Effect of Natural Cycle Endometrial Preparation for Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer in Patients with Advanced Endometriosis

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of natural cycle (NC) endometrial preparation for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) in women with advanced endometriosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study included 179 patients with stage III-IV endometriosis who underwent 233 FET cycles at a tertiary care academic reproductive medical center between March 2011 and August 2013 (group A). The control group included 258 patients with tubal factor infertility who underwent 300 FET cycles (group B). Both groups were prepared for FET using a NC protocol. Rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, live birth, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, and pregnancy complication were recorded. RESULTS The implantation rate (A: 36.0%, B: 30.4%, P=0.06), the pregnancy rate (A: 50.2%, B: 45.3%, P=0.263), and the live birth rate (A: 39.91%, B: 39.0%, P=0.428) were similar between the stage III-IV endometriosis and tubal factor infertility groups. No differences were observed in ongoing rates of pregnancy, miscarriage, and pregnancy complications, independent of endometriosis severity. No congenital birth defects were found. When high-quality embryos are transferred, pregnancy results were not affected by active endometriosis. Although severe endometriosis did not affect birth rate, higher frequencies of premature delivery (mean gestational age A: 37 weeks, B: 38.3 weeks, P=0.044) and low birth weight were observed (<2500 g A: 26.4%, B: 16.6%, P=0.047). CONCLUSIONS There was no difference in pregnancy outcomes between patients with endometriosis and those with tubal infertility. Pregnancy outcomes in patients with endometriosis were not affected by endometriosis severity. Pregnancy outcomes were not affected by active endometrial cyst.