Anyone decide they couldn't handle the shots and decide no IVF?

[Anonymous]

I'm new to the IVF process. Recently diagnosed with secondary infertility, and decreased ovarian reserve. I'm 37. No luck getting pregnant on my own for 10 months.

I've had my consultations with REs and have been reading about the whole IVF process. But what I read about PIO shots and how long you have to take them terrifies me. I truly don't think I can move forward with IVF because of these PIO shots. For one thing, my husband is not home to do them (he leaves for work before breakfast and he travels frequently for work). There is no way I could give myself daily IM injections of PIO. Secondly, I am terrified of needles and have a low pain tolerance. It just sounds awful. The other parts of IVF I think I can handle, but not this.

Did anyone decide they couldn't handle the shots and decide no IVF at all?

[Anonymous]

I did the shots myself and while I was initially nervous, I got the hang of it. You will too, and before you know it, you'll be done with them. If you can parent, you can self-administer shots. Trust me!

[Anonymous]

You do not need to do PIO shots as part of your protocol. Speak to your RE about other options (including progesterone suppositories).

https://www.asrm.org/FACTSHEET_Progesterone_Supplementation_During_IVF_Cycles/

[Anonymous]

Talk to your RE about your fears. Suppositories may work just as well for you.

[Anonymous]

You can use progesterone versus PIO - It worked for me! And from what I have heard, PIO is usually used with FET which again, you can use Progesterone instead.

[Anonymous]

If you can do the progesterone suppositories instead of the PIO shots, why do I hear so much about the shots/why would anyone agree to them?

[Anonymous]

I do the suppositories and hate them. I almost wish I could do the shot. After taking a suppository I have to lie down for 2 hours. They make me so tired. I feel like I can't keep it up for 10 weeks/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can do the progesterone suppositories instead of the PIO shots, why do I hear so much about the shots/why would anyone agree to them?

Preferences. Some prefer to just do the shot and be done with it. Suppositories are quite messy and in some protocols have to be used twice a day.

Best to talk with your RE.

[Anonymous]

I've posted on here before, but am happy to share again. I have a serious needle phobia, meaning 10 years in therapy for the issue. Imagine my surprise to learn that I'm IF and can only have kids via IVF. And you know what, I got through it. To do so, I had my RE use medications that could be blended into a single daily shot. I used only estrogen patches and progesterone suppositories. Before my one daily shot, I iced the heck out of the area and barely felt it. The whole thing went from being horrifying - maybe better not to have kids than go through it - to really just another part of life. I now have two kids via IVF and have done multiple cycles. For me, the blood draws still cause panic, but I can get through the rest just fine.

[Anonymous]

I am 36 weeks pregnant through IVF at GW and never did a single PIO shot. GW doesn't use them at all. If that is the only thing holding you back, there are tons of other options than a PIO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can do the progesterone suppositories instead of the PIO shots, why do I hear so much about the shots/why would anyone agree to them?

Preferences. Some prefer to just do the shot and be done with it. Suppositories are quite messy and in some protocols have to be used twice a day.

Best to talk with your RE.

I have to do suppositories 3x a day! If I wasn't self-employed, I'm not sure I could handle it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can do the progesterone suppositories instead of the PIO shots, why do I hear so much about the shots/why would anyone agree to them?

Preferences. Some prefer to just do the shot and be done with it. Suppositories are quite messy and in some protocols have to be used twice a day.

Best to talk with your RE.

I have to do suppositories 3x a day! If I wasn't self-employed, I'm not sure I could handle it.

You know, they have ladies' bathrooms in office buildings.

[Anonymous]

The shots really are nowhere near as bad as you might imagine OP. I was very nervous about them also but in the end I preferred them to the messy suppositories.

My husband and I became pretty adept at the shots and it ended up feeling almost emplowering - it gave me a little bit of control over the infertility beast. At least I felt like I was participating.

Definitely do not write off IVF if that turns out to be the path to having a baby just because of the shots. It's just not that big a deal in the long run. You can do it if you need to!

[Anonymous]

I have done the Progesterone suppositories for a few cycles and they aren't that bad. Yes, I hate them, but just buy a big box of panty liners and you will be okay. For me, this is way better than PIO shots. You don't have to lie down or anything after inserting them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can do the progesterone suppositories instead of the PIO shots, why do I hear so much about the shots/why would anyone agree to them?

Preferences. Some prefer to just do the shot and be done with it. Suppositories are quite messy and in some protocols have to be used twice a day.

Best to talk with your RE.

I have to do suppositories 3x a day! If I wasn't self-employed, I'm not sure I could handle it.

You know, they have ladies' bathrooms in office buildings.

+1. Not sure what the issue would be - I work in an office, and they are as easy as can be.