Could Your Sex Life Influence Endometriosis?

New findings published in The American Journal of Pathology reveal that your sex life could be influenced by endometriosis.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered an association between contact with seminal fluid and its development.

"In laboratory studies, our research found that seminal fluid (a major component of semen) enhances the survival and growth of endometriosis lesions," Dr. Jonathan McGuane, co-lead author on the paper, said in a statement.

Though researchers are still uncertain as to exactly how to effectively prevent and treat endometriosis, more is now known about what aggravates the condition. 

"Endometriosis, when tissue that normally grows inside a women's uterus grows outside the uterus, affects one in ten reproductive-aged women. The condition's symptoms vary but include painful periods, pelvic pain and women with endometriosis may have difficulty conceiving," researcher Louise Hull explained. "This is an important finding and raises the possibility that exposure of the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) to seminal fluid may contribute to the progression of the disease in women."

However, Hull concluded that much more is needed to uncover what the relationship between endometriosis and sexual activity means. 

"The next stage of the research will look at what this means for women with and without endometriosis," Hull added.