Читать книгу Assisted Reproduction Techniques - Группа авторов - Страница 205

Approximately 25–35% of infertile women suffer with endometriosis. The ovaries are known to be one of the most common sites of endometriosis. Progressive invagination of the ovarian cortex over endometriotic deposits leads to formation of an endometrioma. An endometrioma is a pseudocyst that contains ectopic endometrial deposits [1,2]. Around 5% of women referred for in‐vitro fertilization (IVF) have endometriomas, either unilateral or bilateral [3,4]. The presence of ovarian endometriomas is associated with moderate or severe stage disease according to the r‐ASRM (revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine) classification.

Anatomical damage to the ovaries and the fallopian tubes as well as formation of pelvic adhesions may cause impairment of fertility. An endometrioma is associated with reduced follicular count and reduced response to controlled ovarian stimulation with exogenous gonadotropins during IVF [5,6]. Oocyte retrieval may be challenging in the presence of an endometrioma and pelvic adhesions, and the occurrence of a pelvic abscess is not an uncommon complication.