hCG (Chorionic Gonadotropin)
Get a source-linked, educational explanation from this profile.
Complete Research Guide
Open each section for the available evidence. Gaps are stated rather than inferred.
Overview
hCG (Chorionic Gonadotropin) is listed as hormonal / glycoprotein (not a true peptide).
- •Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
- •Ovulation induction
- •Testicular function preservation on TRT
Regulatory status: FDA-Approved Rx; banned in male athletes by WADA.
Structure & Properties
Compound: hCG (Chorionic Gonadotropin); also known as Pregnyl, Ovidrel, Novarel.
Pharmacologic class: Hormonal / Glycoprotein (not a true peptide).
Known delivery routes: Subcutaneous, Intramuscular.
Sequence, molecular weight, salt form, and excipient details are formulation-specific and are not listed unless verified by a manufacturer or laboratory COA.
How It Works
LH-receptor agonist glycoprotein; directly stimulates Leydig-cell testosterone production and ovarian follicle maturation.
- •Maintains intratesticular testosterone and testicular volume
- •Supports fertility during exogenous androgen use
- •Reliable ovulation trigger
Human Research
Evidence grade: Clinical RCT (Phase III)
Clinical RCT (Phase III). Long-standing clinical use.
Laboratory Research
Long-standing clinical use
Preclinical findings describe biological plausibility, not proven benefit in people. Animal and laboratory doses do not translate directly to human use.
Processing & Interactions
Timing and exposure
No strict time-of-day requirement. Dose consistently at the same time daily and rotate injection sites. Follow the per-peptide dosing section above.
Potential interactions and combinations to avoid
- •Avoid stacking with peptides that share the same receptor or mechanism without clinical guidance.
- •Avoid combining with alcohol or immunosuppressants unless cleared by a clinician.
Absorption, half-life, metabolism, and clearance can vary by formulation and route. Use prescribing information when an approved product exists.
Safety & Precautions
Known or reported risks
- •Gynecomastia via aromatization
- •Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
- •Water retention
- •Desensitization at high doses
Contraindications
- •Prostate or other androgen-dependent cancer
- •Precocious puberty
- •Pregnancy (except fertility protocols)
- •Hormone-sensitive cancer (prostate, breast, ovarian, uterine) without oncology direction
- •Undiagnosed abnormal uterine or vaginal bleeding
- •Pregnancy or possible pregnancy (fetal harm / ovarian hyperstimulation risk)
- •Precocious puberty or unresolved pituitary pathology
- •History of thromboembolism or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
- •Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- •Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- •Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- •Men with untreated prostate hypertrophy or prostate cancer
- •Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- •Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- •Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- •Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- •Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Unknown long-term toxicity should be assumed where controlled human data are limited. Seek urgent care for a severe or unexpected reaction.
Administration & Studied Formulations
Reference range: 250–500 IU 2–3×/week (male); 5,000–10,000 IU trigger (female)
Frequency: 2–3× weekly or per fertility protocol
Cycling: Low-dose continuous alongside TRT, or protocol-defined fertility courses. Avoid high-dose chronic use.
Subcutaneous (SubQ)
Default route for most research and therapeutic peptides — best absorption for reconstituted powder.
31G × 5/16" insulin syringe (U-100). 100 units = 1 mL. Pinch skin at abdomen (2" from navel), outer thigh, or love handle. Insert at 45–90°. Rotate sites daily to prevent lipohypertrophy. Alcohol-swab site, air-dry, inject slow, hold 5 sec.
Intramuscular (IM)
Used for depot formulations, some GH secretagogues (localized delivery), and clinical protocols requiring faster systemic uptake.
23–25G × 1–1.5" needle. 1–3 mL syringe. Ventrogluteal, vastus lateralis, or deltoid. Insert 90°, aspirate (optional), inject slowly. Rotate sites weekly.
Dosing information is educational context, not a personal recommendation. Approved products must follow their label and prescriber instructions.
Applications & Related Therapies
Potentially complementary measures
- •Most peptides pair safely with baseline nutrition, sleep, and resistance training.
Clinical use should account for diagnosis, approved alternatives, nutrition, activity, sleep, rehabilitation, current medicines, and appropriate monitoring.
Cases, Considerations & Ethics
Decision framework: establish the clinical goal, confirm evidence quality and legal status, screen contraindications and interactions, compare approved alternatives, define monitoring and stopping criteria, and use shared decision-making with a licensed clinician.
Case evidence: individual reports cannot establish safety or effectiveness and should not outweigh controlled trials.
Ethics: informed consent should distinguish established care from experimental use, disclose uncertainty and cost, avoid overstated claims, and never substitute research products for medically necessary care.
What is hCG (Chorionic Gonadotropin)?
In plain words
hCG is a prescription hormone made of protein with attached sugars. It activates signals that help the testes make testosterone and help egg-containing sacs in the ovaries mature. Researchers study it for low sex hormone levels caused by weak hormone signals and for triggering egg release. Clinical trials support these uses, but risks include breast growth in men, water retention, and an excessive ovarian response that can cause serious illness.
Technical definition
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone—a protein with attached carbohydrate groups—rather than a true peptide. It acts as an agonist at the luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor, directly stimulating testosterone production in Leydig cells and ovarian follicle maturation; clinical evidence includes Phase III randomized controlled trials for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and ovulation induction. hCG is an FDA-approved prescription drug and is banned by WADA in male athletes.
Function
Dosing
Recommended Time of Day
Morning, 2–3× weekly — same days each week.
See “Timing & Interactions” below for full fasted/fed circumstances, what to avoid combining, and what pairs well.
Administration & Technique
Injection & Application Sites
- Abdomen — 2 in (5 cm) away from the navel, either side. Fastest, most consistent SubQ absorption.
- Flank / love handle — Lateral fat pad above the hip. Good rotation site when the abdomen is tender.
- Outer thigh — Upper outer quadrant, a hand-width below the hip. SubQ pinch at 45°.
- Ventrogluteal — Palm on greater trochanter, index to ASIS — inject in the V. Safest IM site.
- Dorsogluteal (upper outer) — Upper outer quadrant of the buttock. Used for depot IM; alternate sides each cycle.
- Upper arm / deltoid — Back of the upper arm for SubQ; 2 in below the shoulder bone for IM.
- Anterior thigh (vastus lateralis) — Middle third of the outer front thigh. Preferred IM site for self-injection.
Diagram is a general illustration, not a medical instruction. Rotate sites every injection, keep 1 in (2.5 cm) between recent sites, and avoid scars, moles, bruises and the navel area.
Cycling
Low-dose continuous alongside TRT, or protocol-defined fertility courses. Avoid high-dose chronic use.
Timing & Interactions
- ·Avoid stacking with peptides that share the same receptor or mechanism without clinical guidance.
- ·Avoid combining with alcohol or immunosuppressants unless cleared by a clinician.
- ·Most peptides pair safely with baseline nutrition, sleep, and resistance training.
Storage & Reconstitution
Reconstitution Calculator
1 mL = 100 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. Draw to the nearest 0.5 unit and confirm dosing with a clinician before injection.
Your Notes
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Benefits
- ·Maintains intratesticular testosterone and testicular volume
- ·Supports fertility during exogenous androgen use
- ·Reliable ovulation trigger
Risks
- ·Gynecomastia via aromatization
- ·Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
- ·Water retention
- ·Desensitization at high doses
Contraindications
- ·Prostate or other androgen-dependent cancer
- ·Precocious puberty
- ·Pregnancy (except fertility protocols)
- ·Hormone-sensitive cancer (prostate, breast, ovarian, uterine) without oncology direction
- ·Undiagnosed abnormal uterine or vaginal bleeding
- ·Pregnancy or possible pregnancy (fetal harm / ovarian hyperstimulation risk)
- ·Precocious puberty or unresolved pituitary pathology
- ·History of thromboembolism or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
- ·Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- ·Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- ·Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- ·Men with untreated prostate hypertrophy or prostate cancer
- ·Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- ·Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- ·Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- ·Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- ·Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Regulatory
FDA-Approved Rx; banned in male athletes by WADA
Veterinary Use (Pets)
No established veterinary protocol for hCG (Chorionic Gonadotropin). Consult a licensed veterinarian before considering off-label use in any species.
Full veterinary reference →Functional Groups
Cited Works
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