Abstract: Endometriosis (EMs), as a difficult disease recognized by gynecologists, has seriously affected the physical and mental health of women. Because of its polymorphism, invasion and extensiveness, there is no uniform conclusion on the pathogenesis of EMs. Abnormal activation of related signaling pathways and the interaction of multiple cytokines can lead to the formation of ectopic endometrium adhesion, invasion and inflammation. At present，mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway, Wnt/β-catenin pathway, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Smad pathway, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway, Ras homolog gene/ Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase (Rho/ROCK) pathway, Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway are closely related to the pathogenesis of EMs. This review aims to illustrate the pathogenesis of EMs by explaining these mentioned pathways，to provide a new strategy for finding effective drugs to treat EMs.

Key words: Endometriosis, Endometrium, Signal transduction, Pathologic processes, Review