Experiences of an Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) biopsy

[PM985]

We are now considering an ERA biopsy before a 3rd FET attempt after 2 which failed due to suspected implantation failure.

Can anyone share their experiences of the ERA, such as...

1. How many biopsies / fake cycles are needed?
2. Were the results conclusive?
3. Did this result in implantation success?

@Babydustt12 I just had my results today, thankfully with the ALICE/EMMA tests all has come back good. The ERA showed that I need an extra day on progesterone so transfer on day 6 rather than day 5. With the oestrogen not doing anything at normal dose they are going to just start me on 10mg a day from the start and will do a progesterone test on ET day. It needs to be between 30-70 so depending on what they get from that they may give me lubion injections too.
Have you had your results?

@Coops0406 that’s good news on your results and also that’s means you not wasting anytime. I’ve not had my results yet the only thing I’ve had is the anatomical pathology results. Not sure what that is but not had anything else.

Have you tried patches? That might be better for increasing lining?

@Coops0406
just to let you know I had my ERA results - it says I am pre-receptive and need to repeat my biopsy with 6.5 days of progesterone. So disappointed

@Babydustt12 why are they redoing it? Are they checking it's the same on the next cycle? I don't understand why they would need to redo it? Mine is exactly the same, I'm pre-receptive so just means transfer will be a day later than normal.

@Coops0406 really? So did they say you transfer in 6 days instead of 5?

I had 5.5 days of the progesterone for the ERA and now they are saying you to have 6.5 days of progesterone for the ERA and repeat it?

I’ve just copy pasted my result below

“The gene expression profile shows similarity to an endometrium that has NOT reached its receptivity status yet and whose window of implantation is displaced. A new biopsy to confirm the displacement of the window of implantation and guide the embryo transfer is recommended. This biopsy should be performed 1 day later (P+6.5) in the same type of cycle in which the first endometrial biopsy was obtained”

@Babydustt12 yes so mine showed the day they did the biopsy I was pre receptive and my transfer window is actually 6 days after the start of progesterone rather than the standard 5 days after (which is when they did the biopsy). So based on that I wonder whether yours are being extra cautious and double checking that you are receptive 6.5 days after starting progesterone...but surely if they believe the tests are accurate and you pay so much, why would they recommend doing it again? It cost me a lot of money for the ALICE/EMMA/ERA test and I definitely wouldn't be paying again to confirm the results. Do you have to pay for the next one too?

@Coops0406 yeah I think what you are saying makes a lot of sense. It looks like they are asking to re- test to be certain but exactly it’s 700 € (got it done in Spain) and I agree lot of money to get it done again and flight tickets as well.
I will discuss with my consultant and see what he says? I was thinking I would do in between 6 and 6.5 days because there is anyways +/- 3 hr window isn’t it ? So either ways would be ok for 6 days and 6.5 days.
I do have pcos and have really long cycles so maybe 6.5 days sounds right for me?
do you know if anyone ever needed it for 7dAys?
did you have the EMMA and ALICE for me?

@Babydustt12 yes mine says 151 hours +/- 3hrs which basically means anytime on day 6 if I took my first progesterone around 6am then on day 6 at 12pm is exactly 151 hours so with the +/- allowance it means anywhere between 9am and 3pm I'm guessing. I have irregular cycles, misdiagnosed as pcos, then told endometriosis but really I don't think they know and what they've seen wasn't worth doing anything about as I was in the throws of ivf!
I'm still confused as to why they would need to do another biopsy, I would speak to your consultant about it. Is your consultant in Spain too, is that where you are having treatment?
I had the Emma and Alice test too and all that was fine, no issues there

Yeah I will speak to my consultant and see what he says. I am actually getting my treatment done in India due to long waiting times in England and then got biopsy done in Spain as I didn’t get an appointment here soon enough and too far to travel to India just for a biopsy.
I am still awaiting for EMMA but my ALICE just showed secretory endometrium. Is that all it shows?

Where are you in your journey?

@Babydustt12 wow! So much travel! Where are you based on England? I haven't noticed that long waiting times where I live, but I've heard treatment abroad is like half the price!
So the EMMA tells you percentage lactobacillus which is the good bacteria they want to see, mine came back at 95% but I've been taking probiotics since November and I drink an actimel a day! And the ALICE showed 0% of any of the harmful bacteria that would affect implantation. Do you take any probiotics?
I'm hoping we're nearly there now 🤞🏾
I'm 39, started TTC 3 years ago, diagnosed with pcos then put on clomid for 6 months which didn't work. Then started ivf, have been doing ivf for the last year, 1st cycle was terrible with only 2 eggs, 1 embryo which was put back in but failed. They told me in the cycle that I didn't have pcos but have endometriosis. Then another 2 cycles, 17 eggs and 16 eggs, another failed fresh transfer. Had 7 very good embryos PGT-A tested and have got 3 euploid embryos frozen. So hoping that after the biopsies that we can have a positive outcome for our first FET.
How about you?

yeah lot of traveling because I just didn’t want to waste time waiting for the referrals and to be seen. I’m live in the north east of England, how about you?
I am 33 and started TTC 3 years ago - 5 miscarriages all first trimester. 4 pregnancies via IUI and 1 natural. Was advised iVF last September as can test embryos and all better progesterone support. Did EC last November and had 12 embryos and 6 PGT-A normal and 1 failed transfer beginning of new year. After that tried few times but cycle got cancelled as my lining wasn’t thick enough . So will be changing to patches this time as might absorb that better. Yes I have been taking probiotics and also been doing the clean living (no chemicals) so hopefully that will help somewhere.

its a diff journey isn’t it, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that it works for you this time 💕