Increased pregnancy rates after ultralong postoperative therapy with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs in patients with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether ultralong GnRH analog (GnRH-a) therapy after surgical treatment of endometriosis and before ART influences the pregnancy rate.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled study.


METHODS
University clinic for reproductive medicine and gynecologic endocrinology.


METHODS
One hundred ten patients with stage II to IV endometriosis according to ASRM criteria.


METHODS
Fifty-five patients received GnRH-a for 6 months after surgery and subsequently underwent up to 3 cycles of ART, and 55 patients received 3 cycles of ART alone immediately after surgery.


METHODS
Clinical pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
The pregnancy rate per patient was higher among patients who received follow-up treatment with GnRH-a. The same results were found in patients with stage III or IV endometriosis who were undergoing IUI or IVF/ICSI.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultralong GnRH-a therapy increases the pregnancy rate of ART in patients with severe endometriosis.
Rickes
Dagmar
D
Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Gynecologic Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany. juergen.kleinstein@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
Nickel
Ingrid
I
Kropf
Siegfried
S
Kleinstein
Jürgen
J
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D017273:Goserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007317:Insemination, Artificial, Homologous; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017273:Goserelin