Endometriosis
As a busy practicing IVF doctor I welcome good summaries of useful information.
Endometriosis is a very common affliction. It is estimated that 15% of the female population has endometriosis while about a third of patients suffering with infertility may have it. As the years pass, more good information is emerging that has diminished the indications for surgery for the endometriosis patient that is infertile. Recently, we have learned that patients may gain little from aggressive removal of ovarian endometriosis because that may significantly reduce their ovarian reserve. More patients are being treated with IVF instead of surgery. Of course, this approach does not apply to patients that need improvement of significant symptoms like pelvic pain, incapacitating menstrual pain, or painful intercourse.
Below please find and excellent article written for Medcape by Peter Kovacs, MD, PhD summarizing new guidelines from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
