The evidence suggests that antioxidant supplementation in subfertile males may improve the outcomes of live birth and pregnancy rate for subfertile couples undergoing ART cycles. Further head to head comparisons are necessary to identify the superiority of one antioxidant over another.
Fibroid management is surrounded by considerable controversy and uncertainty. This paper summarises the consensus developed by a group of Australasian subspecialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (the ACCEPT group) on the evidence concerning the impact and management of fibroids in infertility. The location of a fibroid within the uterus influences its effect on fertility. Subserosal fibroids do not appear to impact on fertility outcomes. Intramural (IM) fibroids may be associated with reduced fertility and an increased miscarriage rate (MR); however, there is insufficient evidence to inform whether myomectomy for IM fibroids improves fertility outcomes. Submucosal fibroids are associated with reduced fertility and an increased MR, and myomectomy for submucosal fibroids appears likely to improve fertility outcomes. The relative effect of multiple or different sized fibroids on fertility outcomes is uncertain, as is the relative usefulness of myomectomy in these situations. It is recommended that fibroids with suspected cavity involvement are defined by magnetic resonance imaging, sonohysterography or hysteroscopy because modalities such as transvaginal ultrasound and hysterosalpingography lack appropriate sensitivity and specificity. Medical management of fibroids delays efforts to conceive and is not recommended for the management of infertility associated with fibroids. Newer treatments such as uterine artery embolisation, radiofrequency ablation, bilateral uterine artery ligation, magnetic resonance-guided focussed ultrasound surgery and fibroid myolysis require further investigation prior to their establishment in the routine management of fibroid-associated infertility.
Endometriosis is common in women with infertility but its management is controversial and varied. This article summarises the consensus developed by a group of Australasian subspecialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (the Australasian CREI Consensus Expert Panel on Trial evidence group) on the evidence concerning the management of endometriosis in infertility. Endometriosis impairs fertility by causing a local inflammatory state, inducing progesterone resistance, impairing oocyte release and reducing sperm and embryo transport. Medical treatments have a limited role, whereas surgical and assisted reproductive treatments improve pregnancy rates. The role of surgery for deep infiltrative endometriosis and repeat surgery requires further evaluation and there is insufficient evidence for the use of anti-adhesives to improve fertility. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) improve pregnancy rates but women with endometriosis have lower pregnancy rates than those with other causes of infertility. The decision about whether to operate or pursue assisted reproduction will depend on a variety of factors such as the patient's symptoms, the presence of complex masses on ultrasound, ovarian reserve and ovarian access for IVF, risk of surgery and cost. Some women with infertility and endometriosis may benefit from a combination of assisted reproduction and surgery.
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