STRATEGIES TO MANAGE THIN ENDOMETRIUM FOR IMPROVED IVF SUCCESS RATE

INTRODUCTION:

The journey of pregnancy, from the exhilarating moment of announcing it to the sacred experience of holding new life in your arms, is a story that imprints itself in the heart of every mother forever. Babies, tiny bundles of profound love, truly embody the most miraculous creation, ushering in a tide of new feelings, adventures, and everlasting memories.

WHAT IS IVF?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that involves fertilizing an egg with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilized egg or embryo is then implanted into the uterus. IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART).

WHAT IS AN IVF TREATMENT CYCLE?

A standard IVF treatment cycle involves the following steps:

1. Injections with fertility drugs to stimulate a woman’s ovaries;
2. Collection of eggs from a woman under anesthetic, referred to as an “oocyte pickup” or OPU
3. Eggs are fertilized and matured. This may or may not involve a technique called ICSI
4. An embryo may be transferred to the woman’s uterus, called a fresh embryo transfer;
5. Any remaining embryos may be frozen and transferred later during a procedure called a frozen embryo transfer

THIN ENDOMETRIUM:

Thin endometrium” in the IVF means that the lining of the uterus is too thin to properly support the implantation of a fertilizes egg, significantly reducing the chances of a successful pregnancy during an IVF cycle; typically defined as an endometrial thickness of less than 7mm on an ultrasound scan. The endometrium is a vital part of the female reproductive systems, playing a crucial role in menstrual cycles, fertility, and pregnancy. In some cases, individuals may experience a thin endometrium, which can pose challenges for conception and overall reproductive health.

THIN ENDOMETRIUM AND PREGNANCY:   

A thin endometrium cannot provide the required support for pregnancy. When the uterine lining is too thin, it does not provide a strong anchor for the fertilized egg. This leads to failure to conceive. If implantation does occur, miscarriage can occur due to the thin uterine lining. If the pregnancy holds, it could lead to deficiencies that affect the growth of the fetus. Early detection and treatment of a thin endometrium can help you realize your dream of parenthood.

IS IVF POSSIBLE WITH THIN ENDOMETRIUM?

It is possible for one to become pregnant with a lining that is less than 7mm to 8mm thick. I fresh IVF – embryo transfer cycles, patients with thin endometrium can be offered elective cryopreservation of embryos and transfer in a subsequent cycle.

CAUSES FOR THIN ENDOMETRIUM:

1. Hormonal imbalance: the lack of estrogen can be due to several things, such as stress, an unhealthy diet, and some medications.
2. PCOS: it is the main cause, affecting 10% of reproductive-aged women.
3. Poor blood flow: the thickening of the endometrium is determined by the blood flow to the uterus. In sufficient blood flow to the uterus causes thinning.
4. Damaged endometrial lining: previous uterine infection can damage the lining and can cause scar tissues.
5. An abnormal menstrual cycle-seen mainly in hormonal disturbance and impaired ovulation: may also be the main reason for the thin lining

ADVANCED TREATMENTS:

Thin endometrium can currently be treated through clinical measures ranging from hormone therapy, medication to improve endometrial blood flow, to regenerative medicine therapy to promote endometrial proliferation, traditional Chinese medicine alternative therapy and other adjuvant therapies.

STORY OF A PATIENT WHO FACED THIN ENDOMETRIUM:

Sarah had been trying to get conceive for years, and after multiple failed attempts at natural conception, she and her partner decided to pursue IVF. However, during the initial ultrasound scans, a major concern arose- Sarah had a thin endometrium, meaning the lining of uterus was not thick enough to properly support an implanted embryo, significantly lowering her chances of successful pregnancy.

This significantly impacted her IVF journey, reducing the changes of implantation. Sarah worked with her doctor to try various methods to thicken her uterine lining. Despite the initial concerns, Sarah achieved a successful pregnancy with close monitoring. Sarah’s positive attitude and strong support system helped her navigate the emotional rollercoaster of her pregnancy journey.

CONCLUSION: 

Thin endometrium may lead to frequent miscarriages and infertility. Dr. B. Kalpana is one of the India’s leading IVF specialists. She is the head of Guru Infertility Centre, Madurai. She treats the patient with individualized, specific guidance on getting the best results. We recommend a visit her to seek the resolution of this problem, who also understands the heartache of the patients because infertility is a challenge faced by many couples.