Endometriosis-associated infertility

Richard P. Buyalos, R P Buyalos, Sanjay K. Agarwal, S K Agarwal
Current opinion in obstetrics & gynecology · 2000 · vol. 12(5) , pp. 377–381 · doi:10.1097/00001703-200010000-00006 · PMID:11111879 · W2013195190
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-06 ⓘ

This review examines the association between endometriosis stages and infertility, concluding advanced stages and mechanical disruption cause infertility, while early stages remain controversial, and recommends individualized management with ablative therapy and IVF/ET.

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Abstract

This review summarizes the recent literature examining the relationship between endometriosis and infertility. It is clear that the advanced stage of the disease and the mechanical disruption of the pelvic anatomy may cause infertility. The link between early stage endometriosis and infertility remains a source of controversy. Management plans must be individualized contingent upon the stage of disease, the age of the patient and the duration of infertility. The preponderance of data suggests that ablative therapy at the time of laparoscopy is as good as, or superior to expectant or medical therapy. With the exception of IVF/ET, ovarian suppression with GnRH agonists is not warranted in endometriosis-associated infertility. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with IUI is appropriate therapy in women with minimal-to-mild and surgically corrected endometriosis.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Infertility, Female Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Infertility, Female Infertility, Female Ovulation Induction Pregnancy

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.

References (36)

Cited by (50)

Source provenance

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK