In vitro fertilization for endometriosis-associated infertility: A literature review

Abstract

This article analyzed the work of Russian and international authors over the past 10 years on the effect of endometriosis on the development of infertility and evaluated studies on the analysis of in vitro fertilization procedures in patients with this condition. Every third patient who uses assisted reproductive technology (ART) suffers from endometriosis-associated infertility. Endometriosis is a significant cause of this disease, and its clinical forms and the degree of foci spread often limit doctors’ choice of ART programs, which do not always result in pregnancy. Cystic ovarian endometriosis is one of the most common forms of endometriosis. Controversy surrounds the treatment of this form; some authors advocate hormonal therapy (to preserve the ovarian reserve), whereas others believe that more radical surgical treatment helps reduce relapses. In any case, several factors must be considered when choosing the optimal treatment approach for women with ovarian endometriosis and infertility, including the age of the patient, presence of pain, outcomes of previous surgeries, size and number of cysts, preserved ovarian reserve, and access to the follicles. These factors prove the relevance of this condition, which requires a modern approach to its diagnosis and treatment.