What are the Disadvantages of Frozen Embryo Transfer? Know the Hidden Challenges

If you are planning to have a baby later in life, doctors often suggest freezing embryos as a safe and effective option. But not everyone tells you about the disadvantages of frozen embryo transfer (FET).

While it has helped many couples achieve parenthood, there are certain disadvantages that the couples who are trying to conceive must know about. Before you make a decision, let’s explore the lesser-known frozen embryo transfer side effects and the associated challenges.

What is a Frozen Embryo Transfer?

There is a crucial stage of the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure known as embryo transfer, in which an embryo produced by fertilising an egg with sperm in a lab is inserted into a woman's uterus in the hopes of a successful pregnancy.

In some cases, patients decide to undergo pregnancy at a later stage of their life, and hence, this fertilised egg, when it turns into an embryo, is kept for later use. This process is known as freezing the embryo or Embryo Cryopreservation. When this frozen embryo is implanted in the uterus to achieve pregnancy, the process is known as Frozen Embryo Transfer.

What are the Disadvantages of Frozen Embryo Transfer?

There are several reasons why doctors suggest undergoing FET. It includes a high success rate in conceiving, getting pregnant in the later stage of life, postponing pregnancy due to some treatment and many more. But there are certain disadvantages of frozen embryo transfer that are not discussed.

Here are certain disadvantages and challenges of FET every couple must know:

Additional Costs

When frozen embryos are used, they are frequently taken from the woman beforehand who would be undergoing the transfer. Therefore, the couple is required to cover the cost of storing frozen embryos until they are ready to conceive once more. Considering how expensive IVF might already be, storage charges can drive up costs significantly.

Increases the Fragility of Embryos

Although freezing and then thawing embryos is not a standard procedure, it can be hard on delicate specimens. According to current studies done by Co-fertility, the freeze-thaw technique has a 95% success rate. The figure shows that not all embryos survive despite being in good condition.

Lower Implantation Success for Some Patients

Although FET has high success rates, some studies suggest that fresh embryo transfers may have slightly higher implantation rates in certain cases, especially in younger women with high-quality embryos.

Hormonal Medications & Preparation

FET cycles often require hormonal medications like estrogen and progesterone to prepare the uterine lining, which can lead to side effects such as bloating, mood swings, and fatigue. Some women may develop a thin endometrial lining, making implantation difficult.

Emotional & Psychological Stress

The waiting period, uncertainty, and additional procedures can be emotionally challenging for couples, leading to stress and anxiety.

Why is Frozen Embryo Transfer Performed?

A frozen embryo transfer procedure is not suggested for all the couples. It is only suggested in certain exceptional cases. Suppose you are undergoing Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF), which involves sperm to fertilise eggs, occasionally producing more embryos.

These extra embryos can be frozen and used at a later time if you:

• Postpone or cancel implantation into your uterus after an egg is fertilised.
• Postpone the whole IVF process for later.
• Want a backup plan in case early fertility treatments don't work.
• You consider donating the embryos to researchers or other individuals attempting to conceive.
• If you are undergoing any chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

How Many Days After the Period Does Frozen Embryo Transfer Take Place?

The process of a frozen embryo transfer is done after the end of your menstrual cycle. In this:

• The ovulation process of your next cycle is suppressed by a hormonal treatment such as using GnRH.
• Next, estrogen supplements are used for around two weeks to assist in developing a healthy endometrium wall inside the uterus.
• After about two weeks of taking estrogen supplements, progesterone is added. The progesterone start date and the number of days the embryo developed before freezing determine the transfer date.
• For example, a five-day embryo transfer will be performed on the sixth day of progesterone addition.

Although additional monitoring is necessary to complete the procedure of frozen embryo transfer.

When to Perform a Urine Pregnancy Test After Frozen Embryo Transfer?

The urine pregnancy test is usually performed 10-14 days following a frozen embryo transfer. But it is always recommended to ask your fertility expert before undergoing any test or if you don’t experience any signs of pregnancy.

What Are the Early Signs That Indicate a Successful Frozen Embryo Transfer?

Some women might experience bleeding after embryo transfer, but it's quite acceptable to experience no symptoms following your embryo transfer. Everyone is unique, and so are the symptoms!

Here are some of the symptoms you might have following your frozen embryo transfer:

• Light spotting or bleeding
• Cramping in pelvic region
• Tender or sore breasts
• Fatigue, nausea and tiredness
• Frequent urination
• Changes in vaginal discharge

What is the Difference Between Fresh Embryo Transfer and Frozen Embryo Transfer?

You might have heard doctors suggesting to undergo a fresh embryo transfer rather than a frozen embryo transfer, there might be many reasons behind it.

Here’s a comparative table explaining the key differences between Fresh Embryo Transfer (Fresh ET) and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET):

Factors	Fresh Embryo Transfer (Fresh ET)	Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Definition	Embryos are transferred immediately after fertilisation in the same IVF cycle.	Embryos are frozen and transferred in a later cycle after thawing.
Success Rates	Success rates are high but can be affected by hormonal imbalances due to ovarian stimulation.	Often, better success rates are due to better uterine preparation and embryo selection.
Medication Requirement	Requires fewer hormonal medications as it follows the IVF cycle.	Requires hormonal medications like estrogen and progesterone for uterine preparation.
Cost	Generally, it is lower as no freezing, storage, or thawing costs are involved.	Higher cost due to embryo freezing, storage, and thawing expenses.
Embryo Survival Rate	All embryos are used in the same cycle, with no backup for future use.	Some embryos may not survive the freezing and thawing process, but modern vitrification has improved survival rates.

Which One Is Better: FET or Fresh ET?

• Fresh ET is beneficial for women with good ovarian response and when immediate transfer is preferred.
• FET is ideal for better uterine preparation, lower risk of OHSS, and improved pregnancy rates in some cases.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, frozen embryo transfer is a game-changer for many IVF couples since it provides flexibility, safety and increased success rates. Results can be greatly enhanced by the capacity to maintain embryos and select the ideal transfer moment.

To find out if IVF with frozen embryo transfer is right for you, speak with a fertility expert at Crysta IVF Delhi. We guarantee that each patient receives the greatest care and personalised solutions related to their fertility problems.