Fertility treatment does not increase pain in women with endometriosis

This study assessed whether women with endometriosis experienced more pain than disease-free women when undergoing fertility treatment. The results showed that fertility treatment did not worsen endometriosis symptoms or negatively impact quality of life in these women.

Endometriosis is a chronic disorder that causes pain, especially during menstruation. 5-10% of women in their reproductive years are affected. At least one third of these women are infertile (have trouble achieving pregnancy), and may need fertility treatments to get pregnant. Fertility treatments are effective for women with endometriosis, but there are concerns that these treatments can cause increased pain. The impact of fertility treatments on pain and quality of life in women with endometriosis is unclear. 

This study included 102 women with endometriosis and 104 disease-free women. Pain intensity was measured and quality of life was assessed for the different types of endometriosis (where the endometriosis was located in the body).

Pain symptoms were higher in the endometriosis group at the beginning of the study and during treatment. However,there was no increase in pain noted for any type of endometriosis during fertility treatment. No worsening of pain was noted in the endometriosis group compared to the disease-free group.

A significant decrease in pain during menstruation and sexual intercourse was reported in the group with endometriosis. There was no difference in the quality of life between the two groups.

Pregnancy rates were similar in both groups: 30.4% in the endometriosis group and 26.9% in the disease-free group. 

The study concluded that fertility treatments do not worsen symptoms or negatively impact quality of life in women with endometriosis when compared with disease-free women. 

This study was conducted in a referral center that specializes in endometriosis, so the women involved may have had very severe forms of endometriosis.