What are heparins? What are they used for in fertility treatment?
Low molecular weight heparins like clexane and fragmin are used to prevent blood clots. In fertility treatment they are used to prevent the microscopic blood clots in uterine tissue that may compromise growth of the uterine lining or cause miscarriage by preventing sufficient blood flow reaching the embryo. A low dose (e.g., 20-40mg) is commonly prescribed for minor clotting issues and/or elevated NK activity and/or to improve blood flow to the uterine lining. Higher doses (e.g., 60-80mg) are prescribed where significant (e.g., Factor V Leiden), or multiple clotting issues are identified. Low molecular weight heparins are chosen for fertility treatment because, although they are more expensive, their results are very predictable and therefore less likely to cause bleeding and less likely to need monitoring than regular heparins.
