The human chorionic gonadotropin, The hCG, can be used to treat infertility and increase your chances of staying pregnant as part of a cycle of assisted reproductive technology (ART) o in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Only in U.S, about 300 out of 100,000 women use assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to treat infertility each year, but before using the hCG injections there are several points to consider.
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In The Truth News we share the indications of Jesse Hade, a board certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at Generation Next Fertility, originally interviewed by Insider.
What is hCG?
HCG is a hormone that is generally produced in very small amounts, says Felice Gersh, MD, an OB / GYN at the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine in California.
The only exception is during the pregnancy when hCG production increases and is what pregnancy tests are designed for.
“HCG is absolutely essential for the success of a pregnancy. It must be produced in adequate amounts to support pregnancy during the first three months, before the placenta takes over the role of producer of estrogen and progesterone.”
What does hCG do to the body?
The advantage of an injection of hCG is that it can be used as a “trigger” to induce ripening and ovulation of the oocytesovules).
It can also be used to correct low testosterone levels, which can result in a higher blood count. sperm, which can help a couple’s chances of conceiving.
How do hCG injections increase fertility in women?
For women, hCG is given as an injection to stimulate ovulation during an ART protocol. This is commonly known as a trigger injection because it triggers ovulation about 36 hours later.
HCG helps the eggs to mature and prepares them for fertilization. For people using in vitro fertilization (IVF), an hCG injection also helps the eggs mature before they are fertilized in a lab.
It is commonly used for all fertility treatments, including both IVF and IUI (intrauterine insemination).
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How do they increase fertility in men?
HCG mimics LH, which is a hormone that increases testosterone levels.
Since testosterone plays a key role in sperm production, hCG is sometimes used to help increase fertility in men with low testosterone along with a suboptimal sperm count, Gersh says.
This can be particularly helpful for men who have hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), a condition in which the body does not produce enough sex hormones.
Research shows that hCG can help men with HH to conceive, increasing sperm levels in about 25% of men according to one study.
However, whether this will lead to conception and live birth is highly individualized: “Success with males varies with the underlying degree of abnormality and the health of the male,” says Gersh.
Side effects of hCG
In general, hCG is safe and effective in increasing fertility, says Gersh. Side effects are mostly mild, including pain at the injection site.
The following side effects also occur in women.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): After the use of ovarian stimulant drugs, this condition is characterized by enlargement of the ovaries, which can lead to pain in the abdomen and nausea.
A mild form of OHSS occurs in up to 20% of ART cycles, while the most severe OHSS occurs in less than 2% of the time.
Ectopic pregnancy and twisted ovaries– The use of hCG may increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy and adnexal torsion, or sprained ovaries, which are serious conditions that may require surgery.
Although these side effects can seem scary, the overall risk of complications from using fertility drugs in conjunction with hCG is low, Gersh says.
It is also important to know that taking hCG can cause a false positive on pregnancy tests. Because it can take 7 or more days for hCG to leave the body, it is best to wait 14 days before having a home test.
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