Abstract: Endometriosis is a challenging gynecological disease associated with clinical symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, menoxenia and infertility. Recent research indicates that EMs can clearly be triggered by genetic aetiology; the combination of dysregulation factors, such as hormones and hormone receptors, inflammation, immunity, adhesion, invasion and angiogenesis, leads to an abnormal pelvic microenvironment and causes the disease. However, due to its complexity, the exact pathogenesis of EMs remains unclear. Nowadays, therapy aiming at key targets can improve the treatment effect but fail to cure the disease. This article summarizes recent research development of pathogenesis of EMs relating to endocrine, inflammation immunity, heredity, angiogenesis, invasion and adhesion. It also reviews new clinical applications of therapy aiming at key targets.

Key words: Endometriosis, Pathogenesis, Clinical application, Research progress