Endometriosezentrum für Kinderwunschpaare - OÄ Dr. Schima Djalali-Pregartner

Endometriosis is considered the second most common cause of infertility, and roughly one in ten women is affected. The Kinderwunschzentrum an der Wien has dedicated its own center of expertise to this: the endometriosis center for couples trying to conceive, led by senior physician Dr. Schima Djalali-Pregartner. The focus is on women who already have an endometriosis diagnosis and still want to have a child. One concrete example of the specialized treatment approach is transvaginal sclerotherapy for endometriomas. Unlike classic laparoscopic surgery, in which surrounding ovarian tissue is inevitably affected, this outpatient procedure aims to spare the ovarian reserve. The contents of the cyst are aspirated and then sclerosed with ethanol, so that the endometrioma ideally turns into connective tissue and breaks down. The procedure takes about 20 minutes and is performed under brief general anesthesia. The center uses the method, among other situations, when endometriomas make egg retrieval during IVF difficult or when a repeat operation after earlier surgical treatment is to be avoided. Because endometriosis is recognized in Austria as a medical indication for freezing eggs, the center also offers affected women so-called medical egg freezing. This allows patients to make provisions early for a later wish for a child, before the ovarian reserve declines further. Complementing the medical treatment, in 2023 the center developed a special “Endo Kinderwunsch Tee” (endo fertility tea) together with nutrition counselor Johanna Wolf and the Saint Charles Apotheke (Saint Charles Pharmacy). The herbal blend of organically grown ingredients is tailored to the needs of endometriosis patients and can be taken alongside treatment until egg retrieval.