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 FER vs FET: what's the difference?

FER (frozen embryo replacement) and FET (frozen embryo transfer) describe the same procedure: thawing an embryo that was frozen during an earlier IVF cycle and placing it into the uterus to try for pregnancy. The two terms are used interchangeably across fertility clinics.

 FER vs FET: what's the difference?

Nothing, really. FER (frozen embryo replacement) and FET (frozen embryo transfer) describe the same procedure: thawing an embryo that was frozen during an earlier IVF cycle and placing it into the uterus to try for pregnancy. The two terms are used interchangeably across fertility clinics, so if you've seen both, you haven't missed a step, they simply mean the same thing.

Why are there two names for the same thing?

Fertility clinics don't all use the same terminology. Some prefer "replacement" because it reflects an embryo being returned to the uterus, where it would naturally implant. Others prefer "transfer" because it describes the physical act of moving the embryo from the lab into the womb. Neither term is more accurate than the other; it's simply a difference in how clinics choose to describe the process.

What actually happens, regardless of the name

Whether your clinic calls it FER or FET, the process follows the same three steps:

  1. We prepare your uterus. We get your womb lining ready using hormonal medication, such as oestrogen and progesterone, or by monitoring a natural cycle closely.
  2. We thaw your embryo. Your embryo, frozen during an earlier cycle, is thawed in the lab on the day of your transfer.
  3. We carry out the transfer. Using a thin catheter, we place the thawed embryo into your uterus. It's a quick, straightforward procedure.
Does it matter which term my clinic uses?

No. What matters is understanding what the procedure involves, not which name it goes by. At Care Fertility, we tend to use FET, but you may see FER used elsewhere, including in some research papers and international clinics. If you're ever unsure which term someone's using and what they mean by it, just ask your clinical team to talk you through it.

Frequently asked questions

Is FER the same as FET? Yes. Both refer to the same procedure: thawing a previously frozen embryo and transferring it into the uterus.

Why do some clinics say FER and others say FET? It comes down to preference in terminology. "Replacement" and "transfer" both describe the same clinical step, just from a slightly different angle.

Which term does Care Fertility use? We tend to use FET (frozen embryo transfer), though you might come across FER in some materials, and they mean exactly the same thing.

Does the name affect my treatment? No. The name has no bearing on how your treatment is carried out or your chances of success.