What does hCG do? Benefits and evidence

hCG stimulates the testes or ovaries and is approved for selected fertility uses. Small studies during testosterone therapy do not guarantee sperm production or pregnancy, and weight-loss benefit is unproven. It acts through the luteinizing hormone receptor. Risks include hormone-related effects and ovarian hyperstimulation.

• hCG is approved for some men with low testosterone from weak brain hormone signals, and to help women ovulate. (Drug label)
• Ovidrel is approved to trigger final egg maturation during fertility treatment. (Drug label)
• In small studies of men on testosterone therapy, hCG helped preserve the testes' own testosterone and semen, but fertility was not proven. (Studied in a trial)
• Men on testosterone therapy report fuller testes or better sexual symptoms. (Reported by users)

Uses in the sources

• Urinary hCG is approved for selected male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and ovulation induction. (Drug label) (source)
• Recombinant hCG is approved to trigger final egg maturation after ovarian stimulation. (Drug label) (source)
• Clinicians publish off-label TRT add-on and sperm-recovery regimens. Evidence remains limited. (Clinician-published) (source)