The egg freezing process typically takes around 3 to 4 weeks, and it is common for women to wonder whether they are able to date during this time.
Freezing your eggs does require a certain amount of time and energy, especially as you will need to attend appointments and recover after the egg retrieval procedure. By asking if they can date during egg freezing, many women are asking in particular whether it is safe to have intercourse.
Dating during egg freezing: How does it work?
Whether you go on dates or have a relationship during egg freezing is entirely up to you. Honest discussions about egg freezing can vary from patient to patient. Some women are upfront with their decision, while others prefer to refrain from sharing their fertility preservation plans until they are more comfortable. Most of the time, the length of the relationship is the deciding factor. Your level of honesty is your decision.
Many women actually find themselves more relaxed while dating once they’ve decided to freeze their eggs, because the pressure to find a suitable partner and start a family is lessened. The pressure once created by the reality of the impact of aging on egg quality is no longer leading women’s family planning goals. Women can date without the worries that have often been unfairly ingrained from puberty.
Can I have sex while freezing my eggs?
So, is it safe to have sex while undergoing egg freezing? The egg freezing process requires that you take fertility medications to stimulate your ovaries to release more eggs. After 1 to 2 weeks of taking these medications, you will undergo the egg retrieval procedure, a minor surgical procedure used to harvest the eggs and prepare them to be frozen and stored for later use. It is important to remember during your cycle the process will enhance your ability to become pregnant.
Because of this, it is highly recommended that you ask your fertility physician first, as most physicians will recommend that patients pay attention to how they feel before considering intercourse and to take the necessary precautions prior to sex to eliminate pregnancy and/or STDs. Fertility medications can make sex uncomfortable or even painful, and you will need time to recover after your egg retrieval.
If you have questions about dating during egg freezing, please contact Fertility Solutions. Your physician will be able to advise whether having sex while freezing your eggs is a concern for your situation, based partly on how you are feeling. It’s important to be honest with both your physician and your partner during this time. Most women find that the time it takes to complete egg freezing passes quickly, and they can return to their normal routines without issue.