Endometriosis is a complex and multifaceted disease that affects millions of women worldwide Kanellopoulos et al., 2022. One of the most significant concerns for women with endometriosis is its impact on fertility Bonavina & S Taylor, 2022. Endometriosis can cause infertility, and the mechanisms underlying this association are not yet fully understood Simopoulou et al., 2021.

Pathophysiological Mechanisms

Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, leading to inflammation, scarring, and adhesions Kanellopoulos et al., 2022. This can cause damage to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other reproductive organs, leading to infertility Bonavina & S Taylor, 2022. The exact mechanisms by which endometriosis affects fertility are not yet fully understood, but several factors are thought to contribute, including hormonal imbalances, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors Simopoulou et al., 2021.

Impact on Fertility

Endometriosis can affect fertility in several ways, including reducing ovarian reserve, impairing oocyte quality, and disrupting embryo implantation Latif & Saridogan, 2023. Women with endometriosis may experience reduced fertility due to the growth of endometrial tissue in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other reproductive organs Bonavina & S Taylor, 2022. Additionally, endometriosis can cause inflammation and scarring, which can lead to adhesions and damage to the reproductive organs Kanellopoulos et al., 2022.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for endometriosis-related infertility include medical and surgical interventions Corachán et al., 2021. Medical treatments, such as hormonal therapies and pain management, can help alleviate symptoms and improve fertility Alonso et al., 2024. Surgical treatments, such as laparoscopic surgery, can help remove endometrial lesions and scar tissue, improving fertility Muzii et al., 2023.

Fertility Preservation

Fertility preservation is an essential consideration for women with endometriosis Kim et al., 2022. Women with endometriosis may benefit from fertility preservation strategies, such as egg freezing or embryo freezing, to preserve their reproductive potential Gazzo et al., 2024. Additionally, women with endometriosis may benefit from assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), to improve their chances of conception Sänger et al., 2022.

Probiotics and Fertility

Probiotics have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and may play a beneficial role in the treatment of endometriosis-related infertility Jourdain et al., 2020. Probiotics may help improve fertility by reducing inflammation and improving the gut microbiota Abavisani et al., 2024. However, more research is needed to fully understand the role of probiotics in endometriosis-related infertility Xholli et al., 2023.

Conclusion

In conclusion, endometriosis is a complex and multifaceted disease that can have a significant impact on fertility Kanellopoulos et al., 2022. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying endometriosis-related infertility is essential for developing effective treatment strategies Bonavina & S Taylor, 2022. Treatment options, including medical and surgical interventions, can help alleviate symptoms and improve fertility Corachán et al., 2021. Fertility preservation and assisted reproductive technologies may also be beneficial for women with endometriosis Kim et al., 2022. Probiotics may play a beneficial role in the treatment of endometriosis-related infertility, but more research is needed to fully understand their effects Jourdain et al., 2020.

References

Cited References:

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Simopoulou, M., Rapani, A., Grigoriadis, S., Pantou, A., Tsioulou, P., Maziotis, E., Tzanakaki, D., Triantafyllidou, O., Kalampokas, T., Siristatidis, C., Bakas, P., & Vlahos, N. (2021). Getting to know endometriosis-related infertility better: a review on how endometriosis affects oocyte quality and embryo development.. Biomedicines. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9030273
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Latif, S. & Saridogan, E. (2023). Endometriosis, oocyte, and embryo quality.. Journal Of Clinical Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12134186
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Chen, R., Li, R., Qing, W., Zhang, Y., Zhou, Z., Hou, Y., Shi, Y., Zhou, H., & Chen, M. (2022). Probiotics are a good choice for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial.. Reproductive Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01449-z
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V Bakun, O., D Koval, H., A Dudka, Y., A Oshchepkova, I., & Y Makoviichuk, K. (2023). Influence of probiotics on the mesothelin level in women with endometriosis associated with infertility in complex preparation for assisted reproductive technologies.. Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960). https://doi.org/10.36740/WLek202311118
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Favaron, A., Turkgeldi, E., Elbadawi, M., Gaisford, S., W Basit, A., & Orlu, M. (2024). Do probiotic interventions improve female unexplained infertility? a critical commentary.. Reproductive Biomedicine Online. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103734
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Iavarone, I., Francesco Greco, P., La Verde, M., Morlando, M., Torella, M., de Franciscis, P., & Ronsini, C. (2023). Correlations between gut microbial composition, pathophysiological and surgical aspects in endometriosis: a review of the literature.. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59020347
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