Hcg, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a human hormone produced during pregnancy to sustain the placenta. Men also have trace amounts of hcg, which assists with sperm count and testicular descent in boys. The proponents of the hcg injection diet believe that this hormone may assist in rapid weight loss and be the new cure-all for obesity. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved injected hcg for weight loss and does not endorse its use to reduce appetite or distribute body fat in any form. The hazards of the hcg diet injections may outweigh the benefits.
Infection
The hcg hormone must be mixed at home and injected into a large muscle, preferably those in the gluteus. Improper intramuscular injection can lead to infection, necrosis or cellulitis, according to the American Journal of Nursing. Cellulitis and abscesses are infections caused by the injection itself; you must use a new, sterile needle for each injection. Necrosis is tissue death that can occur from constant irritation of the same injection site or uncared for infections.
Nerve Damage
Poor injection technique can lead to neuropathies, or nerve pains in the large nerves of the legs. The nerve branches controlling sensation and movement of the legs run through the buttocks. You need anatomical understanding to steer clear of these nerves. Nerve damage can also happen to superficial nerves at the injection site and lead to constant pain and discomfort in the buttocks.
Headache and Mood Swings
Injections of hcg can lead to multiple nervous system symptoms including headache and mood swings, reports Drugs.com. The FDA warns that fatigue and depression are also common side effects of hcg. Drugs.com warns that severe dizziness or a constant headache may be signs of a serious adverse reaction to hcg and must be reported to a health care provider immediately.
Ovarian Complications
The ovaries are two small, almond-shaped organs that produce eggs and regulate a woman's menstrual cycle and hormones. Hcg has a direct impact on these organs and injections of the hormone can disrupt their function. Drugs.com warns that you can develop the potentially life-threatening OHSS, or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. This syndrome can cause severe pelvic pain, swelling in the abdomen, hands and feet, and shortness of breath. The FDA also warns that ovarian enlargement is another side effect of hcg injections.
Fluid Retention
Another common side effect of hcg is fluid retention in the hands and feet, and sometimes in the abdomen referred to as ascites. This side effect is especially dangerous if you have pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease, kidney problems or asthma, as a shift in fluids can tax the heart, kidneys and lungs.
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