Have you been struggling to conceive and were recently prescribed an HCG shot? But now, you are worried about when your period will start so you can determine whether or not you’re pregnant. Well, let me tell you that a late period after HCG injection is typical.
So, when should period start after HCG shot? On average, it can take up to two weeks. This is the approximated time the HCG takes to clear from both your urine and blood. But of course, if you get pregnant, you will have to wait for over nine months for your period to start.
Nothing to worry about, though. I assure you that delayed periods after HCG shots are usual, whether you have always had a regular or irregular cycle. Without further ado, let’s find out everything there’s to know about your period after HCG injection and its risks.
Overview of HCG Injection
Also known as human chorionic gonadotropin in full, HCG is a hormone that helps in pregnancy. However, you can still get it in the form of a prescription drug. Interestingly, you can only administer the medication through an injection under your skin or into the muscle.
Now, while it has many uses, HCG injection is only FDA-approved to treat a few cases of female infertility issues. This is because it helps induce ovulation. You can use the injection alone or together with other fertility drugs based on your doctor’s prescription.
Additionally, HCG injection has been approved by the FDA as a hormone treatment in men. This is because it helps improve the production of testosterone and sperm.
But it is worth mentioning that HCG injection does vary from one brand to another. Some brands offer it in single-dose prefilled syringes. You can also find it in powder form.
So When Should Period Start After HCG Shot?
Overall, a late period after HCG injection is quite normal. But in general, it takes 10 to 14 days for your period to start after having your HCG shot. You count from the first day after taking the injection. Of course, this only happens if you are not pregnant.
Therefore, if your periods fail to show up within this period, you might want to take a pregnancy test. Or perhaps, talk to your doctor so you can be advised because you could either be pregnant or not.
But what really happens after taking an HCG injection, you ask? Well, I will tell you. After receiving the shot, the drug will induce ovulation if you already have a mature egg follicle in your ovary. After all, the HCG structure is similar to that of the luteinizing hormone (LH), which aids in ovulation.
Generally, you can expect to ovulate between 24 and 48 hours. But if this does not happen, your periods should resume at least within 10 days. This is because the HCG drug can take around 10 days to clear from your blood and urine. Therefore, if you take a urine pregnancy test before 10 days, you will likely receive a false positive.
However, worth mentioning is that you might fail to ovulate after an HCG injection. If this happens, your doctor will advise you to take more shots after determining that everything is okay.
What Are The Risks Of HCG Injections?
While HCG drug is FDA-approved to treat some causes of infertility in both men and women, it does have some risks. Below, I will discuss some of the potential risks or side effects of HCG injection.
● Risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Also referred to as OHS, this condition occurs due to having excess HCG hormone in your body. Consequently, your ovaries may swell and even leak fluids into your body. Therefore, you must call your doctor at once because this condition can be life-threatening.
● Multiple births
Multiple pregnancies are considered relatively high-risk compared to a single one. When you use HCG injection with other fertility drugs, you may increase your chances of conceiving twins, triplets, and quadruplets.
● Nausea and vomiting
Just like the HCG produced by the placenta, HCG injection also causes nausea and vomiting. You may experience this even if you don’t conceive after getting the shot.
Other risks or side effects of HCG injection include exaggerated common pregnancy symptoms like:
- Breast soreness and tenderness
- Depression and mood swings
- Fatigue
- Pelvic pain, stomach pain, or bloating
- Sudden weight gain
- Acne and allergic reactions like itchiness
Reasons For Not Getting Pregnant After HCG Injection
HCG injection is formulated to improve a woman’s chance of pregnancy. However, you are not guaranteed to get pregnant immediately after having the first shot because of reasons such as:
● Inadequate size follicles
For you to get pregnant after administering an HCG injection, you must have the right size follicles. And according to different studies, your follicles should range between 12 and 19 mm in size.
● Higher levels of androgen hormone
It is perfectly normal for your ovaries to produce the androgen hormone in small amounts. However, if you have it at elevated levels and proceed to have the HCG injection, you are likely not to get pregnant. The hormone tends to interfere with the regular release of your eggs.
● Failure to time your intercourse
After the injection, your doctor will advise you to have scheduled intercourse. First, you must engage in intercourse the night you have the shot and 24 to 36 hours after the injection. If not, you will risk not getting pregnant.
● Follicle failing to rupture
HCG injection is supposed to stimulate the production of eggs from the ovaries. However, in some cases, you might fail to ovulate after an HCG injection because your follicles have not ruptured.
FAQs related to “When Should Period Start After HCG Shot”
Before I wrap up everything, let me walk you through several frequently asked questions about the HCG injection. Check them out.
When is the best time to inject HCG?
If trying to conceive, the best time to inject HCG is when your eggs become mature enough. This way, it can improve the chances of your ovulation happening. But of course, you must follow your doctor’s instructions.
Can HCG injection lead to delayed periods with no pregnancy?
Yes. A late period after HCG injection is typical if your body fails to shed the uterine lining. So, instead of your periods starting 10-14days after the HCG shot, it can delay up to 20 days for some women.
When To Take A Pregnancy Test After HCG Injection?
When HCG clears from your blood and urine, which could take up to 10 days. However, doctors advise taking the UPT test after 14 days when your period does not start. This way, you can avoid a false positive pregnancy test.
How long does an HCG injection last?
In general, the HCG injection is estimated to last between 10 and 14 days in your system. This explains why your periods may start around two weeks after taking the shot.
How much do HCG shots cost?
On average, you can expect to part away with around $338 for 10,000 units of HCG powder injection. This is because the prices for HCG shots vary depending on the manufacturer
Conclusion
Overall, your period can take up to 14 days to start after the HCG shot if you are not pregnant. However, if they delay longer or you suffer from some of the risks of HCG injections, I suggest you consult your doctor.
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