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Compounds / HCG

HCG

Full name
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Mechanism
Glycoprotein hormone that acts as an LH analogue at the LH/CG receptor, stimulating gonadal steroidogenesis (testicular testosterone, ovarian function).
Half-life
~24-36 hours
Administration
subcutaneous, intramuscular
Typical dosage*
low: 250-500 IU 2x/week (TRT-adjunct) · typical: physician-directed by indication · high: 5000-10000 IU (ovulation trigger)
Researched for
fertility treatment (ovulation induction, male hypogonadism), TRT-adjunct to maintain testicular function/fertility (physician-directed)
Reported side effects
gynaecomastia, oestrogen rise (males), OHSS risk (fertility context), injection-site reaction, mood changes
Interactions
interacts with the HPG axis; managed alongside TRT/AI under prescriber
Commonly combined
HCG + TRT (physician-directed fertility/testicular maintenance)
Scheduling
🇦🇺 AUPrescription-only; ARTG-registered
🇺🇸 USFDA-approved prescription drug; WADA prohibited in males
🇬🇧 UKLicensed prescription medicine; WADA prohibited in males
Regulatory status
Approved prescription medicine. WADA-prohibited in males. Listed as reference; use should be physician-directed.

*Doses are commonly-reported figures from public sources, not a recommendation. Educational only.

18studies
9faqs
reproductive-endocrineapproved-drughormonal

Studies (18)

YearTitle / venueSource
2025Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: A Review
JAMA · preclinical
PMID 39899286
2025Testosterone replacement therapy and spermatogenesis in reproductive age men
Nature reviews. Urology · preclinical
PMID 40346275
2025Optimal restoration of spermatogenesis after testosterone therapy using human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle-stimulating hormone
Fertility and sterility · preclinical
PMID 39442683
2024A Current Perspective on Delayed Puberty and Its Management
Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology · preclinical
PMID 38683021
2024Gonadotropins for pubertal induction in males with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: systematic review and meta-analysis
European journal of endocrinology · preclinical
PMID 38128110
2024Fertility outcomes in male adults with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism treated during puberty with human chorionic gonadotropin and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone
Journal of paediatrics and child health · preclinical
PMID 38572627
2023Influence of multiple human chorionic gonadotropin administrations on serum and urinary steroid Athlete Biological Passport profiles in males
Drug testing and analysis · preclinical
PMID 37749856
2021Gonadotropin Treatment for the Male Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Current pharmaceutical design · preclinical
PMID 32445446
2021Human chorionic gonadotropin treatment: a viable option for management of secondary hypogonadism and male infertility
Expert review of endocrinology & metabolism · preclinical
PMID 33345656
2020Fetal gender, serum human chorionic gonadotropin, and testosterone in women with preeclampsia
Hypertension in pregnancy · preclinical
PMID 32406308
2020Male hypogonadism: therapeutic choices and pharmacological management
Minerva endocrinologica · preclinical
PMID 33000619
2018Alternatives to Testosterone Therapy: A Review
Sexual medicine reviews · preclinical
PMID 29174957
2016Testosterone and Male Infertility
The Urologic clinics of North America · preclinical
PMID 27132576
2016Late-onset hypogonadism: the advantages of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin rather than testosterone
The aging male : the official journal of the International Society for the Study of the Aging Male · human
PMID 26488941
2014Anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism: diagnosis and treatment
Fertility and sterility · preclinical
PMID 24636400
2002Human chorionic gonadotropin and testosterone in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies in relation to fetal sex
Obstetrics and gynecology · preclinical
PMID 12220777
2000Appropriate use and interpretation of human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation in prepubertal male patients
Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists · preclinical
PMID 11419932
1999Microphallic hypospadias--the use of human chorionic gonadotropin and testosterone before surgical repair
The Journal of urology · preclinical
PMID 10492233

Questions (9)

What is HCG?

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). Glycoprotein hormone that acts as an LH analogue at the LH/CG receptor, stimulating gonadal steroidogenesis (testicular testosterone, ovarian function).

What is HCG used for?

Commonly discussed uses: fertility treatment (ovulation induction, male hypogonadism), TRT-adjunct to maintain testicular function/fertility (physician-directed). There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Note: most uses are not approved indications.

How does HCG work?

Mechanism: Glycoprotein hormone that acts as an LH analogue at the LH/CG receptor, stimulating gonadal steroidogenesis (testicular testosterone, ovarian function).

Is HCG safe?

Reported considerations: gynaecomastia, oestrogen rise (males), OHSS risk (fertility context), injection-site reaction, mood changes. There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Approved prescription medicine. WADA-prohibited in males. Listed as reference; use should be physician-directed. This is not a safety endorsement; safety data for unapproved compounds is incomplete.

What is the typical dose of HCG?

Commonly cited ranges (educational reference, not a recommendation): low 250-500 IU 2x/week (TRT-adjunct), typical physician-directed by indication, high 5000-10000 IU (ovulation trigger). Administration: subcutaneous, intramuscular. Half-life: ~24-36 hours.

Is HCG legal in Australia?

Australian status: Prescription-only; ARTG-registered. Approved prescription medicine. WADA-prohibited in males. Listed as reference; use should be physician-directed. General regulatory context: most active peptides are Schedule 4 and require a prescription; import via the Personal Importation Scheme requires a valid Australian prescription for prescription-only goods.

How do you store HCG?

Reconstitution/storage reference: per registered product (e.g. 1ml diluent per vial); storage: refrigerated after reconstitution.

What is HCG commonly stacked with?

Commonly discussed combinations (anecdotal for unapproved compounds): HCG + TRT (physician-directed fertility/testicular maintenance). Stacking increases interaction/safety uncertainty.