Endometriosis and subfertility: is the relationship resolved?

Semin Reprod Med. 2003 May;21(2):243-54. doi: 10.1055/s-2003-41330.

Abstract

There are many arguments to support the hypothesis that there is a causal relationship between the presence of endometriosis and subfertility. These arguments are reviewed in this article and include: (1) an increased prevalence of endometriosis in subfertile women compared with women of proven fertility; (2) a reduced monthly fecundity rate (MFR) in baboons with mild to severe (spontaneous or induced) endometriosis compared with those with minimal endometriosis or a normal pelvis; (3) a trend toward a reduced MFR in infertile women with minimal to mild endometriosis compared with women with unexplained infertility; (4) a dose-effect relationship: a negative correlation between the r-AFS stage of endometriosis and the monthly fecundity rate and crude pregnancy rate; (5) a reduced monthly fecundity rate and cumulative pregnancy rate after donor sperm insemination in women with minimal-mild endometriosis compared with those with a normal pelvis; (6) a reduced MFR after husband sperm insemination in women with minimal to mild endometriosis compared with those with a normal pelvis; (7) a reduced implantation rate per embryo after IVF in women with moderate to severe endometriosis compared with women with a normal pelvis; and (8) an increased monthly fecundity rate and cumulative pregnancy rate after surgical removal of minimal to mild endometriosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endometriosis / complications*
  • Endometriosis / pathology
  • Endometriosis / physiopathology
  • Endometriosis / surgery
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / etiology*
  • Infertility, Female / therapy
  • Insemination, Artificial
  • Ovulation Induction
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Prevalence