During the IVF procedure, a woman needs to be stimulated with injected medicines or fertility shots that will help promote multiple egg developments.
The IVF injection is an injectable medicine that promotes ovulation.
when getting IVF injections, a woman may experience:
- Changes in body and greater appetite levels
- Mood swings or behavioral changes
- Issues relating to Gastrointestinal
There are two different types of injections that you will experience through your IVF procedure-
This shot involves the medications inserted through a small needle under the skin.
Gonal-F, Lupron, Menopur, and Follistim have commonly used fertility subcutaneous injections, which cost around 270 per box.
These are usually injected on the thigh or the belly, just like the insulin shots given to diabetic patients.
This injection is used to insert the fertility medicine directly into the muscles using a comparatively longer needle.
HCG trigger shot or progesterone oil is usually used as an intramuscular injection, given on the top outer quadrant of the buttocks.
Some people administer these shots by themselves or with their partner’s help, but it is best to seek a professional’s help for support.
Other than these two injections, ICSI Injection is also a significant part of IVF treatments, primarily used in the severe cases of male factor infertility.
There are cases when the outer layer may become thick, become hard to penetrate, or the sperm may not swim. ICSI Injection helps in these cases, further helping with egg fertilization.
Before a man’s sperm is used to fertilize a woman’s egg, the head of the sperm must be attached outside the egg. Once attached, it then pushes the egg’s outer layer called the cytoplasm, where fertilization occurs.
Depending on the individual therapy and cycle, a patient might receive 1–2 injections daily, approximately 90 injections each cycle for 9 to 14 days.
Pain in these injections is primarily subjective, varying differently for different people.
Some sensitive ones might experience more pain and discomfort than the strong ones.
– Day 1 to 4
The patient is called on the first day of her menstrual cycle to schedule a Baseline for the 3rd of a day visit, including bloodwork and ultrasound.
After their approvals, the patient will be given hormone injections, stimulating egg productions for the production of follicles.
– Day 5-10
Patients will continue the stims during this period and may prevent premature ovulation, also known as antagonists.
Medications given will block the hormones that cause the release of these eggs from the ovaries.
– Day 10+
After ten days, patients will have to go for a final ultrasound and bloodwork, which will further confirm whether the follicle pack has matured or not.
If yes, a trigger shot is assigned before at least 35-36 hours of retrieval, stimulating ovulation and a final growth spurt.
– Mood Swings – Headache – Hot Flashes – Reduced or Increased appetite – Bloating – Nausea – Soreness at the injection’s site – Breast tenderness – Menstrual spotting or bleeding – Fatigue – Decreased libido.
Give yourself some time and space to make the injections quick and easy.
Sit Back and Relax
Talk to your Nurse
Go Numb
Try Ice or Consider Heat
Try Different Needles