Peptide Profile
hCG
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin · Pregnyl · Novarel · Choragon
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone that acts as a functional analogue of luteinizing hormone (LH), binding to LH receptors on Leydig cells in the testes and granulosa cells in the ovaries to stimulate…
- Half-life
- ~24-36 hours
- Routes
- subcutaneous, intramuscular
Educational research information — not medical advice. Review primary sources and consult a qualified professional before any decision.
Educational research tools — not medical advice.
What hCG is
About hCG
Glycoprotein hormone binding LH receptor on Leydig cells; stimulates testosterone production; prevents testicular atrophy during TRT; maintains spermatogenesis via LH-receptor-driven intratesticular testosterone
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone that acts as a functional analogue of luteinizing hormone (LH), binding to LH receptors on Leydig cells in the testes and granulosa cells in the ovaries to stimulate steroidogenesis. In men, hCG stimulates testicular testosterone production directly, making it a widely used clinical tool for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, male fertility support, and preservation of testicular function alongside testosterone replacement therapy. Clinical research demonstrates hCG effectiveness for improving testosterone levels and sperm parameters in males with gonadotropin deficiency, as well as for triggering final oocyte maturation in IVF protocols. hCG is an FDA-regulated biologic available in multiple approved formulations; use requires physician supervision due to dose-dependent effects on testosterone, estradiol, and reproductive signaling. hCG dosage in TRT support: in men using testosterone replacement therapy, hCG is prescribed to prevent testicular atrophy and maintain intratesticular testosterone levels needed for spermatogenesis. Dosing and schedule for this off-label application are provider-determined and vary by individual protocol. At higher doses, hCG's stimulation of testicular testosterone can also increase aromatization to estradiol — a clinically relevant consideration in TRT management requiring estrogen monitoring. hCG vs gonadorelin: both are used in men's health for testicular preservation alongside TRT, but they act at different axis levels. hCG acts directly on Leydig cell LH receptors, bypassing the pituitary entirely — a direct trophic signal to the testes. Gonadorelin acts upstream at the pituitary to stimulate endogenous LH and FSH release, preserving the full hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis including FSH-driven spermatogenesis. For men prioritizing sperm production, gonadorelin's preservation of FSH signaling offers a potential advantage; for men primarily focused on testicular volume and intratesticular testosterone maintenance, hCG provides a well-validated, direct approach. Telehealth and men's health providers offering hCG and gonadorelin protocols are listed in the PeptideBase directory.
Women's Health
hCG's ovulation-trigger and luteal-phase-support use in assisted reproduction is well-evidenced (Cochrane systematic review, 94 RCTs). The popular "hCG diet" weight-loss claim is refuted by placebo-controlled trials and disclaimed on the FDA label. hCG is not used in an established pregnancy and carries an OHSS risk during ovarian stimulation.
hCG Benefits & Research Areas
Research Signals
Commonly researched in the context of
Population research notes
These signals reflect research interest areas, not treatment indications.
hCG half-life calculator
Compound & timing
Model: single-dose, first-order (single-compartment) estimate. Real clearance is multi-compartment and varies by individual and route.
What the evidence says about hCG
Research Evidence
based on 11 studies · 2 RCTs · most recent 2026
Regulatory Status
- Availability Status
- Prescription
- FDA Status
- FDA Approved
- Effective Date
- September 20, 2000
- Source
- View FDA source →
FDA-approved prescription drug (Pregnyl, Novarel, NDA 019478). Approved for fertility and male hypogonadism. FDA banned OTC homeopathic hCG Dec 2011. Prescription Rx products remain approved.
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
11 sources cited · 1 strong · 7 moderate · 3 weak
2 RCTs · 1 Meta-analysis · 3 Cohorts · 1 Case series · 3 Reviews · 1 In vitro
Luteal phase support for assisted reproduction cycles
Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2015
Cochrane SR/MA (94 RCTs, 26,198 women): hCG luteal support increases OHSS risk relative to progesterone-only support.
Epidemiological study of Ectopic Pregnancy at Sulaimani Maternity Teaching Hospital, Iraq: A cross-sectional study.
Medicine (Baltimore) · 2026
# Summary Research found that serum β-hCG testing combined with transvaginal ultrasonography successfully confirmed ectopic pregnancy diagnosis in a cross-sectional study of 393 women with early pregnancy, identifying 79 cases (20.1%) with ectopic implantation. This study demonstrated that elevated β-hCG levels, along with imaging findings, were essential diagnostic tools for identifying ectopic pregnancies, with tubal pregnancies representing the majority of cases (82.3%).
Inducing physiological polarity and performing gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 in human trophoblast organoids.
Nat Protoc · 2026
Show 8 more sources ↓
Inducing physiological polarity and performing gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 in human trophoblast organoids.
Nat Protoc · 2026
Inducing physiological polarity and performing gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 in human trophoblast organoids.
Nat Protoc · 2026
Peripheral Precocious Puberty in a Girl with hCG-Secreting Suprasellar Germ Cell Tumor: Authors' Reply.
Indian J Pediatr · 2026
# Summary Research found that a suprasellar germ cell tumor secreting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can cause peripheral precocious puberty in pediatric patients. This study demonstrated the clinical relationship between hCG-producing tumors and early pubertal development in children.
Unexpected elevation of β-hCG in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma: a case study and implications for clinical practice.
BMC Pulm Med · 2026
# Summary Research found that β-hCG elevation is exceptionally rare in non-small cell lung cancer, with this case study representing the first documented occurrence of pulmonary adenocarcinoma presenting with both significantly elevated serum β-hCG levels and an EGFR mutation. This study demonstrated an unusual tumor marker profile in an EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patient, highlighting an atypical presentation that clinicians may encounter in lung cancer cases.
FTO regulates testosterone secretion in Leydig cells: insights into the role of m6A modifications and the therapeutic potential of hCG
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology · 2025
Research in 39 men with obstructive azoospermia and Leydig cell cultures found a positive correlation between FTO expression and testosterone concentrations; FTO knockdown reduced testosterone secretion and increased apoptosis, while hCG treatment significantly restored testosterone levels (18-37% recovery, p<0.003 at all time points), providing mechanistic evidence for hCG's LH-receptor-mediated testosterone stimulation in Leydig cells.
Abdominal complete hydatidiform mole following uterine evacuation: a case report.
Front Oncol · 2026
# Summary Research found that abdominal complete hydatidiform mole, though exceedingly rare, should be considered in patients who show persistent or rising serum hCG levels following uterine evacuation for molar pregnancy. This study demonstrated that postoperative hCG monitoring is critical for early detection of ectopic molar tissue, as imaging studies alone may fail to identify abdominal implantation sites.
Comparison of the effect of combined therapy of HCG ampule and letrozole tablet with each method separately on the spermogram parameters in the obese men with idiopathic infertility: a clinical trial
American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Urology · 2022
Research in a small randomized clinical trial of 15 obese infertile men found that combined hCG plus letrozole therapy produced significantly greater improvements in sperm count, motility, and morphology than either hCG or letrozole alone, providing preliminary evidence that hCG-based testosterone stimulation synergizes with aromatase inhibition in male factor infertility.
Ineffectiveness of hCG in weight reduction: a double-blind study
Am J Clin Nutr · 1976
Placebo-controlled RCT found hCG ineffective for weight loss, refuting the "hCG diet" claim.
hCG Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Research-use compound with limited human data. Evidence strength varies — see the Evidence section.
Reported (unverified — pending clinical review)
No established clinical contraindications
Common monitoring markers in research protocols
Standard reproductive endocrinology panels establish HPG axis baseline before hCG use. Testosterone and E2 confirm gonadal response; LH suppression during treatment is an expected finding.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
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VShCG
Certificates of Analysis
- Vendor-publishedSwiss Chems
HCG · Lot 2606-ED-HC · Jun 24, 2026 · View source COA
PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product. Verified results come from an independent third-party lab database lookup. Vendor-published results are reported by the vendor itself and have not been independently verified by PeptideBase or a third-party lab.
PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions — hCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone that acts as a functional analogue of luteinizing hormone (LH), binding to LH receptors on Leydig cells in the testes and granulosa cells in the ovaries to stimulate steroidogenesis. In men, hCG stimulates testicular testosterone production directly, making it a widely used clinical tool for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, male fertility support, and preservation of testicular function alongside testosterone replacement therapy.
direct Leydig cell LH-receptor stimulation for testosterone production, testicular volume maintenance during testosterone therapy, IVF oocyte maturation trigger in female fertility protocols, dose-dependent estradiol increase — aromatization monitoring relevant.
Research on hCG primarily documents effects related to direct Leydig cell LH-receptor stimulation for testosterone production and testicular volume maintenance during testosterone therapy and IVF oocyte maturation trigger in female fertility protocols and dose-dependent estradiol increase — aromatization monitoring relevant. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
Reported contraindications and considerations for hCG include hormone-sensitive cancers, polycythemia, precocious puberty. This is educational information only — consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
For hCG, its FDA status is FDA-approved, and it is available by prescription. Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
34 providers in the directory currently offer hCG.
hCG is tracked across 1 research vendor on PeptideBase, at about $5.50 per mg. This reflects research-use vendor pricing, not clinical or prescription costs.
Cochrane SR/MA (94 RCTs, 26,198 women): hCG luteal support increases OHSS risk relative to progesterone-only support.
How to get hCG
Market Pricing
1 vendorPrice per mg varies by quantity, vendor type, and formulation. Research use only.
Data verified July 2026 · hCG price intelligence
Where to buy hCG
34 providersClinics
10 providersAdvanced Age Management
Sharon Center, United StatesView →Optimal Hormone Health & Aesthetics
Spring, United StatesView →Quali-T Hormone Optimization
Salem, United StatesView →The Natural Path
Portland, United StatesView →Cratos Health
Colorado Springs, United StatesView →Optimal Wellness MD
Lynnfield, United StatesView →Peptides Therapy San Diego
San Diego, United StatesView →Pura Vida Body & Mind Spa
Fleming Island, United StatesView →Vitality Rejuvenation Clinic
Cherry Hill Township, United StatesView →Mirror Mirror Aesthetics & Wellness
Tucson, United StatesView →
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