hCG results: what to expect and when
A fertility hormone with limited testosterone add-on evidence and no proven weight-loss benefit.
Also called: human chorionic gonadotropin, human chorionic gonadotrophin, chorionic gonadotropin, choriogonadotropin alfa, Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel, Ovitrelle.
Reproductive axis peptides · LH/chorionic gonadotropin receptor agonist; glycoprotein hormone · Evidence: Approved drug.
One review covers 44 studies in men with hormone deficiency; female fertility research is broader. Sperm evidence during testosterone therapy is limited, and newer large studies did not measure fertility.
Key studies
- TRT: 125, 250 or 500 IU: Preserved testicular testosterone did not establish fertility protection. (source)
- Very low-dose hCG: 15–125 IU: Very low doses raised testicular testosterone, without proving a fertility regimen. (source)
- TRT: 26-man semen cohort: Preserved semen in a small cohort does not guarantee fertility during TRT. (source)
- Sperm recovery after testosterone: Sperm often returned with combined care; the separate hCG effect is unknown. (source)
- Older men: 5,000 IU twice weekly: Hormone and lean-mass changes did not improve strength or function. (source)
- Male fertility: 44 gonadotropin studies: hCG plus FSH-based regimens can induce sperm in hormone deficiency. (source)
Related to hCG
- Kisspeptin-10: A short-acting experimental peptide that triggers reproductive hormone release.
- Gonadorelin: A short-acting fertility hormone used in tests and specialist pump therapy.
Sources
- Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers, FDA · FDA · 2026
- The 2026 Prohibited List, World Anti-Doping Agency · WADA · 2026
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—October 2026) Instrument 2026, Australian Government · Australian Government · 2026
- NOVAREL- gonadotrophin, chorionic kit, Ferring · 2025
- Ovitrelle, European Medicines Agency · 2025
- Ovitrelle, INN-choriogonadotropin alfa, European Medicines Agency · 2025
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility in Men: AUA/ASRM Guideline (2020; Amended 2024), AUA/ASRM · 2024
- OVIDREL- choriogonadotropin alfa injection, solution, EMD Serono · 2023
- Notice to Compounders: Changes that affect compounding as of March 23, 2020, FDA · 2020
- Avoid Dangerous HCG Diet Products, FDA
- Ovitrelle 250 micrograms/0.5 mL solution for injection in pre-filled syringe, Merck
- PREGNYL- choriogonadotropin alfa kit, Organon
- Product information, Health Canada
- Pituitary Axis Impacts and Effectiveness of Clomiphene and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Treating Hypogonadism: Cohort Study., Clift AK et al. · The world journal of men's health · 2026
- Real-World Outcomes and Safety of Testosterone Therapy: A Longitudinal, Retrospective Cohort Study of Over 9,000 Men., Clift AK et al. · The world journal of men's health · 2026
Sources checked: 2026-10-18.
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