Other Infertility Treatments
Sperm Retrieval from the Testicles Using PESA/TESE
In cases where the male partner has issues related to sperm production or ejaculation-such as sterility, having only one testicle, the absence of sperm in the semen despite ejaculation, the inability to ejaculate due to a blocked vas deferens, or congenital abnormalities leading to infertility-sperm can be directly retrieved from the testes using specific methods.
The PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) method involves inserting a needle through the skin of the scrotum into the epididymis to aspirate sperm. Once sperm is retrieved, it is used to fertilize an egg through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
If sperm cannot be found in the epididymis, the TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) method is used, where a small piece of testicular tissue is surgically removed. The sperm within the tissue is then isolated under a microscope and used for ICSI.
PRP Treatment (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
In cases where the female partner has issues with the uterine lining, such as a thin endometrium that has led to unsuccessful embryo transfers, difficulty in preparing the endometrial lining, or unexplained thin uterine lining, as well as cases of ovarian insufficiency, couples can use PRP to enhance the thickness of the endometrial lining. This increases the chances of embryo implantation. The procedure involves drawing 15-30 cc of blood, processing it using a specialized technique to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the PRP back into the uterine cavity or ovaries.
Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA)
The Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA) is a test to assess the readiness of the endometrial lining to determine the optimal window for embryo transfer (personalized embryo transfer). This ensures that the embryo is transferred at the most receptive time to maximize the chances of pregnancy. The ERA test is based on analyzing the expression of genes related to endometrial receptivity, allowing doctors to plan the ideal timing for embryo transfer tailored to each individual.
