How do you inject Menopur and minimize pain?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 27, 2025.
Most patients can self-administer Menopur injections subcutaneously (under the skin) after being properly trained by a healthcare provider. Menopur is a medication used in fertility treatments like IVF and ovulation induction to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
Pain and redness at the injection site are common side effects. With careful preparation and the right injection technique, these injections are safe, manageable, and usually well-tolerated by most patients.
Step-by-Step Guide to Injecting Menopur
Before injecting Menopur (menotropins for injection) on your own, a healthcare provider will show you how to do it safely and correctly. Contact your provider with any questions.
1. Prepare Your Supplies
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and set up a clean, flat workspace.
2. Mix the Medication
- Remove the caps from the vials containing Menopur powder and the sterile saline.
- Use the Q-Cap and a sterile syringe to draw up the correct amount of saline as instructed (typically 1 mL).
- Inject the saline into the vial of Menopur powder and gently swirl (do not shake) until the powder is fully dissolved.
- If you require multiple vials, repeat these steps, using the same syringe to dissolve the vials as directed by your healthcare provider.
3. Draw Up the Solution
- Withdraw the mixed solution into the syringe, making sure there are no air bubbles.
- Switch the Q-Cap for the injection needle, keeping everything sterile.
- Hold the syringe with the needle pointing up, tap to remove any small air bubbles, and push the plunger gently until a tiny drop appears at the tip.
4. Select and Clean the Injection Site
- Choose a spot on the lower stomach, 1-2 inches below the belly button, and alternate sides each day to minimize soreness.
- Clean the area thoroughly with an alcohol pad and let it air dry.
5. Inject the Medication
- Pinch a fold of skin between your thumb and index finger to create a firm surface.
- Insert the needle at a 90° angle (straight in) swiftly but gently.
- Slowly press the plunger until all the medicine is injected.
- Release the skin, withdraw the needle straight out, and apply gentle pressure with gauze if needed.
6. Dispose of Materials
- Place all used needles and syringes into an FDA-cleared sharps container.
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Tips to Minimize Pain
Many people feel anxious about Menopur injections, especially when it comes to managing discomfort at the injection site. The good news is that there are simple, proven strategies to help minimize pain and make the process more comfortable, so treatment can continue with greater confidence and ease.
- Let Menopur Reach Room Temperature: This reduces the sting of the injection.
- Inject Slowly: Slower injection can decrease discomfort and pressure.
- Rotate Injection Sites: Pick a different spot each day on your lower abdomen to avoid skin irritation and soreness.
- Ice Packs: Apply ice to the injection site for 1 minute before and after, with breaks in between, to help numb the area and reduce redness or pain.
- Avoid Air Bubbles: While preparing the syringe, take care to expel all air bubbles as these can cause stinging or discomfort.
- Stay Relaxed: Try to relax and take slow, deep breaths; tension can increase the sensation of pain.
When to Contact Your Doctor
- If there is excessive pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site that doesn’t go away.
- If you experience bleeding that doesn't stop or signs of infection (such as pus, warmth, or spreading redness).
- If you find it consistently difficult or distressing to complete your injections, your healthcare provider can offer techniques or alternatives.
This is not all the information you need to know about Menopur for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full patient medication guide and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Keye, W. R., Webster, B., Dickey, R., Somkuti, S., Crain, J., & Scobey, M. J. (2005). Subcutaneously administered Menopur, a new highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin, causes significantly fewer injection site reactions than Repronex in subjects undergoing in vitro fertilization. Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 3, 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-3-62
- Ferring Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Patient information guide. Retrieved from https://www.menopur.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/patient-information.pdf
- Menopur [package insert]. Updated November 2024. Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. Accessed on August 27, 2025 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=22c8db95-c3db-1770-8086-31356fbabe35
- Zhang, J., & Merhi, Z. (2019). Safety data for the use of nasal human menopausal gonadotropins: a potential novel approach for fertility treatment. JBRA assisted reproduction, 23(2), 169–171. https://doi.org/10.5935/1518-0557.20180078
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Drug information
- Menopur Information for Consumers
- Menopur prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Menopur (detailed)
- Menopur user reviews (1)
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