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MYOS Fertility pathway
Social egg freezing, also called elective egg freezing, is for someone who wants to keep the option of using their own eggs later. Eggs are collected and frozen now, then stored until you decide whether to use them.
General education from the MYOS patient guide. Every answer is in clinical review and not yet approved by a clinic. Your clinic's own instructions come first.
Both usually involve ovarian stimulation, monitoring and egg retrieval. In egg freezing, suitable mature eggs are frozen unfertilised. In IVF, eggs are fertilised with the aim of creating embryos.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storageAlso in IVF
The team may review menstrual and medical history, order blood tests or ultrasound, and assess the uterus, tubes or sperm as relevant. Infectious disease screening and consent requirements depend on the treatment and location.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM: Fertility evaluation committee opinionAlso in IVF
They help estimate how your ovaries may respond to stimulation. They cannot by themselves tell you egg quality, whether you can conceive naturally, or whether treatment will result in a baby.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM: Evidence on planned oocyte cryopreservationAlso in IVF
Allow time for consultations, tests, medication delivery and scheduling. Stimulation and retrieval take place over a much shorter period than the whole IVF journey, which can include later transfer cycles. Ask for dates that are firm and dates that may move.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: NHS: IVF overview and complicationsAlso in IVF
Complete the clinic checklist, review your medical history and medicines, confirm your pharmacy, and save the clinic's daytime and after-hours numbers. Tell the team about allergies, previous anaesthesia issues and relevant health conditions.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: NHS: IVF overview and complicationsAlso in IVF
Give your clinic a list of prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and supplements. The clinic and prescribing clinician can advise on what to continue or change and discuss preconception supplements if pregnancy is planned.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: NHS: IVF overview and complicationsAlso in IVF
Ask for guidance for your treatment stage. Discuss smoking, alcohol, cannabis and other substances with the clinic, and check whether any exercise limits apply during stimulation or recovery.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: NHS: IVF overview and complicationsAlso in IVF
Keep room for monitoring and a retrieval date that can move. Ask which visits can be remote, how early you will know the procedure date, and what help or transport you should arrange.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HHS Telehealth: Patient guide to hybrid careAlso in IVF
Use the clinic's instructions for reporting cycle day one or illness. Ask the team to confirm when you should start your treatment if the situation differs from the plan.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: NHS: IVF overview and complicationsAlso in IVF
Some clinics may accept outside scans or blood tests if they can receive and review them on time. Confirm who orders the tests, sends the results and communicates any changes.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HHS Telehealth: Patient guide to hybrid careAlso in IVF
Ask why the proposed plan fits, what alternatives you have, what the quoted price includes, which decisions are time-sensitive, and who to contact when the clinic is closed.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HHS Telehealth: Patient guide to hybrid careAlso in IVF
Stimulation medicines help several follicles develop. Other medicines may help prevent premature ovulation or trigger final egg maturation. Your clinic specifies which medicines to take and when.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: NHS: IVF overview and complicationsAlso in IVF
Ask for the clinic's video for the exact pen or syringe you were given. It is understandable to feel nervous. You can pause or replay the demonstration and ask a nurse to walk through unclear steps.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storageAlso in IVF
Check the instructions for the exact product and ask your pharmacy about storage, travel, expiry and sharps disposal. Ask the pharmacist about a cold-storage problem before using the medicine.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storageAlso in IVF
The team follows follicle development and, when indicated, hormone levels. These findings can change your medication plan, procedure timing or whether the cycle should continue.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: NHS: IVF overview and complicationsAlso in IVF
Contact the clinic promptly and report the medication, amount and time. For a late or missed trigger, call the clinic's time-sensitive number immediately. The team should confirm next steps before you repeat or adjust a dose.
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Ask your care team to confirm the current order before the dose is due. Show both instructions and when you received them. If it is time-sensitive or outside office hours, use the clinic's designated phone route.
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Contact your pharmacy and clinic early. Tell them what remains and when the next dose is due. Any substitution or change should be confirmed by the care team.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: NHS: IVF overview and complicationsAlso in IVF
Bloating, pelvic discomfort, headache, mood changes or soreness at injection sites can occur. Contact your clinic promptly for worsening symptoms, especially increasing abdominal swelling, pain or vomiting. See the urgent symptoms page.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Risks of fertility treatmentAlso in IVF
Yes. Response to medicines, safety concerns or other clinical factors can change the plan. Ask the clinician what happened, what options remain and which costs apply.
In clinical reviewYour care team decidesVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: NHS: IVF overview and complicationsAlso in IVF
A clinician usually uses ultrasound to guide a needle through the vaginal wall to collect fluid from follicles. The lab looks for eggs in that fluid. The clinic will explain sedation or anaesthesia and what you may feel afterward.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT: Egg collection and preparationAlso in IVF
Ask for written fasting, medication and arrival instructions from your clinic or anaesthesia team. If you ate, drank or took something outside those instructions, tell them before the procedure.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT: Egg collection and preparationAlso in IVF
Confirm the clinic's escort rules in advance. If you receive sedation or anaesthesia, arrange a ride and follow the team's instructions on driving, work and supervision afterward.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT: Egg collection and preparationAlso in IVF
Follicle counts, eggs retrieved and mature eggs are different numbers. Ask the lab when it will report each count and what it means for freezing or fertilisation.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT: Egg collection and preparationAlso in IVF
Mild cramping or light spotting can happen after collection. Follow your discharge instructions and contact the clinic if pain, bleeding or swelling increases, or if you develop fever or vomiting.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT: Egg collection and preparationAlso in IVF
The answer depends on how you feel, the procedure, the medicines used and your risk factors. Use your discharge plan and ask about strenuous activity, driving, swimming and sex before restarting.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT: Egg collection and preparationAlso in IVF
Use the options on your discharge sheet or check with the clinic or pharmacist for your specific case. Worsening or severe pain needs assessment.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT: Egg collection and preparationAlso in IVF
The treatment can temporarily change cycle timing. Stimulation helps a group of follicles develop in that cycle. Ask your specialist about expected recovery, concerns about egg reserve or menopause, and the effect of any underlying condition.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Risks of fertility treatmentAlso in IVF
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a reaction to fertility stimulation. It can involve enlarged ovaries and fluid shifts. Symptoms may arise after the trigger or egg collection and can worsen if pregnancy occurs.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: RCOG: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndromeAlso in IVF
Call promptly for increasing abdominal swelling or pain, persistent nausea or vomiting, fever or increasing bleeding after retrieval. Use the clinic's urgent contact instructions. If you cannot reach them promptly, seek urgent medical assessment.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: RCOG: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndromeAlso in IVF
Seek emergency care now for breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain or markedly reduced urination with worsening swelling. Call your local emergency number or go to emergency care. Use a phone or in-person route for urgent help.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: RCOG: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndromeAlso in IVF
Use its written out-of-hours number or local urgent care pathway. If symptoms are severe, call local emergency services or seek emergency care immediately.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: RCOG: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndromeAlso in IVF
Say where you are in the cycle, when treatment or retrieval occurred, which medicines you took, when symptoms started and how they changed. Have your clinic details and relevant instructions ready if available.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: RCOG: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndromeAlso in IVF
People may consider it before treatment that can impair fertility, or to preserve an option for later family building. If another medical treatment is imminent, ask for a coordinated fertility preservation referral promptly.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM ReproductiveFacts: Planned egg freezing
Outcomes tend to be better when eggs are frozen at a younger age. The decision also depends on personal plans, expected response, costs, risks and how likely you are to use the eggs.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM: Evidence on planned oocyte cryopreservation
There is no universal number. Ask for an estimate that uses your age at collection, the expected number of mature eggs, lab experience, desired family size and the uncertainty around live birth.
In clinical reviewYour care team decidesVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM: Evidence on planned oocyte cryopreservation
Possibly. Your specialist can explain the expected range of mature eggs in one cycle and how the first retrieval result might change the value of another cycle.
In clinical reviewYour care team decidesVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM: Evidence on planned oocyte cryopreservation
Eggs can be frozen unfertilised. Creating embryos before freezing requires sperm and involves separate decisions about consent and future use.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storage
Clinics generally freeze suitable mature eggs, often using rapid freezing called vitrification. Ask for the final inventory, storage location and a copy of your consent and fee agreement.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storage
Storage periods, renewals and consent rules depend on the jurisdiction and your clinic agreement. Ask about deadlines, annual charges, contact updates and what happens if you move or cannot be reached.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storage
No. Some eggs may not survive warming, fertilise or develop into transferable embryos. A transfer also may not result in a live birth. Ask your clinic to explain these steps when discussing your chances.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM ReproductiveFacts: Planned egg freezing
There is no single best time. Age at freezing strongly affects the egg-related chances of success. Your current health, age and family plans matter when deciding whether and when to try pregnancy. Ask the clinic to compare your options.
In clinical reviewYour care team decidesVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM ReproductiveFacts: Planned egg freezing
That can be an option for some people. Ask your fertility specialist how your current age, medical history and family goals affect the timing of an evaluation and when it might make sense to use stored eggs.
In clinical reviewYour care team decidesVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM ReproductiveFacts: Planned egg freezing
The lab warms eggs, then usually uses ICSI to fertilise surviving mature eggs. Embryos that develop may be considered for transfer or freezing. The clinic also plans any tests or medication needed for transfer.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storage
Age at freezing is a major predictor of outcomes. Evidence about very long storage is limited. Ask your clinic about its experience with your freezing method and how it monitors and documents storage.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: ASRM: Evidence on planned oocyte cryopreservation
Ask both clinics about acceptance criteria, records, consents, shipping arrangements, cost and timing. International transport can add jurisdiction-specific requirements.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storage
Compare live birth for similar patients and the same denominator. Per transfer and per intended retrieval answer different questions. Ask which transfers and follow-up period a cumulative figure includes.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: CDC: How to interpret ART clinic success ratesAlso in IVF
Request an itemised quote covering consultations, monitoring, medicines, retrieval, anaesthesia, lab procedures, testing, freezing, annual storage, warming and transfer. Ask what happens to fees if a cycle is cancelled.
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Coverage varies by location, plan and indication. Ask the payer and clinic for written confirmation of eligible services, network rules, approval requirements, limits and expected out-of-pocket costs.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storageAlso in IVF
Ask about continued storage and any options for disposition, donation or research where available. Review consent and local rules for death, incapacity or a change in circumstances.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HFEA: Egg freezing, use and storage
If your clinic offers secure messaging, you can request the clinician treating you. Ask how the team handles absences, which staff can respond and which questions go directly to the doctor.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HHS Telehealth: Patient guide to hybrid careAlso in IVF
Use the channel your clinic identifies for treatment questions. Ask what can be sent there, who can see the message, how quickly to expect a reply and what to use for urgent help.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HHS Telehealth: Patient guide to hybrid careAlso in IVF
Look for the sender's name or role and the message status. A received or assigned request can still be awaiting clinical review. Ask how you will be notified when the team responds.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HHS Telehealth: Patient guide to hybrid careAlso in IVF
It can explain general terms and show a clinic-approved guide, such as the correct pen demonstration when the clinic has verified the device. Your team confirms new doses, interprets results and handles changes to treatment.
In clinical reviewGeneral educationVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HHS Telehealth: Patient guide to hybrid careAlso in IVF
Explain what changed, who told you, when you received it and which part conflicts with the plan you can see. Ask for the current instructions to be confirmed by the team.
In clinical reviewYour care team decidesVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HHS Telehealth: Patient guide to hybrid careAlso in IVF
Ask the clinic about authorised access and which information can be shared. You can ask how to grant, limit or revoke permission.
In clinical reviewYour clinic’s instructions applyVersion 1 · effective 2026-11Source: HHS Telehealth: Patient guide to hybrid careAlso in IVF