Library / Hormonal

HMG

Also known as Human menopausal gonadotrophin, Menotrophin, Menopur

Approved medicine

Purified mixture of FSH and LH activity from urine of postmenopausal women (a glycoprotein, not a small peptide). Approved for ovarian stimulation in fertility treatment.

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 menopausal gonadotrophin is purified from the urine of postmenopausal women, which is rich in FSH and LH. Bruno Lunenfeld's group reported the first birth after hMG treatment in 1961; the current product Menopur (Ferring) was FDA approved in 2004.

How it is thought to work

Supplies FSH and LH activity (plus some hCG) that directly stimulate the ovaries to grow several follicles. A separate trigger injection, usually hCG, is then needed for ovulation.

What is claimed, and the evidence

Claim	Evidence	Notes
Growing multiple follicles for IVF and other assisted reproduction	Approved use	FDA label indication for Menopur; approved on the ARTG.
Starting sperm production in men with congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (with hCG)	Small human studies	Large retrospective cohort (223 men): sperm appeared in 64%, median 15 months. Check local labelling for approved male use.
Restoring fertility after anabolic steroid use	No published evidence	Discussed online; no specific trial data found for hMG in this setting.

Side effects

Effect	How often	Notes
Abdominal cramps, bloating or pain	Common	Among the most common reactions (2% or more) in label trials.
Headache	Common	2% or more in label trials.
Injection site pain, reaction or inflammation	Common	2% or more in label trials.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome Serious	Common	Listed as a common reaction; can cause fluid in the abdomen and lungs and blood clots.
Blood clots, lung complications and ovarian torsion Serious	Rare	Serious label warnings.
Multiple pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage Serious	Frequency unknown	Label warnings with gonadotrophin treatment.
Nausea, breast tenderness, acne, rash, hot flushes	Frequency unknown	Post marketing reports for gonadotrophins.

Warnings

Contraindicated in pregnancy, primary ovarian failure, sex hormone dependent tumours, and pituitary or hypothalamic tumours.
Should only be used with specialist monitoring by ultrasound and hormone levels because of the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation and multiple pregnancy.

Regulatory status

Australia: Approved (ARTG, Menopur). Menotrophin is Schedule 4.
United States: FDA approved (Menopur, 2004) for development of multiple follicles in assisted reproduction.

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 HMG.