Cadmium, lead and endometriosis

Objectives: Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) have been demonstrated to exert endocrine disrupting activities. Their possible role in endometriosis, an oestrogen-dependent disease, is unknown. Methods: We compared cadmium urinary excretion (CdU) and blood concentration of cadmium (CdB) and lead (PbB) in 119 patients with peritoneal endometriosis and/or deep endometriotic (adenomyotic) nodules of the rectovaginal septum and 25 controls. Results: The mean levels of cadmium in urine and blood did not differ among the groups. Women suffering from endometriotic diseases showed lower levels of PbB than controls. Conclusions: These data do not support a role for cadmium in the onset or the growth of endometriotic diseases but suggest a possible relationship with lead.