What is ovarian rejuvenation by PRP for the treatment of infertility?

The PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is a relatively new technique in reproductive medicine, used for ovarian rejuvenation to improve ovarian function in women suffering from infertility. This method relies on the use of the patient's own platelets, which contain a variety of growth factors and cytokines that can stimulate tissue repair and activate "dormant" follicles, thereby increasing the chances of successful ovulation and obtaining quality eggs.

What is PRP for the ovaries?

PRP for ovaries is a concentrated solution derived from the patient's blood. During the PRP procedure, the patient's blood is drawn, and the platelet-rich plasma and growth factors are obtained through centrifugation. This plasma is injected directly into the ovarian tissue, which can help improve ovarian function by stimulating follicle growth and consequently increasing the number and quality of eggs. PRP is used to assist women with reduced ovarian reserve, low anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, or those who have not produced enough eggs during previous IVF cycles.

How does PRP affect ovarian function?

The growth factors present in PRP play an important role in maintaining healthy and active ovarian tissue. The administration of PRP increases the concentration of these factors in the ovaries, which can activate previously inactive follicles and improve a woman's hormonal profile. In early studies, this method has shown promising results by increasing the number of antral follicles, raising AMH levels, and improving the ovarian response to stimulation.

How is the ovarian rejuvenation procedure by PRP performed?

The PRP procedure involves several steps:

1. Blood draw: a small amount of blood is drawn, similar to a normal test.
2. Preparation of PRP: through centrifugation, the blood is separated into fractions, and the platelet-rich plasma is extracted.
3. Injection of PRP into the ovaries: under ultrasound guidance and using a thin needle, the plasma is injected directly into the ovaries via the transvaginal route. The procedure lasts about 10 to 15 minutes and is performed under light sedation, without requiring hospitalization.

After the PRP therapy, the patient continues with standard ovarian stimulation treatment or is monitored to assess the effect of the procedure.

Indications for ovarian rejuvenation by PRP

Ovarian rejuvenation by PRP is recommended in the following cases:

• Reduced ovarian reserve: AMH levels of 1.1 ng/ml or less, making natural conception difficult.
• Low response to stimulation: insufficient number of eggs produced during an IVF cycle despite stimulation.
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI): Young women with low AMH levels or early menopause may have a chance of conceiving with PRP.
• Premature depletion of ovarian reserve: a situation where the age of the ovaries does not correspond to the chronological age of the patient.

The use of ovarian PRP can reduce the need for donor eggs in women whose ovarian reserve is depleted.

Effectiveness of PRP and IVF success

To date, evidence of improved outcomes in IVF following the use of PRP therapy is accumulating. It has been reported that after ovarian rejuvenation in women with low ovarian reserve, the number of mature oocytes produced and the quality of embryos increase. This results in a higher chance of successful implantation and pregnancy.

However, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the method is still limited. Further research is needed to establish the exact effect of PRP on the success of an IVF cycle and to determine the long-term outcomes of this approach.

Why are these treatments becoming increasingly necessary?

Over the past few decades, the average age of women having a child for the first time has risen from 23 to 30 years due to changing social and economic factors. With age, the number and quality of eggs decrease, making conception more difficult. The number of cases of premature depletion of ovarian reserve caused by adverse environmental factors, lifestyle, smoking, and autoimmune diseases has also increased. In this context, ovarian rejuvenation by PRP is becoming an important method for women who wish to become pregnant with their own eggs.

Benefits of PRP therapy for the ovaries

Early studies show that PRP therapy can lead to the following positive changes:

• Increased number of antral follicles: this increases the chances of obtaining more mature eggs during stimulation.
• Increased AMH levels: the increase in AMH levels indicates improved ovarian function.
• Improved IVF outcomes: the use of PRP can increase the number and quality of oocytes, resulting in higher quality embryos and increased chances of successful pregnancy.
• Stabilization of hormonal profile: FSH and estradiol levels improve after PRP treatment.

Importance of selecting the right candidates for PRP therapy

Although PRP therapy shows promising results, it is still considered experimental. The medical team must carefully assess each patient to determine the chances of success of the treatment in her particular case. Not all women with low ovarian reserve are suitable candidates for this procedure, and only after a thorough evaluation can a collaborative decision be made regarding the feasibility of PRP.

PRP therapy for ovarian rejuvenation is an innovative method in the treatment of infertility that offers new hope to women with low ovarian reserve and low responses to standard stimulation methods. Although further studies are needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness, early results indicate the high potential of this technique in reproductive medicine.