Fertility and Endocrine Associates is excited to offer our patients a new test by Cicero Diagnostics labs that can help some patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) increase their chances of becoming pregnant. The new test, called ReceptivaDX, looks for abnormalities in the uterine lining, which are usually caused by endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the endometrium — cells on the inner layer of the uterus that are shed each month during your menstrual period — grow in other places, most commonly on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes and the lining of the pelvic cavity.
Endometriosis can make it more difficult for women to get pregnant. The condition can cause scarring between the ovaries or fallopian tubes, making it harder for an egg to be carried to the uterus. It can also affect the endometrial lining, making it less receptive for an embryo to implant and result in a successful pregnancy. For more about endometriosis, click here.
How ReceptivaDX Works
In some women, endometriosis isn’t easily recognized on an ultrasound, which makes it more difficult to diagnose. In a ReceptivaDX text, a biopsy of the endometrial lining is obtained at the optimum time during hormonal stimulation and sent to a specially equipped lab. It’s an outpatient procedure done in our office that does not require anesthesia. Patients should experience only mild discomfort.
That biopsy sample is tested for the presence of an inflammatory marker called BCL6. If that marker is positive, it indicates dysfunction in the uterine lining that’s usually caused by endometriosis.
If endometriosis is detected, it can usually be treated successfully with either hormone therapy or minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery. While other tests are available to evaluate the quality of embryos or determine the best time to transfer embryos, ReceptivaDx is currently the only test that can accurately detect inflammation on the uterine lining that’s likely to cause implantation issues.
If the results are negative for BCL6, then no additional treatment is necessary. Confirming that the uterine lining is free of endometriosis, and that it won’t be a barrier to conception, can be very reassuring for couples who are planning an embryo transfer.
Who Should Get ReceptivaDX
The ReceptivaDx test is recommended for women who have only one or a small number of embryos to transfer, or for those who have transferred embryos before and did not become pregnant. It can be a great option for women who have not yet been able to determine the cause of their infertility. According to Cicero, about 75% of women with unexplained infertility will test positive for BCL6.
ReceptivaDx can be performed at the same time as an Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA), which evaluates the time in a woman’s menstrual cycle when the endometrial lining is most receptive to embryo implantation. For more about the ERA test, click here.
If you have unexplained infertility or simply want to maximize your chances of becoming pregnant with IVF, contact our office for more information about the ReceptivaDx test at (502) 897-2144.
