Comprehensive review of the latest evidence available on endometriosis and subfertility

In: International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2025 · vol. 14(3) , pp. 981–991 · doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20250548 · W4407958199
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This review synthesizes current evidence on endometriosis and subfertility, highlighting that while surgical excision of endometriomas may improve natural conception, it risks ovarian reserve reduction, leaving ART efficacy uncertain.

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This comprehensive systematic review examined the latest evidence on endometriosis-associated subfertility, focusing on how endometriosis affects fertility and how medical management, surgery (especially ovarian endometrioma excision), and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes relate to infertility. Across the literature, the authors describe multifactorial mechanisms (genetic, hormonal, inflammatory, immunologic) complicating natural conception, and report that while excision of endometriomas may restore pelvic anatomy and increase spontaneous pregnancy rates, it can reduce ovarian reserve, with cystectomy associated with significant anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) declines. The review also notes that evidence on whether surgery improves ART outcomes remains inconclusive, emphasizing the need for individualized, holistic treatment planning as a major limitation of current data. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it reviews evidence linking endometriosis to subfertility and evaluates fertility implications of medical therapy, surgical management, and ART outcomes.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting women of reproductive age group, often resulting in subfertility and chronic pelvic pain. The multifactorial nature of endometriosis-associated infertility is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, menstrual, inflammatory and immunological factors, which together define the phenotypic presentation of the disease. These factors complicate natural conception and impact the success of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycles. While medical management, typically contraceptive, offers symptomatic relief, it may not address the underlying issues that impede natural conception. Surgical intervention, particularly for ovarian endometriosis, has the potential to enhance spontaneous conception rates but also carries the risk of reducing ovarian reserve. This presents a dilemma in fertility preservation, especially when considering assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The current evidence on the efficacy of surgery in improving ART outcomes remains inconclusive, underscoring the need for an individualized and holistic approach in treatment planning. Such an approach is crucial in optimizing reproductive outcomes for women with endometriosis. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to gather the latest evidence on endometriosis and subfertility. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. While excising endometriomas may help restore pelvic anatomy and increase spontaneous pregnancy rates, there is also a substantial risk of reducing ovarian reserve due to damage caused during the procedure. In particular, cystectomy has been associated with a significant reduction in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, a key marker of ovarian reserve.
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Comprehensive review of the latest evidence available on endometriosis and subfertility DOI: https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20250548Keywords: Assisted reproductive technology cycles, Anti-Müllerian hormone levels, Deep endometriosis, Endometriosis fertility index, Follicular stimulating hormone, Ovarian tissue cryopreservation, Pouch of douglasAbstract Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting women of reproductive age group, often resulting in subfertility and chronic pelvic pain. The multifactorial nature of endometriosis-associated infertility is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, menstrual, inflammatory and immunological factors, which together define the phenotypic presentation of the disease. These factors complicate natural conception and impact the success of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycles. While medical management, typically contraceptive, offers symptomatic relief, it may not address the underlying issues that impede natural conception. Surgical intervention, particularly for ovarian endometriosis, has the potential to enhance spontaneous conception rates but also carries the risk of reducing ovarian reserve. This presents a dilemma in fertility preservation, especially when considering assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The current evidence on the efficacy of surgery in improving ART outcomes remains inconclusive, underscoring the need for an individualized and holistic approach in treatment planning. Such an approach is crucial in optimizing reproductive outcomes for women with endometriosis. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to gather the latest evidence on endometriosis and subfertility. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. While excising endometriomas may help restore pelvic anatomy and increase spontaneous pregnancy rates, there is also a substantial risk of reducing ovarian reserve due to damage caused during the procedure. In particular, cystectomy has been associated with a significant reduction in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, a key marker of ovarian reserve. Metrics References Morris G, Lilly C, Jefferys A, O'Donovan O, Akande V. Endometriosis and subfertility. J Obstetr Gynaecol. 2024;26:32-43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tog.12911 Meuleman C, Vandenabeele B, Fieuws S, Spiessens C, Timmerman D, D'Hooghe T. High prevalence of endometriosis in infertile women with normal ovulation and normospermic partners. Fertil Steril. 2009;92(1):68-74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.04.056 Zondervan KT, Becker CM, Missmer SA. Endometriosis. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(13):1244-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1810764 Ryan IP, Tseng JF, Schriock ED, Khorram O, Landers DV, Taylor RN. 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