IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is a complicated procedure, and the one step that most women are worried about is ovarian stimulation. Ovarian stimulation involves taking several hormonal injections routinely for a number of days.
You will be administered several hormones during the procedure, like Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), hCG, etc. Among these injections, the one that most people don’t know much about is the first injection they take while starting the procedure.
The first injection of IVF plays a key role in the success of the treatment. In this article, we will look into what the injection is and know all about its uses and administration.
The First Injection In IVF
In IVF, the first injection you take is the foundation you lay for the next steps that are about to follow. Without these injections, your doctors won’t get the controlled environment they require to successfully perform the procedure.
This first injection is called Lupron (leuprolide acetate). It is a GnRH agonist that temporarily stops the body from releasing reproductive hormones.
All the Best for your IVF Journey !
What Is GnRH Agonist?
GnRH stands for gonadotropin-releasing hormone. It is naturally produced by your body and is responsible for regulating your reproductive system by stimulating the production of the hormones FSH and LH. It ensures that your body has enough reproductive hormones for ovulation and fertility.
A GnRH Agonist is a synthetic form of natural GnRH. It mimics the effect of GnRH and makes your body believe that there is enough GnRH for follicle growth and ovulation. This stops the body from releasing more natural GnRH.
Why It's Used As The First Injection
A GnRH Agonist is a very useful medicine in IVF. It suppresses the production of GnRH, thus suppressing the production of hormones FSH and LH. This allows doctors to have a controlled environment in which to grow follicles at a consistent rate and prevents premature ovulation.
With these injections, doctors can time egg retrieval and collect the mature eggs before they are released from the follicles.
How GnRH Agonist Works
As discussed above, a GnRH agonist works by mimicking the effect of the natural gonadotropin-releasing hormone produced by the body. Below is how the injection helps your IVF treatment.
When you first start taking the injection, it will stimulate your body to release FSH and LH. This is a temporary effect due to the sudden surge of GnRH in the body.
Overtime, your body will get accustomed to the high levels of GnRH and becomes less sensitive to it. This causes it to produce less FSH and LH. This process is called “downregulation”.
The low FSH and LH levels will decrease the levels of estrogen and testosterone in your body.
After the hormones have been suppressed, your fertility doctor can gradually administer the hormones to ensure the follicles grow in a controlled environment. This can increase the chances of successful egg retrieval and fertilization.
Administration Of The First Injection
The GnRH agonist is usually administered during the 21st day of your menstrual cycle. You will be taking this injection once a day for weeks (usually about 21 days) till your doctor determines your hormones have been suppressed. Only then will they start your ovarian stimulation procedure.
The GnRH agonist is a subcutaneous injection usually administered in the thigh or abdomen. It might be mildly painful, but the pain subsides quickly. Discuss with your doctor any measures you can take to reduce pain.
What Injection Comes Next?
After about 3 weeks (21 days) of GnRH agonist treatment, your fertility doctor will evaluate your hormone levels and begin your IVF protocol. During the IVF process, you will receive a series of injections to support a successful pregnancy.
The injections you will be administered during this procedure are:
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH),
Luteinizing Hormone (LH),
human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG).
These injections will help the growth of multiple follicles and allow doctors to collect multiple mature eggs during egg retrieval. This increases the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Conclusion
The first injection is crucial for the success of your IVF treatment. If you have concerns about injection pain, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your doctor. They can provide detailed information about the specific injection you’ll receive and suggest ways to manage any discomfort.
Being informed about what to expect before starting the procedure can help you feel more at ease and reduce stress throughout the process.
FAQs
From the first injection, IVF will take around 4 to 6 weeks. The timeframe will vary depending on your health and fertility conditions.
Your IVF injections are usually administered on day 2 or 3 of your menstrual cycle. You will be taking these injections twice a day for about 10–14 days till egg retrieval.
Lupron, Menopur, and progesterone and some of the best and most effective injections for IVF. Lupron suppresses hormone production, Menopur combines FSH and LH, and progesterone supports uterine lining during implantation.
