Unprotected sex before FET?

Info packets said don't do it a few days leading up to transfer & least 2 weeks after transfer. It can negatively impact implantation success

@Aphrodite frozen embryo transfer

Some studies show that it can actually be beneficial and improve implantation rate. If you're doing a natural cycle though there's a risk you could get pregnant naturally and then with the FET!

Thanks all. @Vit yeah that's what I read too but also thinking perhaps there's no real harm, it will be like trying naturally but there's an additional step of an embryo being transferred. @Julia I'm not sure how it could impact implantation success if it's before as that's what most people do for TTC to get pregnant, let me know if I'm not getting something here. But yeah will definitely abstain from sex after the transfer in case it may affect implantation after. We're having a trigger so I would know when I ovulate.

This is one of the studies: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9979547/. My clinic told us to abstain for 2-3 days after, but that's more because of the risk of infection. The main issue with sex before is the chance of multiple pregnancies (although I always thought that it'd be hilarious if that happened about 3 years of trying!). The clinic was really strict on that for my fresh cycle but then didn't mention it once for my FET. Good luck!

Thanks @Vit! The one I read was this https://www.remembryo.com/sex-the-night-before-frozen-embryo-transfer-linked-to-improved-outcomes/ although a night before FET is probably too late for any potential natural pregnancy to occur. Yes I think it makes sense for a natural cycle or the IVF cycle to abstain as one has lots of follicles growing, you don't want to potentially risk having quadruplets or something! Also they were going to remove the eggs so it may impact that potential pregnancy. I think we wont abstain from it, but will just see what happens, seems like there's no harm to it, unless the clinic gives a valid scientific reason why we absolutely shouldn't :)

My clinic ask to use barrier protection. Eg a condom. And then abstain after transfer.

I did mine night before both transfers (1st didn’t work & 2nd did) It worth a try tbh.

The studies are pretty limited it helps so we took our clinics advice and didn’t. Their concern was if you were to get a UTI it could negatively impact the outcome of the transfer.

I am wondering if you already fertilized naturally from unprotected sex during the FET cycle and during the transfer time will it hurt/ interfere the natural embryo?

FET normally suppressed the ovulation so there low chance of conceiving naturally.

@Ratna That's actually what/ why I'm asking this. Unless they implant it at the very exact location of the other embryo, I can't really think of how it could hurt it, aside to the other reasons like UTI ( thanks @Christin ) or multiples. @Sabzx so actually with my protocol I'm given Letrozole which will help with ovulation. I think some with anovulatory or PCOS take letrozole as an ovulation induction method.

Oh are u doing non medicated cycle? Ovulate on ur own and do transfer 5days later but think ovulation window is only 24-48hrs so don’t think its impact on outcome of transfer.

I'm doing a natural modified FET cycle, therefore with the Letrozole and Ovitrelle trigger. I usually ovulate regularly but Letrozole can ensure and help speed up the follicle growth, and will trigger when the dominant follicle is large enough. So after the trigger ovulation, yeah the transfer is about 5 days after. I think so it shouldnt impact it negatively but just wanted to hear what others thoughts are and what their clinic might have advised on this.

I understand. I am in the same boat that’s why these are also my concern. Did your clinic advice you to not having unprotected sex during the cycle?

Hi @Ratna not sure if your question was directed at me or just generally, my clinic hasn't said anything to me yet, but I think I won't ask either if they didn't say anything explicitly. I just read your profile and I'm sorry about your losses. Are you going to do your FET soon as well?

Yeah.

My clinic sent me some educational lessons. I noticed there they will first clean my cervix before the embryo transfer with some medicine on the transfer day. If I do unprotected sex before transfer and if it stuck then that could harm the natural embryo. This is my point of view.

Oh I see thanks for sharing. My clinic didn't mention anything about cleaning of the cervix, but they let me trigger quite early because my lining thickness was already there so I am not sure if I would have a mature egg in the follicle at ovulation, so it probably didn't matter for us.