Revealing the enigma of coagulation in endometriosis: the risk of thrombosis and the role of antithrombotic treatment

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of women of reproductive age that is defined by the presence of ectopic endometrium. The pathophysiology of the disease is poorly understood, however platelet activation play a crucial role in initiation of inflammation and fibrinogenesis, which in term further activate the coagulation cascade. The relationship between inflammation and coagulation motivated researchers to study whether patients are in a hypercoagulable state and if endometriosis represent an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism or cardiovascular risk. This review article focuses on the role of coagulation, the risk of thrombosis and a possible beneficial effect of antithrombotic-treatment.