IVF-C Injection 5000IU Injection

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a natural hormone given as an injection under specialist care. It controls the release of eggs from the ovary in women and stimulates testosterone production in men.

• Women: to bring on ovulation, including as part of IVF and other assisted conception.
• Men and boys: for delayed puberty, undescended testes and low sperm count.

hCG must not be used to lose weight. It does not burn fat or reduce appetite.

Your doctor will decide your dose and schedule. The first injection should be given under medical supervision.

• It is injected into a muscle by a doctor or nurse, or under the skin, which you may be taught to do yourself.
• Mix the powder and liquid gently by swirling, not shaking. Do not use the solution if it is cloudy or has particles.
• Use a new sterile needle each time, change the injection spot, and dispose of needles in a sharps bin.
• If you miss a dose, do not double up. Contact your doctor.
• For low sperm count, treatment usually takes at least three months to show improvement.

Possible side effects include:

• pain, bruising, redness, swelling or itching where you injected
• fever or rash
• in women: tender breasts, tummy pain, feeling sick or diarrhoea
• in men: fluid retention or breast enlargement
• headache, tiredness, irritability or low mood

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• tummy pain or swelling, sickness, vomiting, sudden weight gain, passing less urine or trouble breathing, even days after the injection (possible ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome)
• pain or swelling in a leg, chest pain or sudden breathlessness (possible blood clot)
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing

Do not use it if you are allergic to hCG, have a hormone-dependent cancer (such as breast, ovary, womb, testis or prostate), have unexplained vaginal bleeding, or have fibroids or womb problems that make pregnancy unsafe.

Tell your doctor before treatment if you:

• have untreated thyroid, adrenal or pituitary problems, or high prolactin
• have had blood clots, or a family history of them, or are very overweight
• have heart or kidney disease, epilepsy or migraine
• have had ovarian hyperstimulation, ovarian cysts, a twisted ovary or tummy surgery

Storage depends on the product. Some are kept in a fridge (2–8°C) in the carton to protect from light; others are kept at room temperature and refrigerated once mixed. Follow the pack and keep out of the reach of children.

Fertility treatment: raises the chance of twins or more, and slightly raises the risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Your doctor will monitor you with scans.

Pregnancy tests: a test may wrongly show positive for up to 10 days after an injection.

Boys: it can cause early puberty, so close monitoring is needed.

Breastfeeding: do not use while breastfeeding.