Ovarian Rejuvenation
Ovarian rejuvenation is a new procedure that utilizes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to help restore fertility and stimulate natural hormonal production in some women who are unable to conceive or who suffer with symptoms associated with hormone deficiency.
Dr. Hugh Melnick was one of the first physicians in the United States to perform ovarian rejuvenation procedures. He was also the coauthor of the first paper published on PRP therapy in the field of gynecology, appearing in the Journal of Women’s Health Care in 2014. Dr. Melnick has been in practice for over 40 years and has extensive experience in helping women with fertility and hormonal issues.
What is Ovarian Rejuvenation?
Ovarian rejuvenation is a new application of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, which is used in many other medical specialties like dermatology, sports medicine, and orthopedics. PRP is a preparation of the patient’s own blood cells. Platelet cells are attracted to the site of an injury and release a group of substances, known as Growth Factors, each of which makes a unique biologic contribution to the complex process by which the body heals itself.
With an ovarian rejuvenation procedure, the PRP preparation is injected into her ovaries to stimulate new cellular growth in an attempt to restore fertility and ovarian hormone production and increase the quality of eggs. There is evidence indicating that stem cells, found in the ovaries, can be induced to morph into new eggs and hormone producing cells by the injection of the patient’s own Platelet Rich Plasma into the ovaries.
In Dr. Melnick’s clinic, we have seen the potential results firsthand. We have had patients who have had multiple failed IVF cycles conceive naturally and give birth following ovarian rejuvenation.
Who is a Candidate for Ovarian Rejuvenation?
Dr. Melnick conducts an initial consultation to determine whether or not a patient might be a candidate for ovarian rejuvenation. During the consultation, Dr. Melnick will review the patient’s medical, reproductive and endocrinology history. If any additional blood tests or sonograms are required prior to scheduling the procedure, a laboratory requisition will be sent by email so that patients can have testing done locally.
Though the evaluation is necessary to confirm if a patient is a good candidate, women who experience the following issues may benefit from ovarian rejuvenation:
- Women who wish to conceive without the use of donor eggs, or who wish to restore their hormonal balance and sexual drives naturally.
- Women who have a hormonal deficiency, but do not wish to take hormones.
- Women of any age with infertility associated with low egg reserve.
- Women with failed IVF treatments who consistently produce poor quality or genetically abnormal embryos.
- Women with unexplained infertility.
- Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis having infertility associated with low egg reserve.
- Women with premature ovarian failure (POF).
- Women with primary ovarian failure.
- Women with menopausal symptoms due to cancer treatment.
- What Happens During an Ovarian Rejuvenation Procedure?
- Ovarian rejuvenation procedures are done in Dr. Melnick’s office. First, the patient’s blood is drawn and placed into a centrifuge to separate out the platelets and prepare the PRP injection.
After the injection is prepared, the patient will receive intravenous (IV) sedation with propofol from a board certified anesthesiologist. Dr. Melnick then uses an ultrasound-guided needle to inject the PRP into the ovaries through the vagina. This is very similar to the egg retrieval process with IVF.
Patients are able to return home an hour after the procedure. Immediately after the procedure, approximately 20% of women will have mild discomfort in the lower abdomen or pressure in their ovaries, which usually resolves within 1-2 hours with oral pain medication. Patients may also experience a small amount of bleeding from the vagina after the procedure from the site of the needle punctures. Though rare, internal bleeding or infection can occur at the injection site.
Patients will typically see positive results within 2-24 weeks after the ovarian rejuvenation procedure. However, not all patients will see results; while Dr. Melnick carefully selects patients for this procedure, everyone is different and will respond differently to treatment. Long-term, the effects of ovarian rejuvenation are not permanent. If a woman has positive results from the initial procedure, it can be repeated.
Do you have additional questions about Ovarian Rejuvenation? Please see our FAQ page.
Costs of Ovarian Rejuvenation
The Ovarian Rejuvenation procedure is not covered by insurance. The consultation fee is $350, and the comprehensive cost of the procedure is $5,000. Patients who elect to schedule an ovarian rejuvenation therapy procedure at the time of their initial consultation will receive a complimentary $400 discount off the cost.
So, after the initial consultation, your discounted procedure cost is $4,600. It will include:
- Operating room fees
- Anesthesia costs and Anesthesiologists’ fee
- Nursing, sonographic, and physician services
- Laboratory costs associated with the preparation of Platelet Rich Plasma
Ovarian Rejuvenation in New York City
Dr. Hugh Melnick was one of the first doctors in the United States to offer ovarian rejuvenation, and was the co-author on the first scientific paper on the use of PRP in gynecology. Though this is a very new procedure, Dr. Melnick has been in practice for over 40 years, helping numerous women with infertility issues and hormonal imbalances. If you would like to learn more about ovarian rejuvenation, please call our office at (212) 369-8700, or use our appointment request form.
