What to Know about Exercising During and After an Egg Retrieval Cycle?

As you prepare for an egg retrieval cycle, one of the most common questions I hear from patients is, “Can I still exercise while I’m going through an egg retrieval?” Exercise can be an important part of your routine, but as your body changes during ovarian stimulation, it’s essential to modify your workouts to protect your reproductive health and there are very real concerns that you absolutely keep in mind while undergoing ovarian stimulation and the time period after an egg retrieval.

My name is Dr. Lucky Sekhon, and I am a double-board certified REI practicing in New York. I write on this blog, as well as post regularly to my Instagram in the hopes of helping women take charge of their fertility with scientifically backed, practical knowledge from someone who is qualified to give it. In this second installment of my four-part series on exercise and fertility, I am going to outline what you need to know about exercising safely during and after an egg retrieval cycle. Whether you are an egg freezer or about to undergo IVF, this blog is applicable to anyone undergoing ovarian stimulation.

Understanding the Egg Retrieval Cycle: What Happens to Your Body

Ovarian stimulation is the first major step in the egg retrieval process. It involves taking hormonal medications for approximately 8-10 days to stimulate the growth of multiple follicles in your ovaries. While this is crucial for a successful IVF cycle, it also causes your ovaries to enlarge as the follicles grow. As the cycle progresses, common symptoms can include:

• Bloating
• Pelvic discomfort
• Increased sensitivity

These changes mean that some exercises that feel perfectly fine under normal circumstances can become uncomfortable and risky. One of the main concerns during ovarian stimulation is the risk of ovarian torsion.

The Impact of Exercise on Ovarian Stimulation

When your ovaries enlarge during stimulation, they become heavier and less mobile within your abdomen. This increases the risk of ovarian torsion—a rare but serious condition in which an ovary twists around the ligaments that support it, cutting off its blood supply. If not treated quickly, ovarian torsion can lead to permanent damage to the ovaries and warrants early surgical intervention to untwist a torsed ovary in an effort to restore blood supply. 

Vigorous or high-impact exercises like running, jumping, or intense core work (e.g., Pilates or certain yoga poses) increase the risk of ovarian torsion by causing bouncing or twisting motions that could pull on the ovaries. That’s why modifying your exercise routine is so important once you start stimulation.

What is Ovarian Torsion?

Like I mentioned above, ovarian torsion occurs when an ovary twists around the ligaments that hold it in place, potentially cutting off its blood supply. If that sounds painful, well it is. During the ovarian stimulation phase of your cycle, the risks of ovarian torsion are the highest. Here’s what you should know:

What increases the risk of Ovarian Torsion?

• Enlarged ovaries, caused by stimulating multiple follicles or large ovarian cysts (especially over 5 cm in diameter), are more prone to twisting, especially with vigorous movement or abdominal twisting.

Signs to watch for:

• Sharp, sudden pain in your abdomen (can be intermittent with periods of relatively reduced pain in between attacks).
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Tenderness or discomfort in the pelvic region.

Safe Exercise During an Egg Retrieval Cycle

Early Stimulation Phase (Days 1-4)

In the first few days of your stimulation cycle, your ovaries haven’t yet enlarged, so you can likely continue with your usual workout routine—just stay mindful of how your body feels. If you’re used to higher-intensity activities like running, biking, or strength training, it’s generally safe to continue, but always be cautious and listen to your body.

After Follicles Begin to Grow (After Day 4 or First Monitoring Scan)

Once your follicles start growing and your ovaries enlarge, your exercise routine will need to shift to low-impact activities to minimize the risk of ovarian torsion. Here are some safe options during this time:

• Walking: A gentle way to stay active without putting stress on your body.
• Light stretching: Helps maintain flexibility without straining your abdomen.
• Gentle yoga: Focus on seated poses and avoid any inversions or twisting.

What to avoid during this phase:

• Running, jumping, or anything that causes bouncing movements.
• Core work like intense yoga poses or Pilates that involve twisting your abdomen.
• High-impact cardio like vigorous biking or elliptical machines.
• Penetrative sex, which can be high impact to the ovaries.

Exercise After Egg Retrieval

Once your egg retrieval is complete, your ovaries will still be enlarged and sensitive, which means rest is your top priority in the days immediately following the procedure.

Immediately Post-Egg Retrieval

• Avoid exercise completely for at least 1-2 weeks after your egg retrieval.
• Your ovaries will gradually reduce in size as you get closer to your next period, but in the meantime, it’s important to avoid any physical strain.

When to Resume Activity

• Once you get your period (1-2 weeks post egg retrieval) or 2 weeks post-retrieval, your ovaries have returned to their normal size, you can begin to reintroduce regular, high-impact exercise into your routine.
• Always check with your fertility doctor to ensure it’s safe based on your specific recovery.

Phase	Recommended Activities
Early Stimulation (Days 1-4)	Moderate to high-intensity workouts like running, biking, and weightlifting. Stay mindful of discomfort.
After Ovaries Begin to Enlarge (After Day 4 or First Scan)	Low-impact exercises such as walking, light stretching, and gentle yoga without twists or core strain. Avoid running, jumping, vigorous biking, and core work.
Immediately Post-Egg Retrieval	Rest completely! Avoid core exercises and anything high impact to the ovaries for at least 1-2 week post egg retrieval and/or when you get a period. Prior to this the ovaries tend to be enlarge and sensitive.
After Recovery (2 Weeks Post-Retrieval)	Reintroduce light exercise like walking or gentle stretching. Wait for doctor’s clearance before resuming moderate to high-impact activities.

Managing Stress Without High-Impact Exercise

One of the biggest benefits of exercise is its ability to help us manage stress (that’s why I am an avid Pilates fan!)—and if you’re going through an egg retrieval cycle, stress management is key. While high-impact workouts are off the table, there are still many ways to move your body and take care of your mental health:

• Walking: Low-impact and perfect for clearing your head.
• Stretching: Can relieve tension and stress.
• Meditation: Can help manage the emotional toll of IVF.
• Breathing exercises: Incorporating mindful breathing can help ground you and reduce anxiety.

In this sensitive time, movement doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. These low-impact options can keep you feeling connected to your body without putting any strain on your ovaries.

Conclusion: Prioritize Safety and Gentle Movement During Egg Retrieval

Every egg retrieval journey is different, and if you have medical conditions like PCOS,, your exercise recommendations may need further modification. For example, women with PCOS often have larger ovaries to begin with, making the risk of ovarian torsion higher. Working closely with your fertility specialist is essential to develop an exercise plan that fits your individual needs. In my practice, I’ve seen how patients who adjust their exercise routines based on their growth scans are able to reduce the risk of complications while staying active and healthy.

When undergoing an egg retrieval cycle, it’s crucial to modify your exercise routine to protect your reproductive health. Avoid high-impact, bouncing, or twisting movements once your ovaries begin to enlarge, and give your body time to rest and recover after the retrieval procedure.

Staying active in a safe and gentle way is possible—just be sure to listen to your body and consult your doctor for personalized guidance. Your health and the success of your fertility treatment are the top priorities, and protecting your ovaries is a key part of that.

This blog post is the second in my four-part series on exercise and fertility. Be sure to check out our next post, where I’ll explore how to safely exercise during an embryo transfer cycle, and later, we’ll discuss staying active during and after pregnancy.

If you found this article helpful, I invite you to follow me on Instagram, where I frequently share updates on fertility and provide valuable insights to keep women informed about their reproductive health.

If you’re navigating infertility, IVF or are considering freezing your eggs and would like to explore a consultation at my New York City office, you can easily request an appointment here.