Understanding the Risks: Side Effects of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Injections

Synthetic human growth hormone is used to treat medical conditions such as growth hormone deficiency in children, kidney disease and certain genetic conditions. People who inject human growth hormone without a medical need for it are more likely to experience side effects that result from high levels of the hormone. Side effects of human growth hormone injections include pain and skin, digestive and neurological problems.

Muscles

• Human growth hormone injections may increase muscle size and mass but will not necessarily increase muscle strength.

Pain

• Pain in the joints and muscles are side effects of human growth hormone injections in otherwise healthy people.

Swelling

• According to the Mayo Clinic, injecting human growth hormone may cause swelling and fluid retention in the arms and legs.

Gynecomastia

• Men who inject human growth hormone may experience gynecomastia, which is the development of female-like breasts.

Skin

• According to drugs.com, tingling, numbness, itching, widespread rashes, swelling and pain of the skin are side effects of human growth hormone injections (see Resources).

Digestive

• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting and bloating are digestive side effects of human growth hormone injections.