In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves a lot of injectable medications. If you’re somewhat squeamish around needles, that may make you anxious or uncomfortable.
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“Most IVF medications are administered subcutaneously — into the layer of fat beneath your skin,” says fertility specialist Julierut Tantibhedhyangkul, MD.
Injecting medication this way isn’t as bad as it sounds. And it’s also not unique to fertility treatments — healthcare providers prescribe subcutaneous injections for many conditions, including diabetes, severe asthma and blood clotting disorders. But if you’ve never given yourself an injection, it’s natural to be nervous. Knowing what to expect can ease your anxiety so you can confidently begin your IVF journey.
Dr. Tantibhedhyangkul describes the step-by-step process.
IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology, a way to help people get pregnant. It’s a delicate and multistep process to:
“Timing is critical for IVF,” Dr. Tantibhedhyangkul says. “And injectable fertility medication plays an important role.” It helps get your body primed and ready for the removal of the eggs and embryo transfer.
Injectable medications play a role in almost every phase of IVF. While fertility drugs are available under many brand names, each type of medication achieves one of four goals:
Infertility specialists prescribe different IVF medications in various ways, but the process is typically the same. The exact medications needed and the amount of time one needs to administer injections usually depends on age and what’s causing infertility.
“Most people use injectable medications for eight to 15 days,” says Dr. Tantibhedhyangkul. “In some less common situations, they may need to self-inject for three or four weeks.”
Do your injections at the same time each day. Most medications only need to be injected once daily, but some might require two or more daily injections.
Most medications you take during the early stages of IVF involve subcutaneous injections. If you’ve never given yourself an injection, familiarizing yourself with the steps can relieve some anxiety.
You typically inject subcutaneous shots into your stomach or thigh, says Dr. Tantibhedhyangkul. Your nurse may provide an illustrated guide explaining where to target your injections.
Choose your injection site and begin the steps:
Subcutaneous injections don’t typically cause serious side effects. Any minor side effects occur at the injection site and may include:
If you’re uncomfortable or unable to self-inject your IVF medications, Dr. Tantibhedhyangkul recommends taking these steps to make the process easier:
“Fertility specialists and nurses want you to succeed,” Dr. Tantibhedhyangkul encourages. “Look to them for resources and support throughout the process.”
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