If you are new to fertility treatments you might be intimidated by the instructions, the side effects and (eeek) the needles.  Preparing for therapies, such as IUI and IVF, are stressful enough without also being nervous about the medications, yet they are a very important part of the process and crucial to success.  Below are some helpful tips and tricks to make the process a little easier and provide you with more confidence.

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Organize Your Medications
You may have several different medications you’re taking in the form of pills, patches, and injections.  Having them all organized can help make sure you take them properly and give you a sense of control and clarity.  Using a dedicated drawer, caddy, pill box or any good size plastic container can be helpful to keep everything systematized and in one place.

Set a reminder
You may be required to take medications two or three time during the day or every other day.  To ensure you correctly follow your instructions, identify a system that works for you to remind you for each dose and track that you have taken it.  Write down each dose you need to take every day and cross it off when it’s done, or put a reminder in your phone with an alarm.  Not only will this help you stay on top of your instructions but it will increase your confidence that you are taking your medications properly.

Related Read: Practicing Self-Care During An IVF Cycle

Watch videos
This is particularly helpful with injections that you may need to administer yourself.  Your clinic may offer their own instruction materials and there are loads of videos available online that demonstrate how to properly inject medication with the least amount of discomfort.  They can show you how it’s best administered with a partner and on your own.

I have always been fond of Nurse Linda’s tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbpZ6n3M9UY

Advice For Estrogen Patches
Estrogen patches may be the easiest medication to take – they simply go on like band aid and administer estradiol through the skin.  The trickier part is removing the patch and any adhesive residue.  Baby oil or make up remover work great for safely and painlessly removing the patch.  Look for products that are non-toxic.

Related Read: How To Pay for IVF

Advice For injections
Injectable medications are prescribed for many fertility treatment protocols.  If you are not used to injectables or have a fear of needles, this might cause some additional anxiety but there are tools and strategies to help you through.

Subcutaneous injections can be injected into a fat layer, so it is manageable to do them yourself.  Many women choose the stomach because the angle is easy and the area is not a sensitive as others.  The first couple injections may be scary but with practice it will likely get easier.  Here are a few tips to make the injections a little easier.

• Ice the injection area a few minutes to numb the skin and sending the needle in quick and straight can both help to reduce the sting.

• Pinch or pull the skin taut to minimize the sensation of the injection.

• Switch sides for every injection to reduce bruising.

• Aim for a quick and straight entry and exit of the needle to reduce discomfort.

 Related Read: Your IVF Treatment Checklist

Advice for Progesterone In Oil
Progesterone In Oil, or PIO, shots might be the most intimidating IVF medication.  The oil is thick and the needle used to draw the oil is big and long (you switch to a thinner and friendlier needle to inject).  It’s an intramuscular injection which means it needs to be injected into a muscle to be effective, the best choice is the bum since it’s a big muscle but not particularly convenient to get a good angle if you are self-injecting.  Here are my favorite tips for getting this injection right and keeping the discomfort manageable.

• Warm the oil – After drawing the PIO from the vial to your syringe, warm it up to thin the oil so it flows easier.  You can roll it with your palms or keep it in the crease of your elbow – I used to stick the syringe in my bra for a few minutes before injecting to warm the oil.
  * Do not use a microwave or hot water which can affect the efficiency of the medication

• Relax the muscle – Find a position that allows you to relax the muscle you are injecting as much as possible.  For example, if you are using the glute, it is easiest to lie down if a partner is helping but if you are on your own, put your weight on the opposite side of your injection and bend the knee of the injection side.  *Lots of videos are available for self-injecting PIO shots.

• Think of the needle like a dart – Insert the needle straight and fast, then inject the oil.  Since the oil is thick it may take a few seconds to inject it all.  Then take the needle out straight.  This is a little harder to do on your own but gets easier with practice.

• Walk it off – After the injection, move around and use the muscle to relieve soreness and encourage the oil to disperse.

PIO truth – I had sensitivity in my glutes from PIO until my baby was almost a year old.  It was worth it.

The medications are certainly not the most glamorous part of fertility treatments, but they are essential to the success of your cycle.  Remember that this is only part of your story and hopefully will bring you closer to a successful treatment cycle and your baby.

Speak to your doctor if you have questions about your medications, struggling with side effects, or need strategies to overcome challenges such as needle anxiety.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or lonely while trying to get pregnant, managing fertility treatments, or navigating your protocol medications… let’s talk.  Schedule a chat today and follow Positive Fertility on Instagram for daily support and inspiration!