The Impact of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound on Ovarian Reserve in Women with Uterine Fibroids and Adenomyosis

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment on ovarian reserve by synthesizing available evidence on post‐treatment changes in ovarian reserve markers. Studies were eligible if they evaluated the impact of HIFU on ovarian reserve by reporting pre‐ and post‐treatment ovarian reserve markers, including anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), or gonadotropin levels. MEDLINE, Scopus, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to January 5, 2026. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, assessed full texts, and evaluated risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk‐of‐Bias tool for randomized trials or the JBI critical appraisal tool for case series. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. Of 2498 records identified, 1935 were screened after removal of duplicates, 24 articles underwent full‐text review, and 10 studies were included in the systematic review and single‐arm meta‐analysis. This review included 2 randomized controlled trials and 8 case series ( n = 667). The duration of follow‐up after HIFU ranged between 3 and 24 months. Overall pooled analysis of all studies showed a small but statistically significant reduction in serum AMH levels (MD = −0.12 ng/mL; 95% CI = −0.20 to −0.04, I 2 = 0%). Pooled analysis of AFC (2 studies, n = 140) revealed no statistically significant change after HIFU treatment (MD = −0.05; 95% CI = −0.28 to 0.19; I 2 = 0%). The reduction in AMH persisted when the analysis was restricted to fibroid‐only studies (MD = −0.13 ng/mL; 95% CI = −0.22 to −0.05), whereas data were insufficient for an adenomyosis‐specific estimate. Pooled single‐arm analysis showed a small but statistically significant reduction in serum AMH levels following HIFU treatment, with no significant change in AFC. This decline was associated with, rather than proven to be caused by, HIFU treatment, as the available evidence derives predominantly from uncontrolled pre‐post studies that cannot establish causality. Therefore, evaluation of ovarian reserve after HIFU should not rely on AMH alone but incorporate AFC and clinical context. Pre‐treatment counseling is particularly important in women with diminished ovarian reserve or of late reproductive age, in whom even minor reductions may be clinically relevant.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine
Published
2026-10-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/jum.70531
Primary Topic
Uterine Myomas and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

The Impact of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound on Ovarian Reserve in Women with Uterine Fibroids and Adenomyosis

Ozan Karadeniz, Emre Kar, Dilruba Tureli Cicekyurt
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine
Uterine Myomas and Treatments
article

The Impact of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound on Ovarian Reserve in Women with Uterine Fibroids and Adenomyosis

Ozan Karadeniz, Emre Kar, Dilruba Tureli Cicekyurt
article en

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment on ovarian reserve by synthesizing available evidence on post‐treatment changes in ovarian reserve markers. Studies were eligible if they evaluated the impact of HIFU on ovarian reserve by reporting pre‐ and post‐treatment ovarian reserve markers, including anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), or gonadotropin levels. MEDLINE, Scopus, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to January 5, 2026. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, assessed full texts, and evaluated risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk‐of‐Bias tool for randomized trials or the JBI critical appraisal tool for case series. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. Of 2498 records identified, 1935 were screened after removal of duplicates, 24 articles underwent full‐text review, and 10 studies were included in the systematic review and single‐arm meta‐analysis. This review included 2 randomized controlled trials and 8 case series ( n = 667). The duration of follow‐up after HIFU ranged between 3 and 24 months. Overall pooled analysis of all studies showed a small but statistically significant reduction in serum AMH levels (MD = −0.12 ng/mL; 95% CI = −0.20 to −0.04, I 2 = 0%). Pooled analysis of AFC (2 studies, n = 140) revealed no statistically significant change after HIFU treatment (MD = −0.05; 95% CI = −0.28 to 0.19; I 2 = 0%). The reduction in AMH persisted when the analysis was restricted to fibroid‐only studies (MD = −0.13 ng/mL; 95% CI = −0.22 to −0.05), whereas data were insufficient for an adenomyosis‐specific estimate. Pooled single‐arm analysis showed a small but statistically significant reduction in serum AMH levels following HIFU treatment, with no significant change in AFC. This decline was associated with, rather than proven to be caused by, HIFU treatment, as the available evidence derives predominantly from uncontrolled pre‐post studies that cannot establish causality. Therefore, evaluation of ovarian reserve after HIFU should not rely on AMH alone but incorporate AFC and clinical context. Pre‐treatment counseling is particularly important in women with diminished ovarian reserve or of late reproductive age, in whom even minor reductions may be clinically relevant.

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine
State Hospital (GB), Konya Numune Hastanesi (TR), Konya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi (TR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Uterine Myomas and Treatments
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Laika access coming soon