Ovulatory dysfunction in patients with endometriosis.

The incidence of ovulatory dysfunction (anovulation, oligo-ovulation, and luteal phase defect) in 103 patients with endometriosis and infertility was found to be 27.2%. Ovulatory dysfunction was found to occur at a slightly higher age group than the patients with normal ovulatory pattern (p less than 0.02). Prior use of oral steroidal contraceptives does not increase the incidence of ovulatory dysfunction. In addition, there is no correlation between the duration of infertility, and te incidence of ovulatory dysfunction in this group of patients with endometriosis. This report suggests an association between endometriosis and ovulatory dysfunction in some patients, which adds to the etiology of their infertility. It is also suggested that the diagnosis of endometriosis should be suspected in cases of unexplained infertility, even if the pelvic examination does not have any positive objective findings.