Adenomyosis is a common disorder in the gynecologic population that consists of the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium. Adenomyosis is associated with chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and feelings of pressure low in the pelvis due to uterine enlargement. Infection of the pelvis causes pain by several different mechanisms: pelvic inflammatory disease, puerperal infections, postoperative gynecologic surgery, and abortion-related infections. Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a pelvic pain syndrome caused by retrograde flow in an incompetent ovarian vein. Symptoms associated with PCS include a shifting location of pain, deep dyspareunia, and postcoital pain, with exacerbation of symptoms after prolonged standing. Ultrasound is a very useful tool for evaluating chronic pelvic pain sufferers. Patients have better satisfaction due to their understanding of their pain, with a goal of better productivity and return to normal function.

This chapter discusses the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in medically complicated patients. A confounding factor for IVF pregnancies is the increased number of multiple pregnancies and the relatively increased number of high-risk pregnancies among women with chronic medical problems. Cancer patients present particular challenges to the IVF unit. Standard IVF protocols are used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) discordant couples. The main concerns about IVF and malignant disease relate to the issue of the potential delay in the starting of the patient's chemotherapy or of any possible effect of hormonal changes on the cancer. Obesity might affect the outcome of IVF and pregnancy, but with careful management, a good outcome can be achieved. It has been suggested that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may reduce the success of IVF-ET. The presence of antinuclear antibodies may reduce the implantation rate in IVF patients.