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How Many Injections for IVF Treatment

How Many Injections for IVF Treatment

IVF is a complex process that involves undergoing a series of complicated procedures. It is essential that you understand the steps involved in each procedure before committing to it.

The whole IVF process is split into five steps:

  • Ovulation induction,
  • Egg % sperm retrieval,
  • Fertilization,
  • Embryo culture, and
  • Embryo transfer

Ovulation induction is the first step of the IVF treatments, where you will be administered fertility injections regularly on a daily basis. You might wonder why you need these injections and for how many days you are required to take them.

This is why, to make understanding the process easier for you, we have discussed in detail all about the fertility medications involved in IVF. Stay till the end to learn all about it.

How many injections for IVF treatment?

On average, a woman undergoing IVF will be required to take around 80–90 injections (shots) for about 8–14 days. The number of injections and days may increase or decrease depending on your fertility condition and the egg’s development.

These injections can either be administered into the fat under your skin (subcutaneously) or into your muscles (intramuscular). During these days, your egg’s development will be regularly monitored.

Once they reach the optimum size for retrieval, you will be given the hCG hormone to facilitate the release of mature eggs. Your eggs will be retrieved when they are about to be released.

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How Many Injections Per Day for IVF?

The IVF process would require around 1 to 2 shots per day. Again, the number of shots depends upon the IVF treatment plan and one’s reproductive health status.

The day when the administration of injections begins depends upon the protocol adopted by the IVF treatment plan. There are two protocols in IVF. One is the agonist protocol or long protocol. The other is the antagonist protocol or short protocol.

In the long protocol, GnRH (Gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone) agonists such as leuprolide, goserelin, triptorelin, and/ or histrelin are administered on Day 1 or Day 21 of the woman’s menstrual cycle. It is continued until the suppression of the ovaries.

In the short protocol, hormonal injections are administered on Day 1 or 2 of the menstrual cycle. Hormonal drugs such as antagon and cetrotide are administered on Day 6 or 7 of the menstrual cycle. These injections aim to prevent spontaneous ovulation.

Importance of medications and injections in IVF

As you might be aware, IVF involves fertilization that takes place in a lab, outside of the woman’s uterus.The eggs and sperm are collected from you and your partner and fertilized.

Men will have several sperm in their semen sample. So they don’t have to be retrieved during every cycle. The sperm can be frozen and used in the next cycle.

However, you only release about one or two eggs a month. It will be tiresome for you to go through the egg retrieval process during each cycle. This is why you are given these injections.

These injections are fertility medications that induce the ovaries to produce more mature eggs. This helps doctors retrieve several eggs that can be stored and used during each cycle.

What Are The Different Types Of IVF Injections?

Three types of fertility medications are administered to women during their ovulation induction procedure. Each of these medications has a specific role in facilitating the development and maturation of the eggs. Below are some medications that may be administered during the procedure.

1. Gonadotropins

Gonadotropins are one of the most common injections administered during IVF. They help with follicle development and promote the growth of a mature egg. They also stimulate the ovaries to produce more mature eggs.

2. FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

Like gonadotropins, FSH also helps stimulate the growth of multiple egg follicles.

3. LH (Luteinizing hormone)

LH facilitates the final maturation of the eggs before they are released from their egg follicles. They also enhance the FSH’s ability to produce more eggs.

4. Progesterone

Progesterone helps make the endometrial lining receptive to the embryo and makes it suitable for embryo implantation.

5. hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropins)

This is the final injection administered approximately 32–36 hours before egg retrieval. The trigger injection, which involves hormones, stimulates the release of mature eggs from the follicles.

These five hormones are the most common injections administered during IVF. Your doctor will determine the dosage of each medicine based on your health and fertility condition.

How to Make IVF Injections Easier?

If you have a low tolerance for pain and have a fear of needles, you can talk it out with your healthcare provider.

There is no way out but to include injections in the IVF procedure. So educating yourself about the needs of the IVF process and getting your mind and heart ready for the journey can help a lot.

Also, you can use ice packs or heat pads to numb pain on the injection sites.

Which Time is Best for IVF Injections?

Recent studies have shown that the time of your IVF injections won’t have any impact on your results. However, if you prefer to take them in the morning, stick to the schedule and take them at the same time every day.

Don’t take the injections in the morning one day and in the evening the next day. Decide which time of day will be suitable for you and take the injections on time every day.

You can miss it by one or two hours but don’t delay more than that. It can impact your ovulation results. You can also consult your fertility doctor and follow the schedule they suggest for you.

What are the side effects of IVF Injections?

While IVF injections are generally safe and aid in producing multiple eggs, they can come with some side effects. However, these effects are temporary and will disappear over time. Some of the most common side effects of ovulation induction are:

  • Soreness and slight bruising in the injection site
  • Headache and Fatigue
  • Nausea and bloating
  • Mood swings
  • Breast tenderness
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Changes in the cervical mucus
  • Pelvic & abdominal pain

The side effects we saw above are some of the minor side effects that will disappear over time. However, there are also serious side effects that may happen due to these injections. Below is one such side effect that might require medical intervention.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This condition happens when the ovaries react excessively to fertility medications. The ovary becomes enlarged and becomes painful.

Conclusion

IVF is a complex procedure. Ensure you understand every step of the process before beginning the treatment. Consult with your doctor and do your own research on the process.

IVF may seem like a painful procedure but will be safe if you listen to your doctor’s instructions and follow them correctly. This will help you successfully get pregnant and have your own baby.

FAQs

How many days of injections during IVF?

Normally, IVF requires 8 to 14 days of injection administration. It is based on the length of the menstrual cycle, the IVF protocol adopted, and other factors that might impact the process.

Yes, you will be required to take around one or two shots (injections) every day for about 8–14 days. These injections will stimulate the ovaries to produce more mature eggs that can be retrieved and used for fertilization.

Though very rare, some women do get pregnant after just IVF injections. These women are mostly those who choose IVF for minor fertility issues. If they have intercourse after IVF injections, there is a chance of the sperm fertilizing the egg, which results in pregnancy.

Injections given during IVF mostly contain hormones required to enhance the woman’s body to cooperate for a successful IVF procedure. So it is vital to take the prescribed injections for IVF. All the needed medications are also shot through injections during IVF.

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Dr Niveditha

Dr. Niveditha is the co-founder of The Hive Fertility and Research Centre. She is a young and passionate fertility expert who aims to provide high-quality fertility treatments to her patients. During her 10+ years of service as a fertility expert, she has helped several hundreds of patients overcome their infertility and become parents. She also specializes in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive endocrinology

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