ERA/ALICE/EMMA

[Sw1234]

Just had follow up call after failed FET and they've suggested ERA, ALICE and EMMA. I'd not heard of any of them until reading this forum. Is it normal to have all of them at the same time? Are they helpful? Was also mentioned I'd have to pay for medication too. Any approx overall costs?

[Pcck]

I don't have any info for you but I'm interested in hearing experiences/ success stories following these. I'm not going to have them this time but they're on my list for next, if need be.

[Ranchu90]

I only did ERA test and I must say that I find it very important if you do FET. My results came back normal 5.5 days of progesteron and put my mind away. I did one frozen transfer after ERA and unfortunately ended in a chemical but I do not regret a second for doing the test. You will have to pay for medications but it will cost you less than a normal cycle because you only take 3 medications: 1. estrogen pills, 2. something to not ovulate (nasal spray or injections like buserelin) and 3. progesterone for 5-6 days. My medications were around 350 euro I bought them from Spain. Your clinic will have to collect one sample for all 3 tests. If you have the opportunity and possibly to do them go ahead you will not regret. Take care ♥️

[Sw1234 in reply to Ranchu90]

Thanks for your lovely message. Sorry your FET ended with a chemical, hope you get a positive result soon. I've decided to go ahead with the tests. Hope they're useful and provide some information

[Millbanks]

I had the ERA/ALICE/EMMA last month and the results showed that I need a whole extra day of progesterone (6.5 days) which I had a suspicion about. I’m really pleased that it showed something. The ALICE showed almost normal bacteria but the clinic recommended a probiotic to make it completely ok. EMMA was clear.

I would definitely recommend it if you’ve had recurrent implantation failure (I’ve had 3) it’s a full FET cycle without the transfer and on the sat you would normally transfer you have a biopsy instead. Xx

[Sw1234 in reply to Millbanks]

That's great. Thanks for explaining the process too. So much to take on during a phone call

[Millbanks in reply to Sw1234]

I know! So much information. I was really worried that the biopsy would be painful but actually it was fine - its a very strange feeling and made me feel a bit faint but it wasn't painful as such. I took a couple of paracetamol before hand :)Please shout if you have any questions xx

[nT455 in reply to Millbanks]

Hi Millbanks, I was wondering what probiotic you are taking?

[Millbanks in reply to nT455]

Hi lovely, it's called "Bio. Me Femme V" - by Invivo. xx

[Sw1234 in reply to Millbanks]

Does the ERA just show up if you need more progesterone or does it also tell them the ideal day/time to do transfer? Or as it will be medicated it doesn't matter?

[Millbanks in reply to Sw1234]

So it shows up the number of hours of progesterone that you need before transfer. The normal window is 5.5 days (so you start your cyclogest 5 days before your frozen transfer usually) but I need 6.5 days so would have one more day on cyclogest / lubion before the transfer. Make sense? xx

[Sw1234 in reply to Millbanks]

Makes sense 😀 thanks

[LifetoCherish in reply to Millbanks]

Hi Millbanks, was this actual brand recommended by your clinic? Or did they suggest what type of probiotic you need? I’m having an ERA/Alice/Emma test soon and wanted to check x

[Millbanks in reply to LifetoCherish]

Hi lovely, yes they sent a list to choose from but my fertility nutritionist said this one was the best xx

[LifetoCherish in reply to Millbanks]

Ok lovely, thank you so much. Think I’ll get some to be on the safe side 😊 xx

[AAAB1 in reply to Millbanks]

Hi Millbanks! I just saw your post. I am considering these tests. Can I ask you how long you had to wait between the tests and the actual FET?

[Millbanks in reply to AAAB1]

Hi lovely! Yes I did the ERA in November and did my FET in December. So literally next cycle… mine did show I needed 24 hours extra of progesterone 👍🏼 Xx

[AAAB1 in reply to Millbanks]

Thanks!

[Cinderella5]

I had these 3 test done and the results were quite significant to me....the alice and emma didn't throw up too much but the ERA showed we needed a full 24 hours extra of progesterone and now 18wks pregnant. They are all done in the one biopsy so worth doing all 3 as you wouldn't want to keep ding biopsies. My biopsy was £1250. I had left over meds so didn't have to pay for any but I maybe would have been around £100 for meds....it depends what they want you to take though. Painkillers beforehand are a must too as its quite nippy.xx

[Sw1234 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thanks for replying. Once you've had the tests done once whatever it tells them do they use the results for every following transfer? Don't know if this is a silly question but whatever the tests show eg 24 hours more progesterone would your body need that every month for transfer? It wouldn't show it was needed the month of the test and then the next month need more/less progesterone?

[Cinderella5 in reply to Sw1234]

Technically these protocols are used for frozen embryo transfers so as long as you are able to stick to the recommended timings for each transfer then it should work for all future frozen embryo transfers. However that said I do know that you also need a good embryo and for a bit of luck in there too. It may not work first time but should work at some point.xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Sw1234]

My only other recommendation is when you are transferring check your progesterone levels (day of transfer or day before) to ensure you are getting enough - this has nothing to do with the ERA timings but important for implantation.xx

[bmm651]

may i know your result? after ERA? got positive?

[Sw1234 in reply to bmm651]

You don't get positive or negative for ERA. You're told how many days of progesterone before transfer and I've been told mine was 'standard' so don't need extra days of progesterone