scientific program • symposia - American Society for Reproductive ...

44 TH ANNUAL POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM
NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND COURSE DESCRIPTION
Endometriosis is a highly prevalent disease. However there are many knowledge gaps in the pathophysiology and
treatment resulting in delivery of poor care to patients. This disease places a tremendous burden on society both
economically and related to quality of life. The principal manifestations of the disease of infertility and chronic pain
mandates that all subspecialists and general gynecologists are ultimately involved in the care of these patients.
This one-day course, aimed at physicians, nurses, laboratory scientists and social workers who work with endometriosis
patients, is designed to critically address the current knowledge of mechanisms of pain and infertility, as well as current
recommendations of medical and surgical management in these patients. Topics to be discussed include: pathophysiology
of endometriosis-associated pain syndromes, including the relationship with nerve fibers; pathophysiology of endometriosisassociated
infertility; choosing an appropriate medical therapy for managing chronic pain and its recurrence; technical
aspects of surgical approaches; and IVF approaches, including pre-IVF optimization. Coherent summaries with key learning
points will be provided and reinforced during the session of case reports.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After participating in this course, participants should be able to:
1. Discuss clinical implications of the pathophysiology of endometriosis in patients with chronic pain and infertility.
2. Compare and contrast feasible medical therapy for endometriosis and the role of surgery for managing chronic pain.
3. Describe the options for managing endometriomas before an IVF cycle.
4. Discuss the optimal approach for an IVF cycle in a woman with endometriosis.
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Developed in Cooperation with the Fibroid Special Interest Group
FACULTY
Serdar E. Bulun, M.D., Chair
Ayman Al-Hendy, M.D., Ph.D.
Elizabeth A. Stewart, M.D.
ACGME COMPETENCY
Patient Care
UTERINE FIBROIDS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION
Course PG18 (Sunday) • ROOM 232 A/C CME
NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND COURSE DESCRIPTION
Uterine fibroids are the most common tumors of women and are associated with excessive uterine bleeding, anemia,
recurrent pregnancy loss and infertility in up to 25% of reproductive-age women. Although it can be argued that
uterine fibroids are the most common gynecologic pathology associated with significant morbidity, many pathologic or
therapeutic aspects of these tumors remain debatable or unknown. Over the past few years, there has been substantial
progress regarding our knowledge of pathology and treatment of uterine fibroids. However, there remains a gap between
the classical textbook knowledge and these recent improvements.
This course, designed to update clinicians and researchers, will summarize the scope of the problem, provide cuttingedge,
clinically relevant data for practitioners and patients, and describe a framework for future advances that may
reshape the standard of care and optimize the therapeutic outcomes in patients affected by symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Cost analysis of treatment choices will also be addressed.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After participating in this course, participants should be able to:
1. List the currently available treatments for symptomatic fibroids, as well as their indications, limitations, efficacy and side
effects.
2. Explain the use of ART and treatments directly related to fibroids in the management of pregnancy loss or infertility
associated with fibroids.
3. Describe the mechanism of disease associated with uterine fibroids.
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