Endometriosis is a condition with various phenotypes. Progesterone resistance and irregular cytokine production may present with both ectopic and eutopic endometrium in symptomatic cases. In some cases, at least, this seems to be associated with chronic local inflammation and self-reactive antibodies. Immunologic factors may also lead to production of endometrial cells. Immune alterations include increased number and activation of peritoneal macrophages, increased circulating antibodies, decreased T-cell reactivity, decreased natural killer cell cytotoxicity, and changes in the cytokine network. This review aims to evaluate the possible association between endometriosis and autoimmune diseases and to shed light into the potential role of inflammation in the etiopathology of endometriosis.

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