Everything You Need To Know About FSH Injections
If you are considering infertility treatment, you may have come across the term “FSH.” FSH is a naturally occurring hormone in the body, but lower than normal FSH levels can lead to fertility problems. Below, we will discuss everything you need to know about FSH injections, a method for raising FSH levels to help increase success rates of various infertility treatments.
What Are FSH Injections?
FSH stands for Follicle Stimulating Hormone. An FSH injection is an injection into the skin for the purpose of stimulating follicle growth on the ovaries. An ovarian follicle is a fluid-filled sac that contains an immature egg. In a normal ovulation cycle, one mature egg will be released from a follicle. Typically, only one follicle will ovulate an egg and the other follicles will disintegrate. When couples are having a hard time achieving a pregnancy, it may be due to low follicle growth affecting the body’s ability to ovulate. With an FSH injection, the goal is to increase the number of follicles that mature, and thus the number of eggs that are released. With more eggs, there is a greater chance of achieving a successful pregnancy.
When to Consider FSH Injections
FSH injections are considered a part of infertility treatment for women having difficulty getting pregnant. An FSH injection may be used alongside a shot to trigger ovulation and an Intra-uterine insemination (IUI) to increase chances of conception success. They are most commonly used during the In vitro fertilization (IVF) process.
Women seeking infertility treatment will typically first undergo a fertility test. Fertility tests are important because they help to determine if there is an underlying medical cause for the fertility issues, as that would need to be addressed before any further treatments. Fertility tests help fertility specialists come up with a plan for treatment, which may include FSH injections as a part of that plan. One of these tests is an FSH test, which assesses the FSH levels naturally present in a woman’s body to determine if injections are needed to raise those levels.
Who is Eligible for FSH Injections?
Any woman who is experiencing fertility issues and whose doctor recommends FSH injections is eligible for this treatment. There are no known benefits of FSH injections for reasons other than fertility assistance. FSH injections should only ever be prescribed by a fertility doctor who can monitor levels throughout the period of time that the injections are being administered (typically 8 days).
Side Effects of FSH Injections
FSH injections may cause side effects, and you should be aware of them before you begin your treatment. Common mild side effects include:
- Pelvic discomfort/bloating
- Irritation at the injection site
- Headache
- Nausea
Your fertility specialist will be able to provide more detailed information on the common side effects and how to alleviate potential discomfort during this time. Your fertility specialist will also give you a list of side effects that are cause for concern and would warrant an immediate trip to the doctor.
Learn More About Fertility Treatment in South Jersey
If you are having trouble conceiving and are interested in fertility treatment, you may want to consider FSH injections as a part of your infertility treatment plan. The first step to receiving infertility treatment is to contact a fertility specialist near you. South Jersey Fertility Center is the premier provider of fertility care in South Jersey, and our fertility specialists will work with you to help you achieve your dream of starting a family. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about FSH injections and the other services we are proud to provide.