Frozen Embryo Cycles

What happens during hormonally induced frozen embryo cycles?

Before any treatment you will meet with one of our nurse to go through your treatment plan and any questions or concerns you might have. You and your partner will need to read and sign all consent forms.

There are three stages to the process:

Preparation

Before frozen embryo transfer can take place your endometrium (lining of your uterus) must be sufficiently thick. Following your treatment planning appointment your menstrual cycle will be switched off using drugs to suppress your pituitary gland and the production of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinising hormone). This is called down-regulation. This process allows us to manipulate your cycle. You will need to take oestrogen tablets which will help to thicken the endometrium. This will be monitored through ultrasound scans. Only when the endometrium is thick enough will we thaw your embryos.

Once the ultrasound scan shows the desired endometrial thickness you will be given Progesterone. This is usually given as pessaries to be inserted twice daily in the vagina or rectum. Sometimes progesterone is given as an injection. For some we prescribe human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to stimulate your ovaries to produce their own progesterone.

Embryo Thawing

The timing of embryo thawing will be determined by the stage at which the embryos were frozen. This can be one to two days before transfer or (in some cases) on the day of transfer.

It is important we have a current contact details for you as our embryologist will need to liaise with you at this stage.

Embryo Transfer

Once your embryos are thawed you will need to come our fertility unit for embryo transfer.

Supporting Your Fertility Treatment

Each person has a unique reaction to fertility treatment and their journey. It can be an emotional roller coaster and you may have feelings that range from disappointment and frustration to hope and excitement. It’s understandable but these feelings can be unpredictable and upsetting, and can cause tension in relationships.  We are here to support you throughout your journey. Our team are trained and experienced in providing emotional support and we have specialist fertility counsellors who can work with you.

Note: This treatment does not qualify for the Price Promise below.