The emotions that stem from struggling with conception are already difficult to deal with. It can be even more overwhelming when you’re trying to process the emotions at the same time as trying to explore the many treatment options that may help. We’re here to make it just a little bit easier so that you can focus on the excitement of starting your fertility journey.
When you’re researching potential infertility treatments, there are probably a few words that keep popping up. For instance, you’ve likely seen the terms “trigger shot” and “IVF” come up several times. While both options can boost your chance of conception, it’s important to know about each one so that you can see how they compare and which may be a better option for you.
We’re going to discuss the basics of both trigger shots and IVF. Then we’ll talk about how you can decide between the two for your fertility journey.
The basics of trigger shots
Let’s start off with the basics. A trigger shot refers to a fertility treatment that involves the injection of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG. The goal of the hormone is to help the ovaries release mature eggs during ovulation. HCG often goes by particular brand names, such as Novarel and Ovidrel.
A trigger shot is administered before each ovulation cycle. It can be self-administered under the skin or into the muscle. There are a few potential side effects, such as bloating, pelvic pain and tenderness surrounding the injection site.
A trigger shot is always coupled with ovulation stimulation, which is clomiphene citrate or letrozole oral tablets taken to increase the number of ovulated eggs that are released. Your specialist will also recommend timed intercourse to correspond with ovulation, which is about 36 to 40 hours after the shot is administered.
The basics of IVF
Time to move on to the basics of IVF, or in vitro fertilization. IVF is the process of removing eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab. Either a single sperm is injected directly into the egg or they are mixed together in a petri dish. Then, the fertilized egg, known as an embryo, is transferred into the uterus.
Similar to a trigger shot, IVF still requires ovarian stimulation as one of the first steps in the process.
IVF can be done using the infertile couple’s sperm and egg, but it’s also often completed using the eggs, sperm or embryos from a donor.
Choosing trigger shot or IVF
While you may have an idea of which option will work better for you in your fertility journey, the very first step should be a consultation with a fertility specialist. They will determine which course of action is more likely to achieve a successful childbirth based on your medical history and test results of your fertility hormones, fallopian tubes and sperm count.
Trigger shots are often a preferable course of action for people struggling with ovulation. It’s part of gonadotropin therapy, which focuses on stimulating the ovaries. Your fertility specialist might recommend a trigger shot as a treatment if you:
- Have no ovulation
- Have ovulation that’s considered “weak”
- Want to control ovulation as part of other procedures
Your fertility specialist may recommend IVF if you’ve tried other treatment options and they haven’t shown results. Even though it has a high success rate for patients with unexplained infertility, it’s not often used as one of the primary courses of action. IVF requires multiple procedures and isn’t an affordable option for everyone.
It’s important to remember that trigger shots and IVF aren’t the only courses of action. Your fertility specialist may recommend other options, such as intrauterine insemination.
Fertility Cloud can tell you what you need to know about trigger shots and IVF
Trying to choose an infertility treatment can cause you to feel overwhelmed by information. At Fertility Cloud, we walk you through all the potential courses of action, such as trigger shots and IVF, so you’re able to make a decision that you’re confident in. We make sure that you have all the knowledge required so that after you make an informed, collaborative decision with your specialist, you can focus on being excited about potential conception.
When you’re ready to see whether trigger shots or IVF is the best option for you, be sure to contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.