Pregnyl, a brand name of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone or HCG, has several uses as a medication. Women produce HCG naturally when they become pregnant. When a woman has trouble conceiving, her doctor may prescribe HCG along with other hormones and drugs to help her become more fertile. Men also may take HCG injections to increase their fertility by increasing their sperm counts. Physicians also prescribe Pregnyl to help young boys in whom the testicles have not moved into their proper place, a condition known as cryptorchidism, MayoClinic.com reports. For these children taking HCG shots, side effects may occur.
Early Puberty
Injections of Pregnyl into male children being treated for cryptorchidism may induce puberty too early, MayoClinic.com reports. For this reason doctors may choose surgery to correct the boy's testicle problem rather than this hormonal treatment. Early or precocious puberty may exhibit such signs as sudden development of acne, the growth of the boy's pubic hair and voice changes months or years before puberty normally would occur. The boy also may sweat more than usual. If you notice any signals of precocious puberty, contact your child's physician immediately.
Mental Changes
Children who take the Pregnyl shots can experience the same side effects as adults who use the treatment. Among these, you may notice the child exhibits mental changes. For example, he may become more restless than normal. He also may show signs of irritability. More seriously, the child may suffer mental depression because of this infusion of the HCG hormone. Although Drugs.com categorizes these mental side effects as non-serious, if your child exhibits signs of depression, question his doctor about it as soon as possible. She may want to stop the HCG treatment and recommend surgery.
Pain
The boy taking HCG shots may experience some pain from the hormone therapy that classifies as non-serious and temporary. He may get headaches from the treatments. He also may experience pain at the site of his injections that does not subside quickly. If these forms of pain side effects continue or present themselves as severe, consult the physician.
Edema
Like others who undergo Pregnyl treatment, boys may develop the temporary and non-serious side effect known as edema or swelling, RxList.com indicates. Swelling may occur throughout the body, or it may occur in his breasts. He also may exhibit edema at the Pregnyl injection site. Doctors expect edema side effects to stop without medical intervention, but speak with your doctor if it appears severe or does not subside.
