Endometriosis is a common, benign gynecological disease that is usually associated with pain and/or infertility. It appears likely that chronic inflammation, that is typical of endometriosis lesions, plays a role in chronic pain as well as infertility. It is, therefore, logical to ask if there is a possible link between the severity of endometriosis symptoms and the outcomes of artificial…
It is not uncommon that patients suffering from endometriosis are advised by their doctor to get pregnant in order to ‘’cure’’ (or at least manage the symptoms of) endometriosis. Pregnancy itself is not a cure for endometriosis, however, we often neglect the impact this advice may have on the patients’ mental health and overall experience. Discussing conception is a…
Deep endometriosis is considered the most severe form of endometriosis. It is commonly associated with severe pelvic pain and infertility. As regards the latter, severe distortion of the pelvic anatomy due to adhesions and chronic inflammation are key mechanisms. Other than primary IVF, deep endometriosis surgery is a useful tool, as it can increase chances of spontaneous conception in appropriately…
Adenomyosis is a common, benign gynecological disease, in which tissue from the lining of the womb (endometrium) is found inside the muscle of the womb (myometrium). It is of unknown aetiology and typically presents with heavy and painful periods. There, also, appears to be a link between adenomyosis and infertility.
Endometrioma (or chocolate cyst of the ovary) is estimated to affect 17-44% of women suffering from endometriosis (1). Its presence is often associated with infertility and/ or chronic pelvic pain and its surgical management may be indicated. What are the available methods of surgical management of endometrioma and what outcomes are they linked with? In this article, we…
Endometrioma is a type of ovarian cyst that develops secondary to the presence of endometriosis. It is, also, called ‘’chocolate cyst’’ due to the characteristic colour of the fluid it contains. 17% to 44% of women with endometriosis have an endometrioma (1), of which, in 19% to 28% of cases, the endometrioma is bilateral (2). The exact cause, as…
Studies have demonstrated that the endometrium of women with endometriosis is different to that of women without endometriosis (1,2). Those differences may interfere with normal implantation as well as placental growth (3). However, the existing literature has demonstrated conflicting results regarding a possible link between endometriosis and miscarriage. Let us have a look at the evidence. It is…
We know that endometriosis is associated with infertility and, in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), spontaneous pregnancy rate (without the use of assisted reproduction technologies) is estimated to be around 2 and 10% (1). Although these patients often end up using assisted reproduction in order to get pregnant, can surgical management of endometriosis increase the chances of conception? …