Treatment Overview
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) is a refined fertility treatment where previously frozen embryos—created during an earlier IVF cycle—are thawed and transferred into the uterus at the most optimal time for implantation. This technique offers flexibility, safety, and improved pregnancy outcomes compared to traditional fresh transfers.
In Korea, FET has become a cornerstone of modern reproductive medicine. Fertility centers use vitrification, an advanced rapid-freezing technology, to preserve embryos at near-perfect quality without compromising their viability. With world-class laboratory systems, precision hormone monitoring, and AI-guided cycle timing, Korean fertility clinics consistently achieve outstanding success rates for frozen embryo transfer.
Purpose & Benefits
The main purpose of FET is to provide a controlled, safe, and flexible approach to achieving pregnancy while maximizing the use of embryos created in prior IVF cycles.
Key benefits include:
- Higher success rates due to better uterine and hormonal synchronization.
- Safer procedure that eliminates ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) risk during transfer cycles.
- Flexibility—embryos can be stored for months or years before transfer.
- Opportunity for genetic testing (PGT) before transfer, ensuring embryo health.
- Reduced stress since the body recovers between retrieval and transfer.
- Multiple chances for pregnancy from one egg retrieval.
Korean fertility programs leverage cutting-edge laboratory systems and hormone analytics to determine the exact transfer window, ensuring optimal endometrial receptivity and high implantation success.
Ideal Candidates
Frozen Embryo Transfer in Korea is ideal for:
- Women who have high-quality frozen embryos from previous IVF cycles.
- Patients with ovarian hyperstimulation risks who delay transfer for recovery.
- Couples who choose PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) before implantation.
- Women who want to delay pregnancy after embryo creation.
- Patients undergoing fertility preservation before medical treatments.
- Individuals seeking to transfer embryos from a donor egg or sperm cycle.
It is especially recommended for women who wish to optimize their uterine conditions and timing for the best possible implantation results.
Possible Risks & Complications
Frozen Embryo Transfer is a safe and well-tolerated procedure, but as with all fertility treatments, there are minor potential risks:
- Mild cramping or spotting after transfer.
- Hormonal side effects from endometrial preparation medications.
- Rare risk of uterine infection (minimized with sterile techniques).
- Emotional stress during the two-week waiting period.
- Low probability of implantation failure despite healthy embryos.
Korean fertility specialists mitigate these risks through ultrasound-guided transfers, precise hormone monitoring, and individualized medication regimens tailored to each patient’s body response.
Surgical Techniques Used
Although FET is not a surgical operation, it involves advanced medical and laboratory procedures requiring precision and expertise.
Techniques used include:
- Vitrification (Cryopreservation): Rapid freezing of embryos to prevent ice crystal formation, preserving near-100% survival after thawing.
- Embryo Thawing: Controlled warming under laboratory supervision to restore embryo viability.
- Endometrial Preparation: Hormonal or natural-cycle management to optimize uterine lining thickness and receptivity.
- Ultrasound-Guided Embryo Transfer: A soft catheter delivers the embryo into the uterine cavity under real-time imaging guidance.
- Luteal Phase Support: Progesterone and estrogen supplementation stabilize the uterine lining post-transfer.
- Time-Lapse Imaging & AI Embryo Selection: Ensures only the most viable embryos are thawed and transferred.
Korea’s fertility centers use ISO-certified embryology laboratories and AI-driven synchronization models to align embryo development with uterine receptivity precisely.
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery after FET is straightforward, and patients can return to normal daily activities almost immediately.
Aftercare includes:
- Resting for 10–15 minutes after the transfer.
- Avoiding strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or extreme temperatures for 2–3 days.
- Taking prescribed hormone supplements for endometrial support.
- Managing mild bloating or tenderness (common and temporary).
- Conducting a pregnancy test 10–14 days post-transfer.
Korean fertility clinics also offer integrative aftercare programs—combining nutrition guidance, stress reduction, and early pregnancy counseling—to enhance success rates and patient well-being.
Results & Longevity
Frozen Embryo Transfer delivers excellent clinical outcomes in Korea due to optimized timing and advanced laboratory technology.
Typical success rates include:
- Pregnancy rate per FET cycle: 50–65% for women under 35.
- Clinical pregnancy rate: 40–55% for women aged 35–39.
- Live birth rate: 40–50%, comparable to or higher than fresh transfers.
- Embryo survival rate after thawing: >95% using vitrification.
The longevity of stored embryos is also exceptional—scientific studies confirm that embryos frozen for over 10 years can still result in healthy pregnancies when handled in top-grade cryostorage facilities like those in Korean fertility centers.
Treatment Process in Korea
Korean fertility clinics follow a structured and technologically advanced protocol for Frozen Embryo Transfer to ensure accuracy, comfort, and success.
Step-by-step process:
Initial Consultation & Cycle Planning
Comprehensive evaluation of previous IVF cycle data, embryo quality, and uterine health to plan the FET timeline.
Endometrial Preparation
Two main approaches are used:
- Natural Cycle FET: For women with regular ovulation, timing follows the natural hormonal rhythm.
- Hormone Replacement Cycle FET: Medications regulate the endometrium for patients with irregular cycles or specific timing needs.
Embryo Thawing & Assessment
Embryologists thaw the frozen embryos using precise temperature control and check for cell integrity before transfer.
Embryo Transfer
The best-quality embryo is selected and gently placed into the uterus using a thin catheter under ultrasound guidance.
Luteal Support & Monitoring
Hormonal supplements continue to enhance implantation potential until pregnancy is confirmed.
Pregnancy Testing
A blood test (β-hCG) is done 10–14 days after the transfer, followed by an ultrasound to confirm embryo implantation.
Why Korea Leads in FET Treatment
Korea’s fertility clinics are global leaders in IVF and FET innovation due to:
- AI-assisted cycle synchronization ensuring perfect transfer timing.
- Advanced cryopreservation labs with >95% embryo survival rates.
- Personalized hormone management for optimized endometrial health.
- High pregnancy success rates with low complication risks.
- Affordable treatment packages compared to Western countries.
- Multilingual support and international patient programs.
Korea’s combination of precision medicine, ethical fertility practices, and modern laboratory science has positioned it as one of the most trusted destinations for assisted reproduction worldwide.
Cost Range
The cost of Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) in Korea is significantly more affordable than in many Western nations while maintaining global standards of care.
- Basic FET Cycle: USD 2,000 – 3,500
- Advanced FET with Hormonal Support & Monitoring: USD 3,500 – 5,000
- FET with PGT or Embryo Screening: USD 4,500 – 6,000
- Multi-cycle or Package Discounts: Often available for multiple transfers.
Costs typically include consultation, embryo thawing, ultrasound monitoring, embryo transfer, and hormone support. Additional medications or genetic testing may vary depending on clinic policies.
Popular Clinics
Korea houses several world-renowned fertility centers specializing in Frozen Embryo Transfer and advanced IVF technologies.
CHA Fertility Center (Seoul & Bundang)
Leader in embryo vitrification and time-lapse monitoring, offering exceptional FET success rates.
Asan Medical Center – Department of Reproductive Medicine
Known for individualized hormonal cycle management and advanced embryo thawing protocols.
MizMedi Women’s Hospital (Seoul)
Offers patient-focused care with AI-supported FET timing and high precision in embryo handling.
Hamchoon Women’s Clinic
Specializes in natural and hormone-assisted FET cycles using state-of-the-art cryopreservation labs.
G Clinic (Seoul)
Provides cost-effective and high-success FET packages with global-standard laboratory conditions.
