Local Side Effects of Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Urinary Gonadotropins for Ovarian Stimulation in In Vitro Fertilization: A Prospective, Randomized Study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the incidence and severity of local side effects of urinary-derived gonadotropins administered SC and IM. Design: Prospective randomized study of women undergoing IVF treatment. Setting: Tertiary referral center for assisted reproduction. Patient(s): A total of 71 patients were randomized to receive gonadotropins by the SC (n = 41) or IM (n = 30) route. Intervention(s): One cycle of IVF with gonadotropins administered either SC or IM for ovarian stimulation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Incidence and severity of local side effects, such as redness, itching, swelling, pain, and bruising. Result(s): Pain was the most common side effect, with 55.3% and 70.1% of IM and SC injections, respectively, resulting in pain. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of itching or bruising after IM and SC injections. Although there was a higher incidence of redness and swelling in the SC group compared with the IM group, most cases were classified as mild. Conclusion(s): There was a significantly higher incidence of some local side effects after SC gonadotropin administration but most of these were mild and well tolerated by patients.