IVF Injections Guide

In vitro fertilization or IVF has become a lifesaver for many suffering from infertility. While it may be exciting for some, the process can be overwhelming for others. IVF injections are time sensitive and it is important to know when and how they are done. This IVF injection guide is an “all you need to know” about the injections. 

Key Takeaways

• In vitro fertilization treatments use a series of hormone therapy injections to prepare eggs for fertilization and to increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
• Many of the injections used during an IVF treatment can be done at home by the patient.
• Injection anxiety is very common but often subsides throughout treatment and can be managed with a variety of techniques and help from friends and family.

What Medicines Are Injected in IVF?

IVF is a common fertility treatment option for persons struggling with conception and pregnancy. IVF treatment contains hormones that stimulate the ovaries to develop mature follicles. These mature follicles are then developed into mature eggs, which are later retrieved and implanted in the uterus by a healthcare professional.

The purpose of IVF is to ensure many healthy and viable eggs are retrieved. IVF medications come in many forms including oral or vaginal tablets or through injections. These can be administered by a healthcare provider like Ivy Fertility or individually at home.

Each IVF case is different and the medications received depend on your fertility needs, and one can receive different medications during the cycle to ensure maximum success. 

Why is IVF done?

Several reasons can prompt an individual to seek IVF treatment:

• In cases of medical or health conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and cancer. 
• When a male partner has issues with sperm like a low number of sperm or unusual changes in their movement, size, or shape. 
• Where an individual or their partner has genetic disorders that can be passed on to a child. 
• Where there’s been fallopian tube damage or blockage. 
• In individuals with ovulation disorders where ovulation doesn't happen or occurs irregularly. 
• Where there are uterine fibroids.
• When an individual doesn’t have a working uterus.
• When infertility is unexplained or tests can’t find the reason for one’s infertility. 
• When an individual wants to reserve your eggs for future conception. 
• When pregnancy poses a risk the IVF treatment is done for surrogacy purposes. 

Delaying Ovulation

During a female’s normal menstrual cycle, several tiny follicles form on the outside of an ovary, each with an oocyte or an immature egg. During ovulation, a follicle reaches full maturity ruptures, and releases the egg. The remaining follicles stop developing and never reach maturity.

Before one can begin an IVF cycle, the healthcare provider will use a downregulation protocol to suppress ovulation. A 2021 study found that downregulation before IVF therapy decreased the likelihood of premature ovulation. The process also synchronized follicle growth with the development of the endometrium,  improving the likelihood of a successful IVF treatment overall.

There are different downregulation protocols, including the use of oral contraceptive pills or at-home injections of medication like Lupron, Prostap, or Buserelin. In some cases, your healthcare professional may combine oral medication and injections to increase the chances of a successful IVF cycle.  

Ovary Stimulation

The next step in the cycle is ovary stimulation. In this step, one receives an injection with the follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones. Injections with FSH include Fertinex or Bravelle while those with LH include Menopur and Repronex. 

The purpose of these hormones is to increase the number of follicles developing eggs at one time. The more follicles are fully developed the better and larger the yield of eggs retrieved. The unused eggs retrieved during an IVF treatment can be frozen for future use.

Egg Development

When the follicles are almost fully mature, a final hormone shot containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is given within a day or so of the egg retrieval process and works quickly to finalize the eggs’ development. A 2012 study showed that hCG shots successfully stimulate the final maturation of eggs during IVF treatments. 

Preparing the Uterus

Once eggs have been retrieved, they are either frozen or fertilized using sperm to create an embryo. The embryos are given five to seven days to mature before being reimplanted in the uterus. For successful implantation, the fertilized embryo must implant into the uterine lining within a relatively short window of time.

To make this happen, a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) injection can be given a few days before the procedure. According to a 2020 study, G-CSF injections help to thicken the uterine lining and increase the chances of successful implantation.

These shots are either given as an intrauterine injection during the transfer of a fertilized embryo or through an injection into the skin immediately following the transfer.

How to Take an Injection at Home

Giving yourself the injection can be daunting for many. However, many have noted that as time passes, each subsequent dose gets easier. 

To give yourself the injection:

1. Choose your injection site, i.e. abdomen, thigh, or back of the upper arm
2. Thoroughly wash your hands.
3. Prepare your injections as some may need mixing. Make sure you follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider. 
4. Make sure the injection site is clean using rubbing alcohol. You can numb the place with ice before using the rubbing alcohol, which will help to reduce the pain. 
5. Remove the needle cover from the syringe, flick it to remove air bubbles, and hold the syringe like a pencil. 
6. Squeeze the skin and position the needle at a 90-degree angle to the skin surface.
7. Insert the needle into it using firm, even pressure. Release the skin once the needle is in. 
8. Press the plunger until all of the medication from the syringe is inside the body.
9. Remove the needle slowly and gently rub the injection site in small circular motions to allow your body to absorb the medicine. 
10. Dispose of the needle by capping and removing the needle. Ensure to place the needle into a puncture-proof container. 

For those self-administering IVF injections, the fertility clinic where you will be getting the shots will walk with you and keep a close eye on how you're progressing at each stage of your treatment. The clinic will regularly run blood tests, perform ultrasounds, and adjust your medications if needed. 

IVF Medications FAQs

Do IVF Shots Hurt?

IVF shots are relatively painless mainly because they are subcutaneous rather than intramuscular. The process is also done using small needles. However, the injection process can induce anxiety. If there is any pain, you can massage the injection site or apply ice before and after the medication is delivered.

Depending on your treatment plan you may receive up to 90 IVF shots in one cycle with a daily frequency of 1-2 injections or more. On average, a woman can expect to take IVF injections for about 10-12 days in total.

Do IVF Shots Leave Marks?

IVF injections may cause some bruising on the skin near injection though most shots don’t leave any marks. To minimize getting marks, you can have different injection sites. 

Will I Gain Weight During IVF Injections?

No, no research proves there’s weight gain during IVF treatment. On the contrary, a 2023 study found that individuals receiving IVF experienced less than 1 percent change in body weight throughout. 

What Are IVF Side Effects?

Similar to any other medications taken, IVF drugs can cause various side effects such as:

• Excessive fatigue
• Mild cramping
• Hot flashes
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Spotting
• Mood swings

Severe risks and complications associated with IVF can include:

• Ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS)
• Ovarian torsion
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Pelvic pain
• Blood in urine
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• A fever over 100.5° F

Thankfully, most of these side effects can be managed to reduce discomfort. It’s important to mention any side effects to your healthcare provider and discuss a way forward. 

The Bottom Line

While the IVF process can be challenging, you can find ways to ease into the process by adjusting your daily life and minimizing stressful triggers from your day-to-day. You can also add healthy habits to create a calm environment like gentle stretching and meditation. Always remember that many women have gone through the IVF process and had successful pregnancies.