Trying to conceive can be one of life’s most hopeful journeys, but it can also be deeply exhausting. The excitement of every cycle is always accompanied by disappointment, stress of awaiting lab results, and the list of “what-ifs”. You may feel you have no choice when you have repeated IVF failures, unresponsive ovaries, or a thin uterine lining. You may be angry, helpless, or desperate and need something to give you even a little boost.
It is in moments like these that new therapies, like PRP or Platelet-Rich Plasma, start to catch attention. The idea is simple but intriguing: using your own blood to help your ovaries and uterine lining function better. Although PRP is not a definite solution, it has brought back hope to many women.
In this blog post, we will discuss how PRP therapy for fertility works, who can benefit, and what you should expect when considering PRP as part of your IVF process.
How PRP Works: Using Your Body’s Own Healing Power
You can picture PRP as giving your reproductive system a kind of nudge. Your blood contains platelets, which are full of growth factors, proteins that encourage tissue repair and regeneration. In fertility, PRP is used in two main ways:
Ovarian PRP: Injected into the ovaries, it may wake up resting follicles and improve egg quality.
Uterine PRP: Infused into the uterine lining, it can help thicken a thin or unresponsive endometrium, creating a healthier environment for embryo implantation.
In simple terms, PRP taps into your body’s natural ability to heal and regenerate, providing support where fertility challenges exist.
Who Might Benefit from PRP
PRP cannot be an option for all people, but can be considered in situations like:
- Low ovarian reserve/poor egg quality
- Recurrent failures of IVF despite good embryos
- Thin or in a retentive uterine lining
- Premature ovarian insufficiency or early ovarian aging
Since PRP is produced using your blood, an allergic reaction or rejection is unlikely. It is most effective when incorporated in an overall fertility strategy with a fertility expert.
The PRP Treatment Process: What to Expect
Many women worry about what PRP involves. Here is a step-by-step overview:
Blood Draw: Blood is collected in a routine test-like amount from your arm.
Preparation: The blood is centrifuged to extract the platelet-rich plasma.
Injection or Infusion: Injection of PRP is done under ultrasound guidance into the ovaries or the uterine lining.
Follow-Up: Your doctor will suggest interventions or numerous rounds of treatment and will measure effectiveness using hormone tests and ultrasounds.
The procedure is usually quick, less than an hour, and causes only minimal discomfort. Most women can resume normal activities soon after.
What the Studies Show
Research on PRP in fertility is still emerging, but early results are promising:
- A study of over 510 women with low ovarian reserve showed a pregnancy rate of 20.5% after PRP, with sustained live birth rates around 13%.
- The other trial also showed a rise in the amount of mature ova and high-quality embryos undergoing PRP into the ovaries, with some participants leading to live births.
- Intrauterine PRP infusions have enabled women with low endometrial thicknesses to achieve a better implantation rate.
These are promising findings, but further studies are required to validate them and establish how to best treat them and who benefits most.
Understanding Limitations
PRP is not an absolute solution The success rate varies with factors such as the age, fertility history and overall good health. It is best used in conjunction with a well advised IVF process.
Side effects are generally mild and short lasting (slight cramping or tenderness at site of injection). It is important to choose a clinic with skilled fertility specialists to increase the chances of benefits as well as safety.
Moving Forward with Hope
If IVF has left you feeling uncertain or exhausted, PRP may provide an alternative trajectory worth considering. Using the healing properties of your own body, that PRP can naturally support ovarian function and enhance the health of the uterus, potentially giving your fertility process a little extra help.
Having an open conversation with a fertility specialist is key. They can help you determine if PRP is the right fit for your lifestyle, walk you through the process and ensure that you have realistic expectations.
PRP for fertility is not the magic bullet but hope, a measure that could make a difference. Finding yourself in a situation where you have suffered failures and all hope seems lost, it is encouraging to learn that there are the things that can be done, alternative ways, and the people who can give you support and advice.
The process of fertility can be difficult, but it helps to feel empowered, hopeful, and more in control when you know your options and make informed decisions. PRP can be one such move towards the results that you have been awaiting.