What is Endometrial Scratch Treatment?

• It is a simple and quick procedure, done to enhance implantation and pregnancy success during IVF or ICSI treatment.
• Providing the best female infertility treatment in Delhi, our procedure involves inserting a small cannula (thin tube called “Pipelle”) inside of the uterus and taking a small sample of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus).
• It is an out-patient procedure and hardly takes a few minutes, that is carried out by the best ivf specialist in Delhi. There is no hospital admission, or anaesthesia required for this.

Who does it help? Is it for me?

• It was the paper published by Shapiro et al few years back that reported increased pregnancy rates after doing endometrial scratching in the preceding cycle’s luteal phase.
• Theory behind this procedure is a minor tissue manipulation releases pro-implantation cytokines and growth factors - molecules that have a role in the implantation process. These cytokines are supposedly responsible for the embryo - endometrium dialogue.
• There are several studies done that show endometrial scratch therapy is helpful for patients who have undergone previous 1 or more IVF cycles and failed, in spite of having good embryos.
• However, it could be done on any patient awaiting embryo transfer including frozen embryo transfer.
• Latest evidence emerging from ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology) consensus statements indicate Endometrial Scratch Treatment might increase success rates, but the strength of evidence generated from studies is still low. More studies might be needed to further corroborate recommending this procedure.

How is Endometrial Scratch done?

• It is done in the preceding month of embryo transfer - around one week before the onset of menstrual period. After the period comes, the woman is started on Estrogen tablets for growing the endometrium for making it ready for embryo transfer.
• Although the procedure is painless, you might experience a small pricking sensation. For this reason, we give you a painkiller half an hour prior to the procedure.
• If for some reason you are undergoing a Hysteroscopy procedure, then the Endometrial scratch treatment can be done in the same sitting through hysteroscopy.