Endometriosis and Fertility after Surgery

Surgery for Mild Endometriosis May Improve Pregnancy Chances

Surgery for mild endometriosis may improve pregnancy chances

The prevalence of endometriosis is increased among sub- or infertile women, say authors of a UK review, who suggest that those with mild endometriosis may have their chances of pregnancy improved by undergoing surgical, as opposed to medical treatment.

“Medical treatment is generally successful for the alleviation of pain associated with endometriosis,” explain Chhaya Prasannan-Nair (Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK) and colleagues.

However, such treatments (including the contraceptive pill), inhibit ovulation and are contraceptive, they add.

Surgical treatment of moderate or severe endometriosis before IVF could also allow easier monitoring of the condition and improved access to ovarian follicles for oocyte aspiration.

The reviewers remark that previous studies have suggested lower IVF success rates among women with endometriosis than women with, for example, tubal defects. Furthermore, embryos derived from women with endometriosis have a higher incidence of arrested development and abnormal morphology than those from women without the condition.

“Early referral of women with symptoms and signs suggestive of endometriosis to a gynecology surgeon provides opportunity for early diagnosis and discussion of management options with particular reference to future fertility,” said Prasannan-Nair.

“Similarly, management of endometriosis-related subfertility warrants a full assessment and discussion with the couple to enable them to make choices regarding treatment options,” she added.

Source: MedWire (www.medwire-news.md)