Library / Hormonal

hCG

Also known as Human chorionic gonadotrophin, Choriogonadotropin alfa, Ovidrel, Pregnyl, Novarel

Approved medicine

Glycoprotein hormone (larger than a typical peptide) that mimics luteinising hormone. Approved for triggering ovulation in fertility treatment and for some forms of hypogonadism; not approved for weight loss.

Prescription medicine. Only a prescriber can decide whether a medicine suits you and at what dose. This page is information, not a recommendation.

Background

Human chorionic gonadotrophin is a glycoprotein hormone made by the placenta in pregnancy. Medicinal hCG was first extracted from pregnancy urine (FDA approved 1973); a recombinant version, choriogonadotropin alfa (Ovidrel), is made in genetically modified hamster ovary cells.

How it is thought to work

Acts on the same receptor as luteinising hormone. In women it triggers final egg maturation and ovulation; in men it stimulates the testes to make testosterone and supports sperm production.

What is claimed, and the evidence

Claim	Evidence	Notes
Triggering final egg maturation in IVF and inducing ovulation	Approved use	FDA label indications for Ovidrel and urinary hCG; approved in Australia (Ovidrel).
Treating hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism in males	Approved use	US label indication for urinary hCG, for selected cases due to pituitary deficiency.
Prepubertal undescended testes	Approved use	US label indication; the response is often temporary.
Restoring testosterone and sperm after anabolic steroid use	Small human studies	Retrospective cohort data in bodybuilders; not an approved indication.
Weight loss with the 'hCG diet'	Human trials Not supported	Tested in controlled trials and found ineffective; a 1995 meta-analysis found no evidence of benefit and the US label states hCG has not been shown to help treat obesity.

Side effects

Effect	How often	Notes
Injection site pain or bruising	Common	14.6% had application site disorders with Ovidrel in trials.
Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting	Common	Each 2.5 to 4.2% in Ovidrel IVF trials.
Headache, irritability, restlessness, depression, fatigue, oedema	Frequency unknown	Listed on the urinary hCG label.
Breast enlargement in males (gynaecomastia)	Frequency unknown	Listed on the urinary hCG label.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome Serious	Uncommon	Principal serious risk in fertility use; sudden ovarian enlargement, fluid in abdomen or lungs.
Arterial blood clots Serious	Rare	Listed as a principal serious adverse reaction on the label.
Multiple pregnancy Serious	Frequency unknown	Risk when used for ovulation induction.
Anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions Serious	Rare	Reported with urine derived hCG.
Early puberty in children Serious	Frequency unknown	Listed on the label for paediatric use.

Warnings

Contraindicated in prostate cancer or other androgen dependent tumours, precocious puberty and pregnancy.
Not effective for weight loss; 'hCG diet' drops and products sold for weight loss are not approved.
hCG products bought outside a prescription may be counterfeit or contaminated.

Regulatory status

Australia: Approved (ARTG, Ovidrel choriogonadotropin alfa). Human chorionic gonadotrophin is Schedule 4.
United States: FDA approved (chorionic gonadotropin since 1973; choriogonadotropin alfa) for ovulation induction and certain male hypogonadism indications.

Sources

Also in Hormonal

From the VialOwl library, reviewed 26 September 2026. For education and general information. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use hCG.