Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women With Endometriosis

Mechanisms and Interventions Addressing Accelerated Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women With Endometriosis

To test the hypothesis that estrogen suppression impairs endothelial dysfunction in endometriosis.

Our scientific premise is that in women with endometriosis, elevated cardiovascular disease risk is the result of endothelial dysfunction and chronic systemic inflammation through lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) receptor activation. This cardiovascular disease risk is exacerbated by standard estrogen suppression treatments.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Young women between the ages of 18 and 45 years (Controls);
• Young women between the ages of 18 and 45 years with endometriosis.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who smoke
• Subjects who have diabetes,
• Subjects with sleep apnea or BP>140/90 will be excluded.
• Women with endometriosis and severe acute pain requiring immediate treatment will be excluded.