In their absence, the immune system is weakened and allows foreign endometrial tissue to invade and take root. Macrophages may increase production of certain enzymes that aid endometrial invasion of tissue. Still another theory suggests that the peritoneal lining in some women contains cells that were left over from fetal development in the womb. These cells would remain inactive until later in life when they develop into endometrial cells. Chemicals, such as certain pesticides, aldrin, dieldrin, PCPs, dioxins, and furans with estrogen-like effects have been associated with infertility, and recent studies have observed that animals exposed to some of these chemicals develop spontaneous endometriosis.
Dioxins appear to have a particularly powerful impact on the ovary.
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