Medically reviewed by Dr. Shaivalini Kamarapu, MBBS, MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine, 20+ years of clinical experience.
What is stem cell therapy?
Stem cells are cells that can renew themselves and develop into specialised cell types. In regenerative medicine, a patient's own (autologous) stem cells, usually collected from the bone marrow, are concentrated and placed in a damaged organ, with the aim of helping the tissue repair and work better.
In fertility care, stem cell treatments are being studied for conditions where the ovaries, the womb lining or the testes have stopped working well, and where conventional treatments have limited options.
Conditions where it is being studied
Premature ovarian insufficiency and very low egg reserve
When the ovaries stop producing eggs early. Stem cells are placed into the ovary, usually by laparoscopy, with the aim of improving ovarian function.
Thin endometrium and Asherman's syndrome
When the womb lining stays too thin, or is scarred and stuck together, so an embryo cannot implant. Stem cells are placed in the lining to help it regenerate.
Testicular failure
When the testes produce no sperm (non-obstructive azoospermia). Stem cell approaches are being researched to restore sperm production.
What does the evidence say?
Early studies have reported encouraging results in some women, such as higher hormone levels, a return of periods or a thicker womb lining. However, the studies are small, results vary widely between women, and stem cell therapy is not yet a standard, proven treatment for infertility. No clinic can promise a pregnancy from it.
In India, the ICMR National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research treat stem cell therapy for infertility as investigational, to be offered only within approved clinical research. Your doctor will explain whether any stem cell–based option is appropriate for you, and how it compares with established treatments.
Established options to discuss first
- For low egg reserve: timely IVF with your own eggs, or IVF with donor eggs
- For women who want children later: egg freezing at a younger age
- For Asherman's syndrome: hysteroscopic surgery to free the scarred lining, followed by hormonal treatment
- For a thin endometrium: hormonal and other treatments to improve the lining before embryo transfer
- For azoospermia: surgical sperm retrieval (TESA or micro-TESE) with ICSI
Talking to your fertility specialist
If you have been told your egg reserve is very low, your womb lining is too thin, or there are no sperm in the semen, Dr. Shaivalini Kamarapu will review your reports, explain every option honestly, including what is proven and what is still being researched, and help you choose a plan that suits you.
Frequently asked questions
Not yet. Small studies have shown encouraging results in some patients, but it is still considered investigational. Established treatments such as IVF, donor eggs and hysteroscopic surgery remain the standard options.
Some women in early studies have had improved hormone levels or a return of periods, but results are not consistent and a pregnancy cannot be promised. Your doctor will discuss realistic expectations and alternatives.
In most fertility studies, the patient's own stem cells are used, usually collected from the bone marrow. Using your own cells avoids rejection.
They describe the same regenerative approach used alongside fertility treatment. Our Stem Cell IVF page explains how it is combined with IVF; this page explains the conditions being studied and the current evidence.