endometriosis and infertility treatment

Last reviewed 01/2018

Medical management (ovarian suppression) of endometriosis

  • medical treatment of minimal and mild endometriosis diagnosed as the cause of infertility in women does not enhance fertility and should not be offered

Surgical ablation

  • women with minimal or mild endometriosis who undergo laparoscopy should be offered surgical ablation or resection of endometriosis plus laparoscopic adhesiolysis because this improves the chance of pregnancy
  • women with ovarian endometriomas should be offered laparoscopic cystectomy because this improves the chance of pregnancy
  • women with moderate or severe endometriosis should be offered surgical treatment because it improves the chance of pregnancy
  • post-operative medical treatment does not improve pregnancy rates in women with moderate to severe endometriosis and is not recommended

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