HCG, otherwise known as human chorionic gonadotropin, can help you get pregnant if you have had difficulties conceiving. Typically, your physician would use this medication along with FSH or follicle stimulating hormone, hMG or human menopausal gonadotropin and clomiphene to help you ovulate. HCG classifies as a hormone. You also can use it if you are a man to raise your sperm count, or if you are a boy who's testicles have not dropped, Drugs.com reports.
Mental Problems
The use of hCG may cause some non-serious side effects that affect your mental status. For example, the introduction of the hormone into your body may throw off your hormonal balance and cause you to become more irritable than normal. The use of the hormone also may make you feel as though you need to move, causing a sense of restlessness. More seriously, hCG may make you depressed. Fortunately, these types of side effects of hCG generally stop on their own with your doctor's intervention. They usually will exist as short-term problems and should appear in mild forms. If these problems continue or are severe, however, you should ask your physician for help.
Injection Site Problems
Most injections tend to sting a bit when you get them. HCG shots, however, may produce slightly more pronounced side effects at the injection site. Drugs.com states that you may experience swelling at the injection site. You also may notice visible swelling and the area may hurt for a while following the injection. These adverse reactions classify as non-serious side effects of the hCG shots and should disappear on their own.
Swelling
In addition to swelling at the injection site, you also may experience it elsewhere in your body as a reaction to the hormone. Swelling may occur as a generalized condition, or it may occur specifically in your breasts. It may cause you to gain weight from excess retention of water, too. If such swelling lingers, or if it feels severe, seek the advice of your doctor.
Pain
You may experience pain following your injections of hCG, Drugs.com indicates. You may develop headaches in the early stages of using HCG. You also may experience pain or tenderness in your breasts because of the hormone. These side effects, too, classify as non-serious and should go away on their own.
