Fertility preservation counselling for women with endometriosis: a European online survey

Background Endometriosis is a common cause for infertility. Decreased ovarian reserve due to pathology or surgical management can reduce the chances of natural pregnancy and limit the effectiveness of controlled ovarian stimulation during fertility treatment. Cryopreservation of oocytes or ovarian c...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Sanger, N, Menabrito M., Sardo, AD, Estadella J., Verguts J.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau)
Repositorio:r-IIB SANT PAU. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Sant Pau
OAI Identifier:oai:iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com:p11972
Acceso en línea:https://iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com/Publicaciones/ProdCientif/PublicacionFrw.aspx?id=11972
https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-966804/v1
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Endometriosis
Endometrioma
Surgery
Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
Ovarian reserve
Female infertility
Fertility preservation
Cryopreservation
Oocyte
Ovarian tissue
Descripción
Sumario:Background Endometriosis is a common cause for infertility. Decreased ovarian reserve due to pathology or surgical management can reduce the chances of natural pregnancy and limit the effectiveness of controlled ovarian stimulation during fertility treatment. Cryopreservation of oocytes or ovarian cortex prior to surgery or before loss of follicular capital is a strategy to preserve fecundity. Methods An online survey was sent to reproductive specialists and gynecological surgeons representing major centers of reproductive medicine in Europe to investigate current fertility preservation practices for endometriosis patients. Results Of 58 responses, 45 (77.6%) in 11/13 countries reported the existence of endometriosis management guidelines, of which 37/45 (82.2%) included treatment recommendations for infertile patients. Most centers (51.7%) reserved fertility counselling for severe endometriosis (large endometriomas with or without deep endometriosis) while 15.5% of centers did not offer fertility preservation for endometriosis. Conclusions To address non-uniformity in available guidelines and the diversity in fertility preservation practices, we propose an algorithm for managing patients with severe endometriosis most likely to be impacted by reduced ovarian reserve. Improved awareness about the possibilities of fertility preservation and clear communication between gynaecological surgeons and reproductive medicine specialists is mandatory to address the unmet clinical need of preventing infertility in women with endometriosis.