Brigitte Leeners

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis and adenomyosis are two closely related, estrogen-dependent, benign gynecological diseases. The available evidence on their common pathogenesis and association is limited and often does not address the heterogeneit…

INTRODUCTION: Partnership is an important resource in dealing with endometriosis related chronic pain. Hence, our objective was to assess partnership in the context of endometriosis and its symptoms, considering the perspectives of both ind…

BACKGROUND: While the sexuality of patients with endometriosis is an established topic in research, the possible effect of endometriosis on partnership sexuality has come to the fore only recently. To improve counseling, more information is…

Study questionDoes double vitrification and thawing of an embryo compromise the chance of live birth after a single blastocyst transfer?Summary answerThe live birth rate (LBR) obtained after double vitrification was comparable to that obtai…

INTRODUCTION: Recent evidence shows that endometriosis, a significant cause of infertility, may already present in adolescents. Dysmenorrhea, often leading to school absences, is a key symptom of the maturing menstrual cycle but also of end…

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Das Vorliegen einer Endometriose geht gehäuft mit einem unerfüllten Kinderwunsch einher. Hierbei wird von einem multifaktoriellen Einfluss der endometriosebedingten systemischen Entzündungsreaktion auf verschiede…

Background: Assisted reproductive technology treatment is recommended to overcome endometriosis-associated infertility but current evidence is controversial. Endometriosis is associated with lower antral follicle count (AFC) and oocyte yiel…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis, i.e., endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting physical functioning. However, the specific levels of physical activity (PA) in the context of endometriosis and diff…

Introduction: Cryopreservation of bipronuclear (2PN) stage zygotes is an integral part of IVF laboratory practice in countries with strict embryo culture legislation. Vitrification of zygotes is compatible with several strategies in inferti…

BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of human, animal and in vitro studies on vitamin D (vit D) substitution in endometriosis. The aim of this systematic review is to critically appraise and qualitatively synthesize the results of the availa…

BACKGROUND: Pain plays a central role in endometriosis. The complex relationship among pain characteristics, comorbid pain disorders and daily life represents a challenge for medical support. This multicentre cross-sectional case-control st…

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, affecting mainly women of reproductive age. Leptin is a regulator of food intake and energy expenditure, posing pleiotropic actions, and regulating immunity and fertility. The aim of…

STUDY QUESTION: Can a core outcome set to standardize outcome selection, collection and reporting across future infertility research be developed? SUMMARY ANSWER: A minimum data set, known as a core outcome set, has been developed for rand…

Study questionDoes follicular flushing increase the number of mature oocytes in monofollicular IVF?Summary answerFollicular flushing increases the number of mature oocytes in monofollicular IVF.What is known alreadyFlushing increases neithe…

BACKGROUND: Dyspareunia, one of the main symptoms of the chronic gynecological pelvic pain disorder endometriosis, may interfere with the likelihood of reaching an orgasm, yet for women with dyspareunia, no data on orgasm rates in different…

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have a significant effect on psychological and physical child development and represent a risk factor for interpersonal difficulties. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association…

Stress is a risk factor for impaired general, mental, and reproductive health. The role of physiological and supraphysiological estradiol concentrations in stress perception and stress processing is less well understood. We, therefore, cond…

OBJECTIVES: Endometriosis is a gynaecological disease most commonly causing severe and chronic pelvic pain as well as an impaired quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate if and how endometriosis affects choices regarding p…

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the specific characteristics of sexual activity in women with endometriosis compared with women without endometriosis? DESIGN: Multicentre case control study. Participants were recruited from university hospital…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis-associated pain and dyspareunia influence female sexuality, but little is known about men's experiences in affected couples. AIM: To investigate how men partners experience sexuality in partnership with women with…

STUDY QUESTION: Is fatigue a frequent symptom of endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER: Fatigue is an underestimated symptom of endometriosis as it affects the majority of women with endometriosis, but it is not widely discussed in literature. WH…

STUDY QUESTION: Is maltreatment during childhood (MC), e.g. sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, associated with diagnosis of endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER: Childhood sexual abuse, emotional abuse/neglect and inconsis…