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How to Give an HCG Injection

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone most often used to treat infertility. It helps the ovaries develop normal eggs and triggers their release. It is also used to boost sperm count in men. The most effective way of using HCG is by injection, which can cause pain and soreness. The following tips below are common to all types of HCG injections.

Things You'll Need

  • Needle and syringe HCG hormone Ice Gloves Cotton balls Rubbing alcohol
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Instructions

  1. How to Give an HCG Injection

    • 1

      Wash your hands thoroughly, and use alcohol on a cotton ball to sterilize the rubber stoppers of the bottle of HCG.

    • 2

      Turn the bottle upside down and insert the needle of the syringe into the stopper. Depending on your equipment, this might be a special needle made to withdraw the hormone. Slowly pull back on the plunger until the medication is at the prescribed level. Once there, remove the syringe from the bottle or vial and pull back on the plunger a slight bit. This will remove any medication in the needle.

    • 3

      If needed, remove the needle and replace it with a new needle of the appropriate size. If it is a deep-muscle injection, which are the most common, the needle will be around 1 1/2 inches long.

    • 4

      Point the syringe to the ceiling and flick it to get rid of any air bubbles. Also express a drop of liquid to be completely sure there are no air pockets.

    • 5

      Use ice to numb the area of the skin where the injection will take place. For most people, this is the upper buttock, on the left or right. Clean it with the rubbing alcohol as well.

    • 6

      Insert the needle quickly and smoothly. Enter the skin at a 90-degree angle. Make sure the needle is all the way in the skin. None of the needle should be showing.

    • 7

      Draw back slightly on the plunger before you inject the hormone. If blood appears, you have accidentally hit a vessel and you should not inject. If this happens, you need to pull out, throw away the needle and start all over. If no blood is showing, you can carefully push the plunger all the way in.

    • 8

      Pull the needle out, and put pressure on the area, massaging it gently for 10 seconds. Dispose of the needle in a safe container.

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