Endometriosis is not officially considered an autoimmune disease. However, experts believe it may develop because of immune system dysregulation (when the immune system isn’t functioning as it should), which is common in autoimmune diseases. Some have begun to think of it as an autoimmune disease.
Endometriosis can also cause chronic inflammation, which may make developing an autoimmune disease more likely.
Endometriosis is associated with autoimmune disease, and having either endometriosis or an autoimmune disorder may increase the risk of developing the other.
This is because both endometriosis and autoimmune disorders can cause chronic inflammation that can affect the whole body. Widespread, chronic inflammation can be a possible indicator that the immune system is not functioning as it should.
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly targets and damages parts of the body as though they were an illness or infection. This autoimmune targeting also causes increased inflammation, as the immune system sends immune cells to the location of the body it believes to be an issue.
In endometriosis, immune system activity may contribute to the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
Some of the autoimmune diseases that may be associated with endometriosis include:
While technically not an autoimmune disease, endometriosis is also associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is also characterized by an abnormal immune response.
There may also be a possible link between endometriosis and thyroid function.