The Effects of Endometriosis on Ovarian Functions

Michio Kitajima, Kanako Matsumoto, Itsuki Kajimura, Ayumi Harada, Noriko Miyashita, Asako Matsumura, Yuriko Kitajima, Kiyonori Miura
In: Endocrines · 2021 · vol. 2(2) , pp. 142–149 · doi:10.3390/endocrines2020014 · W3168867959
article OA: gold CC0 ⤵ 5 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This paper reviews how endometriosis may impair ovarian hormone production, follicular development, and ovarian reserve, with endometriomas and their surgical treatment significantly impacting ovarian reserve.

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Abstract

Infertility is a main manifestation of endometriosis, though the exact pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated infertility remains unclear. Compromised ovarian functions may be one of the causes of endometriosis related infertility. The ovarian function can be classified into three basic elements, (1) production of ovarian hormones, (2) maintenance of follicular development until ovulation, and (3) reservoir of dormant oocytes (ovarian reserve). The effects of endometriosis on ovarian hormone production and follicular development are inconclusive. Ovarian endometrioma is common phonotype of endometriosis. Development of endometrioma per se may affect ovarian reserve. Surgery for endometriomas further diminish ovarian reserve, especially women with bilateral involvement. Early intervention with surgery and/or medical treatment may be beneficial, though firm evidence is lacking. When surgery is chosen in women at reproductive age, specific techniques that spare ovarian function should be considered.

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Condition tags

endometriosisendometriomainfertility

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.

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last seen: 2026-06-10T17:14:06.276822+00:00
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