CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
The Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) test
- Lister Fertility Clinic is the UK’s largest private IVF unit
- We offer the full range of screening tests and treatments
- Over 35 years since we opened our doors
Jump to
ENDOMETRIAL RECEPTIVITY ARRAY (ERA) TEST
Why choose us for your ERA test?
We’re one of the leading providers of fertility care in the UK, and we’ve helped thousands of women on their journey to starting a family. We understand how emotional the IVF process can be, particularly when it involves multiple attempts, and we’re here to do everything we can to help. If there’s an opportunity to support you on your fertility journey, we want to be there. You’ll be treated with expert care by leading fertility consultants at every stage.
The ERA test is designed to analyse the inner lining of your uterus, called the endometrial lining. A small biopsy is taken from your endometrial lining and examined. This is to identify which genes are being expressed at different points in your menstrual cycle. These genes relate to receptivity, or how ready your endometrial lining is to support the implantation of an embryo.
Your endometrial lining has 236 genes that relate to how receptive it will be to an embryo. The biopsy allows us to examine those genes to look for a ‘window of implantation’, which is the best time in your IVF treatment cycle to attempt to implant an embryo.
It might be different from the standard timings, so you might benefit from personalised embryo transfer. This means it’s done at a time that’s specifically chosen as the moment when your lining is most receptive.
The ERA test might help you if you’ve had multiple failed attempts at embryo implantation or failed IVF cycles.
There’s a possibility it will help your consultant identify the optimal time for embryos to be transferred to your womb during the IVF process. However, there’s not yet enough evidence to suggest that an ERA test will increase your chances of successful embryo implantation or pregnancy.
On-site tests and procedures
Our main clinic is directly linked to our hospitals
Rapid results
All our laboratories are in-house
Fully personalised care
Dedicated support in our state-of-the-art facilities
Where can I get my Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) test?
We have four clinics staffed by specialist teams, ready to help you take the next step on your fertility journey.
Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital
First Floor 215 Great Portland Street W1W 5PN London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Beaconsfield Clinic
Little Hall Barn Windsor End, Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Buckinghamshire
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Shard
The Shard Outpatients St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Your patient journey
Your ERA test with HCA UK
Every patient is different, and your IVF treatment can be a complex and deeply personal experience. At HCA UK, we have decades of experience helping people to start their families, and we’ll provide sensitive, one-on-one care at every step. Our expert, experienced fertility consultants will focus on your specific situation, talk you through all your options, and always be ready to answer any
We’re always available to talk about your options, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect from the test process.
01
Before your ERA test
You’ll have an initial consultation with one of our fertility consultants, where they’ll ask you about your personal and family medical history and your general lifestyle.
They’ll talk to you in detail about any past fertility treatments, and whether an ERA test is something that may be able to help you.
02
The ERA test itself
If you and your consultant agree that an ERA test is a viable option, then they can schedule an appropriate time to carry it out. That means waiting for the time when your endometrial lining is at its most receptive.
On that date, a small catheter will be inserted into your womb to take a biopsy of your endometrial lining. It’s a relatively short, simple procedure.
03
Further tests
As part of the same procedure, we’ll also carry out an ultrasound of your endometrial lining to check how thick it is and perform a blood test as well.
When the process is over, you might feel some discomfort, similar to menstrual cramps, which can be treated with non-prescription pain medication such as Ibuprofen or paracetamol.
04
Next steps
The sample from your endometrial lining will be analysed, and you should be able to receive your results within two weeks. Those results will include advice about the ideal time for your next embryo transfer, and the best time in your natural cycle for future transfers.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our fertility treatments can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll provide you with a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) test FAQ
Successful embryo implantation is a complex process, and it can be affected by many factors. An ERA test may help to identify a ‘window of implantation’, the best time for implanting an embryo, but there’s not enough evidence to suggest that it increases the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
You should discuss this with your IVF consultant, who can help you decide if it’s something that could benefit you.
The ERA test is an ‘add-on’. That means it’s not included as a standard part of regular IVF treatment. It’s an emerging technique that has shown some promising results but isn’t yet proven.
If repeated attempts at embryo implantation haven’t been successful, or your endometrial lining is thinner than normal, it’s an option you may want to consider, but it’s something you should discuss with your fertility consultant in detail.
Yes, you can. We have both male and female fertility consultants available, so you can make your appointment with someone you feel totally comfortable with.
The ERA test isn’t included as part of a regular cycle of IVF treatment, so it does incur an additional cost. The test does affect the timing of your fertility treatment, and your consultant may recommend other tests and investigations, so please talk to us in person about your specific situation and we’ll help you understand the costs.
The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) inspects all our clinics to assess their compliance with regulations and standards and gives them a rating. This is to help you choose your clinic based on the quality of its services.
Our Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital and The Lister Fertility Clinic both hold a top HFEA inspection rating of 5/5.
Patient stories
Alice and Aaron's fertility treatment
After being told they’d never have children, Alice and Aaron turned to the Lister Fertility Clinic. They now have a beautiful two-year-old daughter.
Jayne's IVF treatment
Jayne had been trying for 10 years to have a baby when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries. The Lister Fertility Clinic helped her conceive.
“Amazing clinic, couldn’t have chosen a better clinic to undertake IVF. All the doctors and nurses were incredibly friendly and supportive.”
Reviewed by