Endometrioma, Fertility, and Assisted Reproductive Treatments: Connecting the Dots
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CE: Swati; GCO/300411; Total nos of Pages: 6; GCO 300411 REVIEW CURRENT OPINION Endometrioma, fertility, and assisted reproductive treatments: connecting the dots Gustavo N. Cecchinoa,b,c and Juan A. Garcı´a-Velascob,c Purpose of review Surgery has traditionally been the primary treatment option for endometriosis-related infertility of any phenotype. However, advances and refinements of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) permit a more conservative approach in many scenarios. This review summarizes the latest findings in the field of reproductive medicine, which have supported a paradigm shift towards more conservative management of ovarian endometrioma. Recent findings The presence of ovarian endometrioma per se is likely to impair ovarian reserve and alter ovarian functional anatomy. Conventional laparoscopic surgery is associated with significant risk of additional damage, and less invasive treatment approaches require further evaluation. With regard to infertile women with ovarian endometrioma who are scheduled for ART treatment, current data indicate that prior surgical intervention does not improve ART outcomes, and that controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) does not affect quality of life or pain symptoms. Summary Reproductive medicine physicians frequently encounter patients with ovarian endometrioma. The current evidence does not support the postponement of infertility treatment in favour of surgery, except in cases with severe symptoms or to improve follicle accessibility. Although these patients may exhibit diminished ovarian response to COH, their endometrial receptivity, aneuploidy rates, and fertility outcomes are similar to healthy controls. Surgery for ovarian endometrioma provides no benefits in ART treatments. Keywords assisted reproductive techniques, endometriomas, endometriosis, infertility, IVF INTRODUCTION endometrioma management is challenging and con- Nearly 10% of women develop endometriosis dur- troversial, especially in the context of ART. For a long ing their reproductive years [1]. Although it is a time, surgery has been considered the primary treat- benign disease, endometriosis can negatively ment to overcome infertility in cases of ovarian impact a woman’s health and quality of life. endometrioma. However, advances in basic science Cross-sectional studies suggest a causal relationship and clinical evidence have supported a paradigm between endometriosis and infertility, although the shift, such that more conservative management is reported risk estimates widely vary [2]. A recent now recommended. analysis of a large ongoing prospective cohort of In the present review, we aim to assess the latest 58 427 women detected a two-fold increased risk of findings concerning fertility issues, endometrioma, infertility among lean women of less than 35 years and assisted reproduction. of age with laparoscopically confirmed endometri- osis. However, subgroup analyses of women over 35 years old or with a BMI of at least 25 kg/m2 did aDepartment of Gynecology, Federal University of Sa˜o Paulo, Sa˜o Paulo, not permit an unequivocal conclusion due to con- Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil, bDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Rey Juan & founding factors [3 ]. Carlos University and cIVIRMA Madrid, Madrid, Spain Patients struggling with endometriosis often Correspondence to Gustavo N. Cecchino, IVI-Madrid, Rey Juan Carlos pursue assisted reproductive technologies (ART) University, Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34 911 802 900; due to fertility issues. Ovarian endometrioma is the e-mail: [email protected] most prevalent phenotype, affecting about 20–40% Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2018, 30:000–000 of women with endometriosis [4,5]. Ovarian DOI:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000464 1040-872X Copyright ß 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. www.co-obgyn.com Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. CE: Swati; GCO/300411; Total nos of Pages: 6; GCO 300411 Reproductive endocrinology Some studies have included histopathological KEY POINTS analysis of surrounding cortical specimens obtained Endometriomas induce chronic molecular changes that during surgical ovarian endometrioma removal, negatively impact ovarian reserve and function. which has revealed decreased follicular density and vascular abnormalities [13,14]. Indeed, up to Surgical excision of ovarian endometrioma by any 16% of such ovarian cortext specimens have exhib- technique clearly affects ovarian reserve, especially in ited a complete absence of follicles [13]. From a cases of bilateral and recurrent endometriomas. molecular perspective, the distinct detrimental Surgery performed prior to ART treatment does not events correlated with ovarian endometrioma could improve reproductive outcomes, but rather increases independently contribute to cytotoxicity-induced the time to pregnancy and the risks and costs. ovarian damage. Unsurprisingly, augmented oxida- COH does not affect quality of life or endometriosis- tive stress appears to play a key role [15]. Convincing related pain symptoms. evidence suggests that endometrioma is likely indu- ces a chronic decrease of ovarian reserve. Less invasive approaches to ovarian endometrioma treatment must be further evaluated in randomized clinical trials. CONCERNS ABOUT SURGICAL EXCISION OF ENDOMETRIOMAS Laparoscopic treatment of ovarian endometrioma was first described in 1986 [16]. Since then, laparo- IMPACT OF ENDOMETRIOMAS ON scopic cystectomy has become the gold standard OVARIAN FUNCTION AND RESERVE treatment for ovarian endometrioma with surgical Few studies have been focused on determining the indication [17,18]. Nevertheless, several aspects exact mechanisms through which endometriomas relating to surgical management of endometriomas presumably impair normal ovarian physiology. remain controversial, and the consequences to Early investigations suggested that ovarian endo- future fertility are not fully understood. metrioma was associated with reduced spontane- During the laparoscopic extirpation of endo- ous ovulation rates [6,7], with the ovulation rate metriotic ovarian cysts via the stripping technique, inversely proportional to the number of endo- over 50% of cases result in unintentional removal of metriotic ovarian cysts [7]. Importantly, these healthy ovarian parenchyma [19]. The amount of studies had a small sample size and involved ovarian tissue removed is directly proportional to patient monitoring for only a few ovulatory cycles. the endometrioma size [20]. This frequently leads to Leone Roberti Maggiore et al. [8] recently investi- follicle pool loss, mostly during hilar dissection, in gated a large prospective cohort, analysing over which primary and secondary follicles have been 1000 menstrual cycles. They reported similar ovu- observed in 85% of the specimens [21,22]. It remains latoryratesamongaffectedovariesregardlessof unclear whether these follicles are fully functional, the number and size of endometriomas. They also and if their capacity to grow is preserved in such a observed a high spontaneous pregnancy rate dur- fibrotic area. ing the follow-up period [8]. Thus, it is reasonable Investigations have shown no benefit of preop- to assume that ovulatory function is preserved in erative medical treatment compared with surgery cases of ovarian endometrioma. alone [23]. Moreover, presurgical medical therapy Accumulating evidence suggests that ovarian carries an independent risk of removing normal endometrioma alone may directly undermine ovar- ovarian tissue [24]. This risk is related to the sur- ian reserve. Prior to surgery, women with ovarian geon’s experience; however, even experienced spe- endometrioma show diminished serum anti- cialists cannot guarantee that ovarian reserve will Mullerian€ hormone (AMH) levels and antral follicle not be harmed [25,26]. count (AFC) compared with healthy counterparts, Regarding surgical technique, excisional therapy patients with tubal factor infertility, or patients with is preferred over drainage and ablation. Excisional other benign ovarian cysts [9,10]. Similarly, reduced therapy is superior in terms of lower rates of recur- AFC has been reported in endometrioma-contain- rence of both endometrioma and pain symptoms, as ing ovaries compared with the contralateral unaf- well as increased subsequent spontaneous pregnancy fected ovaries [11]. Conversely, Nieweglowska et al. rate [18]. At this time, we believe that conservative [12] reported that AMH levels were significantly laparoscopic excision is the best option for patients lower than normal only in cases of bilateral ovarian having a precise indication for surgery. Notably, a endometrioma, although a moderate effect was systematic review and meta-analysis by Deckers et al. observed in unilateral ovarian endometriosis. [27&] suggested that nonthermal haemostasis may 2 www.co-obgyn.com Volume 30 Number 00 Month 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. CE: Swati; GCO/300411; Total nos of Pages: 6; GCO 300411 Endometrioma, fertility, and assisted reproductive treatments Cecchino and Garcı´a-Velasco minimize ovarian reserve damage, which is especially bilateral endometriomas, reduced preoperative relevant for couples with reproductive goals. Further AMH levels, and presence of normal ovarian tissue studies are needed to evaluate alternative haemo- in surgical specimen. It can also be presumed that static methods. repeated surgeries for recurrent endometriomas will In