Injection Training for Fertility Medications

Welcome to injection training! Please click on the link below. You can then choose the medications that match those listed on the prescription form provided by your coordinator. If you have any questions after viewing the videos, please contact your coordinator for clarification.

Freedom Fertility Medication Training Videos

If you need further assistance, please contact your Cycle Coordinator.

Breathing and other relaxation techniques can help with any anxiety or discomfort. If you’d like a few tips, contact Fertility Resources. 

Instructions and Videos for Administering Injectable Fertility Medications

These sites offer a selection of online instructions and training videos that demonstrate how to self-administer various types of fertility drugs. Please click on the links below for videos showing proper injection techniques.

• M.D.R.
• Merck
• Fertility Lifelines
• Ferring

Hints and Tips for Subcutaneous Injections

• You may have some sort of site reactions, such as bruising, soreness, redness and itching, when you first start injectable medication. Reactions reduce with improved technique and as your body gets used to the medications. Treat local skin reactions with cold compresses and over-the-counter cortisone. Reactions do not reduce the medication’s effectiveness.
• Some allergic reactions such as hives may require treatment or a change in your medication. If you experience severe reactions such as shortness of breath and it is after business hours, please seek emergency medical care.
• Take your medication between 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm or, if twice a day, between 7:00 am - 9:00 am and 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. It is very important not to miss a dose or take it later than 9:00 pm.
• Before you start, wash your hands with antibacterial soap. Swab the area with alcohol, and allow the alcohol to dry on the skin before injecting.
• Use 27-gauge, 1/2-inch needles for injection of Repronex and Menopur. Use 1cc of dilutent (sterile water) to mix each 75 unit of powder medication. 1cc of dilutent (sterile water) can be used to mix up to 6 vials of medication. The total amount injected should not exceed 1cc.
• For Ganirelix or Ovidrel, express air first, then inject.
• If injecting into the abdomen, go an inch below and to the left or right of the navel. “Pinch an inch” to get to the injection site. Alternate using the left and right side of the abdomen each day.
• Inject quickly and fully, at a 90-degree angle. This ensures cleaner penetration and reduces chance for reactions. Pull the needle straight out when finished injecting. When using Gonal F pen or Follistim pen, be sure to wait 5 seconds after injecting before withdrawing the needle.

Instructions for Administration of Progesterone in Oil

1. Remove pop-top from a vial and swab a rubber stopper with alcohol. No mixing is required. The vial contains progesterone mixed in oil.
2. Put a new sterile needle (22-gauge, 1 ½-inch needle) onto 3 ml syringe prior to the injection. Pull syringe plunger back to the 1 ml mark to draw air.
3. Inject 1 ml of air into the vial with Progesterone. Draw out 1 ml of the medication.
4. Apply ice to the skin prior to the injection, if desired.
5. Insert the needle in a dart-like motion. Pull syringe plunger back to check for blood. If you do not see any blood, inject the medication slowly. If you observe blood, take the needle out, replace it with a new sterile needle and repeat the procedure.
6. Discard the needle and syringe.
7. After the injection, massage the area by applying good pressure in a circular motion. If you experience local inflammation at the injection site, you may use a heating pad.

Disposal of Needles and Medication Bottles

Your pharmacy should provide you with a red Sharps container for needles. You may bring in needles and medication vials to any PAMF pharmacy. The needles must be in a puncture proof container.

Please contact your doctor’s office if you have questions or concerns about your medication or its administration. PAMF does not sponsor or endorse any of these sites, nor does PAMF make any guarantee, warranty or representation regarding the accuracy of the information contained on them. Visit Patient Rights and Responsibilities for more information.