What is the relationship between endometriosis and infertility?

At times, tissue similar to the endometrium (lining of the uterus) may be found at other sites and this is called endometriosis (endometriosis).

Severe endometriosis is uncommon but undoubtedly it may damage the Fallopian tubes and ovaries resulting in infertility. The significance of milder forms of endometriosis as a cause of infertility, however, has been the subject of debate.

Endometriosis has been reported to be more common in infertile women although it is difficult to be certain because estimating the incidence of endometriosis in the general population must be subject to inaccuracy as the diagnosis requires an invasive procedure.

In women with primary infertility, mild endometriosis is more common when there is a male factor problems, suggesting that, in these women, infertility predisposes to endometriosis rather than the endometriosis being a cause for the infertility.

Mild endometriosis is extremely common: with scrutiny and appreciation of the various forms of lesions it can probably be found, at least intermittently, in the majority of women so that it should no longer be considered a pathological (disease) state. Treatment of mild endometriosis confers no improvement in pregnancy rates.

Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-

• Fecundity of infertile women with minimal or mild endometriosis and women with unexplained infertility (1998)

• Using economics alongside medical audit. A case study of the management of endometriosis (1996)

• Buserelin acetate versus expectant management in the treatment of infertility associated with minimal or mild endometriosis: A randomized clinical trial (1992)

• The impact of treatment on the natural history of endometriosis (1990)

• The relationship between endometriosis and semen analysis: A review of 490 consecutive laparoscopies (1989)

• Successful treatment of asymptomatic endometriosis: does it benefit infertile women? (1987)
  

  

  
  

  Please click on the required question.

  • 1 What is infertility?
  • 2 How prevalent are infertility problems?
  • 3 What are the main causes of infertility?
  • 4 What are the objectives of our infertility investigations?
  • 5 Have there been any noticeable changes in fertility requirements in recent years?
  • 6  What is the effect of our age on fertility?
  • 7 I smoke cigarettes. Can this have an effect on my fertility?
  • 8 Does my weight influence fertility?
  • 8A Obesity! How can I lose weight?
  • 9 I have fibroids. Could these reduce my fertility?
  • 10 I have been told that my womb has an abnormal shape and that was the way that I was born. Could this reduce my fertility?
  • 11 I have endometriosis. Could this reduce my fertility?
  • 12 I have been told that I have cervicitis or a cervical ectopy (erosion). Could this impair my fertility?
  • 13 My doctor tells me that my womb is retroverted (tilts backwards). Could this reduce my fertility?
  • 14 I have had an ectopic pregnancy. Does this affect my future fertility?
  • 15  We are worried that we may have a fertility problem. What should we do?
  • 16 How will our doctor be able to identify the cause of our infertility?
  • 17 How can we tell if I am releasing my eggs (ovulating)?
  • 18 Investigations have shown that I have a problem releasing my eggs (anovulation). What could be the cause of this?
  • 19 How important are my Fallopian tubes in fertility?
  • 20 How can we tell if my Fallopian tubes are functioning?
  • 21a What are the causes of male factor infertility?
  • 21 How can we assess male fertility?
  • 22  What is the purpose of a post-coital test (PCT)?
  • 23 We have had our infertility investigations and our problem remains unexplained. How can this be?
  • 24 What are our chances of achieving a pregnancy?
  • 25 Where can I obtain more information?
  • 26 Could we have some recommended infertility support groups?
    
  
  
  

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  This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

  I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.