HCG

HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin; also known as Chorionic gonadotropin or Choriogonadotropin alfa) is a protein studied for its effects on reproductive health. HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is an FDA-approved fertility hormone that raises testosterone. Not effective for weight loss. Banned by WADA in men.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone made by the placenta in early pregnancy. It is built from an alpha subunit shared with luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone, plus a hormone-specific beta subunit. Its action is almost identical to LH: in men it signals the Leydig cells of the testes to make testosterone, and in women it triggers final egg maturation and ovulation and supports the corpus luteum.

Overview

Urine-derived chorionic gonadotropin (Pregnyl, Novarel) is FDA-approved for prepubertal cryptorchidism not caused by an anatomical blockage, selected cases of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males, and induction of ovulation in anovulatory infertile women.

Recombinant choriogonadotropin alfa (Ovidrel) is FDA-approved to trigger final follicle maturation in assisted reproduction and ovulation induction.

Its FDA labeling states that hCG has not been shown to be effective therapy for obesity and has no known effect on fat mobilization, appetite or body fat distribution, which contradicts the claims behind the so-called hCG diet.

Outside its approved uses it is taken with testosterone therapy or after anabolic steroid cycles to keep natural testosterone production and testicular size, an off-label practice with limited controlled-trial evidence.

Labeled side effects include headache, irritability, fatigue, fluid retention, gynecomastia, precocious puberty in boys and injection-site pain; in fertility treatment the main serious risks are ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, multiple births and arterial thromboembolism.

HCG is prohibited by WADA in male athletes under class S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics) because it raises testosterone production, and the ban applies both in and out of competition.

Mechanism of action

Mimics luteinizing hormone to make the testes produce testosterone and to trigger final egg maturation and ovulation. FDA-approved for fertility and hypogonadism. Not effective for weight loss.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

• A 5,000 to 10,000 IU hCG bolus has traditionally been used to trigger final oocyte maturation in ovarian stimulation, and its long half-life also gives luteal phase support. ^[1] Anecdotal

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

Intramuscular

• Prepubertal cryptorchidism (FDA label): 4,000 USP units three times weekly for 3 weeks, or 500-1,000 USP units per injection over 4-6 weeks
• Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males (FDA label): 500-1,000 USP units three times weekly for 3 weeks, then the same dose twice weekly for 3 weeks
• Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males, alternative (FDA label): 4,000 USP units three times weekly for 6-9 months, then 2,000 USP units three times weekly for 3 more months
• Ovulation induction (FDA label): 5,000-10,000 USP units once, one day after the last dose of menotropins

Subcutaneous

• Ovidrel (choriogonadotropin alfa, FDA label): 250 mcg once, one day after the last dose of follicle-stimulating hormone

Urine

• derived hCG is labeled for intramuscular use only; refrigerate after reconstitution

Natty status

HCG is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.^[2] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

The peptide has been the subject of 5 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Related compounds

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

Frequently asked questions

What is HCG?

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is an FDA-approved fertility hormone that raises testosterone. Not effective for weight loss. Banned by WADA in men.

What is HCG used for?

HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) is used to trigger egg release in fertility treatment, to treat some cases of undescended testicles in boys, and to restore testosterone in men whose pituitary gland does not signal the testes. It is also taken alongside testosterone or after steroid cycles to keep natural testosterone output and testicle size, though controlled trials of that use are limited. Its FDA label states that it does not help with weight loss.

How does HCG work?

A hormone made by the placenta in early pregnancy, given as an injection into a muscle or under the skin. It acts almost the same as luteinizing hormone, the natural signal that tells the testes to make testosterone and tells the ovaries to mature and release an egg.

Is HCG natty?

No. HCG is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.

Is HCG banned by WADA?

Yes. HCG is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.

How is HCG administered?

HCG is typically administered via: intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection. Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.

References

1. ^ Shortcomings of an unphysiological triggering of oocyte maturation using human chorionic gonadotropin. Recent review
2. ^ a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

• Uterine artery embolization and intra-arterial methotrexate for management of cesarean scar pregnancy: A case series.
• Before Orchiectomy: Gonadal Function in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors-A Narrative Review.
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Early Embryogenesis: Review.
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-A Review of the Literature.
• HCG (5,000 or 10,000 IU) — commercial