Japan University Advances Uterus Transplant Clinical Trials

Women who thought pregnancy was impossible may soon have new hope in Japan as Fujita Health University prepares to launch clinical trials for uterus transplants within the next few years.

The university announced plans to begin with three women who cannot conceive or give birth naturally, including at least one woman born without a uterus. Eventually, they plan to expand the program to women who had their wombs surgically removed due to cancer.

"We have no doubt there are patients who will benefit from this," said Dr. Iori Kisu, the working group leader and professor of obstetrics and gynecology. The university hopes to apply for institutional approval by year's end.

The procedure works by transplanting a donated uterus into a woman who would then attempt pregnancy using her own frozen eggs fertilized with her partner's sperm. It's not a simple process, but for women who desperately want to carry their own children, it represents a chance they never had before.

The Bright Side

While the surgery carries risks for both donors and recipients, the global track record offers encouraging results. Over 150 uterus transplants have been performed worldwide, resulting in more than 70 healthy babies born to mothers who previously had no other option for pregnancy.

An international study examining 91 cases between 2000 and 2024 found that 36 women successfully gave birth to 44 babies. While some experienced complications like high blood pressure during pregnancy and many delivered before 37 weeks, the fundamental goal was achieved: mothers held babies they carried themselves.

The Japanese Association of Medical Sciences approved limited clinical trials back in 2021, and Keio University's screening panel also gave the green light in 2025. Now, with Fujita Health University moving forward, Japan is joining a growing international movement to make this option available.

The university emphasized its commitment to proceeding carefully while ensuring society understands and supports the procedure. For women born without a uterus or who lost theirs to disease, this careful progress represents something precious: the possibility of experiencing pregnancy firsthand and the chance to carry their own child.