🌸 Dr. Sayali Chavan-Shitole – IVF & Fertility Specialist | Expertise in IVF, ICSI, IUI, Fertility Preservation & Advanced Hysteroscopy 🌸

Stem cell therapy for fertility at Femcare Fertility, Kalyani Nagar, Pune is offered for selected cases of thin endometrium and premature ovarian insufficiency. Dr. Sayali Chavan Shitole provides evidence-based guidance on candidacy, realistic outcomes and the current state of clinical evidence. Consultation: ₹500.

Stem Cell Therapy for Fertility in Pune - Evidence, Eligibility and What to Expect

Stem cell therapy in reproductive medicine is one of the most discussed and least clearly explained areas in modern fertility care. Patients researching IVF failures or difficult diagnoses encounter the term frequently - but the information available ranges from genuinely promising research to clinics making claims that far outstrip the current evidence.

At Femcare Fertility in Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Dr. Sayali Chavan Shitole offers a clear, honest explanation of what stem cell and regenerative approaches currently offer, which patients are candidates and what realistic outcomes look like. No promises are made that the science does not support.

What Are Stem Cells and Why Are They Relevant to Fertility?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the potential to develop into specific cell types. In fertility medicine, the interest in stem cells centres on two main applications:

Endometrial regeneration - rebuilding a thin or scarred uterine lining that does not respond adequately to oestrogen

Ovarian rejuvenation - attempting to restore some function in ovaries with severely diminished reserve or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)

Thin Endometrium and Endometrial Regeneration

A thin endometrial lining - generally less than 7mm at the time of embryo transfer - is one of the most frustrating obstacles in IVF. Standard oestrogen treatment works for most patients, but a subset of women, particularly those with Asherman's syndrome, previous uterine infections, or extensive curettage, do not respond.

Approaches currently under clinical investigation include:

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) infusion - growth factors derived from the patient's own blood are infused into the uterine cavity. Several small studies show improvement in endometrial thickness and IVF outcomes, though large randomised trials are still ongoing

Bone marrow-derived stem cell infusion - a research-stage approach showing early promise in severely scarred endometria

Dr. Sayali discusses these options with patients who have repeatedly thin endometrium despite standard treatment, clearly explaining the level of evidence behind each approach.

Ovarian Rejuvenation for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

POI - ovarian failure before age 40 - is a devastating diagnosis for women hoping to conceive with their own eggs. Conventional fertility medicine has limited options when ovaries are no longer producing eggs. Research into ovarian rejuvenation using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injected directly into the ovary has shown early promise in a small number of published studies - some women have had detectable follicle activity resume after the procedure.

It is important to be clear: ovarian PRP is still an investigational treatment. The evidence base is growing but not yet at the level required to make it a standard recommendation. Dr. Sayali discusses it as an option for women with POI who have exhausted standard treatments and wish to explore every possibility before considering donor eggs.

Who Is a Candidate for Stem Cell / Regenerative Approaches at Femcare Fertility?

Women with documented thin endometrium ("<"7mm) that has not responded to standard oestrogen therapy over multiple cycles

Women with a history of Asherman's syndrome who have had hysteroscopic adhesiolysis but endometrial recovery is incomplete

Women with premature ovarian insufficiency who have no detectable follicles on standard ultrasound, considered after thorough counselling on evidence and realistic chances

What to Ask Before Any Stem Cell Treatment

Dr. Sayali recommends that any patient considering stem cell or regenerative therapy for fertility ask the following:

What is the published evidence for this treatment - is it from case reports, small series, or randomised controlled trials?

How many patients have been treated at this clinic with this approach?

What are the realistic outcomes and what is the next step if it does not work?

At Femcare Fertility, all three questions receive honest, complete answers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Dr. Sayali Shitole

It depends on the specific application. PRP for thin endometrium has a growing body of evidence from small studies showing benefit. Ovarian rejuvenation PRP is still investigational. Dr. Sayali will explain the current evidence clearly so you can make an informed decision.

Not exactly. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) uses growth factors from your own blood to stimulate tissue regeneration - it does not introduce stem cells. True stem cell therapy involves harvesting and infusing undifferentiated cells. Both fall under 'regenerative medicine' and are offered for selected cases at Femcare Fertility.

Low AMH reflects reduced ovarian reserve but does not necessarily mean zero eggs. Stem cell / PRP approaches are more relevant to women with premature ovarian insufficiency (confirmed cessation of ovarian function) than simply low AMH. For low AMH alone, modified IVF stimulation protocols are the more evidence-based option.

For endometrial PRP, typically 1-3 infusions are given within a single IVF preparation cycle. For ovarian PRP, the protocol varies. Dr. Sayali discusses the specific regimen and what monitoring will be used to assess response.

Costs vary depending on the specific treatment and number of sessions. Dr. Sayali provides a complete breakdown during the consultation (₹500), including what investigations are needed beforehand to confirm candidacy.