In IVF treatment, intrauterine and intra-ovarian PRP involve administering platelet-rich plasma prepared from the patient's own blood into either the endometrial lining or the ovaries. The aim is to support a thin endometrium or to improve certain ovarian parameters in patients with poor ovarian response.
PRP is not considered a standard treatment in IVF but rather a supportive procedure that is still under investigation. In the HFEA's updated 2026 evaluation, both intrauterine and intra-ovarian PRP were classified as red-rated due to insufficient evidence of effectiveness in the relevant patient groups and potential safety concerns. This classification does not mean that the procedure has been proven harmful; instead, it indicates that there is currently insufficient high-quality evidence to support its routine clinical use in terms of both effectiveness and safety.
For couples in Izmir exploring IVF PRP, intrauterine PRP, or ovarian PRP, the first step is not to choose a treatment directly. The priority is to determine, in a systematic way, at which stage the pregnancy process is being affected. At our clinic, we provide personalized evaluation and treatment planning for IVF and infertility, tailoring the process to each patient's individual needs while discussing the most appropriate evidence-based supportive options available. To schedule a comprehensive consultation and examination, you can contact Associate Professor Dr. Funda Göde, an IVF specialist in Izmir.
PRP is the abbreviation for the English term "platelet-rich plasma." Platelets are blood cells responsible for blood clotting.
Its preparation is based on a simple principle. A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient and then separated using a centrifuge through rapid spinning. This process isolates the plasma layer that contains a high concentration of platelets. This plasma is rich in growth factors. These growth factors are thought to support the body's natural tissue repair and regeneration processes.
The use of PRP is not limited to reproductive medicine. It has also been reported to be used in fields such as dentistry, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and physical therapy. One of the greatest advantages of this method is that it is prepared from the patient's own blood.
Exactly how PRP works in reproductive health has not yet been fully understood. Therefore, it should not be considered a proven treatment but rather a supportive application that is still under investigation.
In IVF treatment, PRP can be applied to two different areas, each with a different purpose.
In intrauterine PRP application, the plasma is injected into the uterine cavity. The goal is to support the thickness of the endometrial lining and its ability to receive the embryo, thereby potentially contributing to embryo implantation.
In intra-ovarian PRP application, the plasma is injected into the ovarian tissue. Although this procedure is sometimes referred to as "ovarian rejuvenation," this term can be misleading. PRP does not biologically rejuvenate aging eggs. It has been suggested that it may influence the ovarian tissue's response to stimulation or affect certain parameters associated with existing follicles; however, this effect and its mechanism have not been conclusively demonstrated.
In its 2023 recommendations on add-on treatments, ESHRE did not recommend either intrauterine or intra-ovarian PRP for routine clinical use. The reasons cited were the low quality of available evidence and insufficient safety data. This assessment emphasizes that PRP remains an investigational treatment.
PRP is not recommended for every patient. It has been investigated in specific patient groups, but in none of these groups is it considered a first-line standard treatment.
Intrauterine PRP has primarily been studied in patients with a thin or treatment-resistant endometrium, recurrent implantation failure, and recurrent pregnancy loss. Recurrent implantation failure refers to the absence of pregnancy despite repeated transfers of good-quality embryos. Intra-ovarian PRP has been investigated in patients with diminished ovarian reserve, poor ovarian response, and premature ovarian insufficiency.
So, what have studies found in these patient groups? The figures presented below represent averages across study populations and do not guarantee outcomes for an individual patient. The quality of evidence also remains limited.
For thin endometrium, a 2024 systematic review combining multiple studies included eight randomized trials involving 678 patients. The group receiving intrauterine PRP showed an endometrial thickness that was, on average, slightly more than one millimeter greater. Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were also reported to be higher compared with the control group. However, no significant difference was found in miscarriage rates between the groups.
Regarding ovarian PRP, a 2026 randomized study evaluated 200 women with a history of poor ovarian response. The PRP group demonstrated higher oocyte maturation rates, fertilization rates, and a greater number of good-quality embryos. In the same study, no significant difference was found in AMH levels, which reflect ovarian reserve, and the difference in live birth rates did not reach statistical significance.
Although PRP appeared to improve certain outcomes in this study, it did not improve every outcome simultaneously. These findings are based on a single study and may vary between centers. This is one of the reasons why current guidelines remain cautious.
The first step is the same for both applications. A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient's arm. The blood is processed in a centrifuge to obtain platelet-rich plasma. Preparation takes only a short time.
For intrauterine PRP during IVF treatment, the prepared plasma is delivered into the uterine cavity using a thin catheter. This procedure is similar to embryo transfer and generally does not require anesthesia. In reported protocols, approximately 0.5–1.5 mL of plasma has been administered once or twice before embryo transfer.
For intra-ovarian PRP, the plasma is injected into the ovarian tissue through the vaginal route under ultrasound guidance. This procedure may be performed under light sedation.
There is currently no universally accepted standard protocol. The dosage, timing, and method of application are determined according to the patient's condition and the physician's evaluation. Therefore, it is not appropriate to refer to a fixed number of treatment sessions.
The timing depends on the area where PRP is applied.
• Intrauterine PRP is generally performed during the endometrial preparation phase before embryo transfer. Embryo transfer is then scheduled once the endometrium reaches an appropriate thickness and appearance.
• Intra-ovarian PRP is generally considered before the ovarian stimulation cycle. A waiting period is usually required to evaluate its potential effects. In the study mentioned above, ovarian parameters were reassessed approximately three months after the procedure.
It is not possible to provide a fixed schedule. Timing is determined individually as part of the overall treatment plan.
PRP is prepared from the patient's own blood, and serious side effects have generally not been reported in published studies. After intra-ovarian PRP, the most common complaint is mild pelvic pain that usually resolves within one or two days. After intrauterine PRP, bruising, light spotting, or mild pain have been reported rarely.
Follow-up depends on the area treated. After intrauterine PRP, the thickness and appearance of the endometrial lining are generally monitored, and the decision regarding embryo transfer is based on these findings.
After intra-ovarian PRP, ovarian response, follicle count, and hormone levels may be monitored.
For couples researching IVF PRP, intrauterine PRP, or ovarian PRP in Izmir, the same approach is not applied to every patient. A patient with a thin endometrium and a patient with poor ovarian response require different evaluations.
During the initial consultation, the patient's medical history is reviewed, a physical examination and ultrasound are performed, and if necessary, the ovarian reserve and endometrial lining are evaluated in detail. PRP is discussed as a treatment option only after this assessment and only if considered appropriate. During this consultation, patients are clearly informed that PRP is an investigational supportive treatment and does not guarantee success.
To determine whether intrauterine or intra-ovarian PRP is suitable for your individual situation, you can schedule a consultation with Associate Professor Dr. Funda Göde at our fertility center in Izmir, where your personal clinical findings will be evaluated in detail.
Intrauterine PRP has been studied primarily in patients with a thin or treatment-resistant endometrium, recurrent implantation failure, and recurrent pregnancy loss. Intraovarian PRP, on the other hand, has been evaluated in patients with diminished ovarian reserve, poor ovarian response, and premature ovarian insufficiency. In none of these areas is PRP the standard first-line treatment.
In IVF treatment, PRP can be administered to two areas. When administered into the uterus, the goal is to support the uterine lining and help create a suitable environment for the embryo to implant. When administered to the ovaries, the goal is to support egg and embryo quality. The mechanism of action for both applications has not yet been fully elucidated.
PRP is prepared from the patient’s own blood, and serious side effects have generally not been reported in the studies. The most common complaint is mild lower abdominal pain, which typically resolves within the first one or two days following ovarian injection. However, safety data in the context of fertility treatment is limited, and long-term effects remain an evolving area of research. For this reason, the procedure is planned for appropriate patients following a physician’s evaluation.
PRP IVF is a procedure in which platelet-rich plasma, prepared from the patient’s own blood, is administered into the uterus or ovaries during the IVF process. It is classified as a supportive and experimental method. It is not a substitute for IVF treatment.
PRP is considered as an option to support the current condition in some patients who have a thin endometrium or a poor ovarian response. This does not guarantee success. Whether or not it is administered is determined on a case-by-case basis following a physician’s evaluation.
Note: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. A physician evaluation is required for personal diagnosis and treatment planning.
