Long-term use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues before IVF in women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the relationship between endometriosis and infertility, the impact of endometriosis on assisted reproductive techniques and also the benefits of prolonged use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue before IVF in women with endometriosis.


RESULTS
The available evidence suggests that endometriosis is strongly associated with infertility. Many studies indicate lower pregnancy and implantation rates even in assisted reproductive cycles in women with endometriosis. It is well known that medical suppression of endometriosis does not appear to be warranted for endometriosis-associated infertility. Prolonged pretreatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue before IVF has been reported to improve clinical pregnancy rates in infertile women with endometriosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the recently published data, infertile women with endometriosis may benefit from long-term pretreatment of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue prior to IVF.
Tavmergen
Erol
E
Family Planning-Infertility Research and Treatment Center, Ege University School of Medicine, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey. eroltavmergen@ttnet.net.tr
Ulukus
Murat
M
Goker
Ege Nazan Tavmergen
EN
D004715:Endometriosis / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000592:standards*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology
D007378:Interleukins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone