If your doctor prescribes fertility medications, you may be given human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This medication is not used alone for the treatment of infertility. HCG is used in the same cycle as other fertility medication injections, such as gonadotropins.
Human chorionic gonadotropin is given after you have completed the series of injections. HCG is used to help induce ovulation. It works by communicating with the ovaries to release the eggs that have matured.
The gonadotropin injections taken earlier in the cycle work by encouraging the ovaries to produce eggs. This mimics the surge of follicle stimulating hormone released by the pituitary gland naturally each month. The next step in the process is an increase in hCG. This surge causes an egg to be released.
The treatment with injections of fertility medications works by mimicking this natural process. The hCG injection is the second phase in the process, resulting in the mature eggs being released by the ovaries.
Your doctor will determine when your eggs are ripe by testing throughout the cycle. You will have internal ultrasounds and blood work every few days when you are on the injections. When the follicles are ripe and ready for ovulation, your doctor will instruct you to use the hCG injection. Always follow the doctor’s instructions regarding the timing of the shot.
The timing of the injection is important. Your doctor will tell you when to take the shot. This will be based on any appointments for procedures such as intrauterine insemination (IUI). Ovulation occurs about 36 hours after the injection of hCG is given.
The next step will depend on the fertility treatments you are having, if any. If you are trying to conceive naturally with the help of the injections, you will time intercourse to coincide with ovulation. If you are having IUI, the procedure will be scheduled according to ovulation.
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