Is Ovarian PRP effective or another IVF scam?
Patient: Dr Malpani, I’ve been reading online about ovarian PRP. They say it can improve egg quality and even “rejuvenate” ovaries. Some sites claim a 70–80% success rate! Why don’t you offer this treatment at your clinic? Aren’t you equipped to do it?
Dr. Malpani: I understand why you’re asking. Ovarian PRP—or platelet-rich plasma—is being advertised as a miracle cure for women with low AMH or poor ovarian reserve. Technically, it’s very simple: a doctor draws your blood, spins it in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets, and then injects this back into your ovaries. The claim is that these platelets release magical stem cells and growth factors to improve egg quality.
But here’s the problem—there is absolutely no scientific evidence that this works. It sounds exciting, but in reality, it’s a scam.
Patient: But if it’s so easy to do, and if clinics are reporting such high success rates, why not at least try it?
Dr. Malpani: That’s exactly how scams work. Unscrupulous clinics exploit patients’ desperation. They advertise inflated success rates—numbers they can make up without anyone holding them accountable. Desperate patients want hope, so they believe these claims. Sadly, these “success rates” are just marketing gimmicks, not facts.
Patient: But how do I know who’s right—you or them? Why should I trust you when so many other doctors are offering it? Some of my friends even tried it. Sure, they didn’t get pregnant and eventually used donor eggs, but at least they felt they tried the latest technology.
Dr. Malpani: That’s a very valid concern. It’s hard when patients hear two completely opposite stories. Let’s apply some common sense and reason from first principles.
Ask yourself: why is this treatment only being offered in Indian IVF clinics? Why don’t you see any reputed clinics in the US or UK offering ovarian PRP?
Patient: Maybe they’re behind in technology?
Dr. Malpani: Actually, it’s the opposite. In countries like the UK, clinics are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). In the US, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) monitors outcomes. These bodies audit clinics and publish verified success rates. They hold clinics accountable.
That’s why no clinic there dares to offer PRP—it simply doesn’t work. In fact, the HFEA website clearly labels ovarian PRP as a useless “add-on” and advises against using it outside of research trials. And in proper clinical trials, patients are not charged a single paisa—because the technique is experimental.
Patient: But here in India, clinics are openly advertising PRP. Doesn’t anyone stop them?
Dr. Malpani: Sadly, no. Our regulatory authorities are asleep at the wheel. They don’t challenge clinics when they make false or exaggerated claims on their websites. As a result, IVF clinics in India can say whatever they want without fear of being questioned.
Patient: That’s very discouraging. No wonder many patients lose faith in IVF doctors altogether.
Dr. Malpani: Exactly. Once patients get cheated, they lose trust not just in the scammer clinic but in all IVF doctors—even the ethical ones. This breaks my heart, because IVF as a treatment is genuinely effective for many patients when done properly. But because of the greed of a few clinics, patients start treating every doctor with suspicion.
Patient: It’s so confusing. How do I know whom to trust?
Dr. Malpani: That’s why I always encourage patients to take charge of their own treatment. Don’t blindly trust what any clinic says—not even me! Do your homework. But do it the right way.
Go to trusted international sources like the HFEA in the UK, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), or the Australian Fertility Society. These organisations know that if they mislead patients, they can be sued. They publish transparent, evidence-based information.
In contrast, many Indian IVF websites are optimised not to educate you but to fool you. Their goal is to convert your desperation into profit.
Patient: So what you’re saying is—if PRP really worked, it would already be standard practice worldwide?
Dr. Malpani: Precisely. The fact that it’s only being marketed in poorly regulated countries is the biggest red flag. If something truly works in medicine, it doesn’t remain a secret—it spreads globally, because everyone wants better results. The fact that ovarian PRP is missing from reputable centres tells you everything you need to know.
Patient: I guess I just wanted to believe in a miracle…
Dr. Malpani: And that’s completely natural. Infertility is such a painful journey that patients are vulnerable to false hope. But as your doctor, my duty is to give you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. I’d rather protect you from wasting your time, money, and emotions on scams than give you a false sense of optimism.
Patient: Thank you for being honest. I’d rather face the truth than be cheated.
Dr. Malpani: That’s why I keep telling patients—doctors have a fiduciary duty to act in your best interests. Sadly, some have forgotten their Hippocratic Oath in their rush to maximise profits. They’ve become salesmen in white coats. Please don’t let desperation cloud your judgement. Use your intelligence, ask tough questions, and verify claims from independent, reliable sources. That’s the best way to protect yourself.