A Comprehensive Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Dopamine Agonists for Women with Endometriosis-associated Infertility from Inception to July 31, 2022

Leonila A Estole-Casanova
Acta medica Philippina · 2023 · vol. 58(10) , pp. 49–64 · doi:10.47895/amp.vi0.6994 · PMID:38939420 · PMC11199371 · W4385627817
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This review found that while dopamine agonists show potential anti-angiogenic effects and do not interfere with ovulation, further research is needed to confirm their efficacy in improving reproductive outcomes for women with endometriosis-associated infertility.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This paper is a qualitative narrative review (searching PubMed, Cochrane sources, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO registries up to July 31, 2022) evaluating dopamine agonists for improving reproductive outcomes in women with endometriosis-associated infertility. Across included studies, the authors report that dopamine agonists may exert anti-angiogenic effects on the VEGF/VEGF receptor system, do not affect ovulation or menstrual cyclicity, and have safety profiles consistent with existing data; many studies also describe effectiveness in reducing endometriotic lesions. A major limitation highlighted is the absence of studies using core infertility outcome measures specific to trials of endometriosis-associated infertility, leaving uncertainty about whether anti-angiogenic effects translate into improved reproductive outcomes. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it reviews dopamine agonists for endometriosis-associated infertility, focusing on efficacy, safety, and VEGF-related anti-angiogenic mechanisms.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Current medical management of endometriosis leads to suppression of ovulation and will not be helpful for women with endometriosis who are desirous of pregnancy. Thus, drugs that can both treat endometriosis and its associated infertility are highly warranted. OBJECTIVE: Anti-angiogenic agents are potential drugs for patients with endometriosis and infertility. Among these drugs, dopamine agonist (DA) is promising since it does not interfere with ovulation, is safe, and not teratogenic. The aim of the study is to determine the efficacy and safety of DA for improving reproductive outcomes in women with endometriosis and infertility. METHODS: A qualitative narrative review was done from inception to July 31, 2022 using the appropriate MeSH terms in PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrial.gov, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Date analysis was through qualitative analysis and synthesis of researches and their outcome measures. RESULTS: No studies used the core outcomes for trials evaluating treatments for infertility associated with endometriosis. All the included articles in the review supported the possible anti-angiogenic effects of DA on the vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] /VEGF receptor system. The use of DA does not have an effect on ovulation and menstrual cyclicity. Studies on safety profile of DA were consistent with existing data. CONCLUSION: Most of studies reviewed demonstrated that DA were effective in reducing endometriotic lesions. However, further research is required to establish whether this anti-angiogenic effect can improve reproductive outcomes in women with endometriosis-associated infertility.

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endometriosisinfertility

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