Trigger shots are one part of the infertility treatment process, which can help couples with hormone imbalances, irregular ovulation and unexplained infertility. Trigger shots can aid in in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, and timed sex with your partner. If your fertility specialist has incorporated trigger shots into your treatment plan, here’s what you need to know.
What are trigger shots?
If you’re new to trigger shots, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of new information you’ve received about infertility and the IVF cycle. But don’t worry, we’ve got all the essential information you need to know right here.
Trigger shots are a type of injection that is specifically designed to help with the process of fertilizing an egg. Trigger shots are just one step in the process of in vitro fertilization. These injections contain one of two hormones used to stimulate the follicles in the ovary to speed up the egg maturation process. These hormones help eggs mature quickly and stimulate the ovulation cycle so that the eggs can be retrieved by an infertility specialist right before they would typically be released from the ovaries. The two hormones commonly used in trigger shots are human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and leuprolide acetate. Usually, one over the other is administered, depending on your doctor’s choice. However, some doctors use both hormones, called combination trigger shots.
When are they administered?
Trigger shots must be carefully administered to be the most effective at inducing ovulation and egg maturation. Here’s what you need to know about how trigger shots are usually administered:
- Most people self-administer their shots — One of the first things to know about administering trigger shots is that most people administer them on their own. Your fertility specialist will prescribe you a shot to inject during a specified time. Some people prefer to have their partner administer their injections, while others prefer to do it themselves. Trigger shots should be administered either under the muscle or under the skin. Most women self-administer their shots through the stomach.
- Typically within 36 hours before egg retrieval — Most fertility specialists will have their clients wait until 36 hours before their egg retrieval procedure to take their trigger shot. Timing is essential during the IVF process to ensure that the eggs are mature but haven’t gone through the fallopian tubes yet. If an egg retrieval procedure were performed before the 36 hour mark, the eggs may not have fully developed. Conversely, retrieving the eggs too late after the shot would likely be unsuccessful because the eggs would have probably already entered the fallopian tubes. Be sure to consult with your fertility specialist about how many hours before your procedure you should take your trigger shot.
- Depends on the type of hormone in your trigger shot — The exact length of time that you should take your trigger shot before your egg retrieval will depend on the hormone you’re taking. Combination shots may require multiple injections at separate times.
About 36 hours after you administer your trigger shot, a clinician will perform an outpatient procedure called follicular aspiration. This procedure is performed to obtain the mature eggs from the ovaries. While you’re undergoing your procedure, your partner will provide a sample of sperm to fertilize the eggs in a lab.
Fertility Cloud can provide you with trigger shots during your infertility treatment
At Fertility Cloud, we value shared experiences. We want to help you navigate your struggles and celebrate your victories. Our team of experienced medical providers is dedicated to providing you with compassionate and professional care. Through every step of the way, we’ll do our very best to ensure your comfort and to help you through your trigger shot treatment.
At Fertility Cloud, everything is done remotely, from communicating with your doctor to your fertility tests. Appointments are conducted virtually via live videoconferencing. All you require is a computer, smartphone or tablet to join the call.
We understand that finding good quality medical care near you can be challenging. That’s why we’ve selected some of the best reproductive endocrinology specialists. Our team can provide you with convenient digital resources. Each one of our doctors is board-certified and state licensed.
Are you looking for more information on trigger shots and infertility treatment? Maybe you want to know how trigger shots will help you conceive. We can answer any of your questions. Our team of infertility specialists is well equipped to provide our patients with treatment that helps them achieve conception. We’ll do our best to help you and your partner become pregnant and address the cause of your infertility. Let Fertility Cloud help.
Contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.