How the ERA Test Can Help in Your IVF Treatment

With the advancement of technology, assisted reproductive technologies such as In vitro Fertilisation or IVF have become a sought-after treatment for couples to conceive. It involves combining the mature eggs and sperm in a laboratory for fertilization and implantation of the embryo in the uterus. 

The implantation of the embryo is one of the crucial stages of the process. Many women face implantation issues, impacting their ability to get pregnant. One way to improve your chances of pregnancy is with an Endometrial receptivity analysis test to identify the perfect time for implantation based on the condition of your Endometrium. 

You can read this article to know how the ERA test can help your IVF treatment. 

What is Endometrium?

The Endometrium is also known as the uterine lining, the tissue that lines the uterus. It plays a key role in a woman’s menstrual cycle and pregnancy. The Endometrium thickens its walls every month during the menstrual cycle due increased estrogen and progesterone levels. This happens in preparation for a potential pregnancy. If fertilization doesn’t happen during that cycle, the uterine lining is shed, which results in menstruation. 

The thickness of the Endometrium is a crucial indicator for IVF treatments. Optimal endometrial thickness is necessary for the embryo to be implanted correctly and for pregnancy. The lining becomes the site of implantation and provides a source of nutrition and support for the embryo for the first few weeks of the pregnancy. A uterine lining that is too thin or too thick can lead to failed implantations and unsuccessful pregnancies. 

An Overview of the ERA Test

ERA is short form for Endometrial Receptivity Array or Endometrial Receptivity Analysis. It is an advanced genetic diagnostic procedure that evaluates the receptivity of the Endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. The test is recommended for those who have experienced repeated implantation failures, two or more unsuccessful IVF cycles despite high-quality embryos , and concerns with the endometrial lining. 

The receptivity of the Endometrium refers to the stage in which the Endometrium is prepared for embryo implantation. This stage lasts for a limited time and is known as the ‘window of implantation’. Finding the best window improves the chances of pregnancy. The window of implantation differs from one person to another, allowing doctors to use the information to personalize your IVF treatment plans. 

A sample of the Endometrium tissue is taken to identify the gene expression patterns in the tissue. It is used to determine the ‘window of implantation’, the specific day to transfer the embryo during the IVF cycle. It is crucial to transfer and implant the formed embryo from the laboratory and implant it into the uterus at the right time for a successful pregnancy. 

The Need for the ERA Test

The ERA test in IVF can help determine whether your uterine lining is properly developed and ready to implant the embryo. It is a tool that allows fertility specialists to improve the chances of implantation and pregnancy. The ideal thickness of the endometrial lining should be between 8mm and 14mm for optimal implantation and pregnancy outcomes in IVF. 

The test helps your doctor assess your Endometrium — the thickness or thinness of the lining, environment, and quality. The results of the sample taken during the ERA test can be valuable information to help in your IVF treatment and reduce implantation failures. 

Our team of experienced doctors at Plan B Fertility Centre can help you understand the test better and provide assistance at every step of the way. We assess whether your Endometrium is prepared for the implantation and identify the perfect time for the process. The test allows us to personalize the timing of your treatment by analyzing the sample of the ERA test. 

The Process of ERA Test

The process of the ERA fertility test involves preparing the uterus for implantation with medicines, scans to monitor the endometrial thickness and blood flow pattern, retrieving the sample, known as the ERA biopsy, of your uterine lining to assess it from a molecular point of view. The ERA test with molecular analysis to identify the receptivity and timing can improve the rates of pregnancy by up to 70%. 

The ERA test should happen at the same time when the embryo transfer is planned in the IVF cycle. The process is similar to a frozen embryo transfer or FET. Instead of the actual embryo transfer, an endometrial biopsy is performed as part of the test when the ideal ‘window of implantation’ is expected to occur. 

You will be prescribed hormonal supplements — estrogen and progesterone for a few days before the sample is taken. These supplements lead to the production of proteins, which help prepare the endometrium — thickness and receptivity for embryo implantation. The estrogen makes the uterine lining thicker, and exposure to progesterone makes the endometrium receptive to the implantation.  

During the endometrial test for ERA, a small instrument called a pipelle is inserted through the vagina into the uterus. The biopsy involves a 10-second scratching of the uterine lining to obtain a small amount of tissue. Once the tissue sample is collected, it is sent to a laboratory where more than 200 gene expressions of the sample are examined to find the best day during the IVF cycle to time the implantation. 

The Results of the ERA Test

The ERA test can lead to three types of results, which include —

Pre-receptive:

The endometrium is not ready to receive the embryo. It indicates the patient did not receive adequate progesterone exposure and requires exposure for a few more hours to prepare for the transfer. 

Receptive:

The endometrium is in an optimal state for implantation. It indicates the patient has received an adequate amount of progesterone exposure, which is the ideal time for the procedure. 

Post-receptive:

The endometrium has passed the optimal state for implantation. It indicates the patient has received progesterone exposure too early in the menstrual cycle. The biopsy has to be repeated to find the right time. 

At Plan B Fertility, we offer the endometrial receptivity test to help in your IVF treatment — for implantation and pregnancy. Our treatment plans are tailored to meet your needs and requirements, helping you improve your chances of IVF success and experience parenthood. 

Conclusion

The endometrial receptivity array test is a beneficial tool for successful implantation and pregnancy. It offers valuable information to doctors to personalize IVF treatments and identify the right time for the implantation of the embryo. 

You can undergo the ERA test in Hyderabad at Plan B Fertility, where our fertility specialists can guide you through the process and conduct the test. We have the best fertility specialists, advanced technology, and exceptional care to cater to your needs and requirements.