Abstract
BackgroundAdenomyosis remains an enigma for the reproductive endocrinologist. It is thought to contribute to sub-fertility, and its only curative treatment is hysterectomy. However, studies have documented increased live birth rates in women with adenomyosis who were treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa).CaseHere we present a case of a 52-year-old woman with adenomyosis who had three failed frozen embryo transfers (FETs) prior to initiating a 6-month trial of GnRHa. GnRHa therapy resulted in a decrease in uterine size from 11.5 × 7.9 × 7.0 cm to 7.8 × 6.2 × 5.9 cm and a decrease in the junctional zone (JZ) thickness from 19 to 9 mm. Subsequently, she underwent her fourth FET, which resulted in live birth of twins. The delivery was complicated by expansive accretas of both placentas requiring cesarean hysterectomy. The final pathology of the placentas demonstrated an extensive lack of decidualized endometrium that was even absent outside the basal plate.ConclusionsGnRHa therapy in patients with adenomyosis may improve implantation rates after FET. Previous molecular studies indicate that genetic variance in the expression of the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) could explain the expansive lack of decidualized endometrium after GnRHa therapy. Further investigations are needed to determine if GnRHa therapy contributes to the pathologic process of placenta accreta.
Highlights
Adenomyosis remains an enigma for the reproductive endocrinologist
There are no formal guidelines for fertility-sparing treatment of adenomyosis, and current methods are largely based on retrospective case series and case reports [5,6,7,8,9]
The question remains if gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment for 6 months led to the extensive lack of decidualized endometrium, which subsequently led to the development of expansive accretas of both placentas
Summary
GnRHa therapy in patients with adenomyosis may improve implantation rates after FET. Previous molecular studies indicate that genetic variance in the expression of the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) could explain the expansive lack of decidualized endometrium after GnRHa therapy. Further investigations are needed to determine if GnRHa therapy contributes to the pathologic process of placenta accreta
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have