IVF Success Rates    IVF Pricing Options    In Vitro Fertilization    Egg Donation    General Infertility    Site Index    Become a Patient

Details about the subcutaneous injections for infertility and in vitro fertilization

Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago
Gurnee & Crystal Lake, Illinois

The woman is stimulated with subcutaneously injected medications to develop multiple egg development. Subcutaneous injections are given with a very small needle, just under the skin. This is how diabetics give themselves insulin.

Usually, 2 different injectable medications are used in IVF cycles. One of these can be replaced in some cases by a nasal spray. Details about ovarian stimulation for IVF are available elsewhere on this site.

The first medication starts on about day 21 of the woman's cycle and is called Lupron. This is a subcutaneous injection with a small needle and is usually given by the woman into her thigh. She will usually take this once a day for about 21 days.

The next medication is injectable FSH and is usually taken for about 9 days. This medication stimulates multiple eggs to develop. There are various subcutaneously given FSH products available in the US including Follistim, Gonal-F and Fertinex. Other FSH products are available that must be given intramuscularly with a larger needle, e.g. Pergonal, Humegon, Repronex and Metrodin.

Read below for details on giving the subcutaneous injections

SUBCUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION OF LUPRON, GONAL-F, FOLLISTIM, FERTINEX, HUMEGON, REPRONEX, etc.

Choose your injection site (abdomen, thigh, or back of upper arm)

Cleanse the site with alcohol, beginning at the center of the site and moving outward in a

circular motion. Allow the skin to dry before injection to avoid a stinging sensation.

Remove needle cover being careful not to loosen the needle from the syringe.

Grasp the syringe like a pencil. Squeeze the skin and position the needle at a 90 degree

angle to the skin surface.

Insert the needle quickly with a dart-like motion.

Pull back slightly on the plunger to check for blood. If none, inject the drug by pushing on the plunger. If blood appears, withdraw the needle entirely. Change the needle, prepare a new site and inject again.

After injecting the medication, let go of the pinched skin and remove the needle gently but quickly. If any bleeding occurs from the site, apply gentle pressure for 10 to 15 seconds.

Alternate injection sites.

Dispose of syringe in a glass jar or other appropriate container. Return your used needles to the office at the end of your cycle for us to dispose of.