Comparison of three modes of treatment for infertility patients with minimal pelvic endometriosis.

Minimal pelvic endometriosis can be the only pathology found in infertility patients undergoing an infertility work-up. Although the mechanism by which endometriosis causes infertility is not known, it is well established that pregnancy can be attained in many patients when this disease is treated. Three different modes of treatment were used in 167 infertility patients who had minimal pelvic endometriosis without other pelvic pathology. Group I (danazol) achieved 48.9% pregnancy rates (23/47), group II (CO2 laser) had 44.6% pregnancy rates (37/83), and group III (CO2 laser and danazol) achieved 51.4% pregnancy rates (19/37). Although the pregnancy rates in groups I and III were higher, they were not statistically significant when compared with group II.