The Analysis of Infectious Chronic Endometritis (ALICE) test can detect if the bacteria causing chronic endometritis is present in the lining of your womb.
There are lots of factors that must be right for an embryo to implant successfully in your uterus – and one of them is the health of the endometrium (lining of the womb). It’s one of the reasons why an IVF or frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle may have failed, despite having good quality embryos. If this happens, we may recommend having an ALICE test. It can tell us whether any pathogenic bacteria is causing your implantation failures or miscarriages, so we can treat it before your next cycle.
Who’s it for
You might want to use the ALICE test if…
You’ve experienced repeated implantation failure with good quality embryos
You’ve experienced repeated miscarriages
You want to maximise implantation success on your first cycle
We put every patient on the best possible treatment plan with the highest chance of success. As ALICE is a test we use to support other fertility treatments such as IVF, the first step will be a discussion between you and your doctor about whether it might be beneficial for you.
Step 2: A biopsy
Your ALICE test will be performed using a biopsy taken from the lining of the womb. It’s a simple procedure that can be carried out in our clinic without sedation.
Step 3: Analysis
The sample will then be analysed in our lab using the latest Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to give us a complete profile of the bacteria in the tissue. We’re particularly looking for pathogenic bacteria that can cause chronic endometritis, which is associated with implantation failure and recurrent miscarriages. But it also includes the EMMA test, which evaluates the microbial environment in your uterus.
Step 4: Treatment
Following the results, we’ll recommend a suitable treatment plan including the appropriate probiotic or antibiotic to increase the chances of a successful implantation ready for your next cycle.
