31 replies to this topic

[Carly102988]

Has anyone here had ERA testing? I am wondering if someone can explain how this works/ what it finds, as I am having trouble understanding 100 percent and my RE has recommended Thanks!

[HFLO]

Hi again Carly, I've had ERA testing. I had many failed transfers with PGS normal embryos, so I changed doctors and the new doctor recommended ERA testing. I had a mock cycle, meaning I did everything as if I was doing a FET and then instead of transfer day that was the biopsy day. The sample was sent for testing to determine if my lining was receptive. Mine was not, so I had to repeat the whole process and do the biopsy again, it turns out that I require 7 days of progesterone rather than 5, so when they did the biopsy on that day they found that my lining was receptive. Finally in February, we did a FET with the exact medications as the receptive ERA cycle and I got my first ever BFP after 5 years of IVF!! I'm now 27 weeks pregnant. I would highly recommend ERA testing. I wish I had known about it sooner since I wasted so much time, money, heartache and precious embryos, only to find out I had been transferring to early for them to implant. I wish you the best of luck!

[irish.allyson]

Hi Carly, I've had two ERA's done after two failed FET's.  They say about 75 to 85% of women are "receptive" during the standard protocol of doing a transfer after 5 days of progesterone, but now they think there are a small percentage of women who need one less day or progesterone or maybe one or two more.  My biggest concern were the results coming back 'receptive' or the standard protocol would be fine for me and giving me no insight as to why my embryos were not sticking.  My first result was post receptive meaning the standard protocol was too late for me.  I had to repeat the test and those results were pre-receptive.  I was a bit frustrated with the second result as I was hoping to get a receptive result, but according to my RE, I have a very small and specific window of implantation.  I've just done another FET based on the revised protocol and I am hoping this finally works.  

 

I second what HFLO said above - basically you start a cycle like you would for any FET and instead of transferring an embryo, they take a biopsy of your uterine lining.  It hurts, but only for a minute.  Those results are sent to a special lab and your results come back "Recommend transfer after XX hours of progesterone" and whether you are receptive, post receptive or pre receptive.  If you come back pre or post, your clinic will likely recommend you do the test again.  

[Highest hopes]

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as getting some meds (pills or IV) so that the biopsy itself is less painful?

 

Also, does anyone know the indication for having this test done, i.e. X number of failed cycles, for example?

 

Thanks

[HFLO]

Irish.allyson: good luck with your next FET. I remember reading a story similar to yours where the gal was receptive after 4.5 days of progesterone so they altered the timing of her transfer and she was successful!!
Highesthopes: I took extra strength Advil and Tylenol half an hour before the biopsy. It was totally bearable. When to have the test done is a personal decision and also depends on your doctor. For us, it was because of multiple BFNs with PGS normal embryos. My RE suggested ERA and I was open to trying anything new at that point. It is a big commitment because you have to do the mock cycle and it could take more than one cycle to figure out when you're receptive. This takes time and there's costs for the meds, monitoring and the test itself. Also for the real transfer you can't do a fresh transfer, you have to do FET. These are all things to consider. Good luck with your decision

[irish.allyson]

Irish.allyson: good luck with your next FET. I remember reading a story similar to yours where the gal was receptive after 4.5 days of progesterone so they altered the timing of her transfer and she was successful!!
Highesthopes: I took extra strength Advil and Tylenol half an hour before the biopsy. It was totally bearable. When to have the test done is a personal decision and also depends on your doctor. For us, it was because of multiple BFNs with PGS normal embryos. My RE suggested ERA and I was open to trying anything new at that point. It is a big commitment because you have to do the mock cycle and it could take more than one cycle to figure out when you're receptive. This takes time and there's costs for the meds, monitoring and the test itself. Also for the real transfer you can't do a fresh transfer, you have to do FET. These are all things to consider. Good luck with your decision

Oh HFLO, thank you for your message! You give me much needed hope!!! After two failed transfers I am beginning to lose hope that this could ever work and only 2 days past transfer the negative thoughts are creeping in.  Thank you again!

[elephantshoes]

I could have written HFLO's post verbatim.  We got BFNs on two transfers of 3 PGS normal embryos.  We tested my receptivity window and it was found we were transferring two days early (day 5 vs 7).  We changed protocol for this last transfer and we're now 9.5 weeks pregnant.

 

Good luck - hopefully this is the missing piece to your puzzle!

[HFLO]

Irish.allyson: good luck with your next FET. I remember reading a story similar to yours where the gal was receptive after 4.5 days of progesterone so they altered the timing of her transfer and she was successful!!
Highesthopes: I took extra strength Advil and Tylenol half an hour before the biopsy. It was totally bearable. When to have the test done is a personal decision and also depends on your doctor. For us, it was because of multiple BFNs with PGS normal embryos. My RE suggested ERA and I was open to trying anything new at that point. It is a big commitment because you have to do the mock cycle and it could take more than one cycle to figure out when you're receptive. This takes time and there's costs for the meds, monitoring and the test itself. Also for the real transfer you can't do a fresh transfer, you have to do FET. These are all things to consider. Good luck with your decision

Oh HFLO, thank you for your message! You give me much needed hope!!! After two failed transfers I am beginning to lose hope that this could ever work and only 2 days past transfer the negative thoughts are creeping in.  Thank you again!

Awww I'm happy to help!! I had a hard road too and reading other people's success stories are what got me through! When is your beta? Good luck!

[HFLO]

I could have written HFLO's post verbatim.  We got BFNs on two transfers of 3 PGS normal embryos.  We tested my receptivity window and it was found we were transferring two days early (day 5 vs 7).  We changed protocol for this last transfer and we're now 9.5 weeks pregnant.
 
Good luck - hopefully this is the missing piece to your puzzle!

congratulations!!! So happy for you!!

[melph]

Where/what doctor's did you all have ERA testing done? I'm trying to find somewhere that is willing to look into this for me after we've had 3 failed transfers. Thanks!

[HFLO]

Mine was done at Overlake Reproductive Health in Bellevue Washington which is near Seattle

[Carly102988]

Hi again Carly, I've had ERA testing. I had many failed transfers with PGS normal embryos, so I changed doctors and the new doctor recommended ERA testing. I had a mock cycle, meaning I did everything as if I was doing a FET and then instead of transfer day that was the biopsy day. The sample was sent for testing to determine if my lining was receptive. Mine was not, so I had to repeat the whole process and do the biopsy again, it turns out that I require 7 days of progesterone rather than 5, so when they did the biopsy on that day they found that my lining was receptive. Finally in February, we did a FET with the exact medications as the receptive ERA cycle and I got my first ever BFP after 5 years of IVF!! I'm now 27 weeks pregnant. I would highly recommend ERA testing. I wish I had known about it sooner since I wasted so much time, money, heartache and precious embryos, only to find out I had been transferring to early for them to implant. I wish you the best of 

I just got this! thank you!!!

[HFLO]

Hi again Carly, I've had ERA testing. I had many failed transfers with PGS normal embryos, so I changed doctors and the new doctor recommended ERA testing. I had a mock cycle, meaning I did everything as if I was doing a FET and then instead of transfer day that was the biopsy day. The sample was sent for testing to determine if my lining was receptive. Mine was not, so I had to repeat the whole process and do the biopsy again, it turns out that I require 7 days of progesterone rather than 5, so when they did the biopsy on that day they found that my lining was receptive. Finally in February, we did a FET with the exact medications as the receptive ERA cycle and I got my first ever BFP after 5 years of IVF!! I'm now 27 weeks pregnant. I would highly recommend ERA testing. I wish I had known about it sooner since I wasted so much time, money, heartache and precious embryos, only to find out I had been transferring to early for them to implant. I wish you the best of 

I just got this! thank you!!!

I saw your post on the other thread. Does this help? Let me know if you have more questions.

[Chermc22]

Did anyone in this thread have the ERA testing done in Ontario?? We have had two BFNs through my SIL as acting GS and we only have one embie left so want to give it our best shot in a couple months when were ready to move forward again.

 

Thanks.

[choicemom2be]

chermc22 i am at RCC in Mississauga and am curently doing my ERA testing with them.

[Chermc22]

Thanks choicemom2be. We had our follow up with our Dr yesterday and that is actually why he called us into the office was to discuss the ERA so that worked out for me as I was going to bring it up. SIL is currently on day3 so this will be our mock cycle.

 

Hope it helps and goodluck to you!! I'd be interested to see how it turns out for you.

[choicemom2be]

Chermc22 I am going in for my biopsy next week and they say it takes 2-3 weeks for the results.
good luck to you. Hopefully we both get the results we are hoping for. I will try to post when I get my results back.

[Chermc22]

That's awesome choicemomtobe. We have our day10 on Friday...in our past transfers we would do it after 5 days progesterone so guess that makes us next Thursday. I was told 2-4 weeks too. Ill post too once we have ours back!

[choicemom2be]

just had my first biopsy and I must day it was very uncomfortable and I was very crampy for about an hour after then felt fine. Now I have to wait for my second biopsy in 2 days then wait 2-3 weeks for the results.
Fingers crossed

[kim.c]

I totally recommend it! I had 2 PGS tested embryos. My first embryo transfer didnt work. I went to my doctor, and she suggested the ERA test as I only had 1 embryo left, and this was our last try at having a baby. 30% of the population is either pre or post receptive. I was told the stats by my doctor, and read the same stats online. I did a mock transfer, the biopsy was done by a Nurse Practioner at my clinic. It lasted 1 min. It was painful, but easier than the egg retrival. I took Tylenol 1 hour prior. My results came back as pre-receptive. This meant I needed one more day of progesterone to be receptive. I did my embryo transfer the following month, on March 12/18. It is also suggested that this test helps with implantation as you have damaged your uterus and the healing process kicks in. AKA ends scratch. After 7 days of progesterone, and on day 23 of my cycle I had the transfer. On March 22, I got a BFP!!!!! We are beyond excited, and really glad we spent the money for the ERA. I believe it made the difference. I also researched this and found out that this may be the gold standard in the future of IVF. I am an RN so I do have a medical background. Its all in the science of a personal embryo transfer ....good luck to everyone!!! 🤰👶🙏❤😆

[kim.c]

Chermmc22 mine was done in Toronto, Ontario. Good luck!!!

[choicemom2be]

Kim.c ~ A big congratulations on your BFP! it's so great to hear stories that the ERA has helped people. I'm actually down the road from you in Mississauga.

[choicemom2be]

I'm actually done my ERA now and awaiting results. they said I wouldn't actually be called and that they would just change my next protocol acordingly so now I just wait for day one to start everything all over again.
I had 2 biopsies 2 days apart and it didn't go as well as I'd hoped. the first was ok, a little painful as I expected but it was over really quickly. When it came time for the second biopsy they couldn't get enough tissue so they had to redo it 3 times! I'm really hoping after all of this I get some answers.

[amazing grace]

Choicemom, I hope you get answers too. I spent money on the ERA test and it showed I was pre-receptive by one day. Did the protocol but still failed. Now my clinic does six days of progesterone anyways so I basically did it for nothing. Still unsuccessful and had three failed fet's after the ERA, for a total of five. Hope you have better luck!

[Chermc22]

Congrats Kim.C !!!! I hope we all get the answers were looking for from this test. Sorry amazing grace that it didn't work out as planned for you.

 

My SIL just had the biopsy last Friday at our clinic in Burlington. Now we just need to wait for the results as well. Doesn't look like we will be transferring in April though as hoped.

 

Choicemom2be - sorry yours wasn't that enjoyable. My SIL said the same as your first one, a little uncomfortable, pain for a hour but afterwards was good. Why did you have to do 2 right away???