Gut microbiota as a key regulator in endometriosis: mechanisms, therapeutic opportunities, and future perspectives

Endometriosis (EMs), a common and frequently occurring gynecological disease, is a major cause of chronic pelvic pain and infertility in women. Its pathogenesis remains unclear to date, and it is characterized by high invasiveness and recurrence tendency. Although the specific pathogenesis of EMs has not been clarified, existing studies have confirmed that gut microbiota dysbiosis plays an important role in its pathogenic process. Studies suggest that gut microbiota may affect the occurrence and progression of EMs through immunoinflammatory pathways and metabolic pathways (such as enhanced estrogen metabolism and abnormal lipid metabolism). Meanwhile, approaches including dietary intervention, supplementation of probiotics or prebiotics, and microbiota transplantation can help prevent and alleviate EMs symptoms, providing potential therapeutic methods. This article will review the research progress on the correlation between gut microbiota dysbiosis and EMs, with the aim of offering more references for the diagnosis and treatment of EMs.