Do you have any infertility issues and are looking to undergo IVF to help you get pregnant? Then, you must have done your research and understood that the first step involves a lot of injections.
This step is called ovulation induction, and it involves taking a number of fertility injections for several days in a row. You will be administered several types of injections with different properties during this period.
In this article, we will look into all the types of injections you will be administered during IVF and whether they are painful or not. Read till the end to get an idea of what you might experience during this period.
Pain Perception And IVF Injections
It is common to wonder how many injections are involved in IVF and whether they are painful. The answer varies depending on individual circumstances. What may be tolerable pain for one person could be intolerable for another.
So, you can’t really conclude whether the IVF injections are painful based on other people’s experiences. How you perceive pain during IVF injections mainly depends on the following factors.
- Your pain tolerance level
- Fear and anxiety towards the injections
- The way the injection is administered
- The site of injection
According to most women, IVF injections are minimally painful. However, the pain is overall manageable and can get better over time.
All the Best for your IVF Journey !
Types Of Injections And Associated Discomfort
There are two ways that IVF injections can be injected into your body: intramuscularly and subcutaneously. These types indicate the site where you are injected into your body. They both have their own benefits and pain levels.
Intramuscular (IM) Injections
As the name suggests, intramuscular injections are injected into the muscle. This helps the body rapidly absorb the injection and take effect. Common sites of IM injections include the shoulder, buttocks, and thighs.
Intramuscular injections can be more painful than subcutaneous injections. Most patients report that they have a sharp, stinging pain that quickly subsides.
Subcutaneous (SC) Injections
Subcutaneous injections are injected into the fatty tissues beneath your skin and is often preferred for vaccines, hormones, etc. Common sites of SC injections include the abdomen, upper arm, and thigh.
Subcutaneous injections are generally less painful than intramuscular injections. However, some might feel a slight stinging pain or discomfort in the injection site.
IVF injections, that is, ovarian stimulation injections, are often administered subcutaneously beneath the fatty tissue. This ensures that you feel less pain, as you might have to take them routinely for several days.
Medicine Given With These Injections
As we have mentioned earlier, you will be taking IVF injections routinely for several days. The average number of injections are about 90, which you will take about 1–2 shots per day for 8–14 days.
You will be administered a number of hormones during this period. Each hormone has an important role to play in your ovulation. The hormones and their functions are listed below.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) injections are administered to stimulate the development of numerous follicles and produce several mature eggs. It is the first and crucial medication in the ovulation stimulation process.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) injections are administered to enhance the ability of the FSH hormone to produce more eggs.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
When the follicles reach a size of approximately 15-18 mm, we administer hCG injections to stimulate the release of mature eggs. These injections are typically given 32-36 hours before egg retrieval, triggering the final phase of egg maturation. After the hCG injection, some women may notice subtle symptoms indicating egg rupture, such as mild cramping or pelvic discomfort, which signals the release of the egg
Psychological Impact Of Pain In IVF
The fear of pain during IVF, not only during ovarian stimulation but also during the entire procedure, can have a significant psychological impact on your mind and body.
The IVF procedure is already challenging and can be physically tiring. The fear of pain will only lead to more emotional and psychological damage. Below are some potential psychological effects of pain during IVF.
- Anxiety and stress
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Depression
- Reduced self-esteem
- Relationship problems
Tips For Managing Pain During IVF Injections
IVF injections are minimally painful and can be overcome over time. However, if you feel that it would be helpful to know some tricks to reduce pain, here are some for you.
- Learn about the procedure and its side effects. Being informed can remove fear of the unknown and reduce pain.
- Consult a cognitive behavioural therapist (CBT) and learn methods to manage pain.
- Try pinching or pulling your skin away from the muscle before injection.
- Use an ice pack to numb the area before the injection. You can also apply it after injection to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Apply a numbing cream before the injection to reduce pain.
Conclusion
IVF injections are generally less painful for most women. However, if you feel that they are more painful, you can always discuss them with your doctor and find measures to overcome the pain.
Remember, the temporary discomfort of these injections is just one small step toward achieving your ultimate goal: holding your own baby in your arms. Many women wonder, ‘Can I get pregnant after IVF injections?‘ The answer is that these injection are just one phase of the treatment, designed to stimulate egg production. Pregnancy doesn’t occur immediately after the injection; rather, it’s part of a carefully managed, step-by-step process. So, hold on and stay positive—your doctor is here to support you through every stage of the journey.
FAQs
According to most women, IVF injections are minimally painful. The pain is overall manageable and can get better over time. However, individual circumstances can alter how much pain one feels during the injections.
Trigger injections, that is, hCG injections, are administered subcutaneously, just like the other injections given during IVF. The injection is minimally painful and will get better over time.
Studies show that most women consider egg retrieval to be the most painful part of IVF. Though the procedure is performed under anaesthesia, you might feel pain and discomfort afterwards.
