Cama Hospital, a prominent state-run healthcare facility in Mumbai, has taken a significant step in expanding its fertility treatment offerings. After becoming the city’s first public hospital to provide free infertility services for women, it has now introduced platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy as a potential treatment to improve ovarian reserves in certain patients.
Dr. Tushan Palve, the medical superintendent of Cama Hospital, explained that PRP is already well-established in several medical fields. “In orthopaedics, it is used to treat ligament injuries and osteoarthritis, while dermatologists use it for hair loss, and ophthalmologists employ it for corneal healing,” Dr. Palve noted. “Its use in obstetrics and gynaecology is still being explored, but we have started offering it to women with an Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) score below 3, indicating a lower ovarian reserve.”
PRP therapy involves extracting a patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate platelets rich in growth factors and cytokines, and then re-injecting it into the ovaries. The goal is to rejuvenate ovarian tissues, encourage follicle growth, and stimulate egg production. This technique has generated interest as an adjunct to traditional infertility treatments, particularly for women with low ovarian reserves who may struggle to conceive through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
A woman undergoing infertility treatment at Cama Hospital has already received PRP therapy via laparoscopy, Dr. Palve confirmed. “We believe this could potentially help women in need of additional support during their IVF journey,” he added.
PRP therapy is already being used in some private hospitals in Mumbai, including Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, where senior infertility specialist Dr. Hrishikesh Pai has been offering the treatment for the past three years. Dr. Pai explained that PRP can be a viable option for women with poor ovarian reserves who may have been advised to consider egg donation. “For some women who are reluctant to use donor eggs, PRP could be an alternative to boost egg production,” he said.
However, while the therapy holds promise, it is not a guaranteed solution. “We always counsel our patients about the limitations of PRP,” Dr. Pai stated. “It has been successful in only a small percentage of cases, so it remains a ‘fringe therapy’ at best.”
The medical community remains cautious about the widespread use of PRP in infertility treatments. Dr. Ameet Patki, a member of the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction, cautioned that PRP’s role in enhancing ovarian reserves is not yet well-established. “Until more research is conducted and its effectiveness is proven, PRP should be offered primarily in a research setting, rather than as a routine treatment for all patients,” Dr. Patki advised.
In summary, while PRP therapy shows potential for boosting ovarian reserve and improving fertility outcomes for some women, its use in clinical practice remains experimental, and patients should be fully informed of its limitations before opting for the treatment.
Related topics:
Duckworth Presses Trump to Support IVF Coverage for Military Families
Fertility Protection: Unwilling & Unable to Procreate
Excessive Exercise and Restrictive Diets: Can They Harm Fertility?
