Injections of PRP (autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a treatment that restores folliculogenesis (formation of follicles) and menstrual function in menopausal and perimenopausal women.
PRP-based therapy has been used in menopausal and perimenopausal women since 2015. Over 500 patients worldwide have had this therapy. Preliminary reports have indicated that spontaneous menstrual cycles and ovulation have been restored in more than half of these women. There are also reports on several patients who had PRP-based therapy and were further qualified for in vitro fertilization procedures (in either spontaneous or stimulated cycles) and got pregnant. No response to PRP was observed in the remaining group of women, most likely because of the lack of oocytes in ovaries that could be stimulated.
Results regarding PRP-based therapy have been presented at international medical conferences, but the outcomes of the therapy were not evaluated in terms of fertility; more results are expected to be published in the following months.
The delivery of platelet growth factors in high concentrations to damaged or atrophic tissues aims at stimulating tissue healing and regeneration. Bioactive compounds, including proteins with a strong antimicrobial and antifungal activity, coagulation factors and membrane glycoproteins that control the synthesis of interleukins and chemokines, can control inflammatory processes. In addition, other factors such as ATP, ADP, serotonin, histamine, dopamine, calcium ions, can promote tissue homeostasis, and the released growth factors play a fundamental role in tissue regeneration.
The effects of PRP-based therapy on the restoration of menstrual function and folliculogenesis from an inactive ovarian reserve is controversial. However, this innovative procedure can soon be applied in women of advanced reproductive age or with ovarian insufficiency. It should be noted that PRP-based therapy is not regarded as an assisted reproductive technology (ART) and can be used for the restoration of menstrual function and folliculogenesis in certain cases.
In addition, the intrauterine administration of PRP to suppress chronic inflammation of the endometrium can be particularly useful in patients who have had multiple unsuccessful embryo transfers. According to the observations made at the Genesis Reproductive Medicine Clinic in Athens, intrauterine PRP administration reduced the symptoms of chronic endometritis, confirmed both in the hysteroscopic and microbiological tests, and thus increased the potential for embryo implantation in IVF-ET procedures.
Immediately after the procedure the patient can start IVF-ET at her local clinic.
So far, no side effects of PRP therapy have been reported.
It is impossible to clearly predict how many eggs can be retrieved in patients after treatment with PRP. Response to PRP significantly varies between patients and also depends on the type of stimulation procedure and many other factors. Nevertheless, I would like to point out that even one normal oocyte retrieved from a menopausal or perimenopausal patient is a significant success.