Endometriosis - A Medical Challenge: Impact on Fertility and Treatment Method

Maria Zwierzchowska, Julia Stachowiak, Julia Sosin, Anna Pilarz, Aleksandra Sojka, Dariusz Salamon, Wojciech Domagała
In: Quality in Sport · 2024 · vol. 25 , pp. 56839 · doi:10.12775/qs.2024.25.56839 · W4405863674
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-14 ⓘ

This review systematizes knowledge on endometriosis, its impact on fertility, and treatment options including surgery and assisted reproductive technology, highlighting IVF as the most effective infertility treatment.

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This paper is a narrative/systematizing review of endometriosis, focusing on how the disease affects fertility (including infertility) and the main treatment avenues discussed in the literature, such as surgical approaches and assisted reproductive technology like IVF. It synthesizes evidence via a systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar and highlights that IVF is currently described as the most effective infertility treatment, while successful management of endometriosis-related infertility requires individualized, comprehensive discussion for each patient. A major limitation explicitly acknowledged by the review framing is that infertility associated with endometriosis has not been fully explored, leaving gaps in the evidence base. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it summarizes mechanisms and therapies for endometriosis-associated infertility and fertility outcomes, including IVF.

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Abstract

Aim of study: The subject of this review is to highlight the complexity of the disease known as endometriosis. This disease affects 10% of women of reproductive age, causing a number of symptoms of various origins, and additionally affects women’s fertility, mental health and role in society. The work aims to systematize knowledge about endometriosis, the mechanism by which it affects fertility and possible therapies, including surgical methods and assisted reproductive technology (ART.). The issue of infertility associated with endometriosis is has not been fully explored yet. A personalized treatment plan including medication, surgical assisted reproductive techniques and psychological support should be developed to improve the quality of life of patients with endometriosis and enable them to become pregnant. Material and methods: A systematic review of scientific and medical literature from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted. Results: Currently, the most effective treatment for infertility is in vitro fertilization (IVF). Successful treatment of endometriosis-related infertility should be discussed in detail with each patient and the decision on the therapy plan should be individual and comprehensive. Keywords: endometriosis, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, gynecology, IVF, IVI
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Material and methods

A systematic review of scientific and medical literature from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted.

Results

Currently, the most effective treatment for infertility is in vitro fertilization (IVF). Successful treatment of endometriosis-related infertility should be discussed in detail with each patient and the decision on the therapy plan should be individual and comprehensive.

Keywords

endometriosis, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, gynecology, IVF, IVI

References

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The effect of unilateral and bilateral laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis on Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) level after 3 and 6 months: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2020;18(1):314. Published 2020 Sep 24. doi:10.1186/s12955-020-01561-3 Bailleul A, Niro J, Du Cheyron J, Panel P, Fauconnier A. Infertility management according to the Endometriosis Fertility Index in patients operated for endometriosis: What is the optimal time frame?. PLoS One. 2021;16(5):e0251372. Published 2021 May 12. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0251372 Adamson GD, Pasta DJ. Endometriosis fertility index: the new, validated endometriosis staging system. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(5):1609-1615. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.09.035 Tummon IS, Asher LJ, Martin JS, Tulandi T. Randomized controlled trial of superovulation and insemination for infertility associated with minimal or mild endometriosis. Fertil Steril. 1997;68(1):8-12. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(97)81467-7 Goyri E, Kohls G, Garcia-Velasco J. IVF stimulation protocols and outcomes in women with endometriosis. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2024;92:102429. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2023.102429 Dong X, Liao X, Wang R, Zhang H. The impact of endometriosis on IVF/ICSI outcomes. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2013;6(9):1911-1918. Published 2013 Aug 15. Downloads Published How to Cite Issue Section License Copyright (c) 2024 Maria Zwierzchowska, Julia Stachowiak, Julia Sosin, Anna Pilarz, Aleksandra Sojka, Dariusz Salamon, Wojciech Domagała This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Stats Number of views and downloads: 405 Number of citations: 0

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_paininfertility

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