[Endometriosis and infertility].

Endometriosis is certainly responsible for many instances of infertility, although its physiopathological mechanism is not very clear. Tubal endometriosis can lead to occlusion of the tubes, ovarian endometriosis can cause adhesions, and peritoneal endometriosis can cause adnexitis. Sterility caused by endometriosis is often secondary, while amenorrhea, menstrual fever, and pain are always present. Clinical medical examinations should be completed by hysterography and celioscopy. Endometriosis can be treated with hormonotherapy: lynestrenol and norethindrone atrophy the endometrium, block ovulation, and cause persistent amenorrhea. Surgical treatment has benefited enormously from the recent progress in microsurgery; it is now possible not only to resect the unwanted tissue, but to reconstitute the healthy one. It would be now reasonable to expect a pregnancy in about 50% of treated cases.