analyzes foreign and Russian articles on theoretical issues of the pathogenesis of pain in endometriosis. The current concepts are that inflammation, neuroangiogenesis, and neurogenic inflammation, which underlie peripheral and central sensitization, as well as the advancing interorgan sensitization, are involved in the pathogenesis of pain in endometriosis. The review considers the molecular mechanisms underlying the above pathological phenomena causing deterioration in quality of life in patients with endometriosis in some cases even after surgical excision of heterotopias. By now, it has not been possible to identify endometriosis-specific pain; the disease can take both its asymptomatic course and its course with the only pain symptom of varying intensity, as well as with their combinations. The study of the pathogenesis of endometriosis is still relevant; there are many questions to be answered in order to improve quality of life in patients and to relieve the pain syndrome that is present in almost half of the cases of endometriosis.
Conclusion: The pathogenesis of pain in endometriosis includes the following components: a biochemical signal that is converted through activation of nociceptors into a nerve signal that is modulated at the spinal level and sent to the brain neurons with pain fixation. The nature of the pain syndrome largely depends on the prevalence of endometrioid heterotopias, the duration of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patients. The nature of pain syndrome largely depends on the prevalence of endometrioid heterotopias, the duration of the disease, and the individual characteristics of the patients.

Keywords

endometriosis
pain
pathogenesis
inflammation
sensitization

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Received 11.05.2022

Accepted 15.06.2022

About the Authors

Yulia S. Timofeeva, PhD, Assistant at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, NSMU, Ministry of Health of Russia, +7(906)194-77-55, dr.j.timofeeva@yandex.ru,
630091, Russia, Novosibirsk, Krasny prospect, 52.
Igor' O. Marinkin, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Rector, NSMU, Ministry of Health of Russia,
+7(383)222-32-04, rector@ngmu.ru, 630091, Russia, Novosibirsk, Krasny prospect, 52.
Vitaliy M. Kuleshov, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Professor at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, NSMU, Ministry of Health of Russia,
+7(383)341-04-36, kuleshov_vm@mail.ru, 630091, Russia, Novosibirsk, Krasny prospect, 52
Svetlana V. Aidagulova, Dr. Biol. Sci., Professor, Head of the Laboratory of Cellular Biology and Fundamental Basis of Reproduction, Central scientific laboratory, NSMU, Ministry of Health of Russia, +7(913)909-22-51, asvetvlad@yandex.ru, https://dx.doi.org/0000-0001-7124-1969, 630091, Russia, Novosibirsk, Krasny prospect, 52.

Authors' contributions: Timofeeva Yu.S. – material collection and processing, writing the text; Marinkin I.О. – the concept of the investigation; Кuleshov V.M. – editing; Aidagulovа S.V. – material collection and processing, editing.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that there are no possible conflicts of interest.
Funding: The article has been prepared for publication without sponsorship.
For citation: Timofeeva Yu.S., Marinkin I.О., Кuleshov V.M., Aidagulovа S.V.
Pathogenesis of pain in endometriosis.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2022; 9: 12-18 (in Russian)
http://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2022.9.12-18

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