What is Endometrial PRP or Endometrial Rejuvenation or endometrial regenerative therapy?
Endometrial PRP or Endometrial Rejuvenation or endometrial regenerative therapy is a PRP (Platelet rich Plasma) based treatment which is done to repair & prepare the endometrium tissue to increase its thickness & quality for better implantation of the embryo.
In this treatment patients own blood is taken & PRP (platelet rich plasma) is separated from the blood sample & this PRP is introduced into the endometrium (Endometrial rejuvenation) which has growth factors to help which help in improving a woman’s endometrium thickness of the tissue surrounding the endometrial lining, resulting in better chances of embryo implantation & better pregnancy chances.
Why is the endometrium important?
Endometrium is the place where the embryo get placed (Implated) & grows to become a baby, the endometrium not only provides the oxygen & nutrition to the embryo & supports fetal growth but also provides protection to embryos & fetus from microbial infection / invasion in pregnancy
If the Endometrium is not of the desired thickness of 7 mm the IVF cycle can be cancelled / postponed as even if good embryos are transferred in thin endometrium it has a higher changes of recurrent pregnancy loss.
Thin endometrium can be due to multiple causes such as:
- low levels of estrogen or endometrial resistance to circulating estrogen
- Unresponsive endometrium to hormonal therapy (refractory endometrium )
- Uterine inflammations & infections (like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease)
- Injury or damage to the endometrium
- Insufficient blood flow to the endometrium
- Asherman’s syndrome – formation of adhesion or scar tissues inside the endometrial cavity after a D&C procedure or due of pelvic infections
- Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or any previous surgeries
- Excessive use of clomiphene citrate (a drug used for ovarian stimulation)
How is endometrial PRP performed?
In Endometrial PRP a small concentrated amount of the prepared PRP sample is injected using a catheter (a transfer device), directly into the uterine cavity with the help of a Sonography (ultrasound machine) to ensure accuracy. After the insertion the patient is asked to lie down for few minutes and the procedure is completed.
The doctor may advice or recommend for one or two more sessions for better results before the embryo transfer.
Who is recommended endometrial PRP therapy?
Endometrial PRP is advised in women with a history of:
- Patients with thin endometrium
- Patients with refractory endometrium
- Patients with recurrent implantation failure
- Patients with previous failed IVF cycle due to thin endometrium or a uterine factor
- Patients with decreased endometrial blood flow
- Patients with Asherman’s syndrome
- uterine hypoplasia (a congenital disorder that causes an underdeveloped uterus which leads to menstrual irregularities and infertility)
- Patients with unexplained infertility
Is endometrial PRP safe?
Endometrial PRP procedure is similar to the egg (oocyte) pick up done is IVF cycle and is considered a safe a procedure. The PRP preparation uses blood drawn from patients own body to derive a concentrated sample of platelets.