Clinical significance of endocannabinoids in the treatment of endometriosis pain
- Endometriosis is a gynecological disease in which the endometrium grows outside the uterus.
- Medical cannabis could be an effective means of relieving patients of pain.
Introduction
Endometriosis patients often suffer from diffuse and poorly localized severe pain. Current pain management strategies include medical and hormonal treatments as well as surgery. Medical pain treatment is often inadequate and associated with a high rate of relapse. Better pain management is therefore urgently needed.
Methods
Among the various candidates, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has recently emerged as a relevant pharmacological target for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain. A computer-aided literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies combining the keywords "endometriosis", "endocannabinoid", "cannabinoid receptor", "THC" and "pain mechanisms".
Conclusions
This review describes the multiple and complex mechanisms of pain associated with endometriosis. Current data and theories about the linkage between ECS and pain treatment in endometriosis patients are presented. Finally, we will discuss which aspects of pain associated with endometriosis can be targetedECS modulation.
Resources:
"The Clinical Significance of endocannabinoids in Endometriosis Pain Management." Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers,