Endometriosis isn’t classified as an autoimmune disease, but it shares key characteristics with them, including chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and tissue damage. Many people with Endometriosis also experience autoimmune conditions, raising the question—is there a real connection, and does Endometriosis increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases?
How Endometriosis Affects the Immune System
A healthy immune system should identify and eliminate misplaced endometrial-like cells. However, in Endometriosis, immune function is disrupted, allowing lesions to grow and thrive. Here’s how:
- Overactive Inflammatory Response – The body releases excessive inflammatory proteins (cytokines like TNF-α, IL-6), creating a state of constant inflammation. This not only worsens symptoms like pain and fatigue but also mimics the immune overactivity seen in autoimmune diseases.
- Weakened Immune Surveillance – Natural Killer (NK) cells, which usually detect and destroy abnormal cells, are less effective in people with Endometriosis, allowing lesions to persist.
- Macrophage Dysfunction – Instead of breaking down lesions, immune cells called macrophages promote their survival, contributing to disease progression.
These immune imbalances are strikingly similar to autoimmune disorders, where the immune system either attacks healthy tissue or fails to regulate inflammation properly.
Are People with Endometriosis at Higher Risk of Autoimmune Diseases?
Several studies suggest that those with Endometriosis are more likely to develop autoimmune conditions, including:
- Autoimmune connective tissue disorders – Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome.
- Thyroid-related autoimmune diseases – Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease.
- Neurological & gut-related autoimmune disorders – Multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
While this doesn’t mean everyone with Endometriosis will develop an autoimmune disease, the high overlap suggests a shared immune dysfunction that increases susceptibility.
What’s Causing This Connection?
Experts believe the link could be due to:
- Genetic Factors – Some genes linked to Endometriosis are also associated with autoimmune conditions.
- Estrogen’s Influence on Immunity – Autoimmune diseases are more common in women, and excess estrogen (which fuels Endometriosis) may also trigger immune system imbalances.
- Chronic Inflammation – Long-term immune activation may increase the risk of autoimmunity over time.
What This Means for You
Having Endometriosis doesn’t mean you will develop an autoimmune disease, but being aware of the connection can help with early detection and better management. If you experience symptoms like joint pain, persistent fatigue, or thyroid issues, consider discussing them with your doctor.
More research is needed to fully understand this link, but as awareness grows, treatments are evolving to address both Endometriosis and immune dysfunction—offering hope for better, more targeted care in the future.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC660B1386/