Endometrial and ovarian rejuvenation
Pioneering new paths to parenthood
PRP for fertility is an exciting emerging area of fertility medicine that is giving patients new hope.
Pioneering new paths to parenthood
PRP for fertility is an exciting emerging area of fertility medicine that is giving patients new hope.
Providing real hope for individuals struggling to get pregnant or carrying a baby to term.
PRP and fertility
The benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) are well-known. It has been used for years now in the treatment of sports injuries. It has even been utilised for hair loss, anti-ageing skincare, and arthritis.
The plasma is taken from the patient’s own blood, then the PRP, which is rich in natural growth factors, is injected back into the body at the site of the injury. This stimulates growth and repair tissues in the body, speeding up regeneration, healing, and reducing inflammation.
Using PRP in fertility is a relatively recent development in the field.
Broadly speaking, the aim is to target either the endometrium (the uterine lining) to help regenerate and improve the wall of the uterus, or the ovaries to help improve the quality and number of eggs.
We perform both endometrial rejuvenation and ovarian rejuvenation with PRP in our clinic as an outpatient procedure, either separate to or in conjunction with an IVF treatment cycle.
Still considered to be an experimental treatment, your suitability for endometrial and ovarian rejuvenation will need to be assessed by a fertility consultant. However, it may be beneficial for:
- Women with low ovarian reserve
- Women who have experienced recurrent miscarriages
- Women who have had IVF failure
- Women with ‘inhospitable’ or thin uterine lining
- Women who have had implantation failure
This is a very exciting, emerging area of fertility medicine that we are delighted to be able to offer to our patients. Our own experience is that it has been very helpful for patients who have previously struggled to successfully conceive with IVF or carry a baby to term.
As with all medical treatments, there are always some risks. Ovarian rejuvenation has a small risk of infection or perforation from the needle, but generally, PRP is considered to be a safe treatment.
Endometrial rejuvenation
The benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) are well-known. It has been used for years now in the treatment of sports injuries. It has even been utilised for hair loss, anti-ageing skincare, and arthritis.
The plasma is taken from the patient’s own blood, then the PRP, which is rich in natural growth factors, is injected back into the body at the site of the injury. This stimulates growth and repair tissues in the body, speeding up regeneration, healing, and reducing inflammation.
Endometrial rejuvenation is a fertility treatment that aims to improve the thickness and receptivity of the uterine lining (endometrium). The endometrium plays a crucial role in successful embryo implantation and pregnancy as it supports embryo growth and placental development by providing oxygen and nutrients.
Endometrial rejuvenation involves PRP injections which are applied directly into the endometrium. Rich in growth factors, the aim is that the PRP reduces inflammation, contributes to the growth of new blood vessels, and stimulates tissue repair to improve the thickness of the endometrium. This can make the endometrium more receptive to an embryo, and more optimal for supporting a pregnancy.
You may find endometrial rejuvenation helpful if you:
- Have a persistently thin endometrium.
- Have had recurrent implantation failure. Some women may find that even after a good quality embryo is transferred during an IVF cycle, implantation fails due to a suboptimal endometrium environment. Implantation failure can affect around 10% of couples having IVF, a surprisingly high figure.
- Have a history of recurrent miscarriage. Repeated miscarriages can occur as a result of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) being too thin. A thin uterine lining can be caused by a number of factors, including scarring, inflammation, and infection. In some cases, it can be a biological response. Endometrial rejuvenation aims to improve the thickness of the endometrium.
- Have scarring or damage to the uterine lining (e.g. Asherman’s syndrome).
- Have had difficulty conceiving despite normal embryo quality.
If any of these apply to you, we encourage you to speak with us about endometrial rejuvenation.
Endometrial rejuvenation is usually carried out in conjunction with IVF or other fertility treatment.
Once administered, the treatment doesn’t take long to have an effect. It is usually given around day 7 and 11 in the IVF cycle in which the embryos are replaced in the womb before the embryo transfer.
When you attend the clinic for endometrial rejuvenation, you’ll relax comfortably and some blood will be drawn, like when you go for a blood test with a GP.
The blood will then be transferred into a special centrifuge. This will separate the different components in the blood into different layers. The red and white blood cells are removed, leaving the PRP, which is then processed. Here at The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy, we have a uniquely developed protocol to extract richer plasma and increase the concentration of your platelets.
With the aid of a thin catheter, the PRP is then carefully injected into the uterus. Although the procedure is generally pain-free, it can cause period-like cramps. You can take painkillers before the procedure to lessen this.
Ovarian rejuvenation
Ovarian rejuvenation may be a relatively new treatment, but emerging research shows very promising results when it comes to enhancing successful pregnancy outcomes in women with low Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels. Although more high quality evidence is needed, this systemic review of 38 studies found a significant increase in AMH levels following Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment.
The aim of ovarian rejuvenation is to improve ovarian function, egg quality, and potentially stimulate the growth of new eggs. It can also be used to increase the number of eggs harvested for egg freezing or to help aid natural conception.
PRP from your own blood is injected directly into the ovaries. The growth factors in PRP are thought to help activate follicles that are dormant in the ovaries, and improve ovarian response and egg quality to help achieve better results.
Read more about ovarian rejuvenation.
Ovarian rejuvenation may be helpful if you have been told you:
- Have low ovarian reserve (low AMH levels)
- Have Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)
- Are going through early menopause
- Have poor response to ovarian stimulation
If any of these apply to you, we encourage you to speak with your fertility doctor about ovarian rejuvenation.
Ovarian rejuvenation is usually carried out at least a month before your IVF cycle to allow time to secrete the growth factors and be effective.
In our experience, the effects last around 3 months.
In some cases, if considered beneficial, your fertility doctor may suggest ovarian stimulation around 5 days before the treatment so that the ovaries can be seen and injected easier.
When you attend the clinic for our ovarian rejuvenation, you’ll relax comfortably and some blood will be drawn, like when you go for a blood test with a GP.
The blood will then be transferred into a special centrifuge. This will carefully separate the different components in the blood. The red and white blood cells are removed, leaving the PRP, which is then processed. Here at The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy, we have a uniquely developed protocol to extract richer plasma and increase the concentration of your platelets.
Treatment will be guided by transvaginal ultrasound. This means that the PRP will be injected directly into the ovaries using a very small needle. This is carried out under local anaesthetic or with sedative for your comfort.
Get in touch today
Speak to us today about ovarian rejuvenation or endometrial rejuvenation at The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy. Book a free discovery call with us and we’ll answer any questions you may have about the clinic or treatments provided.