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Fertility Glossary

Endometrial scratch

Deliberately grazing the womb lining before a cycle, an add-on with limited evidence.

IVF & IUI

An endometrial scratch is a small deliberate injury to the lining, usually with a fine catheter in the cycle before transfer, proposed to trigger a repair response that aids implantation. Large randomised trials have not shown an improvement in live birth rates for most patients, so it is no longer routinely recommended and should be understood as an add-on.

Also known as: endometrial injury, scratch

Related South Africa guides

Sources

  • Cochrane reviews of IVF add-ons

Last reviewed: 8 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.

Related terms

Treatment add-on

An optional extra offered alongside standard treatment, often at extra cost.

Endometrial biopsy

A small sample of womb lining taken for laboratory examination.

Recurrent implantation failure

Repeated transfers of good embryos without pregnancy.

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