If you have been told your uterine lining is too thin, if you have experienced repeated implantation failure after IVF, or if you are living with the effects of Asherman's syndrome, you have likely been searching for options beyond what conventional medicine has offered. Intrauterine PRP therapy is a regenerative treatment that is quietly expanding what is possible in fertility care — and it may be worth understanding whether it is right for you.

WHAT IS INTRAUTERINE PRP THERAPY?

PRP stands for platelet rich plasma — a concentrated serum derived from your own blood. After a simple blood draw, your sample is placed in a centrifuge that separates and concentrates the platelets and growth factors naturally present in your blood. The resulting plasma contains significantly higher levels of these regenerative proteins than whole blood.

In intrauterine PRP therapy, this autologous PRP is gently infused directly into the uterine cavity through a thin catheter — a brief, outpatient procedure that most people describe as similar to an IUI. No sedation is required, and most patients return to normal activities the same day.

Because the treatment uses only your own biology, the risk of rejection or allergic reaction is minimal. It is considered safe with a low side effect profile.

HOW DOES PRP SUPPORT FERTILITY?

Platelets are the body's first responders to injury. When activated, they release a cascade of growth factors — including PDGF, VEGF, and EGF — that signal the body to repair and regenerate tissue. In the context of the uterus, this matters enormously.

The endometrium is a highly dynamic tissue that must build up, become receptive, and sustain an embryo each cycle. When it is scarred, thinned, or poorly vascularized, it cannot do its job. PRP works by delivering a concentrated dose of these growth factors directly to the endometrium, stimulating cellular repair, new blood vessel formation, and tissue regeneration — asking your body to do what it already knows how to do, in a more targeted and amplified way.

PRP FOR THIN UTERINE LINING

A uterine lining measuring less than 7 millimeters is generally considered too thin for successful implantation — even with high-quality embryos. For people with a poor endometrial response, this is one of the most frustrating obstacles in fertility treatment.

Research published in journals including Fertility and Sterility and Human Reproduction has documented meaningful improvements in endometrial thickness following intrauterine PRP in women who did not respond to conventional estrogen therapy. In some studies, women who had been cancelled from IVF cycles due to inadequate lining were able to proceed after PRP treatment. A 2019 clinical study found significantly improved endometrial thickness and pregnancy rates in people who received intrauterine PRP prior to frozen embryo transfer compared to a control group.

While larger randomized trials are ongoing, the existing evidence is encouraging — particularly for people who have run out of conventional options.

PRP AND ASHERMAN'S SYNDROME

Asherman's syndrome is a condition in which scar tissue forms inside the uterine cavity, typically following surgery, D&C, infection, or myomectomy. This intrauterine scarring can reduce the functional surface of the endometrium, disrupt menstrual cycles, and significantly impair fertility.

Standard treatment involves hysteroscopic surgery to remove adhesions, followed by hormonal therapy to support regrowth. However, adhesions can recur, and hormonal therapy alone is not always enough — particularly in moderate to severe cases.

Intrauterine PRP is showing real promise as an adjunct to surgical treatment, helping accelerate endometrial regeneration and reduce the likelihood of re-adhesion. Several clinical studies have documented improved pregnancy outcomes in women with Asherman's syndrome who received PRP therapy following surgery. Can you get pregnant with Asherman's syndrome? Yes — and PRP may meaningfully improve your chances when integrated into a comprehensive plan.

PRP FOR RECURRENT IMPLANTATION FAILURE

Recurrent implantation failure — defined as two or more failed transfers of good-quality embryos — is one of the most emotionally and clinically challenging experiences in reproductive medicine. Even chromosomally normal embryos cannot implant in a uterine environment that is not adequately receptive.

For women preparing for embryo transfer, intrauterine PRP in the days prior has emerged as a strategy to optimize endometrial receptivity. Studies have reported improved clinical pregnancy rates in people with recurrent IVF failure who received PRP, with some research suggesting it may activate dormant endometrial stem cells and improve the molecular window of implantation.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE?

Intrauterine PRP may be appropriate if you have:

- A persistently thin uterine lining that has not responded to estrogen therapy

- Asherman's syndrome, whether recently treated or ongoing

- Two or more failed IVF transfers with good-quality embryos

- Prior uterine surgery with suspected endometrial scarring

- Recurrent miscarriage with a suspected uterine contribution

- Unexplained infertility with suboptimal endometrial findings

A thorough evaluation — including reproductive history, uterine imaging, and a detailed consultation — is always the starting point.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The process begins with a blood draw on the day of treatment. Your blood is processed to isolate the platelet rich plasma, then gently infused into the uterine cavity via a thin catheter. The procedure takes only a few minutes. Most people describe mild cramping — similar to a Pap smear or IUI — and return to normal activities the same day. Follow-up ultrasound typically occurs later to assess endometrial response. Depending on your situation, one to two infusions may be recommended over the course of a cycle or multiple cycles.

It is important to approach PRP with realistic expectations. It is not a guaranteed solution, and results vary. It works best as one part of a comprehensive, individualized fertility care plan — not a standalone treatment.

INTEGRATIVE FERTILITY CARE AT ORIGINS INTEGRATIVE HEALTH

At Origins Integrative Health, intrauterine PRP is offered within a broader framework of naturopathic and integrative fertility care. Depending on your needs, this may include functional medicine lab evaluation, nutritional and herbal support, acupuncture, and collaborative care with your reproductive endocrinologist or OB-GYN. The goal is always to address the whole picture — not just one data point.

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY

The fertility journey is rarely a straight line — but every path forward begins with a single step. At Origins Integrative Health, our approach to fertility care is as individual as your story. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or have been navigating infertility for years, we are here to offer thoughtful, evidence-informed care that honors where you are and supports where you want to go.

Take the first step — schedule a fertility consultation with Dr. Laura Clevenger at Origins Integrative Health in Portland, Oregon.

---

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Resources:

Thin Uterine Lining & PRP

Shin SY, Chung N, Shin JE, et al. Angiogenic factor-driven improvement of refractory thin endometrium with autologous platelet-rich plasma intrauterine infusion in frozen embryo transfer cycles. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2024;15:1431453. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1431453

Gangaraju B, Mahajan P, Subramanian S, et al. Lyophilized platelet-rich plasma for the management of thin endometrium and facilitation of in-vitro fertilization. JBRA Assisted Reproduction. 2023;27(1):55–59. https://doi.org/10.5935/1518-0557.20220021

Recurrent Implantation Failure

Zamaniyan M, Peyvandi S, Heidaryan Gorji H, et al. Effect of platelet-rich plasma on pregnancy outcomes in infertile women with recurrent implantation failure: a randomized controlled trial. Gynecological Endocrinology. 2020;37(2):141–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2020.1756247

Xu Y, Hao C, Fang J, et al. Intrauterine perfusion of autologous platelet-rich plasma before frozen-thawed embryo transfer improves the clinical pregnancy rate of women with recurrent implantation failure. Frontiers in Medicine. 2022;9:850002. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.850002

Benkhalifa M, Joao F, Duval C, et al. Endometrium immunomodulation to prevent recurrent implantation failure in assisted reproductive technology. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022;23(21):12787. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232112787

Asherman's Syndrome

Kim JH, Park M, Paek JY, et al. Intrauterine infusion of human platelet-rich plasma improves endometrial regeneration and pregnancy outcomes in a murine model of Asherman's syndrome. Frontiers in Physiology. 2020;11:105. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00105

Kim MK, Yoon JA, Yoon SY, et al. Human platelet-rich plasma facilitates angiogenesis to restore impaired uterine environments with Asherman's syndrome for embryo implantation and following pregnancy in mice. Cells. 2022;11(9):1549. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11091549

Puente Gonzalo E, Alonso Pacheco L, Vega Jiménez A, et al. Intrauterine infusion of platelet-rich plasma for severe Asherman syndrome: a cutting-edge approach. Updates in Surgery. 2020;73(6):2355–2362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-020-00828-0

Systematic Review

Vaidakis D, Papapanou M, Siristatidis CS. Autologous platelet-rich plasma for assisted reproduction. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2024;4:CD013875. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013875.pub2 (This is the most authoritative — a Cochrane meta-analysis)

Rodríguez-Eguren A, Bueno-Fernandez C, Gómez-Álvarez M, et al. Evolution of biotechnological advances and regenerative therapies for endometrial disorders: a systematic review. Human Reproduction Update. 2024;30(5):584–613. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmae013