Freezing your eggs? Here's how to get the best possible outcome
Straight from a world-famous hormone expert.
Hello friends!
I feel a huge weight lifted off my chest now that I’ve finally shared Zack and my final decision on kids—and the fact that we just went through the embryo-freezing process with the incredible Dr. Aimee.
You guys had so many interesting follow-up questions, and a huge one was about how to support our hormones during this time so we can feel as good as possible and get the best possible result (taking into consideration that MANY factors are out of control, such as AMH and egg quality).
In the fall, I interviewed Lauren Papanos, MS, RD, CSSD, a nationally recognized integrative registered dietitian and hormone specialist—you check out her episode here, and you can check out her practice (and work with her or her team directly) here. She also has a really helpful Instagram!
I found her insights so incredible that I decided to go back to her to answer your burning egg-retrieval-related hormone questions.
Her advice is SO helpful, and I highly recommend reading my interview with her below if you’re even remotely thinking about freezing eggs or embryos—or just want to learn more about how to support your hormones in general!
Lauren Papanos, MS, RD, CSSD on supporting your hormones before, during, and after egg-freezing
Liz Moody: First things first: What impact does the egg-freezing process actually have on our hormones longterm?
Lauren Papanos: Prior to an egg retrieval, you’ll take hormone injections. These exogenous hormones provide an influx of hormones that influence the body’s natural hormone production.
Because of the influx of hormones, you might notice symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, and nausea. It might take a few weeks to months for hormone levels to return to their pre-retrieval levels, but it shouldn’t last beyond that.
LM: What does “supporting your hormones” even mean during this time?
