April Rees is a lecturer in the Biochemistry & Immunology department at Swansea University
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Sign up for our skywatching newsletter and explore the universe with us!is a painful, debilitating condition affecting 10% of women worldwide. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body — usually within the pelvis.can be difficult. Usually, treatment involves either preventing the growth of these lesions in the first place or removing lesions surgically. But even when lesions have been surgically removed, Traditionally, endometriosis has been thought of as a gynecological condition. But mounting evidence suggests this characterization downplays the disease's complexity. Endometriosis appears to affect far more than just the reproductive system. According to a growing body of research, it influences immune function throughout the whole body.Microplastics that accumulate in the body may 'clog up' immune cells Recognizing it as a whole-body, immune-driven disease could help explain why symptoms range far beyond pelvic pain. It would also explain why treatment is so challenging and often does little to reduce symptoms.Inflammation — the body's natural response to injury or illness – is a normal part of immune response. It also plays a key role in theChronic inflammation is also known to play a central role in endometriosis. But the effects of this uncontrolled immune response may be far more widespread than previously thought. According to, the immune response appears to extend into the bloodstream and other body systems. This may explain why endometriosis causes such far-reaching, whole-body symptoms.Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorssuch as IL-6 and IL-1β in their blood. These immune proteins, known as cytokines, are a type of messenger released by cells to Systemic inflammation offers a compelling explanation for these symptoms. Circulating cytokines, such as those mentioned earlier, are known to influenceThese same processes may be occurring in endometriosis. This suggests that invisible symptoms could be biological consequences of ongoing inflammation — not secondary effects of pain. A dysfunctional immune system may also help to explain why emerging research hints at an overlap between endometriosis and autoimmune diseases. In 2025, a large scale study looked at 330,000 patients with endometriosis and 1.2 million controls . The study found that compared to the controls, people with endometriosis hadThis doesn't mean endometriosis is itself an autoimmune disease. But it does suggest shared mechanisms — including chronic inflammation, dysregulated immune cell activity, and problems with the immune system recognizing the body’s own tissue properly.Viewing endometriosis in this way could transform how it's diagnosed, treated and understood. It could also help us get closer to finding a solution for the condition.primarily target the reproductive system. But if endometriosis involves widespread immune dysfunction, then therapies that modulate immune pathways may offer more effective long-term relief. Seeing endometriosis as a systemic condition can empower patients, as well. This reframing may help them understand that symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, cognitive difficulties and immune sensitivity are not imagined or unrelated. Rather, they’re part of the condition’s broader biology.A systemic framing also opens space for patients to explore complementary management strategies aimed at reducing inflammation or improving overall wellbeing. While not curative, some people find A growing body of research shows that endometriosis is not solely a reproductive condition or a"bad period." It's a multi-system, inflammatory disorder with far-reaching health effects throughout the body. Understanding endometriosis as a systemic immune disease is a crucial step toward better treatments, better support and, ultimately, better health outcomes.HealthReproductive HealthOur fossil fuel economy is a house of cards and Trump's war in Iran is about to topple it. The need for a clean energy transition has never been clearer.I was at ground zero for the AIDS epidemic. RFK's cuts could fuel a new pandemic, just when elimination seemed within reach.Hubble images taken 25 years apart show big changes in the iconic Crab Nebula — Space photo of the week NASA announces moon base, Iran war releases staggering carbon, why weed gives people munchies, and Artemis II preps for liftoff.
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