The Impact of Endometriosis on Reproductive Outcomes in ART Cycles

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis is defined as the existence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. This disease is responsible for about 15% of the indications for assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective cross-sectional study on 1382 women aged 18-42 who underwent ART in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute during 2018-2022. Women were divided into two groups: women with endometriosis (N = 173) and women with a tubal factor or unexplained infertility as the control group (N = 1209). Chemical and clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates were compared. Results: Women with endometriosis had significantly (P < 0.001) lower retrieved oocytes (7.73 ± 5.52 vs 11.53 ± 7.46), metaphase II oocytes (6.27 ± 4.72 vs 9.37 ± 6.62), and the total number of obtained embryos (3.95 ± 3.52 vs 6.13 ± 5.02). Chemical (P = 0.001) and clinical (P = 0.028) pregnancy rates were lower in women with endometriosis, while live birth rates showed no difference between the two groups (P = 0.069). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that endometriosis can disturb reproductive outcomes after ART.

Keywords

• assisted reproductive technique
• embryo implantation
• endometriosis
• fertilization
• live birth
• pregnancy