Q: What is egg retrieval?
After the procedure (it’s quick, usually about 15 to 20 minutes), you’ll likely feel some pressure in your pelvis and veins as you come out of anesthesia. Recovery varies from person to person, but most are home the same day and back to work and normal activities within a day or two. However, some symptoms may remain, such as swelling, as the ovaries shrink back to their normal size.
Whether you freeze your eggs or undergo IVF, egg retrieval—an outpatient procedure to retrieve mature eggs from the ovaries—is part of the process. Good news: "Recovery is usually quick." he says Jenna Turosi, MDreproductive endocrinologist at the Columbia University Fertility Center. But even if there isn’t a ton of downtime, you still want to prepare yourself for all aspects of recovery, including the emotional side.
"The hormonal changes, physical discomfort, and emotional build-up to the procedure can feel overwhelming. It is normal to experience highs and lows in the following days." he says.
Here’s a look at what to expect after egg retrieval — and ways to make it easier on yourself.
What is the recovery schedule?
"Within a week or two, you’ll get your period, hormones will return to normal, and most people will be back to normal." he says.
Like anything else, recovery looks different for everyone—and there are a variety of factors at play, including:
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How your body responds to drugs and anesthesia
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Number of eggs retrieved (sometimes more eggs = more discomfort)
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Duration of the process
However, it is difficult to predict, he says Priyanka Ghosh, MD, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at the Columbia University Fertility Center, who notes that even those with a large number of growing follicles often have very few symptoms, and vice versa.
The day you find your egg
Before you even get to the clinic, you may already be dealing with bloating, cramping, and constipation—symptoms that can lead to diarrhea. the end of the injection periodhe says Ashley Wiltshire, MDreproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at Columbia University Fertility Center.
The procedure usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes and is done under sedation, so you won’t feel anything. After that, depending on the clinic, you will be monitored for 30 minutes to two hours. You will need someone to drive you home as the anesthesia may take a long time.
Pelvic aches and pains are common when you wake up. The upside: It’s usually managed with medication and gets better over time, says Wiltshire.
A note from someone who’s been there: Lindsey Hall, a freelance writer in Austin who froze her eggs at age 35, says the process itself was quick, but "At the end (of the injection cycle) I felt so awful and after a few days," she says, adding that she spends the rest of the day sleeping.
next 24 to 48 hours
"During the first 24 to 48 hours, patients experience mild period pain, which is usually managed with oral pain relievers." says Gosh. Swelling is also common – and can last for several days.
You can also:
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Feeling tired
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Look at the focus of light
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Experience a hormonal mood swing
After the procedure, your doctor will give you certain restrictions to follow, including sexual intercourse or vigorous exercise. This is where rest, hydration, eating a balanced diet and using a heating pad can help with cramps, Turosi says.
Day two to five
Your mood can be up and down. "Hormones increase during stimulation, when medications encourage the ovaries to produce more eggs." says Turosi. "After recovery, the drugs are stopped and hormone levels drop quickly – like a hormonal rollercoaster."
After surgery, your body naturally tries to produce progesterone, but the recovery process often makes it difficult to maintain the necessary levels on its own – and this can contribute to mood swings.
"I encourage patients to give themselves grace—schedule downtime, lean on their support system, and remember that recovery is both emotional and physical." Recommends a tour.
Continued swelling after egg retrieval is also common – and can last up to a week or two as the ovaries return to normal size.
"As the ovaries respond to medications and grow, they take up more space in the abdomen, which contributes to the feeling of bloating." says Gosh. Hormones can also slow down bowel movements, which also contributes to bloating.
One to two weeks
At this point, most people will feel themselves again.
Your period will usually return by now – a sign that your hormone levels are back to normal. This is also when you’re most likely to return to exercise and sex, says Wiltshire.
You may not feel 100% overnight, but this is when symptoms ease and your body returns to its normal rhythm. Your first period afterwards may also be heavier than usual – this is considered normal.
If something still doesn’t feel right, see your doctor.
Tips on how to make egg retrieval easier
"The biggest mistake is trying to bounce back too quickly—jumping into intense workouts, travel, or busy schedules. Instead, give yourself a few lighter days. Rest allows the ovaries to recover and reduces the risk of complications." Turosi says.
A few recovery tips he recommends:
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OTC pain relief (with your doctor’s approval)
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Heating pads for cramps
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Hydration, especially with electrolytes
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Loose and comfortable clothing (nothing that puts pressure on your stomach)
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Easy, nutritious meal
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Ghosh adds: If you’re constipated, try drinking more water, increasing your fiber intake and using a stool softener. “Walking also helps with bowel movements,” she says.
Gentle movement — think low-impact, such as walking, modified yoga, hand weights — is considered safe, he says.
What to do after the procedure
For at least a week or two, your doctor recommends you avoid it effective exercises. The reason: Your ovaries are still enlarged, which increases the (rare) risk ovarian torsion – when the ovary is twisted.
You may also want to know about:
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With sex
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Lifting heavy weights
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Drinking alcohol
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Take a bath or swim
Once your doctor gives you the green light, you can go back in.
When to see a doctor
There are several post-surgery red flags that may indicate infection, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), or internal bleeding. This includes:
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heavy vaginal bleeding (more than one period)
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Fever or chills
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Rapid weight gain
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Difficulty breathing
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Acute inflammation
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Constant abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
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Difficulty urinating – or you pass too little urine
If you’re concerned, see your doctor, Turosi emphasizes. “Bottom line: if something feels harsh, sudden, or just ‘off,’ it’s best to call and be safe,” he said.
What is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?
A rare complication that can occur when the ovaries have a strong response to stimulation medications and fluid retention, Turosi says. It is said to occur in approx 1 to 5% of IVF cyclesBut it can be serious, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
OHSS symptoms to look out for:
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Acute inflammation
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Abdominal pain
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Weight gain
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Shortness of breath
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nausea
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Urinary incontinence (frequency and amount)
Treatment of mild or moderate OHSS usually involves OTC medications such as Tylenol and lifestyle changes. Think: Avoid strenuous exercise and stay hydrated with electrolyte drinks. More severe cases should be treated in a hospital.
Questions
How long does egg retrieval take?
Most people go home the same day and return to normal activities within a day or two after the procedure. Usually, after two weeks, the restrictions are lifted, your period should return and you will be back to normal.
But remember that recovery is different for everyone. “Ovarian reserve (the amount of eggs in the ovary) and response to stimulation (medications) typically have a large impact on postoperative discomfort and recovery time,” says Wiltshire.
Is egg retrieval painful?
“Practices vary in how recovery is performed, but typically, sedation is used so that patients are asleep before the procedure begins and do not feel anything during it,” says Ghosh. Pelvic pain (which feels like period cramps) and pain when you wake up are common and can usually be managed with OTC medications.
When can you exercise after taking eggs?
Strenuous exercise is usually prohibited for one to two weeks. Light movement, such as walking, is usually fine – but check with your doctor.
Can you have sex after egg retrieval?
Not immediately. Doctors usually recommend waiting one to two weeks.
Is constipation normal after ovulation?
Yes. In fact, constipation before Egg retrieval is also normal. In both cases, it’s thanks to hormone-stimulating medications that can relax your bowels and relieve constipation.
When will your period return after ovulation?
Usually within one to two weeks, and it may be heavier than usual. Remember: If it’s very severe, it could be a sign of something more serious and is a sign that it’s time to see a doctor.
How long does the swelling last after egg retrieval?
This is a symptom that can last for a while. The stimulant medication makes your ovaries grow, causing them to take up more space in your abdomen and contributing to the bloated feeling.
“The ovaries usually return to normal size about 1-2 weeks after recovery,” says Wiltshire—and the tumors disappear along with it.
Bottom line: “Recovery looks different for everyone, but most people are surprised at how manageable it is,” she says.
The most important thing? Listen to your body. “And don’t forget emotional recovery—the process can be physically and mentally demanding, so allowing yourself to rest and recharge is part of self-care.”
