Gynecology and obstetrics: Impact of endometriosis on female fertility
Keywords:
Endometriosis, Infertility, Treatment.Abstract
Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by the appearance of fragments of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, which affects women of reproductive age. This condition can have a wide range of clinical manifestations, causing intense pelvic pain, symptoms resulting from damage to non-reproductive organs and infertility. Studies indicate that around 30 to 50% of infertile women have endometriosis, thus suggesting a possible contribution of endometriosis in the etiopathogenesis of infertility. Therefore, in order to treat endometriosis and promote the patient's fertility, clinical - drug and surgical - treatments can be offered. Objective: The aim of this project is to carry out a literature review on endometriosis and its impact on female fertility, as well as the treatment of this condition. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review carried out using the following databases: Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Web of Science and National Library of Medicine (PubMed/Medline), Google Scholar and the Virtual Health Library (VHL). Fifty publications were identified and 30 bibliographical references from the last 22 years were used. The exclusion criteria were not being relevant to the topic and articles from before this period. The articles analyzed were selected using the descriptors: endometriosis, infertility and reproduction. Results: considering that endometriosis is related to infertility, measures are needed to treat this condition, for which lesion ablation associated with adhesiolysis, expectant management or ovarian stimulation associated with intrauterine insemination or FIVETE can be considered. Conclusion: Given that endometriosis can lead to infertility, early diagnosis of the disease is of the utmost importance, enabling effective treatment of the condition and promotion of women's fertility.
