Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease that presents in various forms and is treated with surgery or hormonal therapy. It significantly affects women’s reproductive function, as it is associated with ovulatory disorders and impaired oocyte release. In addition to its impact on fertility, endometriosis also affects pregnancy and is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and placenta previa. Due to its complexity, endometriosis remains a major health challenge. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to research and comprehensively analyze the causes of endometriosis and its impact on women's reproductive function. Methods: Sources were obtained from the PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases. A systematic literature review was conducted according to the PRISMA method and included 13 scientific articles. Results: A total of 13 sources were included in the literature review. The results indicate that endometriosis affects fertility on multiple levels. In women with endometriosis, the risk of infertility is approximately twice as high as in women without endometriosis, and it is often associated with a reduced number of retrieved oocytes in assisted reproductive technology procedures. Studies report that surgical treatment of endometriosis may improve the chances of spontaneous conception in some women. Nevertheless, endometriosis generally does not affect the success rates of ART procedures, although embryo implantation may be poorer in these women. After successful conception, women with endometriosis have an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, preterm birth, placental complications, premature rupture of membranes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and the birth of a fetus that is small for gestational age. Discussion and conclusion: Endometriosis is a risk factor for adverse reproductive outcomes. Early recognition, appropriate counseling, and careful monitoring of women with endometriosis during pregnancy are essential.
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