Endometrial PRP treatment
What is the process of endometrial PRP treatment?
Endometrial PRP treatment involves the preparation of platelet-rich plasma (called PRP or PRGF) from the patient’s own blood and introducing it inside the uterine cavity with a simple plastic catheter in the office. This could be performed several times (2-4x) every other day before the planned day of the embryo transfer procedure.
Who are the potential candidates for endometrial PRP treatment?
Candidates for endometrial PRP treatment mainly include patients with a thin endometrial lining (<7 mm) due to history of Asherman syndrome, previous myomectomy, or refractory endometrium or with recurrent implantation failure (2-3 failed embryo transfers with good quality embryos).
What is PRP and how it is obtained?
Platelet rich plasma or PRP is composed of activated platelets is small volume of plasma containing of platelet-derived growth factors and cytokines. It is obtained from the patient’s own blood with centrifugation and activation of platelets. PRP was first used in open heart surgery in 1987 and is now widely used in many areas of medicine (orthopedics, traumatology cosmetic surgery, wound care, ophthalmology, neurosurgery).
What are the benefits and drawbacks of endometrial PRP treatment?
Endometrial PRP treatment could increase the chances of an embryo implanting through improving endometrial development (thickness and ultrasound appearance), but also potentially through other mechanisms (antibacterial, immunologic). The drawback is the additional cost of the blood processing for a treatment that is still considered to be experimental.
What are the side-effects and risks of endometrial PRP treatment?
The preparation of PRP is safe because it is prepared from the patient’s own blood under a strict protocol using a closed system and aseptic conditions. The introduction of a small amount PRP (1-2 ml at time) with simple insemination catheter is simple, safe and painless procedure.
What is the success rate of endometrial PRP treatment?
Endometrial PRP treatment is still considered experimental, and to date the published scientific evidence on its efficiency is still scarce. However, preliminary investigations show encouraging results especially in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). On the other hand, patients with severe Asherman syndrome have a less good prognosis and need a thorough hysteroscopic evaluation/treatment of their condition before submitting them to endometrial PRP treatment.