Does Endometrial Stimulation Increase the Chance of Successful Pregnancy?

Boston fertility experts compared notes at this year’s annual American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)/International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) meeting.

One of many topics of interest was the impact of endometrial stimulation on embryo implantation in a future IVF cycle. Does endometrial stimulation increase the chance of successful pregnancy? Boston IVF centers routinely perform office hysteroscopies to evaluate the uterine cavity prior to an IVF cycle.  The Kaali Institute IVF Center in Budapest, Hungary studied the effect of luteal phase endometrial stimulation on IVF pregnancy rates.  Their results presented at the Boston fertility meeting showed luteal phase endometrial biopsies may improve clinical outcomes in subsequent IVF treatments.  All patients studied had a history of two prior failed IVF cycles.  Although the total number of cases was small, ongoing pregnancy rates were higher (46.4%) in the 28 patients receiving endometrial biopsy as compared to the 28 cases without endometrial biopsy (14.3% on-going pregnancy rate).

This study reinforces the current use of endometrial biopsies in IVF patients at the Fertility Centers of New England.