I took them for my last FET and it did take some time to get used to. I found that if my husband gripped the oil while in the syringe for a few minutes before the injection that him warming up the oil with his body heat was very helpful. After the injection he rubbed the site for about 5-10 minutes. Make sure to switch sides. I would rub around my muscle feeling which area wasn't sore to tell which place to inject. After a little trial and error I found that after that first 5 minutes of rubbing the injection site, I wouldn't touch it. No more rubbing at all or heat. I was sore but healed up in two days; ready for the next injection. Some ladies think heat helps... give a few things a try and find out what works best for you. Good luck!

I have found that a little icing before and after helps. Soreness i think is almost inevitable as you are putting a needle into your muscle. If it makes you feel any better i had trouble sitting down today myself....

I agree to warm the oil prior to the injections. I usually draw the PIO and then place the syringe in my armpit or between my thighs for a few minutes while using a heating pad on the injection area. Also if you lean over on a counter and put all your weight onto the side that isn't getting the injection helps too. Follow up with a little more heat/massage afterwards! :)

I am still in pain because I am on the shots daily. I massage the area before and after and that seems to help. The oil is so thick and that is your muscle. I hope you get better advice..good luck

During my last IVF cycle I was so scared to do the PIO shot that the RE opted to let me use endometrium suppositories, he said I was stressing myself out with the thought of the shots and decided that it was better for me emotionally not to have to deal with that. He said studies have shown the endometrium suppositories were just as effective as PIO and deliver the meds right to where they need to go. It's funny but I have done 9 IUI's, 3 IVF's and 1 FET, and after all that I'm afraidd of a shot in the butt! While on the suppositories my prog levels were in a good range. I know every doctor is different, but it does make me wonder why PIO is always pushed when there's an alternative that's painless? The downside to the suppositories is that they can be messy, you do have to wear a pad, and you may have to use them 2 - 3 times per day. For me it was not an issue. Anybody every try them?

My RE is actually doing a study proving that there isn't a difference in pregnancy rates when using either PIO shots or vaginal suppositories. I've actually done both and I prefer the shots because I hate feeling, well, waxy and drippy, all day long. It also did a number on my cervix and skin. I think I would take the pain of the butt shots, but I also don't have a fear of needles. If I did have a fear of pain or needles, the suppositories would be my choice. It's good you brought that up, cyncognito, I didn't even think of that :)

Thanks ladies, I iced the spot for a few minutes this morning and then had DH warm up the oil a bit and then massage after for a little bit. I could not find my heating pad so I used my blow dryer for a few minutes after that and it seems to be going very good today. Much better than yesterday and I can even sit down!

This is what I did both times. Keep a bottle of water in the freezer. Put the bottom of the frozen bottle on you butt for a few minutes. It will turn your skin pink and it will freeze your butt but it leaves a great bullseye so you hit the mark. Think about when you were younger and pierced your ears using an ice cube and a sewing needle... After the shot massage the area for a minute or two and put a hot compress, heating pad, or whatever on it for a few minutes. It really helped me.

Are these shots for low progestrone or is for IVF?

Tmorrison, we are doing the shots for IVF

IVF for me too.

LOL prk218! That is too funny using your hairdryer instead of a heating pad! I swear that is the most resourceful thing I've heard in a long time! You may have just hit upon a new way to ease the pain!