FGF2 and endometriosis: The relationship between endometriosis and known CVD risk factors is complicated by the fact that women with endometriosis have a lower BMI compared to controls [32, 33] and levels of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) are elevated in women with endometriosis [34], since FGF-2 is known to protect against myocardial dysfunction [35].