Personalized Embryo Transfer/Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA)
What is Endometrial Receptivity Array?
Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) is a genetic test done to determine the window of implantation. It is done in highly selected patients such as those with recurrent or repeated pregnancy failures. ERA has emerged as a new hope for patients coping with failed IVF cycles and failed implantation.
This test is performed by taking a small sample of a woman’s endometrial tissue to verify if the endometrial lining is developed to accept an implanting embryo. During this receptive period, proteins are synthesized that make the endometrial lining thicker and more suitable for implantation. Although in the majority of women, this window is expected to be on time, there are some women whose window occurs earlier or later than expected.
For IVF cycles, it is important to know if the embryo cycle is being done on the correct day for the implantation to be a success.
How does ERA help?
As the uterus is usually the most receptive to an embryo around 19-21 days of your menstrual cycle, it is then when the embryo transfer is typically carried out. However, in some women, this window of implantation may occur earlier or later. This difference in timing can lead to the failure of IVF.
With the help of ERA, you can assess whether your uterus is receptive at its usual window or not. Depending on your test results, you can change the time of your embryo transfer to a better time with a higher chance of the embryo implanting successfully.
What are the reasons for implantation failure?
The most common reasons for implantation failure are:
Genetic Abnormalities: Chromosomal or genetic issues with embryos especially in older women are the most common reasons for implantation failures.
Uterine Receptivity Problems: Other than chromosomal and genetic reasons, uterine receptivity problems are a common reason for implantation failure. There are be several reasons for this problem such as:
- Anatomical problems with the shape and position of the uterus
- Compromised endometrial lining
- Compromised auto-immune function
Happy Patients Review
We want to thank Dr. Richa for your intense knowledge, care, and support, as well as the compassionate services you gave us each and every time we saw you. We will always be grateful to you for helping us complete our family. We would like to thank both the doctor and her team for their kindness and generosity. We are so fortunate for your services.
Dr. Richa is the best IVF doctor. She makes her patients feel at ease. The clinic is also very clean and hygienic. She is very caring yet professional. She treats each patient like her family. She is very kind, and knowledgeable. Going through infertility was very hard and difficult but Dr. Richa comforted me and made my journey very easy. She is an amazing person. I am so grateful for her services and care. Thank you so much Dr. Richa.
We are thankful to Dr. Richa making our dream of parenthood come to life. After almost losing hope, we were recommended Dr. Richa by a family member. Dr. Richa gave us hope and guided us throughout our journey. Words can’t express our gratitude towards her.
After losing a lot of money on 3 IVF cycle failures, my husband and I had accepted the fact that we wouldn’t be able to conceive but when our friend forced us to visit Dr. Richa, we visited her for the sake of our friend but from there everything changed. Dr. Richa counseled us and told us not to lose hope. It is because of her that I am now a mother to a beautiful baby girl.
Dr. Richa came as a blessing in our life. Having heard so many stories of failed infertility treatment, we were scared to give it a try. When we met with Dr. Richa, we knew we were in the right hands. Her treatment was well planned and she guided us very well. It is because of her that we became parents after 10 years of trying.
Dr. Richa is one of the best doctors I’ve known so far. We had been trying to get pregnant for so long, but nothing happened then someone recommended me to Dr. Richa. We visited Dr. Richa, she did some tests and studied our case. She concluded that my wife was having some issues in getting pregnant. She suggested some procedures to overcome the issues. We followed what she said and believed her. Now my wife is 4 months pregnant. We are so glad that we visited Dr. Richa. She has brought happiness to our life. We are so thankful to her.
I had a miscarriage three years ago. Since then whenever I tried to get pregnant, I failed so I contacted Dr. Richa. She explained everything and suggested undergoing an IVF procedure. I was so terrified but she comforted me. During the procedure, she helped me throughout and calmed me. She relieved all my worries and ensured me that everything would be fine. Everything went smoothly and words can’t express how much I am thankful to her. Thank you Dr. Richa.
Dr. Richa is the best infertility doctor I must say. She is very kind, supportive, and generous. She is very good at her work. The staff at her clinic was also very warm and welcoming. She is very informative and helpful. She makes her patient feel very comfortable. She makes every procedure very easy and smooth.
FAQs
What is infertility?
Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive even after a year of trying to get pregnant through unprotected and well-timed sexual intercourse in which the woman is under the age of 35. If the woman is above 35, it is diagnosed after six months of trying to get pregnant. Infertility can be due to male or female factors or even both. It can also be due to unexplained reasons.
Does age affect fertility and chances of conception?
Yes, age does affect a woman’s ability to have children. More and more women now prefer to wait until their 30s to conceive. A woman’s fertility starts to reduce from her 30s and more after the age of 35. As much as one-third of couples who face fertility problems are those where the woman’s age is above 35.
How does age affect a woman’s ability to have children?
Here are a few ways of how a woman’s ability conceive reduces due to her age:
- The ability of ovaries to release eggs ready for fertilization reduces with age
- The quality of eggs released reduces with an increase in the age of women
- An increase in age can lead to more health problems which may interfere with a woman’s fertility
- The risk of miscarriages increases as a woman ages
- Children born to older women tend to have more abnormalities
How long should women try to get pregnant before visiting a doctor?
Women who are healthy and below the age of 30 need not worry about infertility unless they have been trying to get pregnant for a year or so. If such is the case, they should talk to their doctor for a fertility evaluation. They should also ask their partners to do the same.
Women in their 30s trying to get pregnant should talk to their doctor after trying for 6 months as a woman’s chances of having a baby decline rapidly after the age of 30.
Is infertility only a woman’s problem?
No, infertility can affect both men and women. About one-third of cases of infertility are due to female factors and another one third are due to male factors. The remaining cases are either due to a mixture of both male and female factors or due to unknown reasons.
Can male infertility be treated?
In most cases, male infertility can be treated. Your doctor may suggest you use assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF, ICSI, TESA and Micro-TESE. Although ART cannot cure or treat the causes of infertility, it can help couples achieve pregnancy even when the male’s sperm count is low or zero.
What are the risk factors for infertility?
There are several external factors, lifestyle choices, and environmental causes that can lead to infertility. Although some risk factors can be gender-specific, some common risk factors are:
- Age
- Smoking
- Alcohol Consumption
- Substance Abuse
- Obesity and Underweight
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Diabetes
- Tubal Disease
- Stress
- Genetic Causes
What are the ways to treat infertility?
There are many ways to treat infertility for both men and women. With advancing medical technologies, you and your partner along with your doctor can decide depending on the options available.
What causes infertility in women?
The most common reason for infertility in women is problems with ovulation. No ovulation or improper ovulation can prevent eggs from fertilizing or there may be no eggs at all. Irregular periods or no periods are a sign of no or improper ovulation. Some other causes of infertility include:
- Endometriosis
- PCOD/PCOS
- Uterine Fibroids
- Blocked Fallopian Tubes
- Physical problems with the uterus
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Several Miscarriages
- Unexplained Reasons
What causes infertility in men?
Infertility in men can be due to the following:
- Low or no sperm production
- Low motility of sperms- sperms inability to move fast or reach the egg to fertilize it
- Abnormal shape/structure of sperms that prevent it from fertilizing the egg
- Erectile Dysfunction or Retrograde Ejaculation
Sometimes, men may be born with these problems, and the other times, they may develop these problems due to an illness or injury.