hCG FAQ: common questions answered
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.
- Is hCG FDA-approved? Yes: Pregnyl (selected male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, ovulation induction and historic pediatric cryptorchidism.); Novarel (selected male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, ovulation induction and historic pediatric cryptorchidism.); Ovidrel (final follicular maturation and ovulation after appropriate stimulation.). The 2020 transition did not ban approved hCG. No weight-loss indication; TRT fertility add-on use is off label.
- How do people take it? Into muscle, three times weekly, then twice weekly. 6 weeks. Source: drug label.
- What's the difference between hCG and Gonadorelin? hCG: a fertility hormone with limited testosterone add-on evidence and no proven weight-loss benefit. Gonadorelin: a short-acting fertility hormone used in tests and specialist pump therapy. Why people pair them: forum users sometimes combine both with TRT; no controlled advantage was found.
- Can I take it with Gonadorelin? Forum users sometimes combine both with TRT; no controlled advantage was found. Combining reproductive hormones can obscure which drug caused a change. Source: reported by users. Ask a doctor before combining anything.
- Is it banned in sport? Yes. It is banned in and out of competition (WADA 2026). The S2.2.1 restriction applies to male athletes. The ingredient, formulation and athlete-specific therapeutic use exemption must be checked with the antidoping authority.
- How long does a mixed vial last? Pregnyl: 2–8°C, discard after 60 days. Novarel: 2–8°C, use within 30 days. These limits are product-specific.
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.
Information only, not medical advice. Peptifacts does not sell anything and does not link to sellers.