Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a promising approach to enhance fertility.  Originally used in orthopedic and aesthetic medicine, PRP involves injecting a concentration of a patient’s own platelets, which are rich in growth factors and cytokines, into targeted areas of the body to promote healing and cellular regeneration. In fertility treatments, such as Intrauterine insemination and In Vitro Fertilization, PRP is primarily used to improve ovarian function, thicken endometrial lining, and improve endometrial receptivity. This helps women with diminished ovarian reserve or poor endometrial lining potentially achieve a pregnancy.

While egg donation and surrogacy can address those problems, not all patients see them as acceptable or affordable. 
PRP treatment is particularly beneficial to those who have undergone multiple IVF cycles and experienced recurrent implantation failure. PRP may also be useful for women who struggle to produce healthy eggs since PRP injections help stimulate your existing stem cells to produce better-quality eggs.

The procedure involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets and growth factors, and then injecting the PRP into the ovaries or uterine lining, depending on the specific condition being treated. The growth factors in the PRP are believed to stimulate cellular repair, promote tissue regeneration, and improve blood flow, which can enhance the environment for embryo implantation or revitalize aging ovaries.

The process for PRP fertility treatment involves several key steps, which are carefully coordinated to maximize the potential benefits for improving ovarian function or enhancing the uterine lining.  Here is a detailed overview of the process:

1. Initial Consultation and Evaluation
   We will first assess the patient’s medical history, fertility challenges, and previous treatments.  Blood tests and ultrasounds will be conducted to evaluation the ovarian reserve, hormone levels, and the condition of the uterine lining.
2. Blood Collection
   A small amount of the patient’s blood is drawn, usually from the arm, similar to a routine blood test. 
3. PRP Preparation
   The blood is then subsequently placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins the blood at high speeds to separate its components. The process concentrates the platelets and other growth factors into ta layer known as platelet-rich plasma.  The PRP layer is carefully extracted from the rest of the blood components.  Any plasma left over after treatment can be frozen for future use.
4. Injection
   For women with diminished ovarian reserve or premature ovarian failure, the PRP may be injection directly into the ovaries.  This procedure is usually performed under ultrasound guidance to endure precise placement. If the treatment is aimed at improving the uterine lining, the PRP is injected into the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.  This can be done during a hysteroscopy or a simple catheter-based procedure.
5. Post-procedure Monitoring
   After the PRP injection, the patient is usually monitored for any immediate reactions, though the procedure is generally well-tolerated.  Depending on the treatment goals, follow-up ultrasounds or blood tests may be scheduled to assess the response of the ovaries or the thickness of the endometrial lining.
    

As females age, the quality and quantity of their eggs decrease over time. Ovarian Rejuvenation is a treatment that has been shown to increase egg quality and quantity in women that suffer from a low ovarian reserve. The process works by injecting Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) directly into your ovaries to stimulate your existing stem cells to produce better-quality eggs.

Ovarian rejuvenation using PRP is typically recommended for IVF patients who have had one or more failed cycles, as well as for those who are dealing with more general infertility related to first or secondary pregnancy. It can help increase egg quality and quantity, leading to an improved chance of fertilization during subsequent cycles.

Ovarian PRP is best suited for you if:

• You tried to conceive for 6 to 12 months without success.
• You have had several miscarriages.
   
• You have been diagnosed with secondary infertility.
• You have had a failed IVF cycle due to egg or embryo quality.
   

One recent study involving 510 women with Poor Ovarian Response (POR) and average age of 40.3 has found that PRP treatments resulted in a pregnancy rate of 20.5% and sustained implantation/live birth rate of 12.9%. Among these women, 312 (65.8%) who attempted IVF after PRP treatment generated embryos and underwent embryo transfer, 83 (17.5%) achieved a pregnancy, and 54 (11.4%) achieved sustained implantation/live birth.

A person who has secondary infertility or recurring miscarriages may suffer from a thin endometrial lining, which impacts embryo implantation. Uterine PRP infusion is a treatment that has been shown to increase implantation rates and endometrial lining thickness.

The process works by injecting Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) directly into your uterine cavity to stimulate your existing stem cells to produce a potentially thicker endometrial lining. A thicker endometrial lining will better support implantation and will create a more habitable environment for the embryo.

Uterine PRP is best suited for you if:

• You suffer from a thin endometrial lining.
   
• You have had several miscarriages.
   
• You have recurrent implantation failures.