Embryo Freezing: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Embryo Freezing?
A fertility specialist, called a reproductive endocrinologist, guides embryo freezing. Laboratory staff check the embryos as they grow. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the joining of an egg and sperm in a lab dish. When the fertilized egg divides, it becomes an embryo. Extra embryos left after the transfer may be frozen for a later transfer. A cycle that thaws and transfers frozen embryos is called a frozen embryo transfer cycle.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Freezing embryos makes later tries simpler, less costly, and less invasive than the first IVF cycle. For women facing cancer treatment, embryo freezing is the most common way to protect the chance of pregnancy later. It offers the best chance of pregnancy for women having cancer treatment. Some women also choose genetic testing of the embryos before freezing. This testing can check for a specific genetic disorder.
How to prepare
Couples should decide before IVF whether to freeze extra embryos. Not everyone can have embryo freezing, so work with your doctor to see if it is right for you. You need a man's sperm to fertilize the egg before it is frozen. If you do not have a partner, donor sperm can be used. The whole process may take two to three weeks. That may be too long if you need chemotherapy or radiation soon.
The medicines that make more eggs may also raise hormones such as estrogen. Estrogen can make some cancers worse. Talk with your fertility specialist, because there are medicines to lessen this risk.
What happens during it
You are given hormones to stimulate the ovaries to make a number of eggs. The eggs are removed by gentle suction. In the lab, sperm and eggs are joined to create embryos. The embryos are then frozen. Embryos can be frozen by slow freezing or by fast freezing, called vitrification. Your center picks the method based on its experience and the stage the embryos have reached.
Recovery
There may be some cramping after egg retrieval, but it will go away within a day. After IVF, MedlinePlus says to contact your provider right away for a fever over 100.5°F (38°C) or pelvic pain.
At transfer, an embryo is placed in the womb in the provider's office while you are awake. The doctor inserts a thin tube holding the embryos through the vagina. After cancer treatment, one or two embryos can be placed in the uterus. After a transfer, most women return to normal activities the next day.
Risks and side effects
Not all embryos survive the freezing and thawing process. More than one embryo may be placed in the womb at the same time, which can lead to twins, triplets, or more. Carrying more than one baby raises the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. IVF takes a lot of physical and emotional energy, time, and money.
Fertility medicines can cause bloating. They can also cause mood swings and headaches. Rarely, fertility medicines cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Fluid builds up in the belly and chest. Signs include bloating, fast weight gain, passing less urine, nausea, and vomiting. Egg retrieval has risks too. They include reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, and damage to the bowel and bladder.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting, severe belly pain or pressure, or bleeding that will not stop.
Who performs it
A fertility specialist should counsel women who are considering embryo freezing before cancer treatment. Laboratory staff check the embryos as they grow.
Common questions
Is freezing embryos better than freezing eggs?
It can be, for women who are having cancer treatment. This is when sperm from a partner or donor is available. If neither sperm source is possible, egg freezing is a good option.
How long can embryos stay frozen?
Frozen embryos may be stored for prolonged periods. Live births have been reported using embryos frozen for almost 20 years.
What happens to embryos that are not used?
Unused embryos may be frozen and implanted or donated at a later date.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine - Female Cancers, Cryopreservation, and Fertility
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine - Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
