HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a natural hormone that supports the normal development of an egg in a woman's ovary, and stimulates its release during ovulation, states Drugs.com. The Mayo Clinic states this drug is commonly used with other medications to stimulate ovulation in infertile women. As with all medications, you should talk to your doctor about proper dosage and administration to ensure effectiveness and prevent overdose and side effects. Follow these general guidelines to give yourself or someone else a proper HCG injection.
Step 1
Determine the proper dosage of HCG that you should be taking. Ask your physician to prescribe pre-filled syringes to make this task easier for you. Ask your physician how many injections to take per day.
Step 2
Wash your hands and clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe. The injection site should be in your lower abdomen or front-upper-outer portion of your thigh. Allow the site to dry before continuing.
Step 3
Prep the needle by holding the needle straight up in the air and flicking the plastic syringe. Push the plunger until a tiny drop of medication comes out to expel any air in the syringe.
Step 4
With the hand that is not holding the needle, pinch the skin at the injection site between your thumb and forefinger. Insert the syringe at a 90-degree angle as far as it can go. Make sure the needle is just underneath the skin.
Step 5
Pull the plunger just a small bit away (a millimeter, for example) from the needle to make sure no blood comes into the syringe. Remove the needle and re-insert into a different location if blood does come into the needle.
Step 6
Inject the HCG medication by pushing the plunger down all the way. Hold for three seconds before removing the needle. Place an alcohol wipe over the needle and the injection site before removing. Slowly remove the needle and immediately recover.
Step 7
Dispose of the used needle in a sharps container that can be purchased from your local drug store. Do not throw away in the trash. Review your local sharps disposal regulations by visiting SafeNeedleDisposal.org.
Step 8
Apply a bandage to the injection site if you are bleeding.
Step 9
Alert your doctor if you are experiencing any side effects from this injection.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid repeated injections in the same location to prevent scarring.
Things You'll Need
- HCG medication
- syringe
- alcohol wipes
- sharps container for needle disposal
- bandage
