SERUM IVF CLINIC ATHENS GREECE

[Pearlyy]

Hi there
Pls can you share your experience with Serum IVF Athens clinic ?
I spoke to Sofia Katsiki and planning to visit them soon.
I need genuine recommendation pls
Thanks

Hi simim what did you have done with them? Did you get your ivf meds while your there? 😊

I had initial tests and hysteroscopy. I did get the meds but for some reason the pharmacist didn't give me one of the main ones so am trying to get hold of it here.

What was the reason they done a hysteroscopy? Had you originally planned one with them? I'm hoping they will just do the ovarian PRP on me and testing! But they mentioned possibly doing a Hysteroscopy too, I don't think there procedures are cheap either 😪

Yes very quickly they told me I needed one so had to have it. I had a polyp which I didn’t know about before that was blocking entrance to my uterus. So had to be removed. But don’t think everyone needs one.

@Meadow3 any update from your treatment

Hi @Clocloxx just wanted to ask about your ECG, I’m looking to book mine but seen there are two types of ECG tests. Did you do the resting ECG?

I'm guessing it's resting yes, but double check with the clinic, I had asked my doctor for the referral for the ECG and they told me they do them here at my local gp so I'm booked in for next week 😁

We did go to Serum and then switched to Newlife in Thessaloniki and honestly I am so glad we did. Nothing wrong with Serum per se, but I found they pushed too many extras which is absolutely not the case with Newlife. They roped me into having PRP which there is little to no evidence for. That's what made us switch. Good luck!

Hi @SulaBa85 did you do testing and a cycle of ivf with serum or leave after consultation? Sometimes after multiple failed rounds of ivf the in depth testing is needed 🥲 serums uses a recent protocol called PRGF (Plasma Rich in Growth Factors) which has been proving to be better then the conventional PRP

I didn't so any cycles at Serum. I did intial consulation, they convinced me to do PRP, which I did, then in parallel had a consult with Newlife and decided to switch.

Why did they want you to do a prp? Did you notice any improvements after it ? 😪

I am looking at Crete Fertility Centre & Serum - trying to decide.

There was no "before and after" as this was before me even attempting a 1st cycle. They framed as " it might an additional help", which of course you are going to go for when you are anxious and want to have the best shot at it. So that was around 2k euros we spent.
This was stright after finding out our difficult situation and just being anxious and in a fog . For context, I am a very difficult case with very low AMH (2.1) and low ovarian reserve at a relative young age (38 when I started, now 39)- which we had not expected.

In comparison, my current clinic did not such thing, it was actually us who asked about PRP to know what their view was on it (since at that point I had it done at Serum previously) and they just shrugged and said that since there is no real evidence behind it, they do not recommend it and don't offer it. That was what made us switch to them and we are very happy with our choice. Personally, I rather have a clinic who is relistic and offers evidence-based treatments only instead of tapping us for every euro they can.

Oh okay so you've never actually had a ivf cycle so you can't compare if there was any improvement or not? It does seem strange they suggested it if you never had any failed ivf cycles in the past so they don't know if you're a bad responder or not, my amh was 3 when it was tested a year ago probably much lower now after multiple failed ivf cycles I'm only 31 so not sure why my eggs are terrible but there has been studies on PRP one most recent one shows it can increase AMH AFC reduce FSH levels and increasing the number of oocytes and embryos, which sounds very promising for women with low amh and poor responders, alot of clinics will dismiss certain procedures if they can not offer them, my last clinic used to say dna fragmentation test was a waste but after reading studies and other people's stories it's clearly not a waste!

Ok, let me clarify a few things for context...

I have now had 2 IVF cycles with Newlife and will attempt transfer in December (we have frozen blasts)

I have only ever had my AMH tested once, last year, even before having consultation and then PRP with Serum. Therefore I can't provide any before/after comparison for AMH levels.

But for AFCs, I can- I have had sooo many- both before starting with Serum to establish my baseline, and straight after with Newlife (after PRP with Serum).

For me, there was no change in follicle (AFC) count between before/after PRP, and if anything, it gradually got a little worse, as is to be expected, as I started this journey 18 months ago at 38, and I am now 39 and already experiencing peri-menopause symptoms.

I lack the skills to interpret studies' results that I might find on PubMed via google search- as so do anyone who does not work in research- so if a very experienced obgyn tells me there is no conclusive evidence for something, I take their word for it. Also, they did offer PRP in the past when it was very new technology; they stopped when they failed to see any benefit. I do want to point out that they specified it made no difference to the % of live births. This takes into consideration the whole process end-to end.
As in, PRP may help with short-term lowering of FSH or whatever, but ultimately it does not increase the success rate of the end-result, which is, of course, full-term pregnancy. This is a very important difference.

With all this said, I am sorry your AHM is low. If it helps mine was at 2.1 when I started this.

Are you tracking your hormones, and do you have premature ovarian failure? I ask since you mention FSH.

It's completely up to you and if money is no issue by all means throw the sink at it. If not, my £0.02 would: spend your money wisely and keep it for another cycle. Or invest it in a consultation with an endocrinologist.

That's what I would do if I were to start this over.

Best of luck to you!

Apologies for the slow reply, I missed seeing the latest posts.
So a quick update on my situation, I had PRP at Serum on June 14th, my period came a few days early on June 15th and I only just got my 2nd period on Thursday past (22/8) - I must have missed a period but it was a long 2 month wait! About a month after the PRP, I started experiencing hot flushes which completely panicked me as I thought PRP had accelerated menopause but my local gynaecologist prescribed estrogen for a week which quickly stopped them.
She also prescribed Primolut (progesterone) twice during this time to help bring my period on, not sure whether the 2nd one worked or it just coincidentally arrived a few days after I finished the dose.
My AFC increased from 2-3 pre PRP to 5 towards the end of July, and today it is 4, so no significant increase and I don’t know whether quality has improved at all.
At my initial consultation with Serum in June, they recommended a natural supported IVF cycle (seeing whether my ovaries respond to my natural FSH) so that’s what I am doing now. From what I understand for older women who have DOR, they recommend mini/light IVF as the standard high dose version doesn’t tend to work as well with a small number of eggs. I need to get scanned again at the end of the week so see how the follicles are growing before they decide on qty and timing of stimulation meds.
In hindsight I would have done an IVF cycle before doing PRP as I will now never know if it impacted egg quality or not. I am hoping it has made a difference but until I do an IVF cycle I really can’t say whether it is worthwhile. It is a gamble; I’m on a few Facebook groups and there are many women who claimed it helped their AFC count and egg quality and many who said it didn’t make any difference at all.

Just jumping in as I have my first face-to-face appointment with them next week on the 5th of September, with a follow-up on the 6th. I’m 43 and will be turning 44 in December. I have a 7-year-old and have been trying for baby number 2 for four years, but unfortunately, I’ve had three miscarriages and a chemical pregnancy. My AMH is low, and I was advised to undergo a hysteroscopy and PRP before trying anything else.
I’ll be going alone since my husband is staying home to take care of our little one. I have so many questions and am feeling quite anxious. For those of you who have already been through this, I’d really love to hear your stories.

@Meadow3 glad to hear your process is moving forward. I had PRP too but not tracked anything. Also had some microbiota tests that have led me and my partner to be on lots of antibiotics for the last few weeks. Hoping to go to serum for first round around 13th September. Wishing you loads of luck xx

@Whatdidyoucallme good luck for your first appointment, please let me know how you get on as I’m coming on 16th sept for my first appointment

@Simim hi can I ask how your microbiodata test went and how long you had to be on antibiotics if you don’t mind, I’m coming to serum on the 16th and will be getting this also

They did it during my hysteroscopy in the end but my microbiota results wasn't perfect note the med incomes now for two weeks ish.

So far I do rate serum so keeping fingers crossed

I would love to know how you got on, as booked for all of the tests are Serum after 12 year long battle with infertility/recurrent pregnancy loss. We have one mircle daughter, so we know its possible but I just had my first natural pregnancy in 8 years and lost it this week, so desperate for some answers.

@Gemberry I completely understand what you're going through and I'm truly sorry you have to experience this. I’m currently in a very similar situation myself. I’ll keep everyone updated after my appointments next week. I'm feeling quite nervous since I'll be handling everything on my own without any support.
For those who have been there before, could you please advise if it's better to take public transport or a cab? Does Uber operate in that area? Also, is cash generally preferred in Athens, or are card payments widely accepted?

Sending you all of the luck and love @Whatdidyoucallme. If it helps I was I'm Athens about 5 years ago and transport/taxis were super easy and everywhere took cards.

Just waiting to book my investigations, as I'm not sure when my cycle will return to normal after my miscarriage, but hopefully will be there on Oct.

🩵

Hello everyone! I wanted to update you all on my first visit to Serum this week.

I arrived a day early and stayed at Hotel Anesi, which is a budget hotel that’s a bit run-down, but the staff were incredibly warm and friendly. They even made me a full breakfast despite me arriving too late for it. The hotel is close to the clinic, and for my two-day stay, it was great value for money—a comfortable(ish) bed and a shower. I would definitely recommend it.

On the first day, I met with the fertility specialist, Ioannis Gryparis. As soon as I entered the clinic, I felt like I was in good hands. The place was clean, professional, and the staff were friendly and approachable.

Since my situation was clear beforehand—unexplained secondary infertility, low AMH, three miscarriages, one ectopic pregnancy, and age-related concerns—they only did a scan and no other checks before my planned treatments.

That same day, I went to Mitera Hospital for pre-tests before my surgery. These included tests for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, an ECG, and a COVID test.

The next day, I had a hysteroscopy at Mitera Hospital, which is about 10 minutes from Serum. They also did a microbiome test. Afterward, I went back to Serum for a PRP treatment. Overall, my experience was pleasant. Both Mitera Hospital and Serum were very professional and helpful. Now, I’m waiting for my microbiome test results, which should take 8-10 days.

Let's see how things go from here. If I’m not pregnant in two months, we’ll start the IVF process.

I went all by myself and was quite anxious, but after my experience, I can say I was definitely in good hands.

Just wanted to share this update with you all, as I know it can be frustrating when follow-ups are hard to find on a thread lol.