If you have recently searched about IVF, you must have found that ovulation induction is the first step of IVF treatments. This procedure involves taking a series of injections for some days.
You have to take the injection twice a day for 8–14 days, which can be quite painful. This will make you wonder, “What are the uses of IVF injections?” “Why do I have to take so many injections?”
This article discusses the uses of IVF injections and the role each injection plays in your IVF success.
Uses of IVF Injections
Giving IVF injections is the first step of IVF. It is also called ovarian stimulation or ovulation induction. This step involves administering several hormonal injections for the number of days your doctor recommends.
These hormonal injections will help your ovaries produce more eggs than normal. Usually, your ovaries produce only one mature egg per menstrual cycle. IVF injections can help stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs.
Your fertility doctor can track the growth of these egg follicles and collect the eggs when they are about to ovulate. This can give more eggs for fertilization and increase your chances of pregnancy.
IVF injections also help suppress your body’s natural hormone production. This allows doctors to have more control over your ovulation cycle.
IVF injections are also given to women with irregular menstrual cycles, low ovarian reserve, or other issues related to ovulation.
Duration of IVF Injections
You will start taking IVF injections from day 3 of your menstrual cycle. This will go on till your eggs are mature enough to be collected.
You will be required to take the injections twice a day for about 8–14 days till egg retrieval. In total, you will be administered an average of 90 injections. The number of injections you take depends on your health and fertility condition.
You can take these injections either intramuscularly (injected directly into the muscle) or subcutaneously (injected directly into the fat under the skin). Most doctors recommend intramuscular injections as they are less painful and can take effect faster.
Types of IVF injections
IVF injections are the artificial counterpart of the natural hormones your body produces during each ovulation cycle. These injections mimic the natural hormones and stimulate egg growth. Below are some injections you will be administered during the procedure.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) injections
FSH injections stimulate the ovaries to grow more egg follicles at the same time. This injection is important to get as many eggs as possible.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) injections
You can combine LH with FSH to enhance the ability of the FSH hormone to produce more eggs.
hCG injections
hCG injection or the trigger injection is the final injection of ovarian stimulation. After routine monitoring, when your fertility doctor determines that the follicles have reached optimum size, they will administer hCG injections to trigger ovulation.
Egg retrieval is performed about 12–36 hours after this injection. This can help doctors collect mature eggs that are just about to rupture from their follicles.
Progesterone
If your doctor finds that your progesterone levels are low, you will also be administered the hormone. This will help your uterus prepare the endometrium for implantation and embryo development. This injection is mostly given after egg retrieval.
Benefits of Taking IVF Injections
The main idea behind IVF injections is to get more eggs for fertilization. The one egg produced during a natural ovulation cycle won’t give you a higher chance of success.
If you have more eggs, even if some fail, you might still have some good embryos for embryo transfer. Below are some major benefits of IVF injections.
- Your doctors have more control over your ovulation cycle.
- Several eggs are collected in a single ovulation cycle.
- Higher chances of successful fertilization and implantation.
- Personalized fertility treatment and injection regime that suits your condition.
Side Effects of IVF Injections
IVF injections have so many benefits. However, they have some side effects, too. These side effects are mostly minor and will disappear in a few days. Let’s look at some of the most common side effects of IVF injections.
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Mood swings
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Tender breasts
- Temporary blurred vision
- Changes in cervical mucus
Note: These are side effects that most women have reported they have. Don’t worry that you will experience all of these symptoms. You might, at most, get 3 or 4 of them. It depends on your body condition.
There is one other serious condition that can be caused by IVF injections: OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). OHSS is caused when your ovaries react overly to the injections. This can cause them to become swollen and painful. You need to immediately consult your doctor if you experience severe pain.
Tips to Reduce Pain During IVF Injections
You will definitely feel pain during IVF injections. However, here are some tips you can follow to reduce the pain.
- Choose your upper arm, abdomen, or thigh as your injection site. They are intramuscular and cause less pain.
- Pinch or pull your skin away from the muscle.
- Use ice oaks to numb the area before injection. You can also use it after injection to reduce discomfort and swelling.
- Apply a numbing cream before injection.
- Consult a cognitive behavioral therapist (CBT). They can teach you methods to manage pain.
Conclusion
IVF injections are an integral part of your IVF journey. They are the foundation that can help you increase your chances of success.
So, listen to your doctor and take the injection according to the frequency they prescribe. Inform them immediately if you miss an injection. Follow your doctor’s instructions and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Most women have reported that IVF injections are minimally painful. The pain is manageable and goes away over time. However, individual conditions can change how much pain one feels during the injections.
Below are some major side effects of hormonal injections.
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Mood swings
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Tender breasts
- Temporary blurred vision
- Changes in cervical mucus
Below are some major benefits of IVF injections.
- Your doctors have more control over your ovulation cycle.
- Several eggs are collected in a single ovulation cycle.
- Higher chances of successful fertilization and implantation.
- Personalized treatment and injection regime that suits your condition.
