IVF & Treatment
One of the most significant decisions in an IVF cycle: should the embryo be transferred in the same stimulation cycle (fresh), or should embryos be frozen and transferred in a later cycle (frozen)? Here is the current…
Fresh transfer is completed within the same cycle as egg retrieval, no additional waiting, one less phase of treatment, and potentially lower overall cost. For women with a mild or moderate stimulation response, a thin endometrium that builds quickly, and no OHSS risk, a fresh transfer is entirely appropriate. Historical data showed fresh and frozen transfers had comparable outcomes in most patients.
Three large randomised controlled trials (the most rigorous form of medical evidence) published since 2016 show equal or superior live birth rates with frozen transfers in most patient groups. The rationale: during a stimulation cycle, the endometrium may not be at its optimal receptive state due to elevated estrogen and progesterone. A frozen cycle allows the endometrium to be prepared under more physiological conditions. The OHSS risk is eliminated in a freeze-all strategy. For women with PCOS, high AFC, or elevated progesterone on trigger day, freeze-all followed by FET is strongly recommended.
Your doctor will recommend fresh or frozen transfer based on: OHSS risk level, endometrial appearance at the time of retrieval, estradiol and progesterone levels on the day of transfer, number and quality of embryos available, and your personal preferences. At Pluro, the decision is individualised — not defaulted to either approach.
Q: Is frozen transfer safe for the embryo?
A: Yes. Vitrification survival rates for high-quality blastocysts are 90–98% at experienced centres. Multiple studies show babies born from frozen transfers have equivalent health outcomes to those from fresh cycles.
Q: How much longer does a frozen cycle take?
A: Approximately 3–5 additional weeks between retrieval and transfer — one menstrual cycle for the endometrium to reset, followed by 2–3 weeks of preparation.
Q: Is a frozen transfer more expensive than fresh?
A: Adding a frozen cycle does add some cost (vitrification, storage, FET preparation). But it is significantly less expensive than a full new stimulation cycle if transfer is needed again.
