Scientists Find Simple 'Scratch' Technique Improves IVF Treatment Success
A simple 15-minute procedure costing less than £100 has been shown to nearly double the success rate of IVF treatment, a new study has disclosed.
The research, led by British scientists, has also shown for the first time that the technique increased the number of babies born as a result.
Gently scratching the lining of the womb in the month before IVF treatment was shown to increase in the clinical pregnancy rate of women undergoing IVF to 49 per cent, compared with the current average of 29 per cent.
The procedure - known as endometrial scratching - also increased the number of live births from the current average of 23 per cent to 42 per cent.
Dr Nick Raine-Fenning of the Nottingham University Research and Treatment Unit, who is collaborating with Brazilian scientists on the research, said: “This is the first well-designed trial conducted into endometrial scratching and the results are promising.
“Other trials have provided anecdotal evidence, but these have been limited and many questioned the validity of the technique.
“We are now carrying out a follow-up study in Nottingham to provide further guidance into the use of endometrial scratching and early results are encouraging.”
A spokesman added that despite widespread use of the scratching technique, which first came to prominence in 2003, the mechanism behind its success remains unknown.
The trial involved 158 women who had previously received unsuccessful courses of reproductive treatment, which costs an average of £4,500 per cycle.
Of the total number of patients 77 received the scratching priocedure between one and two weeks before core reproductive treatment began.
Of the 77, 39 women achieved pregnancy and 33 resulted in live births, compared with 23 live births in the control group.
The short procedure takes just 15 minutes in clinic and can be carried out by trained nurses using simple equipment already in use.
The procedure may add less than £100 to the cost of an IVF cycle.
Results of the latest research will be presented at the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology World Congress in Sydney.
Laura Donnelly - telegraph.co.uk
