Ovarian PRP Treatment: Procedure, Efficacy and Side Effects

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a product that is obtained from the whole blood of a patient and concentrated to get high levels of platelets and growth factors. This enriched content of PRP can trigger cell reproduction and stimulate tissue regeneration to treat musculoskeletal injuries, boost post surgical healing, or rejuvenate the target tissue. In parallel, ovarian PRP treatment targets the patient’s ovaries to stimulate cell proliferation for women with low ovarian reserve.

What is Ovarian PRP Treatment?

Ovarian insufficiency is an increasing problem of the modern world’s women who are planning their pregnancy later in life. Ovarian Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment, also known as ovarian rejuvenation treatment is a method to avoid further loss of ovarian reverses. women who consider late pregnancy or experience early menopause can apply this method.

Who should have Ovarian PRP Treatment?

Women who experience ovarian reserve depletion for any reason may consider ovarian PRP injection. It should be noted that the effect of this treatment is only temporary and may be advised as supportive to your pregnancy treatment. Conditions associated with ovarian reserve depletion are as follows:

• idiopathic low ovarian reserve

• premature ovarian insufficiency(POI),

• early menopause,

• ovarian depletion because of advanced maternal age.

Women who have a hormonal imbalance or disorder, and have a history of IVF cycle failure can also consider ovarian rejuvenation treatment.

How is Ovarian PRP Treatment Done?

The ovarian PRP procedure is remarkably similar to the standard PRP procedure. First, the patient’s whole blood sample is drawn. Then, the blood sample is centrifuged to separate the platelet and plasma from other cell components, and create platelet rich plasma (PRP). This enriched end-product is then injected to the ovaries with the guidance of an ultrasound device.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 2 hours to complete. There are no specific recovery period precautions, however you should consult your doctor regarding your condition.

How Long Does the Effect of Ovarian PRP Treatment Last?

After having the ovarian rejuvenation surgery performed, for how long you’ll see the effects differs from patient to patient. This also varies with the application method of the treatment. In one study, they observed 12 months of effect after a single procedure done by a higher platelet concentration (about 1 × 106 μl).

Different clinics have variable success rates, confirming the efficiency until 8 to 24 weeks. So, you should consult your doctor about what kind of treatment you need, or what you should expect from ovarian rejuvenation injection.

When is Ovarian PRP Treatment Done?

The ovarian rejuvenation treatment can be performed at several points throughout an in vitro fertilization (IVF) or Intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycle. However, the common time interval is immediately after the end of the menstrual cycle and before the time when you ovulate (app. day 1 to 8). This time interval corresponds to just before the eggs are released into the fallopian tube. Thus, with ovarian rejuvenation treatment, it is aimed to increase the development and number of follicles.

However, it should be noted that ovarian rejuvenation treatment is not only restricted to this time interval. It can be performed outside of the normal timeframe for a naturally occurring conception. For example, patients asking for solutions to reduce the amount of operations they have to go through can undergo this procedure during egg retrieval. 

Can Ovarian PRP Injection Reverse Menopause?

No, it cannot. If you’re on perimenopause, meaning you’re in the transition period of menopause, ovarian PRP treatment can help reduce symptoms until its effect lasts. So, ovarian PRP injection can only be helpful temporarily.

There is currently no medication that has been proven to effectively prevent, delay, or reverse ovarian senescence. Smoking cigarettes, poor dietary choices, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiation cause irreversible decreases in oocyte numbers and quality, mostly through the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant dietary supplements that contain vitamins C and E, melatonin, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and coenzyme Q10 are proven to reduce oxidative stress and improve ovarian reserve. However, evidence attesting to their overall effectiveness remains inadequate.

Is Ovarian PRP Treatment Safe?

Patient’s own cells are used to get platelet rich plasma (PRP) to be applied to ovaries. This makes the PRP injection almost risk-free and safe. There are no side effects of ovarian rejuvenation, and the procedure is a minimally invasive procedure. But intraovarian administration needs to be done while you are on sedations, as in egg collection during an IVF cycle.

Some people may feel light pain in the abdominal region after the procedure. No other risks are known besides those that come with ovarian injection, which are the same risks that come with egg collection in IVF.