Female genital anomalies affecting reproduction.
OBJECTIVE
A multitude of female congenital anomalies are uncommon. However, their impact on reproduction can be profound. The aim of this review is to remind the practicing physician of the clinically relevant embryology and summarize the studies that look at the impact of such various anomalies on a woman's fecundity. We review particular surgical therapies that possibly may improve fertility in such women.


METHODS
Review and critique of available studies in which particular surgical therapies were done and whether they truly improved fertility in these women with congenital reproductive anomalies.


RESULTS
Clear evidence demonstrates that uterine septum resection is effective in women with demonstrated recurrent pregnancy losses. Arcuate uterus has little impact on reproduction. Other studies fail to definitively show that surgical correction will improve pregnancy retention or fertility except for specifically indicated clinical scenarios.


CONCLUSIONS
The practicing reproductive specialist should have working knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic options for women with reproductive congenital anomalies. A summary chart has been devised to clearly associate embryologic structures with normal adult derivative as well as anomalous structures.
Lin
Paul C
PC
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertitlity, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA. linner@u.washington.edu
Bhatnagar
Kunwar P
KP
Nettleton
G Stephen
GS
Nakajima
Steven T
ST
D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000601:surgery