Long-term use of gonadotropin-releasing before IVF in women with endometriosis

Purpose of review 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. Recent findings 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. Summary Based on the recently published data, infertile women with endometriosis may benefit from long-term pretreatment of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue prior to IVF.