New research has found that scratching the lining of the womb may increase a woman’s chance of conceiving, in particular when undergoing IVF.
Reviewing eight trials involving more than 1,000 women, the study conducted by Cochrane found that endometrial scratching can increase the likelihood of a live birth or on-going pregnancy from 9% to anywhere between 14% and 28%.
The procedure involves scratching the lining of the womb using a catheter tube, and can be an uncomfortable experience.
Experts believe it may make the womb “stickier” thus improving the odds of implanting, but are also urging caution as there is insufficient evidence it works for women who are trying to conceive naturally.
“There’s no evidence of good enough quality to imply that couples setting out to conceive spontaneously should seek this treatment from their doctors," explained Obstetrician Professor Nick Macklon, from the University of Southampton, who is director of the city’s Complete Fertility Centre.
It is not sure how or why endometrial scratching helps with conceiving, and Sarah Lensen from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, who led the review, said “the results must be treated with caution” as the research evidence was not of a high standard.
The study was presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Biology (Eshre) in Helsinki, Finland.
