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Increased Risk of Endometriosis and Related Symptoms in Offspring Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health conducted a study to investigate the relationship between conception by ART and the risk of endometriosis and adenomyosis in female offspring. The study found that female offspring conceived by ART had a higher risk of endometriosis and adenomyosis compared to those not conceived by ART. The researchers also observed an increased risk of seeking healthcare for menstrual pains, pains during intercourse, and heavy menstrual bleedings among female offspring conceived by ART.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 449,611 female offspring born in Norway between 1991 and 2006, who were still alive and residing in Norway at the age of 15.
  • Female offspring conceived by ART had a higher risk of endometriosis/adenomyosis compared to those not conceived by ART (adjusted HR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.94).
  • The researchers observed an increased risk of seeking healthcare for menstrual pains (adjusted HR 1.11; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.21), pains during intercourse (adjusted HR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.65), and heavy menstrual bleedings (adjusted HR 1.31; 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.51) among female offspring conceived by ART.
  • The study found no difference in the risk of endometriosis/adenomyosis or related symptoms between offspring not conceived by ART and mothers with a history of using ART and offspring not conceived by ART to mothers with no history of use of ART.
  • The researchers concluded that additional studies are needed to replicate the findings and to further explore potential underlying mechanisms.

Statistics:

  • 449,611 female offspring born in Norway between 1991 and 2006 studied in the cohort.
  • Female offspring conceived by ART had a 49% higher risk of endometriosis/adenomyosis (adjusted HR 1.49).
  • The risk of seeking healthcare for menstrual pains was 11% higher among female offspring conceived by ART (adjusted HR 1.11).
  • The risk of seeking healthcare for pains during intercourse was 36% higher among female offspring conceived by ART (adjusted HR 1.36).
  • The risk of seeking healthcare for heavy menstrual bleedings was 31% higher among female offspring conceived by ART (adjusted HR 1.31).

Sources:

  • Risk of endometriosis, adenomyosis and related symptoms among female offspring according to conception by assisted reproductive technologies. Fertility and Sterility, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Recent Findings in Endometriosis Described by Researchers from Norwegian Institute of Public Health (Risk of endometriosis, adenomyosis and related symptoms among female offspring according to conception by assisted reproductive technologies). OBGYN & Reproduction Week. October 27, 2025; p 617.

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