What are the main advantages of FET?
Choosing a frozen embryo transfer has a wide range of benefits.
. Increased the likelihood of success: Over the years, FET has become increasingly successful with live birth rates.
. More natural hormonal preparations: The uterine environment is naturally more conducive to pregnancy development with FET because estrogen levels are generally lower than with IVF stimulation.
. Use of preimplantation genetic screening: Embryologists can examine genetic disorders as well as embryo quality.
. Less demanding process: The whole FET process is less demanding than doing a fresh IVF cycle each time. Your body doesn’t have to endure as much in a short period of time, and there are fewer appointments to schedule, so you can continue with other life and work responsibilities.
. Increased flexibility: The ability to perform FET has uncoupled the process of embryo creation from any attempts at pregnancy. In this way, embryos can be created and stored for use when it is most convenient for the patient.
What Are the Main Disadvantages of FET?
. Longer time to get pregnant: A frozen embryo transfer takes longer than a fresh embryo transfer. A fresh embryo transfer can take 3-5 days after egg retrieval, while a frozen transfer cannot be done until three weeks after IVF treatment. If any abnormalities are found, it will take longer.
. Embryo and thawing rates: The whole FET process requires vitrification followed by thawing. Vitrification is the freezing of embryos, and thawing is warming. Not all seeds survive through this process. But fortunately, the survival rate is high.
Types of FET-IVF Cycles
There are two types of FET-IVF cycles: Hormonal support cycles and natural cycles.
Hormonally supported FET cycles are more popular among couples because estrogen and progesterone are administered to mimic the body’s cycle and thicken the endometrium. Clinics and laboratories typically prefer this FET cycle because the day of the frozen embryo transfer is easy to control and hormonal support is available for ovulatory problems.
In Natural FET-IVF cycles, the timing of your frozen embryo transfer is determined when you ovulate naturally. However, the hCG shot is usually administered to ensure ovulation and progesterone is used to support the luteal phase after ovulation and transfer.
Why Choose a Frozen Embryo Transfer?
. Flexible Timing: Unlike fresh transfers, which must occur immediately after egg retrieval, FET allows the transfer to be scheduled at the most convenient and optimal time for the patient.
. Reduced Ovarian Stimulation: Patients do not need to undergo ovarian stimulation again, reducing the physical and emotional burden of additional hormone treatments.
. Success Rates: Studies have shown that FET can have comparable or even higher success rates than fresh embryo transfer, partly due to the ability to prepare the uterine environment better.
. Genetic Testing: Embryos can be tested for genetic abnormalities before freezing, allowing for the selection of the genetically healthiest embryos for transfer.
FAQ:
- What Is the Success Rate for Frozen Embryo Transfer?
The success rate of a FET cycle is at least comparable to fresh IVF cycles and can often result in a higher success rate due to the opportunity to optimize the uterine lining before implantation, among other reasons. Both fresh and frozen cycles have the same initial success indicator: the mother’s age at the time of embryo freezing. Many patients wait several years between their initial embryo freezing and their next FET cycle. Each patient, regardless of the length of time between embryo freezing and thawing, can have approximately the same potential for success as with a fresh IVF cycle from which the frozen embryos were obtained.
Women aged 35 and under have a more than 60% chance of pregnancy per transfer. This amount decreases with the age of the mother at the time of freezing.
- What Is the Difference Between Frozen and Fresh Donor Eggs?
The main difference between using fresh or frozen eggs is the timing of the egg fertilization process.
. Fresh Eggs
Fresh eggs are fertilized within hours of retrieval from the donor and then cultured in an IVF lab for 5 days to reach the blastocyst embryo state. At this stage, they are frozen until the intended parents are ready to transfer the embryos.
. Frozen Eggs
Frozen eggs are not fertilized immediately, but are cryopreserved (frozen) within hours of retrieval from the egg donor. When the intended parents are ready for transfer, 6 or more eggs are thawed, then fertilized, and cultured to the blastocyst embryo stage for immediate embryo transfer. Embryos can also be frozen for later transfer.
Choosing a frozen embryo transfer (FET) offers numerous advantages, including increased success rates, more natural hormonal preparations, and greater flexibility in timing. With the ability to conduct genetic screening and a less demanding process compared to fresh IVF cycles, FET has become a popular option for many couples. However, it’s essential to consider factors such as longer wait times and embryo thawing rates. If you’re exploring options for assisted reproduction, you may also want to learn more about IVF in Iran for comprehensive support and services.
