Updated by the Progyny Clinical Team \u2014 December 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After egg retrieval, the eggs are fertilized in a lab to create embryos. These embryos may be frozen or transferred soon after retrieval. You make take medicine before and after the procedure\u00a0to prepare for a\u00a0transfer.\u00a0Here\u2019s\u00a0what you can expect.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Medicine to prevent premature ovulation<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your\u00a0healthcare provider\u00a0may prescribe birth control\u00a0pills\u00a0and a\u00a0medicine called leuprolide (Lupron). These help prevent early ovulation by blocking the hormone surge that triggers it.\u00a0Leuprolide\u00a0is usually started 10\u00a0to\u00a015 days\u00a0before starting other\u00a0medicines for the transfer.\u00a0Your doctor may stop leuprolide when you start taking other\u00a0medicines for the transfer, or they may lower the dose.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Medicine to prepare your uterine lining <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After about\u00a01\u00a0to 2 weeks\u00a0of\u00a0taking\u00a0medicine\u00a0to control ovulation, and once you get your period, you may begin taking estradiol. This can be a pill, patch, or injection. Estradiol helps thicken the uterine lining so it can support an embryo.\u00a0Estradiol also prevents your body from growing a follicle\u00a0(small,\u00a0fluid-filled\u00a0sac in\u00a0the\u00a0ovary)\u00a0and ovulating.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Medicine to support implantation <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When your uterine lining is thick enough, usually around\u00a01 to 2\u00a0weeks after starting estradiol\u00a0in a medicated transfer cycle,\u00a0you\u00a0will begin receiving progesterone. Progesterone can be given as an injection, a vaginal suppository, or both.\u00a0Examples include progesterone in oil,\u00a0Endometrin,\u00a0Crinone, and\u00a0Prometrium.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The transfer usually happens 3 to 6 days after you start progesterone. If you become pregnant after the transfer, you may continue progesterone for the first 8 to 12 weeks\u00a0of pregnancy. Your\u00a0provider\u00a0will guide the plan based on your history.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most providers will have you continue the estradiol\u00a0medicines while you are on progesterone.\u00a0Some people are also prescribed a short course of\u00a0a steroid\u00a0medicine\u00a0like\u00a0methylprednisolone (Medrol)\u00a0or prednisone\u00a0to support implantation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some clinics also prescribe an antibiotic to lower the risk of infection after transfer, such as doxycycline or clindamycin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Medicine to prepare the uterine lining <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You may take synthetic estrogen, such as estradiol tablets (Estrace) or patches (Minivelle, Dotti). Estrogen helps thicken the uterine lining for\u00a0transfer. Your\u00a0provider\u00a0will\u00a0monitor\u00a0the lining during your cycle. The goal thickness is usually about\u00a07\u00a0to\u00a013\u00a0millimeters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not everyone doing a fresh transfer needs added estrogen. Your\u00a0provider\u00a0will\u00a0determine\u00a0if more support is needed after retrieval.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Medicine to support implantation <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You will begin progesterone 1 to 2 days after egg retrieval. Progesterone can be a vaginal suppository or an injection. It helps the uterine lining shift from growing to compacting, which creates a supportive environment for implantation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you become pregnant, you may continue progesterone\u00a0for the first 8 to\u00a012 weeks\u00a0of pregnancy, based on your history and your\u00a0provider’s plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some clinics also prescribe an antibiotic to lower the risk of infection after transfer, such as doxycycline or clindamycin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have questions, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclaimer:<\/strong> The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Updated by the Progyny Clinical Team \u2014 December 2025. After egg retrieval, the eggs are fertilized in a lab to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":30342,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[230,257],"tags":[486,485,406,466],"class_list":["post-24865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-fertility-medication","tag-fresh-embryo-transfer","tag-frozen-embryo-transfer","tag-medication","tag-single-embryo-transfer"],"yoast_head":"\nMedicines during and after transfer <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For a fresh embryo transfer <\/h2>\n\n\n\n