Effect of early endometriosis on ovarian reserve and reproductive outcome

Accumulating evidence suggests that advanced (moderate/severe) endometriosis negatively affects female fecundity, whereas the influence of early (minimal/mild) endometriosis on human reproduction remains unclear. Recent studies showed that the presence of the early pelvic endometriosis lesions deteriorates the ovarian reserve, luteal function, and fertilization rate in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment, but not their final reproductive outcome. Meanwhile, laparoscopic resection of early endometriosis lesions may be a promising therapeutic option to improve the fecundity of the affected subfertile women. Insufficient evidence on the relationship between early endometriosis, ovarian reserve, and reproductive outcome warrants further investigations.