Adenomyosis: fertility and obstetric outcome. A comprehensive literature review

Laura Buggio, Ermelinda Monti, Umberto Gattei, Dhohua Dridi, Dhouha Dridi, Paolo Vercellini
Minerva ginecologica · 2018 · vol. 70(3) , pp. 295–302 · doi:10.23736/s0026-4784.17.04163-6 · PMID:29115118 · W2895928710
review OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 27 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-09 ⓘ

This review examines the association between adenomyosis and infertility, finding detrimental effects on IVF outcomes and suggesting increased risks for obstetrical complications like preterm birth.

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Abstract

Adenomyosis is a benign condition characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma deep within the myometrium. In recent years, the potential negative impact of adenomyosis on in vitro fertilization clinical outcomes has gained momentum, as well as, the possible link of this condition with obstetrical complications. The aim of this narrative review is to elucidate the possible association between uterine adenomyosis, infertility, and poor obstetrical outcomes. Several theories have been proposed to clarify the potential harmful impact of adenomyosis on fertility, such as a functional and structural defect of both the eutopic endometrium and the inner myometrium, an impairment of the uterine system of sperm transport, the presence of uterine dysperistalsis and of high levels of free radicals in the uterine milieu of women with the disease. Numerous studies have demonstrated that adenomyosis exerts a detrimental effect on in vitro fertilization outcomes, reducing pregnancy and live birth rates and increasing miscarriage rate. Regarding pregnancy outcomes data are scarce; however, epidemiological studies suggest that women with uterine adenomyosis could be at increased risk of numerous obstetrical complications, in particular, preterm birth and preterm premature rupture of membranes. These preliminary results are valuable for preconception and prenatal counseling of women with adenomyosis and suggest that this category of women necessitate a more cautious prenatal management than previously expected.

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Condition tags

adenomyosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Adenomyosis Infertility, Female Pregnancy Outcome Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Adenomyosis Adenomyosis Animals Female Fertility Fertility Fertilization in Vitro Fertilization in Vitro Humans Infertility, Female Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications Pregnancy Complications Pregnancy Complications Premature Birth

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

Cited by (27)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK