Study Links Endometriosis to Cholesterol, Inflammation and Microbiome Changes

A study combining genetic, protein, microbiome and symptom data from 14 global biobanks has identified new biological pathways connected to endometriosis. Researchers examined records covering more than one million women and located 58 areas of the genome associated with the condition, 27 of which had not been reported previously.

The analysis pinpointed 314 genes linked to endometriosis development. Many of these genes relate to immune function, inflammation and cell movement. The study also detected three genetic regions tied to the condition that appeared only when genomes from people of African ancestry were included.

Genes most strongly associated with endometriosis participate in processes that allow cells to migrate, which may explain why tissue grows outside the uterus. The same inflammatory pathways could contribute to effects beyond reproductive organs, including cardiovascular conditions, arthritis and depression.

Participants with endometriosis showed lower levels of Bifidobacteriaceae bacteria, a group involved in gut-lining maintenance and immune support. The study also found genetic and protein signals shared between endometriosis and the regulation of cholesterol and blood fats.

Current endometriosis therapies primarily target hormonal pathways. The new findings suggest that existing anti-inflammatory drugs could be tested for symptom relief and reduction of longer-term health risks. Further work is required to confirm whether altering the identified pathways improves patient outcomes.

The inclusion of multiple ancestry groups addresses a prior limitation in endometriosis research that relied mainly on European-ancestry data.