Endometrial Scratching & IVF
What is Endometrial Scratching?
Endometrial scratching, is a medical procedure sometimes used as part of fertility treatments, particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. During this procedure, a doctor or fertility specialist uses a thin catheter or a small, flexible instrument to scratch or gently scrape the lining of the uterus (the endometrium).
The procedure is typically performed in the early part of a woman’s menstrual cycle, usually during the follicular phase, which is before ovulation. It’s often done in the cycle preceding the IVF treatment cycle.
The idea behind endometrial scratching is that the injury to the endometrium may trigger a healing response in the uterine lining, leading to changes that could potentially improve embryo implantation and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Can Endometrial Scratching & IVF be Done Together?
Yes, endometrial scratching and in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be done together, and in fact, endometrial scratching is often performed as a preparatory procedure before IVF cycles in some cases. Here’s how they may be combined:
- Timing:
Endometrial scratching is typically performed in the cycle preceding the IVF treatment cycle. This means that the scratching procedure is usually done in the early part of a woman’s menstrual cycle, usually during the follicular phase before ovulation. It aims to create a receptive environment in the uterine lining for embryo implantation during the subsequent IVF cycle.
- Procedure:
Endometrial scratching involves gently scraping or scratching the lining of the uterus (endometrium) using a thin catheter or a small, flexible instrument. The procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting and usually takes only a few minutes to complete.
- IVF cycle:
Following the endometrial scratching procedure, the woman would proceed with her IVF treatment cycle as planned. This typically involves ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs, followed by egg retrieval, fertilization of the eggs with sperm in the laboratory, and transfer of one or more embryos into the uterus.
- Potential benefits:
The theory behind performing endometrial scratching before IVF is that the minor injury to the endometrium may trigger a healing response and promote changes in the uterine lining that could potentially enhance embryo implantation and improve the chances of pregnancy.
Should You Go for Endometrial Scratching along with IVF?
Whether you should opt for endometrial scratching along with in vitro fertilization (IVF) depends on several factors, including your specific medical history, fertility diagnosis, and individual circumstances.
Overall, it’s important to have an open and informed discussion with your healthcare provider about the potential benefits, risks, and implications of endometrial scratching in conjunction with IVF. They can help you weigh the options and make the decision that is best for you based on your individual needs and circumstances.
In EVA IVF and women’s centre, we routinely do Endometrial scratching for all patients going through IVF Process.