Uterine Rest

What is the ‘Uterine Rest’ Method?

Uterine rest is simply a different name for frozen-thawed embryo transfer. After IVF treatment, high-quality embryos are frozen and stored. In patients preparing for frozen embryo transfer during subsequent menstrual cycles, the embryos are thawed at the appropriate time and transferred into the uterus.

How is uterine rest performed?

When starting IVF treatment, our goal is always to ensure our patient goes home with a baby as soon as possible. In women, a group of eggs begins to develop in the ovaries with menstruation. One of these growing eggs (the dominant follicle) comes to the forefront and suppresses the others, preventing their growth. Thus, only one egg develops each month. In IVF treatment, since a single egg is risky in terms of fertilization and embryo quality, we want to obtain a large number of eggs. Therefore, we use hormone injections to stimulate the growth of eggs that are not developing and are regressing. Thanks to hormone injections, we obtain multiple eggs and embryos, and we can select the best one.

Sometimes the ovaries may overreact to the hormone injections we administer, and OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) may occur. In such cases, fresh embryo transfer is absolutely not performed, and the developing, high-quality embryos are frozen and stored.

During treatment, our patients may also choose not to have a fresh transfer for social reasons, and in this case, the embryos can also be frozen and stored.

Embryos are also frozen during treatment if high hormone levels or irregularities or problems are detected in the uterus.

In patients undergoing PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis), embryos are also frozen and stored until the genetic results are available.

Frozen embryos are thawed and transferred into the uterus after 1-2 months (it may be longer depending on the patient's condition, or with the menstrual period of the month immediately following freezing). 

What medications are used to rest the uterus?

The preparation period for thawed embryo transfer varies depending on the patient and the doctor's choice. After a detailed evaluation of your condition, the best treatment method for you will be determined. Frozen embryo transfer begins with the woman's menstrual period. Various medications are used to thicken the uterine lining (endometrium). How long does it take?

The egg development, egg retrieval, embryo development, and embryo freezing process, which begins with the menstrual period, can take approximately 2-3 weeks. This process varies depending on the patient's ovarian response. After embryos are frozen, transfer can begin immediately with the patient's next menstrual period, or, at the patient's request or until health problems such as surgery are resolved. If frozen embryo transfer begins with menstruation, the thickening of the endometrium (uterine lining) is awaited. This can take approximately 2-3 weeks. Once the endometrium has reached sufficient thickness, the embryo(s) are thawed and transferred.

When is embryo transfer performed after uterine rest?

The protocol used in frozen-thawed embryo transfer is monitored periodically with blood tests and ultrasound. When the endometrium reaches the desired thickness, the embryos are thawed and transferred. If the patient is suitable and wishes so, the transfer can even begin immediately after the next menstrual period following egg retrieval.

Who is eligible for uterine rest? Why is it done?

Applying the same treatment protocol to every patient in IVF treatment is not correct. Every patient's story, age, infertility history, and health status are different. Therefore, each patient should be evaluated in detail to select the correct treatment protocol. Embryos are frozen and stored in the following cases:

• Patients at risk of developing OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome)

• Patients who will undergo PGT (preimplantation diagnosis)

• Patients from whom more than 15 eggs have been collected

• Conditions in the uterus that may prevent embryo implantation, such as irregularities or thickening problems

• At the patient's request (social problems)

Can uterine rest be performed in every center?

Uterine rest, or frozen-thawed embryo transfer, can be successfully performed in centers with a good laboratory and a team experienced in embryo freezing and thawing. Embryo freezing and thawing procedures significantly affect the success of this treatment. In our center, which immediately implements every proven innovation, embryos have been frozen and thawed using the vitrification method for a very long time. With vitrification, the survival rate of thawed embryos approaches 100%. The experience of the embryologist performing the freezing and thawing process, and the materials used, are crucial in this method. Thanks to the experience of our laboratory team, we can confidently apply this method.

Is it appropriate for every patient?

Each patient has a different medical history, ovarian response, and cause of infertility. Therefore, applying the same treatment to every patient is not correct. Unless necessary, it is not appropriate to perform frozen-thawed embryo transfer on every patient.

Does it increase the chance of pregnancy?

Thanks to the increased embryo survival rates after thawing with the vitrification technique, frozen-thawed embryo transfer has become easily applicable. Although it became popular to apply it to every patient for a while, scientific research has shown that applying frozen-thawed embryo transfer to every patient does not provide an advantage compared to fresh transfer results. In conclusion, frozen-thawed embryo transfer does not increase pregnancy rates. Therefore, in our clinic, unless there is a medical reason, we do not routinely recommend frozen embryo transfer to every patient.

Are there any disadvantages to uterine rest?

There are no disadvantages to frozen-thawed embryo transfer. On the contrary, it is a treatment method that protects the patient in cases where there is a possibility of developing hyperstimulation.

What is the price of uterine rest?

When we freeze our patient's embryos for a medical reason, no fee is charged for the first embryo transfer in frozen-thawed embryo transfer because transfer cannot be done in a fresh cycle. For detailed information, you can reach us at +905308865263.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is uterine rest?

Uterine rest is the process of freezing suitable embryos obtained in IVF treatment instead of transferring them fresh, and then thawing and transferring them in a later menstrual cycle after preparing the uterus. It is a term used medically to describe the frozen-thawed embryo transfer process.

How many months does uterine rest last?

It is not necessary to wait several months after the embryos are frozen for transfer. If the patient's medical condition is suitable, frozen embryo transfer can be planned in the menstrual cycle following the egg retrieval procedure. In some patients, treatment for uterine problems, surgery, or other medical reasons may require a longer waiting period.

When is embryo transfer performed after uterine rest?

The timing of the transfer is determined by the preparation protocol used and the embryo's development date. After the uterine lining (endometrium) becomes suitable and the necessary hormone support is planned, the embryo is thawed and transferred.

Who is suitable for uterine rest?

Embryo freezing may be preferred in patients at risk of OHSS, those undergoing PGT, those whose intrauterine conditions are unsuitable for fresh transfer, or those with medical conditions requiring the postponement of fresh transfer during treatment. The patient's desire to postpone the transfer for personal or social reasons may also be another reason.

Does uterine rest increase the chance of pregnancy?

Frozen embryo transfer is not more successful than fresh embryo transfer in every patient. Which method is preferred should be determined according to the patient's characteristics, the ovaries' response to treatment, hormone levels, intrauterine conditions, and the treatment plan.

How is the uterus prepared for frozen embryo transfer?

The uterus can be prepared for transfer by following the natural menstrual cycle or by using hormonal medications. The aim is to ensure that the uterine lining reaches the appropriate development and timing for embryo transfer. The protocol to be applied is determined according to the patient.

Will frozen embryos be damaged when thawed?

The vitrification method used today allows embryos to be frozen and thawed with high viability rates. However, 100% viability cannot be guaranteed for all embryos in any biological procedure. Results may vary depending on the characteristics of the embryo and laboratory practices.

Is uterine rest necessary for every IVF patient?

No. It cannot be said that freezing embryos and then transferring them is superior to fresh transfer in every patient. Therefore, routine uterine rest is not necessary for all patients unless there is a medical necessity.