Endometriosis and infertility
Surgery is more effective for infertility than medicinal intervention in endometriosis. One study has shown that surgical treatment of endometriosis approximately doubles the fecundity (pregnancy rate). The use of medical suppression after surgery for minimal/mild endometriosis has not shown benefits for patients with infertility. Use of fertility medication that stimulates ovulation (clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins) combined with intrauterine insemination (IUI) enhances fertility in these patients.
Endometrial arteries
In the endometrium there are straight and serial arteries. Straight arteries specifically branch to the base of the endometrium therefore supplying blood to the base of the endometrium. Spiral arteries supply blood to the rest of the endometrium. They grow rapidly, covering much of the space of the endometrium and end up coiled. When hormones levels are low, the endometrial arteries react by becoming narrow. Endometrial arteries supply blood to the endometrium but are also beneficial during pregnancy. When a female is pregnant a placenta develops. The baby receives blood, nutrients and oxygen via the umbilical cord which is attached to the placenta. Between the placenta and the myometrium are intervillous spaces where the endometrial arteries supply blood to. The placenta has villous trees which allow for blood to circulate and then be transported to the baby via the placenta.