Ovarian response to repeated controlled stimulation in in-vitro fertilization cycles in patients with ovarian endometriosis

In-vitro fertilization (TVF) is an effective infertility treatment for wome n with endometriosis, but most women need to undergo several cycles of trea tment to become pregnant. This case-control study was designed to assess ho w consistently women with ovarian endometriosis respond to ovarian stimulat ion in consecutive treatment cycles compared to women with tubal infertilit y. We compared outcome measures in 40 women with a history of surgically co nfirmed ovarian endometriosis and 80 Women,vith tubal infertility, an of wh om had at least three IVF treatment cycles. The groups were matched for age and early follicular follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration at t heir first IVF cycle. Outcome measures included number of follicles, number of oocytes, peak oestradiol concentration and number of FSH ampoules requi red per follicle, Cumulative pregnancy and live birth rates were calculated in both groups. The ovarian endometriosis group had a significantly poorer ovarian response and required significantly more ampoules of FSH per cycle , a difference that became greater with each subsequent cycle, However, cum ulative pregnancy (63.3 versus 62.6% by fifth cycle) and live birth (46.8 v ersus 50.9% by with cycle) rates were similar in both groups. In conclusion , despite decreased ovarian response to FSH, ovarian endometriosis does not decrease the chances of successful TVF treatment.