ERA, ALICE and EMMA... Are they worth it?

[JadeH92]

So I have had 2 Frozen Embryo Transfer's one ended in miscarriage and my last one failed.

I have had my follow up appointment with my consultant this afternoon. He suggested to continue the Inhixa and add in a low dose steroid for my next transfer.

He also told me it will become standard protocol by my next transfer that a progesterone blood test will take place on the day of transfer, to check if a boost is needed.

After doing some research on what to do differently because of the failed transfer last month I have started taking Lactobacillus supplements, which I told him also.

He still suggested an EndomeTRIO (ERA, ALICE and EMMA). He said the investigations will be £1500, (then the meds on top) which obviously is a lot of money but as the same time it's only money, we will make it happen if needs be. However, I was just wondering if people actually recommend the tests?

Even more so because I am on the probiotics I would be given if needed for the EMMA they are checking the progesterone anyway and they are also throwing in the Steroids... And the thought of going through a full cycle with all the meds and side effects etc and not having a transfer is soo daunting.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

[Milly_Oz]

Hi Jade,Sorry to hear about your tough time with the FETs. It’s so disappointing, I had one recently too that failed but don’t know why.

We only had one embryo (pgt tested) and so we wanted to make sure we tried everything to give it the best shot and not be left wondering.

I did the Alice, ERA etc and I didn’t find the meds too bad to be honest but taking all the hormones isn’t nice I agree. The test itself was very quick and I didn’t even feel it. My results said my uterus was receptive at the test so all good and it did give me peace of mind.

Unfortunately however my little embryo didn’t work even though we did the tests and it was rated a good quality and PGT tested. Apparently the success is about ~50-60% even after all that testing!

Sorry I don’t have more definitive answers or a positive result to share but thought some information may help. I’ve read on here a number of people have found it made all the difference for their cycles after they’d gone through failed ones.

Good luck with it all!

[McQueeny]

Heya. I was recommended to do the trio of tests after a couple of failed transfers too. Like you I wasn’t sure they were worth it, and hated the idea of delaying by 2 or 3 months (one cycle to do the biopsy, then a couple of weeks for the results). What made me do it in the end was mostly a feeling of not wanting to kick myself if my next transfer then didn’t work either. Would I wonder ‘what if?’. Granted £1500 is a lot of money to spend on what if (we spent the same), but it’s still a lot less than another IVF cycle….. so we decided to go for it.

The results recommended I take the probiotics you are already taking, and the ERA also came up as post-receptive so we brought the next transfer forwards by 12 hours.

The next embryo did implant and we got a BFP - sadly ended in a chemical, but I guess the implantation is something! I don’t know if the tests and interventions made the difference…. Who knows 🤷🏼‍♀️

Good luck ☺️🤞

[JadeH92]

Milly_Oz McQueeny thank you both for your replies and experiences. So sorry for both of your losses!

I think I'm going to go a head because I know if not then the what if will drive me insane and I think if my 3rd round is a failed transfer again then I know I would do the tests on the 4th without hesitating so don't see the point in waiting.

I've just had my bloods done at my GP to check my Vitamin D, B12, and Thyroid so feel like with them, the trio of tests and progesterone bloods, introducing the steriods and keeping the anticoagulants I am covering all bases.

Good luck to you both with whereever you are on your journeys!

[McQueeny in reply to JadeH92]

That sounds like a good plan! And thank you. The best of luck ☺️🍀🤞