Study Validates the Idea of Limited Benefit to Surgery for Endometriosis-associated Infertility

Study Validates the Limited Benefits of Surgery for Endometriosis-associated Infertility

February 11, 2009
Endometriosis is a leading cause of infertility, with a prevalence of 25-40% in infertile and 0.5-5% in fertile women, globally, and around 5 million women in the US alone, as per 2008 statistics. Yet, the optimal choice of treatment for managing the condition remains ambiguous. Now, a study published in the recent issue of Human Reproduction reports that though laparoscopic surgery is popular as a treatment option for endometriosis-associated infertility, the absolute benefits of the surgery appear to be lower than previously believed. The study results also validate the need for educating the patients regarding the risks and benefits of treatment alternatives available for managing the endometriosis-associated infertility.