Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone that technically supports the egg development in a woman’s ovary; it stimulates the release of the egg during a period of ovulation. HCG mainly used to generate ovulation and is recommended to treat infertility issue in women and to increase the sperm count in men. HCG is often prescribed in young boys who face testicles issues. A pituitary gland disorder generally causes this problem.
HCG may also be prescribed and used for other purposes that may not be listed in this article.
Things to Check before you start HCG Treatment
One should not take this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction to this medication or if you have:
- A hormone-related cancer
- Breast, ovary or uterus cancer or a tumour
- Severe thyroid issues
- Vaginal bleeding problems
- Early puberty
- Certain types of ovarian cyst
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding mom
Also, before you start the HCG treatment inform your physician if you are allergic to any drug or you are taking medicine for:
- Ovarian cyst
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Migraine
- Epilepsy
- Vaginal bleeding
- Thyroid
- Asthma
You may need the dose adjustment or special test screening if you are undergoing any above treatment.
Though HCG helps you to become pregnant, still you should not use HCG if you are pregnant. Inform your physician immediately when you become pregnant during treatment. It is yet not known whether HCG passes into breast milk or not. Mention your doctor if you are a breast-feeding mom prior to taking HCG.
Pregnancy Ratio with HCG
Get involved with your partner to reach to an intercourse level when you trigger the hCG injection in your body. You should do intercourse daily or alternate days for 5 days, starting with the night when you take the injection. The success ratio of this treatment is about 90% in achieving ovulation and delivers approx 50% pregnancy rate. The course can be repeated for around 6 to 8 cycles. In most cases, hCG causes ovulation in about 36 hours after you take it.
Researchers show that woman given HCG injections daily can be seen significantly higher progesterone levels during the phase of mid-luteal when compared with a woman to whom the hormonal vaginal gel has given. Also, the daily injection of HCG prevents increases in the progesterone serum and supraphysiologicic steroid levels are often seen during the early luteal phase after an hCG trigger, according to researchers.
HCG Treatment
As per the survey, HCG is a patient-friendly treatment because it does not require repeated administration of a vaginal progesterone gel that causes genital leakage and irritation.
According to research, a daily dose of HCG injection for 2 weeks after an embryo transfer resulted in as many successful pregnancies for women as those who used a vaginal hormonal gel. It is a patient-friendly treatment. It is given as an injection in your skin or into a muscle. If you use hCG shots at home, your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how and where you need to inject this medicine. Do not self-inject and take this medicine if you are not aware of how to take this injection and properly dispose of the used needles and syringes.
Many brands and forms of hCG are available in the market online and offline both. Consult your doctor to get it prescribed from him. He will suggest the best one that will suit you the most. HCG shots can be given either intramuscularly or subcutaneously depends on the brand.
The Side Effects of HCG
Stop using HCG injections/shots and seek urgent medical help if you notice any of allergic signs and reaction of hives, face, tongue, lips or throat swelling, or difficulty in breathing.
Call your physician if you found any sign of a blood clot: redness, pain, warmth, numbness, or tingling in your arm or leg; also, if you are feeling extreme dizziness, confusion, or severe headache.
Some women using human chorionic gonadotropin have developed a condition called OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), especially after the first treatment cycle of injection. OHSS can be a life-threatening condition if not addressed timely. Call or visit your physician immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of OHSS:
- Swelling of hands or legs
- Access weight gain
- Severe pelvic pain
- Breathing issues
- Stomach pain and swelling
- Diarrhoea
- Urine issues
- Nausea or Vomiting
As stated above, this medication can cause the early puberty in young boys. Call your doctor if a boy using this drug shows early signs of puberty, such as pubic hair growth, deepened voice, and increased acne or sweating.
Less serious side effects of hCG may include:
- A headache
- Depression
- Feeling restless or irritable
- Tenderness in breast
- Mild swelling or water weight gain
- Pain, swelling, or irritation where the injection is given.
Marie
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