Key Points
- Endometriosis affects 10-15 per cent of women during their fertile years.
- Melbourne couple Nikita and Niral Chudasama fell pregnant after successful platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment.
- More research is required to determine PRP's safety, expert says.
Gujarati-Australian couple Nikita and Niral Chudasama said they cried tears of joy when they learned they were expecting a child after a long wait.
Nikita, who has endometriosis, said she had been trying to conceive for the past six years. After failed attempts, the couple finally got the news they had longed for.
Endometriosis affects 10-15 per cent of women during their fertile years. It can reduce the number of eggs and distort the female reproductive anatomy, leading to difficulties in conceiving.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Hospital Morbidity Database (NHMD), there were 40,500 endometriosis-related hospitalisations in 2021–22.
The couple are expecting their child in January 2025.
"After consulting multiple GPs and exploring various treatments, we had almost lost hope. However, we were advised to consult a fertility specialist," Nikita told SBS Gujarati.
They sought the expertise of Dr Haider Najjar, who recommended that Nikita first have surgery to treat her endometriosis followed by further evaluation to determine next steps.
Post-surgery, Najjar suggested platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, a procedure designed to repair ovarian damage and enhance reproductive health. As the cost of PRP was relatively low, the couple decided to give it a try.
PRP has a high concentration of growth factors that aid in healing and tissue regeneration, Najjar explained.
When injected into injured joints, ligaments or other areas, it promotes regeneration and healing.
It can also be applied in ovarian reactivation and regeneration to enhance ovarian responsiveness.
The PRP treatment proved to be successful; their first IVF cycle following the procedure resulted in a positive outcome.Dr Haider Najjar, fertility specialist
Nikita said the treatment made her ovaries more responsive, and her anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels increased considerably.
Najjar said PRP treatment can improve AMH levels, which reflect a woman's egg reserve.
"While it may not always improve considerably, it can enhance the number of eggs retrieved during IVF, increasing the chances of obtaining embryos. The more eggs retrieved, the higher the chances of creating embryos, and each embryo has the potential to lead to a pregnancy," he said.
Dr Haider Najjar (left) with Nikita and Niral Chudasama. Credit: Niral Chudasama
What is PRP treatment?
Najjar said PRP treatment involved taking a blood sample, extracting plasma from the platelets, and injecting them back into the ovaries.
This process helped to reactivate the ovaries and increased the number of eggs, particularly in cases where only a few or irregular eggs were present, he explained.
While PRP for ovarian reactivation was still in its early stages, Najjar said the Melbourne couple was among the first in Victoria to experience success with the treatment.
According to Najjar, there are a few other patients who have undergone the procedure, but it takes two to three months to see the full effects.
Senior registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology Dr Amita Tuteja. Credit: Supplied
"In fertility, PRP is used to help with ovarian rejuvenation or to increase the thickness of the uterine lining, particularly for women with low ovarian reserves or thin uterine linings who haven't had success with other fertility treatments," she added.
However, she emphasised that there is no standardised protocol for PRP treatment in fertility, and the current research is based on small sample sizes and differing methodologies, resulting in mixed outcomes.
At this stage, she said there is insufficient information to conclusively say whether PRP is beneficial for women trying to conceive.
How common is PRP treatment for pregnancy in Australia and internationally?
Dr Tuteja said PRP treatment for pregnancy is not very common, and it is difficult to pinpoint exact numbers regarding its use both in Australia and internationally.
"It is primarily offered as an individualised treatment for specific patients, such as those with low egg reserves."
In Australia, PRP is offered at only a few centres, whereas it is somewhat more common in the United States.Dr Amita Tuteja
While she said there is limited information on the short-term and long-term biosafety effects of PRP, "current data does not indicate an increased risk of infection, tumours, or cancer".
"Concerns about PRP potentially leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriages or preterm births, remain inconclusive and more research is required to determine its safety.
"The cost of PRP treatment for pregnancy is generally estimated to be less than $500. However, since it is not widely offered, detailed pricing information is not commonly available from IVF centres," she said.
Nikita (L) and Niral (R) Chudasama. Credit: SBS Gujarati
I did not experience any pain or discomfort after the treatment and did not require any special care.Nikita Chudasama
For others facing similar challenges, Nikita and Niral advise considering PRP treatment based on the recommendations of their GP and specialist.
"Our family is overjoyed with the news, We have started preparing for the arrival of our new family member and plan to organise a small celebration with friends and family to share our joy," Niral said.
**The information expressed in this article is of general nature. Contact your GP or medical practitioner for advice on your situation.
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