Mock Cycle

A mock (trial) cycle uses the same estrogen and progesterone protocol as a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle but without an actual embryo transfer. The main purpose is to obtain an endometrial biopsy on the expected transfer day for ERA testing, which analyzes whether the endometrium is receptive at the standard progesterone timing.

Mock cycles are also used to verify that a patient's uterine lining responds adequately to medication (reaches ≥7 mm trilaminar thickness) and to practice the catheter trial run (mock transfer) to assess cervical ease before the real procedure. They add about one month to the IVF timeline but provide valuable information for patients with prior failed transfers.