Library / HCG
Approved medicine
HCG
Hormone (LH-like) · Hormones & fertility · Human chorionic gonadotropin; Pregnyl, Novarel
What it is
A pregnancy hormone that acts like luteinising hormone (LH), which signals the testes to make testosterone and the ovaries to release eggs.
What research covers
An established prescription medicine for fertility treatment, and in some countries for low testosterone caused by pituitary problems. Also used by doctors alongside testosterone therapy to help preserve fertility.
Reported side effects
- Raised oestrogen in men (breast tenderness, fluid retention)
- Headache
- Mood changes
- In women: ovarian hyperstimulation during fertility treatment
Not suitable for, or talk to a doctor first
- Hormone-sensitive cancers (prostate, breast)
- High red blood cell count
Legal status
| Australia | Prescription-only medicine in Australia (Pregnyl). |
|---|---|
| United States | FDA-approved, prescription only. |
| Sport | Prohibited by WADA for male athletes. |
Rules change. Check with the TGA (Australia), your local regulator, or WADA for sport.
Key references
- Coviello et al. Low-dose hCG maintains intratesticular testosterone in normal men with testosterone-induced gonadotropin suppression. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2005.
General information, not advice. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing or stopping anything.