Endometriosis is estimated to affect 6–10% of women of reproductive age and it is associated with chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea and subfertility. It is currently managed surgically or medically but symptoms recur in up to 75% of cases and available medical treatments have undesirable side effects. Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus with lesions typically found on the peritoneum. The aetiology of endometriosis is uncertain but there is increasing evidence that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plays a major role.

中文翻译：

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TGF-β在腹膜子宫内膜异位症的病理生理中的作用

子宫内膜异位症估计会影响6-10％的育龄妇女，并伴有慢性盆腔疼痛，痛经和不孕。目前通过外科手术或医学手段对其进行治疗，但在多达75％的病例中症状会复发，并且可用的药物治疗具有不良的副作用。子宫内膜异位症定义为子宫外子宫内膜组织的存在，通常在腹膜上发现病变。子宫内膜异位症的病因尚不确定，但越来越多的证据表明转化生长因子（TGF）-β起着重要作用。