Human chorionic gonadotropin, also known as HCG, is a type of hormone that helps women conceive children. Drugs.com states that the hormone helps both the development and release of the egg in the ovaries. For this reason, MayoClinic.com indicates, you may take injections of the hormone if you have trouble conceiving children. Along with other medications, injections of HCG may help you conceive. The injection of HCG also has been purported to help you lose weight, but there is some debate over this. MayoClinic.com nutritionist Jennifer K. Nelson indicates that despite studies, little proof exists that HCG actually causes weight loss.
OHSS
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome poses the most serious threat as a potential side effect of taking HCG injections. Drugs.com reports that OHSS can prove fatal, so you should call your physician immediately if you get any of the symptoms of the syndrome. The most obvious symptom you may experience if you develop OHSS is severe pain in your pelvis. Your urination may decrease as well, and you may get diarrhea. Other digestive disturbances from OHSS may include vomiting, nausea and pain in your stomach. You may have difficulty breathing normally and feel short of breath. Edema, or swelling, may occur in your legs, hands and stomach.
Mental Difficulties
Just like the actual, naturally produced hormone, HCG injections can cause you to have hormonal imbalances that can induce problems in your normal mental state. You may, for example, begin to feel irritable because of the injections. You also may feel restless. More seriously, you may begin to feel depressed. While none of these mental side effects classify as serious for most people, if you feel they occur are too severe or they continue beyond a week of the injection, seek your doctor's help.
Swelling
HCG injections also can induce swelling in your body. It may occur in your breasts, making them feel tender. You also may experience swelling where you had the injection, or it may occur elsewhere in your body, or in your body as a whole. Swelling does not classify as a serious side effect of taking HCG injections, but you should ask your doctor about it if it does not end or feels severe.
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