Endometrio - data shows it doesn't work

[SUMMERTIME02]

Has anyones clinic told them they no longer do the endometrio (emma, alice and era) test because data shows it doesn't work?

I thought it was strange when my doctor said that I don't need to take antibiotics this cycle, but I asked for them anyway, but now i've been told data doesn't really show that it makes a difference.

I had my endometrio biopsy done jan 2022, so makes sense it would be dated results anyway for my 3rd cycle after it.

Having a look online, I can seem to find a lot of talk about it during covid era but as of recently not much.

[JadeH92]

Hi summertime,

I had my 4th FET this week but prior to this has a 2 year break and I was so shocked at how much has changed.

I previously had the EMMA which showed high levels of gardenella and very low levels of lactobacillus. So pre cycle I had antibiotics and used a vaginal probiotic.

Because it was reportedly so low last time I was obviously very worried and asked if I'd need the tests again / antibiotics pre treatment again and if I should start some probiotics.

My consultant said he has actually done some research and there is a now research out there to say that the accuracy of theses tests is extremely debatable. The tests cannot distinguish if the bacteria they are picking up is alive or dead (which would have been previously treated with the antibiotics). So he doesn't actually recommend them anymore.

I wanted to start Canesflor pessaries during this cycle but this have been discontinued in the UK. So I started taking Optibac Women and drinking Kerif several times a week.

I did also have vaginal swabs done at my GP in the run up to rule out any BV because I know Gardenella is the bacteria that causes this. These came back negative which put my mind at ease for not taking the antibiotics pre transfer.

I think it's always scary when Drs take something away because we want to throw as much as possible at it. However, they want it to work too.

Hope this helps.

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to JadeH92]

This is the most helpful reply, thank you! How interesting! My report was a little confusing in the first place, I apparently was told to use the antibiotics as a typical response to just doing the test which I found quite questionable in the first place. Im glad it's one less thing for me to take but also glad that i have been aware of the importance of probiotics since the whole endometrio/igenomix hype, which i will continue to use now. Hopefully it does the job.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. Have you checked with the HFEA re Treatment Add ons and see what their comments are hfea.gov.uk good luck. Diane

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks for the link, I just took a look and can't find anything on there about it. Guess that's another reason to not worry too much about the dated procedure.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to SUMMERTIME02]

Hi. It seems s as if you had a hysteroscopy and biopsy, which could be all you needed. Diane

[Boo718]

honestly we did this test after a number of bfn and chemicals. It showed we needed an extra day of progesterone. That’s the only thing we changed on our last round and she’s asleep up stairs now xxx

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to Boo718]

That's amazing! I definitely think in your case where the receptivity of the uterine lining was checked made a huge difference to many others too. I think, maybe its more so the antibiotics side of it and the concern of whether it was consistently altering the microbiome successfully or just helping some with no real clinical pattern of why.

[Doodlebug23]

My clinic doctor said when I asked that they don’t advocate these tests svd explained the reasons, which made sense to me. I was as given prednisolone and clexane (Bondi protocol). I’ve also seen others on here have failures after amending timings due to the test results, then go back to “standard” timings and have success. My 6 week old is currently sleeping on me.

[Rjfguitfg]

My clinic still does them but my doctor recommended us not doing it given the above comments on the newer research. However another doctor at my clinic still did the tests after 2 or 3 failed cycles. We ended up not doing it and just going with a short course of antibiotics and lovenox prior to my third cycle which stuck and I now have twin girls!

[Galadriel1991]

yes my doctor told me the same when I asked for it. They no longer do the test.

I just find it so suspicious that the IVF industry is always praising one thing one day, citing all the benefits and proven clinical effects but then one day all of the sudden it’s not helpful anymore. I understand that research and medicine is constantly developing but I just think it’s so misleading when they sell it as „proven“ and then back paddle later

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to Galadriel1991]

I know right?! I was quite annoyed yesterday as I thought about the cost of the cycle and medication, the time spent preparing for and recovering from it. The traumatic biopsy experience. I guess everything happens for a reason but i hate that the clinic initially mislead me to believe this was the best best step at that point.

[Belldandy]

My clinic also does not do these tests because they don’t think they are useful (because according to them the implantation window is not so narrow as one had previously guessed). In both my BFP I had an inflammation detected via Hysteroscopy and had to take antibiotics for that.

[Whatwillbewillbe_ in reply to Belldandy]

Hi can I ask which clinic and doctor did your hysteroscopy?