How hCG works
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.
hCG acts like LH directly at the testes or ovaries. In men it stimulates testosterone inside the testes. In women a timed dose helps eggs finish maturing and triggers ovulation. It does not replace FSH, which may also be needed for sperm production.
- LH/chorionic gonadotropin receptor: Stimulates testicular testosterone or final follicle maturation and luteinization.
- Testicular environment: Can support testosterone inside the testes while pituitary LH stays suppressed.
Half-life: Recombinant hCG: mean terminal half-life 29±6 hours after SC administration in healthy women.
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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