The egg freezing process: step-by-step timeline with cost at each stage
Stage-by-stage timeline with cost
| Stage | What happens | Cost component |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-cycle (weeks 0 to 4) | Consultation, AMH and FSH bloods, AFC ultrasound, infectious-disease panel, optional genetic screen | $500 to $1,500 |
| Cycle start (cycle day 2 or 3) | Baseline ultrasound, start gonadotropin injections | Included in cycle |
| Stimulation (days 1 to 10 to 14) | Daily injections, monitoring every 2 to 3 days | $4,000 to $7,500 (meds + monitoring) |
| Antagonist start (day 5 to 6) | Cetrotide or Ganirelix to prevent premature ovulation | Included in meds |
| Trigger shot (36 hours pre-retrieval) | hCG (Ovidrel) or Lupron | $50 to $300 |
| Egg retrieval (day 14 typical) | Outpatient procedure under sedation, transvaginal aspiration, 20 to 30 min | $4,000 to $8,000 |
| Vitrification (same day) | Mature eggs flash-frozen by embryologist | $1,000 to $3,000 (sometimes bundled) |
| Recovery (1 to 2 days) | Mild discomfort, return to normal activity by day 3 to 5 | Self-paid OTC |
Stage cost ranges aggregated from FertilityIQ cost data,[1] ASRM standard protocol descriptions,[4] and clinic public pricing pages.
Pre-cycle phase
The pre-cycle phase is consultation plus screening. The reproductive endocrinologist orders baseline bloods (AMH, FSH, oestradiol, infectious disease panel) and a transvaginal ultrasound to count antral follicles. Optional but recommended: a genetic carrier screen. Most clinics also require a counselling session covering the realistic outcome ranges and consent for storage. Cost component: $500 to $1,500.
Stimulation phase
Stimulation typically starts on cycle day 2 or 3. Daily subcutaneous injections of follicle-stimulating hormones (Gonal-F or Follistim) plus, in most protocols, Menopur for luteinising hormone activity. Around day 5 or 6, the antagonist (Cetrotide or Ganirelix) is added to prevent premature ovulation. Monitoring every 2 to 3 days tracks follicle growth and oestradiol level. Most patients experience mild bloating, breast tenderness, and mood changes during this phase. Total stim duration is 10 to 14 days.
Trigger and retrieval
When follicles reach mature size (typically 18 to 22 mm), the trigger shot is administered 36 hours before retrieval. Most US clinics use hCG (Ovidrel) or a dual trigger combining hCG and Lupron. The retrieval is an outpatient procedure under twilight sedation, lasting 20 to 30 minutes. Eggs are aspirated through a transvaginal ultrasound-guided needle. The embryologist immediately identifies mature eggs (metaphase II oocytes) and prepares them for vitrification.
Vitrification and storage
Mature eggs are flash-frozen using the vitrification method, which avoids ice crystal formation by ultra-rapid cooling. Vitrification has largely replaced slow-freeze methods since the early 2010s and is the current standard of care. After vitrification, eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at minus 196 degrees Celsius. First-year storage is often included in the cycle price; subsequent years are billed annually. See storage fees.
Recovery
Most patients experience 1 to 2 days of mild bloating and cramping post-retrieval, manageable with over-the-counter analgesics. Return to normal activity is typically possible by day 3 to 5. Strenuous exercise is generally restricted for one to two weeks to reduce risk of ovarian torsion while ovaries are enlarged from stimulation.
If the cycle is cancelled
A small percentage of cycles are cancelled before retrieval. Reasons include poor response (insufficient follicle development), risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), or asynchronous follicle growth. Cost implication: most clinics charge for monitoring and medications used to that point but waive the retrieval and vitrification fees. Confirm your clinic's cancellation policy in writing before paying a deposit.
OHSS risk
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is the main acute complication of egg freezing. Mild OHSS (bloating, abdominal discomfort) occurs in roughly 10 to 30% of cycles depending on protocol and patient factors. Severe OHSS (requiring hospitalisation, IV fluids, sometimes drainage of ascites) occurs in well under 1% of properly-managed antagonist-protocol cycles.[29] Insurance generally covers complication treatment even when it does not cover the elective procedure that triggered it.
Protocol selection is a clinical decision. Antagonist protocols with Lupron-only triggers substantially reduce OHSS risk and are the standard of care for high responders. Discuss risk reduction with the reproductive endocrinologist before consenting.
Related
- [4] Evidence-based outcomes after oocyte cryopreservation for donor oocyte in vitro fertilization and planned oocyte cryopreservation: a guideline to ASRM Practice Committee, Fertility and Sterility, 2021. https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/evidence-based-outcomes-after-oocyte-cryopreservation-for-donor-oocyte-in-vitro-fertilization-and-planned-oocyte-cryopreservation-a-guideline/
- [1] The Costs of Egg Freezing to FertilityIQ, accessed April 2026. https://www.fertilityiq.com/fertilityiq/articles/the-costs-of-egg-freezing
- [29] Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: ASRM Practice Committee Document to ASRM, Fertility and Sterility, 2016 (reviewed 2020). https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/ohss/
- [17] Egg Freezing Success by Age: Outcomes Data to Extend Fertility, accessed April 2026. https://extendfertility.com/your-fertility/egg-freezing-success-rates/