Predictors of IVF/ICSI success following treatment of endometriosis as the cause of primary infertility

Objectives: Treatment of endometriosis prior to IVF/ICSI could be followed by the significant reduction of ovarian reserve. The aim is to identify potential markers of the IVF/ICSI outcome in patients with endometriosis associated infertility and to evaluate their clinical significance. Material and methods: The prospective cohort study included 73 patients with primary infertility caused by endometriosis that were subjected to 77 IVF/ICSI cycles. Patients were classified into two groups. In the first group some type of treatment had previously been applied, and in the second group patients were immediately subjected to the IVF/ICSI procedures. Results: When pregnancy was achieved, there were significantly more patients under 35 years of age, more patients with primary infertility duration up to 3 years, and more patients with endometriosis that was previously treated (77.4%) (p < 0.039). In the cases of the successful outcome Endometriosis Fertility Index > 7, lower basal FSH and FSH/LH ratio were found, as well as significantly higher basal E2, basal P4 and AMH. Significantly lower doses of gonadotropins were needed in cases of the successful outcome, and long protocol with agonists was more frequently used. Multivariate logistic regres­sion analysis showed that previous therapy of endometriosis, P4 ≥ 0.7 ng/mL, AMH ≥ 0.9 ng/mL, A class of embryos, and the use of long protocol with agonists were predictors of the successful IVF/ICSI outcome. Conclusions: Therapy for endometriosis, AMH and P4 levels appeared to be predictors for the successful IVF/ICSI outcome and the use of long protocol with agonists could be advised in these cycles

Reproductive outcomes of IVF after comprehensive endometriosis treatment: a prospective cohort study

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of pharmacological and surgical endometriosis treatment on IVF reproductive outcomes in patients with primary infertility.Material and methods: The study, conducted over a five year period, included 73 patients with endometriosis associated primary infertility subjected to 77 cycles. Group I included patients treated for endometriosis before the IVF (subgroups A: surgical and pharmacological treatment and B: only surgical treatment). Group II included patients immediately subjected to IVF. Assessed outcomes were pregnancy rate (PR) per started cycle, fertilization rate (FR), implantation rate (IR) and live birth rate (LBR).Results: Group IA included 25 patients, Group IB 21 and Group II 27 patients. FR and IR showed no significant differences between groups. PR was significantly higher in the Group I than Group II (49% vs 25%, p = 0.030). PR per started cycle was the highest in the Group IA and the lowest in the Group II (p = 0.040). LBR was significantly higher in whole Group I (p = 0.043) and subgroup IA (p = 0.020) than Group II. Group IA and IB did not differ regarding examined outcomes. Regression analysis showed that endometriosis pretreatment method can impact both achieving pregnancy (p = 0.036) and having a live born child (p = 0.008) after IVF. The combined surgical and pharmacological endometriosis treatment, shorter infertility duration, lower EFI score, using long protocol with FSH+HMG gonadotropins increase the probability of successful IVF.Conclusions: A combined surgical and pharmacological endometriosis treatment had a positive impact on IVF reproductive outcomes, both on pregnancy and on live birth rates

Predictive Value of Basal Serum Progesterone for Successful IVF in Endometriosis Patients: The Need for a Personalized Approach

The data regarding the role of progesterone (P4) in reproductive events of endometriosis patients are limited. This prospective study aimed to examine the predictive value of basal P4 serum levels for successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with primary infertility and endometriosis. The study included 73 patients divided according to endometriosis treatment (surgery vs. control-no treatment). The general data, basal hormonal status, and pregnancy rates were determined for every patient. Clinical pregnancy was achieved in 40.3% of patients, and more often in patients treated for endometriosis before IVF. The regression analysis showed that higher basal P4 serum levels were associated with achieving pregnancy through IVF. When regression was adjusted for the patient and IVF characteristics, higher basal P4 serum levels were associated with pregnancy achievement in both groups of women, along with the basal serum levels of FSH, LH, and AMH; EFI score; and stimulation protocol. The ROC analysis showed that the basal P4 serum level for successful IVF should be ≥0.7ng/mL. The basal P4 serum level cut-off for IVF success in endometriosis patients was determined for the first time. Constructed models for IVF success prediction emphasize the importance of determining the basal P4 serum levels for the personalized treatment of endometriosis-related infertility

Diagnostic and treatment of endometriosis - recommendations for clinical practice

Endometriosis is characterized by endometrial tissue found outside of the uterus (primarily in the pelvic cavity), causing chronic inflammatory reaction, infertility, and pain. The impact of endometriosis on different aspects of women’s life is important, including family and social life, work, and reproduction. The usual way of examining endometriosis is history taking, recognition of typical symptoms, clinical examination, and the use of imaging techniques, but the diagnosis is made by histopathology findings, usually after laparoscopy. The aim is to represent current recommendations and guidelines referring to endometriosis diagnostics and therapy, proposed by two major societies dealing with reproductive medicine: European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). The recommendations refer primarily to the therapeutic modalities in infertility and pain problems caused by endometriosis, and represent the basis of appropriate strategy for overcoming numerous problems linked with this chronic illness