Is an Egg Retrieval Painful?

One of the most common questions patients have when undergoing an egg retrieval at Reproductive Health and Wellness Center is whether it’s painful. Fortunately, the answer is generally no, though it’s important to understand the entire process and what to expect at each stage. While the procedure itself is done under anesthesia, you may experience some discomfort before or after the procedure.

Starting the Egg Retrieval Process

Whether as part of egg freezing or in vitro fertilization (IVF), the first step is always a consultation. At RHWC, Dr. Rosencrantz goes over your medical and genetic history, ensures you’re a good candidate for egg retrieval, and then performs some necessary tests before beginning treatment.

These include an ultrasound so your doctor can evaluate your ovarian reserve (how many eggs are in your ovaries), and blood tests to check your hormone levels. Both help determine where you are in your menstrual cycle, how many eggs are likely to be retrieved, and how much medication you’ll need to take to stimulate your ovaries. 

While you may feel some pressure during the ultrasound, the test shouldn’t be painful. And the blood test should be comparable to any other time you’ve had your blood drawn. 

Stimulating Your Ovaries

The next step is stimulating your ovaries to mature multiple eggs. This part of the egg retrieval process takes around 10 days, during which time you’ll need to take both oral medication and injections to stimulate your ovaries. You’ll take a final injection to trigger the eggs’ release about 36 hours before the egg retrieval. You may experience some pain from the injections, and the injection site may become red, sore, or bruised. 

Because your body undergoes rapid hormonal changes, and your ovaries enlarge as they produce additional eggs, this part of the egg retrieval process may come with some discomfort, like bloating, headaches, and breast tenderness. It’s also possible that you could experience a rare condition, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which causes severe abdominal pain, nausea, weight gain, and bloating. OHSS is a medical emergency, so be sure to let your doctor know right away if you experience severe abdominal pain or other symptoms. 

Egg Retrieval Day

Fortunately, egg retrievals are very safe, well-tolerated procedures, and because you’re asleep under anesthesia, you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. However, it’s still important to understand how egg retrieval works so you know what to expect afterward.

During the procedure, your doctor uses a needle inserted through your vagina to retrieve eggs from your ovaries. The procedure is minimally invasive, so you won’t need any sutures, but you may experience some spotting and soreness afterward. 

Recovery After an Egg Retrieval

After your retrieval, you’ll recover at the clinic and be monitored to ensure you’re feeling well. Once released, you’ll need to have someone else drive you home. Dr. Rosencrantz recommends resting for the remainder of the day, but most patients feel well enough to return to work the next day. 

Like any surgery, you may feel some pain or discomfort as you recover from egg retrieval. You may feel sore or bloated, and experience spotting, cramping, and constipation. It’s also important to remember that your ovaries may continue to feel tender until they return to their normal size. The team at Reproductive Health and Wellness Center recommends avoiding strenuous activity as long as your ovaries feel tender, or until your doctor clears you to resume normal activities to reduce the risk of complications. 

Most people recover quickly from an egg retrieval and don’t experience complications. However, it’s essential to report any symptoms. The good news is egg retrievals are minimally invasive procedures and most patients don’t experience much pain or discomfort. If you’re thinking about freezing your eggs, or have concerns about an IVF egg retrieval, schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Rosencrantz at Reproductive Health and Wellness Center.