HCG Injections in Fertility Treatment: How It Works and What to Expect

How do HCG injections work in fertility treatment?

• Gonadotropins consist of two hormones: Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These are produced by the pituitary gland and support the development and maturity of eggs and their release during ovulation.

• HCG is used as an infertility treatment in women who do not ovulate or who have irregularity in ovulation and hence face difficulty conceiving. Females can buy HCG injections online for fertility after consultation with their healthcare provider.

• Some women may not be able to conceive, despite their ovaries and ovulation being normal, simply because of low levels of HCG. Those females are advised to take generic HCG shots, as it stimulate the ovaries to produce more than one follicle and increases their chances of getting pregnant. However, it may also cause multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.), which can be minimized by opting for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Gonodatropin Therapy

• On the fourth or fifth day after the onset of the menstrual cycle, the doctor will conduct a blood test to measure the hormone levels in the body and perform a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm that there is no cyst in the ovaries.

• The doctor would then recommend an FSH injection, which is given once daily. The dosage of FSH injection could vary from individual to individual. Generally, the doctor will start with a smaller dose to avoid the growth of multiple follicles.

• The doctor will terminate the cycle on noticing the growth of multiple enlarged follicles, as it could lead to multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.), and to avoid other complications.

• After a few days, the doctor will monitor the follicle growth. If the development is good enough (15 to 18mm) in size and the blood test and ultrasound confirm the follicle is ready, the doctor will give an HCG shot to induce ovulation.

• The doctor would then ask to have sex around a particular time the next day to increase the chances of getting pregnant. Here, time plays a crucial role; the timing of the intercourse should coincide with the ovulation.

• This process is carried out for a couple of cycles. If the result isn’t positive, the doctor might suggest other options, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or In-vitro Fertilization (IVF).

• If the cycle is canceled, you must stop taking injections and talk to your doctor about future actions.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination is also referred to as artificial insemination or donor insemination. The process includes taking an hcg trigger shot; 25 to 35 hours later, when ovulation is likely to happen, the doctor will transfer healthy sperm directly into the uterus, maximizing the chances of getting pregnant. If the sperm causes fertilization of the egg and this fertilized egg implants itself into the uterus's wall, it is called a positive pregnancy.

In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In IVF, the doctor will closely monitor the ovaries through ultrasound and advise injecting the HCG, usually 30 to 35 hours before the eggs are retrieved from the ovaries. The eggs are then used for fertilization with the male sperm. The fertilized eggs may be frozen for later transfer or used as fresh transfers.

Pregnancy Test after HCG Injection

• The hormone hcg is detected in the urine pregnancy test (UPT). When an HCG injection is taken, it persists in the body for up to 15 days.

• If a pregnancy test is conducted too early, it might give a skewed result. The test might show a positive outcome not due to actual pregnancy but because of residual medication in the body.

• The doctor might ask to take a blood pregnancy test or get an ultrasound done to confirm the pregnancy.

• It is advisable to conduct a home pregnancy test 15 days after the hcg shot. If the test shows positive, please inform your doctor.

• If the hcg level in the blood test is less than 5IU, it is termed adverse pregnancy.

• If the HCG level in the blood test shows less than 10IU, you might be asked to retest in a couple of days to confirm if it has doubled.

• The HCG level generally doubles in 30 to 50 hours during the first 30 days of the pregnancy.

Uses of HCG after testing positive for pregnancy

• Progesterone is an important hormone that women require to sustain a successful pregnancy.

• After testing positive for pregnancy, HCG injections are prescribed to women with low levels of HCG to maximize the chances of successful pregnancy. There are various pharmacies from where you can buy hcg injections online.

• A higher progesterone level facilitates the healthy development of the fetus and ensures a viable pregnancy.

• Women with lower levels of hcg can also get pregnant; however, there are chances of miscarriage or abnormal pregnancy later on. These women are prescribed hcg injections to prevent pregnancy loss.

How HCG Treats Infertility in Men

• A large number of men suffer from male hypogonadism (a condition where the testicles don’t function normally). This results in reduced production of testosterone hormone, which is essential for masculine growth and development.

• Male hypogonadism can be treated with hcg injection; the treatment is also referred to as Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). It acts as a substitute for testosterone, increases testosterone levels, boosts sperm production, and helps maintain fertility.

• HCG also treats undescended testicles (Cryptorchidism) in male children, a condition in which the testicles fail to drop into the scrotum from the abdomen before birth.

• The doctor may administer a series of hcg injections into the scrotum, and the hormone stimulates the testes to fall into the scrotum.

Conclusion

It can be challenging to cope with the wide range of feelings while on fertility treatment, particularly if one has been trying to conceive for a long time. Enrolling in counseling services or joining a support group can help deal with stress. The use of hcg is widespread in treating infertility. In females, it is used in IVF and IUI, whereas males are prescribed for TRT and hypogonadism. The use of hcg could be challenging and might lead to some minor side effects as well, but it’s worth giving a try. Consult with your doctor to understand the dosage and period of treatment to obtain the maximum results. Seek immediate help if you notice any adverse effects while on the Hcg regime.