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5 Ways PRP Can Boost Ovarian Reserve

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What is PRP therapy?


PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. It is a regenerative therapy usually used in orthopaedic medicine, for sports injuries and even in cosmetic procedures. It is in early use for reproductive medicine.


It involves collecting a small amount of blood from the patient. This blood is then put under a process of centrifugation, where the blood is spun to concentrate the platelets and separate them from red blood cells. The platelets contain growth factors and cytokines that stimulate tissue regeneration and healing.


For ovarian rejuvenation, the patient's own blood platelets are injected into the ovary via transvaginal injection, similar to egg retrieval. If the focus of treatment is to increase the uterine lining, then PRP would be infused directly into the uterus, similar to embryo transfer. This would be undertaken in the luteal phase, before embryo transfer.


How Does PRP Improve Ovarian Function?


The growth factors in the platelets have the following benefits for fertility:


  1. Regulate inflammation

  2. Sensitise follicles to FSH

  3. Help to recruit more dormant follicles to start actively growing

  4. Increase the lining of the uterus

  5. Improved response to IVF stimulation medication


Who Would Benefit from PRP for Ovarian Rejuvenation?


Women with:

  • Low AMH

  • High FSH

  • Premature ovarian insufficiency

  • Diminished ovarian reserve

  • Women looking to avoid using donor eggs, who want to explore every option for their own eggs.


Who Would Benefit from PRP for Endometrial Thickness?


Women with:

  • Thin uterine lining of less than 7mm or that is unresponsive to oestrogen medication

  • Donor eggs but who have recurrent implantation failure

  • Asherman's Syndrome


What Are the Risks?


  • There are minimal risks given that the treatment uses the patient's own blood. However, as with any medical procedure there is a risk of infection or in the case of ovarian rejuvenation, a very slight risk of ovarian damage.


What is the Evidence of Success?


There have been early, small scale studies that show successful outcomes in women under the age of 45. There is not currently enough research undertaken in large clinical trials. It's still considered experimental for reproductive purposes. However, it has been used in the medical field for sports injuries for many years safely.


The successful outcomes show:


  • An increase in endometrial thickness in 1-3 cycles if PRP was injected into the uterus.

  • Menstrual cycle returning for women diagnosed with premature menopause, high FSH and low AMH.

  • Natural conception in women with high FSH and low AMH - one case study details a 41 year old woman with 12 failed IVF cycles. Six weeks after PRP treatment, her AMH doubled and she conceived naturally, giving birth to a healthy baby.

  • Decrease in FSH - one study shows that a 37 year old woman with undetectable AMH and very high FSH, achieved three embryos after dual IVF stims with PRP. Her FSH dropped to the normal range and she gave birth to twins.

  • Increase in AMH

  • Increase in egg and embryo quality - one study compared percentages of normal embryos in the cycle before and after PRP in women with an average age of 40. Before PRP 8% were reported to be normal. After PRP 39% were reported to be normal embryos. 25% of the women in the study achieved pregnancy.

  • An increase in IVF success.




How Much Does it Cost?


  • Costs in Europe (especially in Greece and Turkey) range from 1500 euros to 2500 euros for PRP.


  • Costs in the UK range from: £1500-£3500 for ovarian PRP and £450 per infusion for intrauterine PRP for a thin uterine lining.


    Which Clinics are Offering PRP in the UK?


  • Asherman's Centre in London offer intrauterine PRP at £450 per infusion for a thin uterine lining.

  • The Fertility and Gynaecology Academy in London offer both ovarian and endometrial PRP.

  • Laser Medicine in London offer both ovarian and endometrial PRP.


It appears as though clinics in Birmingham such as the Priory, Create Fertility and Care Fertility are not currently offering PRP as a treatment for ovarian rejuvenation or endometrial thickness. If you are interested in PRP to boost ovarian reserve, the best options seem to be Greece, Turkey or London.



 
 
 

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