Lower anti-Mullerian hormone values for endometriomas

(HealthDay)—Women with endometriomas have significantly lower anti-Müllerian hormone values, and surgical excision of endometriomas appears to have temporary detrimental effects on ovarian reserve, according to a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Linnea R. Goodman, M.D., from the Cleveland Clinic, and colleagues conducted a prospective study of 116 women aged 18 to 43 years with pelvic pain and/or infertility. Participants underwent surgical treatment of suspected endometriosis (58 women) or endometriomas (58 women). The suspected endometriosis group was further separated into those with evidence of peritoneal disease and those with no evidence of endometriosis (29 each) based on surgical findings. Anti-Müllerian hormone was measured to assess ovarian reserve.

The researchers found that the endometrioma group had significantly lower baseline anti-Müllerian hormone values than the negative laparoscopy group (1.8 versus 3.2 ng/mL; P < 0.02); the peritoneal endometriosis group did not differ significantly from either of these groups. At one month, there was a significant decline in ovarian reserve only for patients with endometriomas (−48 percent; P < 0.01). Anti-Müllerian hormone values continued to be depressed from baseline at six months after surgery, but the difference was no longer significant. There was a positive correlation for the rate of anti-Müllerian hormone decline with baseline preoperative anti-Müllerian hormone values and the size of the endometrioma that was removed.

"Surgical excision of endometriomas appears to have temporary detrimental effects on ovarian reserve," the authors write.

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