Updated by the Progyny Clinical Team — June 2025.
When you’re going through fertility treatment, there are different types of injections that must be given at specific times. One commonly used medication in IVF (in vitro fertilization) is Lupron (leuprolide acetate). It’s a man-made version of a hormone that helps control your body’s natural cycle.
Lupron works by first increasing, then lowering two key hormones — FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). This leads to lower estrogen levels over time and helps your fertility provider better control the timing of ovulation during your IVF cycle.
Lupron comes in a few different forms, depending on how it’s used in your treatment plan.
Lupron kit
If your provider prescribes the kit, you’ll get a two-week supply that includes one vial of Lupron (2.8 milliliters) and 14 syringes for daily under-the-skin (subcutaneous) injections.
The vial may look like it isn’t full, but that’s normal. It contains enough medication for 20 units per day for 14 days. Some IVF plans start with 20 units and drop to 10 when stimulation begins. Others start at 10 units and drop to 5.
Because the vial holds more than what’s needed for 14 days, extra syringes may be provided so you can keep using what’s left. These syringes are marked in units, not milliliters (mL), to make it easier to measure small doses.
Micro-dose Lupron
Micro-dose Lupron is made by a pharmacy that dilutes the regular version into a lower strength. Common doses are 40 or 50 micrograms in 10 units, as ordered by your provider.
This lower dose is often used if there’s concern about a low response to fertility medications. Since the amount you inject is very small, you’ll use insulin syringes marked in units. For example, 10 units equals 0.1 mL.
Single-dose Lupron (trigger shot)
Lupron may also be used as a trigger shot, which helps eggs mature before they are retrieved. This is often done if there’s a higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). If you already used Lupron earlier in your cycle, you usually can’t use it again as the trigger.
Common doses for the trigger shot include:
- 1 milligrams (mg) in 0.2 mL (20 units)
- 2 mg in 0.4 mL (40 units)
- Up to 4 mg in 0.8 to 1 mL (80 units)
Sometimes, your doctor may recommend you take 2 doses of Lupron for your trigger shot.
This version usually comes in a single-use vial, with a 1 mL syringe or a unit-marked syringe, plus a small needle (27, 28, or 30 gauge, ½ inch) for under-the-skin injection. Some pharmacies send this as a prefilled syringe.
If you ever have questions about your Lupron dose or how to take it, reach out to your fertility team or pharmacy.
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Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.