Implantation failure is a nightmare for couples undergoing IVF treatment and IVF specialists. Major issues for IVF failure are poor egg and sperm quality, thin endometrium and suboptimal embryo development. In current years, Platelet-Rich plasma (PRP) has been used along with conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) to enhance egg quality, uterine lining thickness, and endometrial receptivity. A thicker endometrial lining is much more likely to implant a fertilized egg with good luteal support. Women having thinner lining and a records of failed embryo transfer can be offered PRP treatment for better results. PRP treatments before embryo transfer might also additionally thicken the uterine lining and improve the possibilities of a success pregnancy. This is done through the same types of catheters used for intrauterine insemination, PRP is slowly added into the uterus.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?
PRP is a concentrated blood product that carries a rich number of platelets having natural healing and regenerative properties. In general, blood consists of four most important biomolecules and cells:
- Plasma: the liquid component in blood that is composed commonly of water, dissolved salts and proteins. It constitutes more than half of blood quantity. Also, this presents the medium for all different additives within the blood to be transported at some point of the body.
- Platelets: Also referred to as thrombocytes, platelets are cell-like debris that assist in the clotting process. These cells launch different molecules and release elements to stop bleeding in cases of injury.
- Red Blood Cells: Also referred to as erythrocytes, red blood cells carry oxygen. They are important for the exchange of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide, brining oxygen to tissue, and disposing of carbon dioxide from the body.
- White Blood Cells: Also referred to as leukocytes) are white blood cells are often responsible for the body’s immune system. They are agents for healing and fight infections and foreign material inside body. They are inevitable part of our body and health.
Does PRP increase endometrial thickness?
Endometrium is a deciding factor for implantation and pregnancy. Pregnancy rate is increased with endometrial thickness more than 7 mm. Thin endometrium possess a challenge for IVF specialty and many treatment methods are in use for developing endometrial thickness. Extended estrogen treatment and adjuvant therapy like Aspirin, vaginal Sildenafil are first line treatment. Pentoxifylline and intrauterine perfusion with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) are also tried for thin endometrium, but with no proven result. Recently PRP has been tried at many IVF centers and shown promising result. At Femelife we tried it on 15 women who never achieved the endometrium thickness beyond 6mm. 70% women had good result of endometrial thickness 8mm or more. Four of them had a successful pregnancy up to term.
Can you get pregnant after PRP?
Pregnancy in IUI or IVF treatment depends on many factors. It is a matter of chance where all the factors like sperm, egg, embryo and endometrial thickness are optimal. Also, it depends on the medicines or the luteal support given after the IUI or IVF procedure up to certain extent. If everything falls into place you have a higher chance of getting pregnant after PRP treatment.
Is the process of PRP for endometrium painful?
The processed plasma for PRP is loaded into a syringe. It is transferred into the endometrium with help of a catheter used for IUI. The catheter is thin and flexible enough to negotiate into the cervical canal. Your doctor will push the catheter into the cavity gently under guidance of ultrasound. This is a safe and relatively painless procedure.
What is the cost of PRP treatment?
PRP for endometrium
The blood drawn from the patient is used for this procedure. It needs few preparations to enrich the plasma and bring the platelets in maximum number. This treatment usually costs 5000 rupees per sitting. At Femelife, we provide precautionary antibiotics to prevent infections. Overall, it costs you 5000 to 6000 rupees including the consultation fee at our IVF Centre.
PRP for poor ovarian reserve
Platelet rich plasma can be injected into the ovary in women with low AMH for improving egg number and quality. Your doctor will inject into the ovary under anaesthesia and will need a proper surgical procedure condition. Hence this procedure is costly and it is around 50,000 rupees in total including your stay in the hospital for the recovery period.
How is PRP prepared?
PRP is most often used from the person’s own blood. Also, it is possible to use from some other individual’s blood for this treatment as well.
I. Step 1: The PRP procedure starts with a healthcare professional drawing a sample of blood just like how they could usually collect tubes of blood.
II. Step 2: The blood is centrifuged (put in a device that spins right away inflicting the one-of-a-kind components of blood to separate) for approximately 15 minutes.
III. Step 3: A lab technician collects the plasma (rich in platelets and without cell components) in guidance for its injection.
How PRP is used for IVF and other fertility Treatments?
PRP is used in some of fertility treatments together with IUI and IVF to help with and enhance egg quality and enhance uterine lining thickness endometrial receptivity all through an embryo transfer. It is most usually utilized in the ones who’ve gone through more than one IVF cycles with a history of recurrent implantation failure (RIF). In a situation where in more than one IVF transfers do not result in being pregnant no matter high-quality embryos being transferred on more than one occasions. It is normally attempted earlier than turning to donor egg IVF, however can be used along donor egg cycles together with different supporting treatments focusing on reproductive immunology.
PRP for Egg Quantity & Quality
PRP can be used to inspire a development in egg quality, ovarian rejuvenation, and response to stimulation medications. Also, there are different methods wherein PRP can be used to enhance oocyte quality and quantity:
Intraovarian Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
This technique involves injecting 1-3 ml of PRP directly into the ovaries. This method is completed below monitored anesthesia care with the aid of using a physician. During the process your doctor will pass a needle with the PRP through the vagina. She will use ultrasound to guide into the ovaries where she releases the plasma. The process is preferably completed one, two, and or three months prior to begin of IVF stimulation. It can be completed at the time of egg retrieval, however this will most effective be beneficial if the woman is scheduled to go through another IVF stimulation cycle.
High Volume Intrauterine PRP
During a high quantity intrauterine PRP process, 8-10 minutes are infused slowly into the uterus. Your doctor will use an SHG catheter (with a balloon). During the procedure, the plasma will glide out of the uterus. It travels through the fallopian tubes, and shower the ovaries with the plasma. After the infusion manner is complete, the woman will rest for 10 minutes with the catheter in place.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Uterine Lining Growth
PRP can be used to enhance the endometrial receptivity of the uterine lining previous to an embryo transfer. This is usually carried out forty eight hours prior to the expected embryo transfer. During the method, about 3-5 mls are infused withinside the uterus the use of an IUI catheter. The patient will rests for 10 minutes and is finally discharged for normal daily activity. This technique can be done by a doctor. If the infusions are meant for lining development (typically for a person with records of failing to expand an adequate uterine lining) the uterine wash can be completed in a sequence of procedures. The first PRP infusion could be completed on the preliminary lining take a look at after which repeated seventy two hours later if the liner stays inadequate.
