Many women wonder whether they should have their endometrium checked when starting assisted reproduction treatment. We shall explain when it is necessary to do it and why
“The endometrium is one of the most important parts of a woman’s body when it is preparing for a pregnancy”, claims Dr. Ricard Vidal, medical specialist at Eugin Clinic. “This is the place where the embryo will be implanted once the transfer into the woman’s uterus has been performed, and even though we cannot say that the endometrial aspect is related to the likelihood of getting pregnant, it is sometimes necessary to monitor its development”, he says.
The endometrium is the lining that is inside the uterus and which during a menstrual cycle undergoes changes in order to ensure the best conditions so that when the embryo arrives, it can be properly implanted and the pregnancy may take its course.
In assisted reproduction treatment the characteristics of the endometrium are observed by ultrasound, showing us what it looks like and its thickness. In most cases, however, it is not necessary to monitor it, since most women have a completely normal endometrium.
In which cases is it monitored?
This monitoring is usually done at the same time as when we assess how the woman’s ovaries are working. “Carrying out endometrial monitoring is recommended, although not essential, in women who are undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment using donor eggs if there is either menopause, or a history of an undeveloped endometrium”, explains Dr. Vidal. “Depending on the case, a follow-up will be carried out in order to observe its development, and if necessary, the woman will undergo hormonal treatment so that the endometrium can develop properly and thus achieve optimal conditions for the embryo to be implanted”, he adds.
New diagnostic techniques
“Currently there is no consensus on the thickness of the endometrium being crucial for correct implementation”, explains the doctor. “Our experience also allows us to state that there is no minimum thickness that makes pregnancy incompatible: at Eugin we have succeeded in enabling women with a very thin endometrium to get pregnant”, he claims.
Today, new diagnostic techniques are appearing that help make a better assessment of endometrial status and provide more information about its level of development. Dr. Vidal added that “although these techniques are currently developing, we cannot rule out that in the future they may help improve the pregnancy rates of our patients, thus making our goal possible, which is that more women achieve their dream of being mothers”.
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