Cryoprotocol is one of the varieties of in vitro fertilization, which amounts to the fact that frozen embryos are transferred to the uterine cavity.
ECO cryoprotocol allows the preservation of extra embryos left after previous attempts at fertilization. In the presence of frozen embryos, there is no need to repeat the stage of stimulation of the ovaries .
Frozen embryos can be stored for many years, although their survival after the thawing process is not more than 50%.
Cryo IVF is used if past attempts at fertilization were unsuccessful or if a couple after a successful previous implant wishes to give birth to another child. The success of the cryo-protocols of IVF in this case will be about 25% per attempt.
Types of cryo-protocols IVF
Several variants of cryo-ECO are used:
- IVF in the natural cycle . With this option, the preparation of the endometrium to receive the egg is carried out without the use of hormonal drugs with minimal drug support of the luteal phase. Since the beginning of the cycle, the doctor has been monitoring ultrasound with the help of ultrasound and the growth of the follicle. On 2-3 days of ovulation, thawed embryos are inserted into the uterus.
- On HRT (hormone replacement therapy). In this case, the menstrual cycle is artificially created, which makes it possible to regulate reproductive processes from the outside. This type of cryo-IVF is used in women with irregular cycles, weakening or lack of ovarian function, and lack of ovulation.
- In the stimulated cycle. It is used if the ovarian response to HRT has not occurred in earlier ECO cycles. After maturing 1-2 follicles, the woman is injected with hCG, and then she is transferred to the thawed embryos.