Endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA)
The ERA test checks whether the uterine lining is ready for implantation at the planned time of transfer. Who may benefit and how it works.
An endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) is a diagnostic test that shows whether the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is receptive to an embryo at the time a transfer would normally take place.
Who may benefit
The ERA is mainly used for women with recurrent implantation failure during IVF, especially after transfer of good-quality or chromosomally normal (euploid) embryos. It may also help in some cases of recurrent pregnancy loss, or when there’s concern about a thin uterine lining.
How the mock cycle works
The ERA is done in a practice (“mock”) cycle before the actual frozen embryo transfer cycle. The lining is prepared in essentially the same way as in a programmed frozen embryo transfer:
- You take estrogen tablets for about 2 weeks.
- Progesterone is then added, overlapping with the estrogen, for 5 days.
- On the sixth day of progesterone, you come in for the biopsy.
Biopsy day
The biopsy is a simple office procedure that takes about 5 to 10 minutes. A small sample of the lining is collected with a thin pipelle biopsy catheter and sent for molecular testing of about 248 genes.
Understanding your results
The ERA results help pinpoint your optimal window of implantation. With the ERPeak test, results are reported as:
- Not receptive
- Pre-receptive
- Receptive
- Post-receptive
- No result
For pre-receptive or post-receptive results, the genetics company also recommends a time for transfer. Based on your results, we either keep the same day and time for starting progesterone in your transfer cycle, or move it earlier or later by the recommended hours or days.
Source: CooperSurgical, ERPeak endometrial receptivity test
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk with your doctor about yours.
