Exploring Health Concerns and Treatments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after actively trying for at least one year. If you are suffering from infertility, several options are available, including infertility injections. Unfortunately, you might have heard several common misconceptions about infertility injections and IVF that are keeping you from taking advantage of this treatment.

Here are a few of the most common myths and misconceptions about infertility injections and IVF.

Myth: You Need to Visit the Doctor Every Day to Get an Injection

Your doctor can help you determine the correct type of fertility injection for you, and depending upon the type of medication recommended, you might need daily injections. However, before you assume that your life will be interrupted by daily doctor visits, it is essential to realize that many women can successfully inject themselves at home.

Giving yourself injections might seem scary. However, it is actually very easy for you to inject yourself with infertility medication at home. Your doctor will show you how to inject yourself at home, but there are tricks and tips you can use to make the process go more smoothly. For example, you can practice giving injections on fruit, or you can ask your partner to give you the injection instead.

Myth: You Are Guaranteed to Have Multiple Births

Depending upon the type of fertility injection you are receiving, you may release more eggs, or the eggs that are released will be forced to mature. During IVF, several eggs are often implanted to increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. While IVF can increase the risk of multiple pregnancies, IVF and fertility treatments do not guarantee that a woman will have twins or triplets.

If you are concerned about multiple pregnancies, talk to your doctor about only having one fertilized egg implanted at a time.

Myth: Infertility Injections Will Make a Woman Moody and Angry

Many television and movies portray women receiving fertility injections as hormonal messes who are always yelling, crying, or screaming. There are several side effects of receiving infertility injections and IVF, including mood swings, hot flashes, stomach upset, and swollen breasts. However, in the majority of cases, these side effects and symptoms are manageable, and a woman undergoing infertility treatments will be able to live her everyday life.

If you are receiving infertility injections or undergoing IVF and have difficulty handling the side effects, talk to your doctor. 

To learn more about fertility injection treatments, schedule an appointment with your doctor.