The Big Fertility Project

A Randomized Trial of Endometrial Scratching before In Vitro Fertilization
NEJM

Big Fertility Project

A Randomized Trial of Endometrial Scratching before In Vitro Fertilization

Endometrial scratching (with the use of a pipelle biopsy) is a technique proposed to facilitate embryo implantation and increase the probability of pregnancy in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

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Endometrial scratches have become commonplace in fertility clinics around the world. Several small studies showed that may be some benefit especially in women with recurrent implantation failure. Nonetheless some clinicians remain sceptical. Nobody could give a good reason as to why scratching the endometrium might work, the procedure can be painful, and is also an additional cost to the patient.

This trial published today is of the highest quality. Researchers found that an endometrial scratch made no difference to the chance of having a baby with IVF treatment.

The endo-scratch trial in the UK has finished recruiting and we expect to find out the results soon. Is it now time to stop scratching?