Infertility is increasing nowadays, and getting pregnant is becoming more and more difficult. One such issue that many women face is recurrent miscarriages or recurrent implantation failure (RIF).
There are several medical interventions that are administered during fertility treatments to prevent RIF and increase the chances of successful implantation.
In this article, we’ll discuss Clexane, a drug that has been shown to increase the chances of pregnancy in women with RIF.
Clexane In Fertility Treatment
Before learning what role Clexane plays in fertility treatments, let’s first understand what clexane is.
Clexane (enoxaparin) is an anti-coagulant or blood-thinner, a drug doctors use to prevent blood clots in your system. It is usually administered in patients with medical conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolisms.
It is also used in bedridden patients who don’t move much and have a higher risk of blood clots. In fertility treatments, Clexane is mainly used to prevent blood clots that can cause miscarriages.
How Does Clexane Work In Fertility Treatment?
During fertility treatments, some women might have a higher risk of blood clotting in the placenta. This might happen due to excess synthetic estrogen in the body (due to hormonal injections) or due to other related disorders like Factor V Leiden, thrombophilia, or Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome.
Your doctor will first analyze if you have any of these blood-clotting issues and whether you have had recurrent miscarriages in the past. Based on the results, your fertility doctor will administer the drug.
A notable method of administering this drug for women with recurrent miscarriages is the Bondi Protocol (administering Clexane along with the steroid Prednisolone).
You will probably start taking these medications on the day or 5 days before your embryo transfer procedure. Sometimes, if the risk is high, you might even have to start them from the first day of ovulation induction. These injections should be taken till you reach at least 12–16 weeks of gestation.
These injections come in pre-filled syringes, and you can take them subcutaneously on your lower abdomen. The injection might bruise, so talk to your doctor or keep an ice cube ready while taking it.
What Are The Advantages Of Clexane In Fertility Treatment?
The main advantage that Clexane has in your fertility treatments is its ability to prevent the formation of blood clots in the embryo and placenta. It has also been shown to increase implantation rate in women.
Clexane, by preventing blood clots, also improves blood flow in the uterus. It is also an immunosuppressant and suppresses any immune dysfunctions that might arise and affect implantation.
You will only be administered 20mg of Clexane a day. This low dose is to make the drug only mildly immune suppressive and provide other implantation benefits.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Clexane?
Yes, though Clexane is beneficial to women with recurrent implantation failures, there are also some side effects you should be aware of. Below are some side effects you might experience due to Clexane injections.
- Bleeding gums and coughing up blood
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Headache and dizziness
- Nose bleeds
- Increased bleeding during menstruation
- Red or dark brown urine
Conclusion
Clexane is an effective drug that can be used to facilitate implantation in women with recurrent implantation failures. However, it also has its own side effects.
Discuss with your fertility doctor, understand the pros and cons of using the medication, and then decide whether it is necessary for you.
Clexane is believed to help prevent blood clot formation in the embryo and placenta. It has also been shown to promote embryo implantation. Thus, fertility doctors administer clexane in patients who have a higher risk of miscarriages to improve success rates.
No, clexane does not cross the placenta and reach the baby. So it does not affect your pregnancy.
You will be administered approximately 20 mg of clexane every day from the start of your IVF treatment till you reach 12–16 weeks of pregnancy.
