DOES EGG CRYOPRESERVATION HURT? WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE AND AFTER

28 April 20262′ read7 sections

CONTENTS

What a woman feels during hormonal stimulation
Does egg retrieval hurt?
What you may feel after egg retrieval
When to contact your doctor
How the experience is made as comfortable as possible
Conclusion – Egg freezing is much easier than you might think
Specialist fertility care in Thessaloniki by Dr. Alexandros Traianos at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

Concern about pain is one of the most frequent questions from women considering egg freezing in Thessaloniki. In reality, it is a well-controlled, safe procedure which in most cases is painless or accompanied only by mild, temporary discomfort. Thanks to modern medical technology and proper medical guidance, most women are pleasantly surprised by how easily and smoothly the procedure goes.

What a woman feels during hormonal stimulation

During the days of preparation, you may experience:

mild abdominal bloating
a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen
mild tenderness in the ovaries
slight mood changes

The symptoms are usually mild and pass quickly.

Does egg retrieval hurt?

Egg retrieval is performed:

under light sedation or brief anaesthesia
in about 15 minutes
without a surgical incision

Most women feel no pain during the procedure and wake up without significant discomfort.

What you may feel after egg retrieval

After the eggs have been collected, it is normal to have:

mild abdominal pain similar to period pain
slight bloating
some tiredness

The symptoms usually pass within 24–48 hours, and you can return to your daily routine very quickly.

When to contact your doctor

Rare but important symptoms that require a medical assessment are:

severe pain that does not ease
significant swelling
fever
marked discomfort

In most cases, however, recovery is immediate and free of complications.

How the experience is made as comfortable as possible

Comfort is ensured through:

proper guidance on medication
continuous medical monitoring
light anaesthesia during egg retrieval
a personalised protocol

The modern approach has kept discomfort to a minimum.

Conclusion – Egg freezing is much easier than you might think

For the great majority of women, egg freezing is not a painful procedure. Any mild discomfort is temporary and the return to daily life is quick. With proper medical guidance, the experience is safe, comfortable and effective.

Specialist fertility care in Thessaloniki by Dr. Alexandros Traianos at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

At the Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine in Thessaloniki, modern, painless egg freezing protocols are used, with an emphasis on each woman's comfort and safety. Under the guidance of Dr. Alexandros Traianos, every patient receives personalised care, clear information and full support at every stage of the procedure.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

What a woman feels during hormonal stimulation

Does egg retrieval hurt?

What you may feel after egg retrieval

When to contact your doctor

How the experience is made as comfortable as possible

Conclusion – Egg freezing is much easier than you might think

Specialist fertility care in Thessaloniki by Dr. Alexandros Traianos at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?