New Delhi: The increasing trend of early onset of Menopause is further complicating the issue of infertility. But thanks to stem cells nestled in ovary, eggs are not hard to come by even after the ceasing of menstruation.
Sample this: Meena (name changed), a Delhi woman, aged 35, was despairing not long ago for her bundle of joy. She was unable to conceive due to poor ovarian reserve. Her ovary was injected with Bone Marrow derived stem cells by laparoscopy. And, lo and behold! Her ovary became awash with eggs within months. After 4 months, to be precise, on undergoing IVF (test tube baby technique), she is now blithely pregnant. The success story is replicating by the day.
Cell based treatment is emerging as a potent tool for Ovarian Rejuvenation even after menopause which leads to cessation of egg formation. It is literally, so to say, putting the fertility clock back. Talking to Medicare News, Prabhu Mishra, ace Stem Cell Scientist and Co-founder, StemGenn Therapeutics, said, ‘Stem cell based Ovarian Rejuvenation has been a big breakthrough in the realm of fertility treatment. It has tremendously pushed the fertility envelop that transcends even menopause. The basket of fertility treatment is forever widening. The recent add on is ovary rejuvenation with stem cell therapy. It has retrieved the hope that was lost after ceasing of menstruation. It has proved a boon especially for women who get afflicted with early menopause.’
So, ladies, perish the thought of infertility even after Menopause; eggs are still in you, thanks to stem cells ingrained in your body. Dynamic PRP (platelet Rich Plasma) treatment has raised hopes for infertile women suffering from poor ovarian reserve high. Under favourable biological influence, Stem Cells have the ability to transform itself into any type of cell in the human body including eggs. PRP in thin Endometrium is also very effective regime and StemGenn has shown efficacy in this too.
The growth factors that are present in individuals’ own WBC’s (white blood cells) and Platelets constitute that favourable influence. Injections of growth factors, like in other proven applications, have also been found to egg sterile ovary on.
Dr Mishra further added, ‘Growth Factors are derived using a patient’s own blood and blood cells and is known as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) or PDGF (Platelet Derived Growth Factors). Growth Factors are natural substances. PRP injections have been used clinically for several years to carry out the the treatment for soft and connective tissue injuries as well as during bone grafts. Its fertility application is a recent one and augurs great for fertility treatment of women handicapped by sterile ovary. Ovarian Rejuvenation is a therapeutic blessing for women who undergo timeless infertility’
As for safety aspect of non surgical PRP therapy, Dr Prabhu Mishra said, ‘The safety of PRP therapy has never been in question in its very long history of other applications because PRP is created from a person’s own blood completely eliminating the chances of transmission of blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis or HIV. There being no use of use of any synthetic chemicals, the possibility of an allergic reaction is also extremely unlikely.’
PRP preparation is simple and entire procedure takes less than an hour. A certain amount of blood is taken out through a needle. And then, white blood cells and platelets are separated from the red blood cells and the serum through a procedure called Centrifugation. PRP thus derived is injected in ovary. The injection is given under the guidance of transvaginal ultrasound and under sedation with an anaesthetic agent called Propofol.
The upshot is: you achieve pregnancy with your own eggs, not possible before this breakthrough. The risks are minimal, not more than in an egg retrieval procedure for IVF. Menopausal or peri-menopausal women under the age of 50 years, Infertile women who are over the age of 35 years, suffering from low egg reserve and low Anti Mullerian Hormone levels and Women with premature ovarian failure (POF) are some of the fit candidates for this therapy.
