Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that's naturally made in the body during pregnancy. It's also very similar to luteinizing hormone (LH), a hormone involved in reproduction in males and females. As a medication, HCG (Pregnyl, Novarel) is used for fertility treatments in females. It's also used in certain cases to raise testosterone levels in males and to help the testes descend in males who haven't yet reached puberty (cryptorchidism). HCG is injected into the muscles (or as directed by your provider), typically a few times a week. Some common side effects of HCG can include headache, irritability, and feeling restless.
HCG is a hormone naturally produced by body during pregnancy. It's also very similar to luteinizing hormone (LH), a hormone involved in reproduction in males and females.
In female infertility, HCG is used (along with other medications) to promote ovulation. This can help raise the chance of getting pregnant.
In males, HCG causes the production of hormones called androgens (e.g., testosterone). Androgens are responsible for the testes moving into the scrotum, as well as sperm production in males.
| Common Brands | Pregnyl, Novarel, HCG |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Gonadotropin |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
HCG can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with the use of HCG. If you experience trouble breathing, swelling of your lips or tongue, or rash, get medical attention right away.
In females, HCG can cause OHSS, a condition that happens when the ovaries grow too large after you've finished your injection. It can cause stomach pain, stomach bloating, and weight gain. More serious cases include symptoms like severe pain or stomach bloating, trouble breathing, and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, or a bursting cyst. Symptoms can occur within days after using HCG, but can also happen even 10 days after the injection. They usually goes away on its own within 2 weeks. People who develop OHSS and then successfully become pregnant tend to have more severe OHSS symptoms. If you feel extreme belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or feel faint after using HCG, tell your provider right away.
HCG can raise your risk of blood clots, which can lead to life-threatening problems. Smoking, OHSS, or a history of blood clots raise this risk even more. Blood clots can lead to a heart attack, a stroke, or a pulmonary embolism (life-threatening blood clot in the lungs). Be sure to discuss all your past and present medical conditions with your provider before starting HCG. Call 911 or get medical help right away if you have pain in your legs or arms, chest pain, sudden severe headaches, trouble breathing, or sudden changes in your speech or vision.
All gonadotropin fertility treatments, including HCG, make you much more likely to conceive and deliver more than one baby (e.g., twins, triplets). This is due to how the medication works to prepare the body to ovulate. Discuss this possibility with your partner before starting HCG.
HCG can cause puberty to happen too early in males who are treated for cryptorchidism. If signs of early puberty occur (e.g., changes in voice, hair growth under the arms or near the genitals), stop using HCG and let your child's provider know.
There are reports of tumors in the testes in otherwise healthy, young men using HCG for infertility. Contact your provider right away if you notice lumps or enlargements in either testicle, pain in your stomach, groin, or scrotum, or back pain.
HCG raises levels of hormones known as androgens, which can lead to water retention (when your body holds onto too much water). This can worsen certain conditions like asthma, kidney problems, heart problems, seizures, and migraines. Make sure to discuss your medical history with your provider before starting HCG.
Vial| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml of 10000 units | 1 vial | $294.55 | $294.55 |
The dose of HCG is measured in USP units.
Female infertility Your provider will determine your dose based on age, body weight, and preference.
Lower testosterone levels Your provider will determine your dose based on age, body weight, and preference. Examples of typical dosing include:
Prepubertal cryptorchidism Your child's provider will determine the dose based on your child's age, body weight, and preference. Examples of typical dosing include:
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because HCG will not be safe for you to take.
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Your provider will determine your HCG dose based on your medical condition, age, and body weight. For example, if your child is receiving HCG for prepubertal cryptorchidism, their provider might instruct you to give them 4,000 units injected into a muscle three times a week for 3 weeks. If you're a female receiving HCG for infertility, your provider might instruct you to give yourself a dose of HCG (ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 units) into your muscle one day after your last dose of menotropins, another gonadotropin injectable medication used for female infertility.
You'll likely take your HCG dose one day after your last dose of menotropins, which works to prepare eggs for ovulation. Follow your provider's instructions on when to inject HCG because they'll likely give you a very specific date and time to do so.
HCG can help with infertility problems. This medication is FDA-approved to treat low testosterone levels in males. Having low testosterone levels can cause infertility because it leads to low sperm count. HCG is also FDA-approved to treat infertility in females by triggering ovulation (release of the egg). If you've problems with fertility, talk with your provider to see if HCG is an appropriate option for you.
If you're taking HCG for fertility, you need to wait until after HCG is cleared from your system (at least 2 weeks) before taking a pregnancy test. Otherwise, you'll likely get a false positive result (pregnancy test telling you you're pregnant even if you're not). This is because the pregnancy test tests for the hCG hormone, and you'll have higher hCG levels in the body after the HCG injection. It's best to follow your provider's instructions regarding when to test for pregnancy after a HCG injection.
HCG is FDA-approved for intramuscular (into the muscle, IM) injections. IM injections are often given in the outside of the upper arm or in the hip, buttocks, or thigh. Sometimes, your provider might instruct you to inject HCG differently. Ask your provider if you're not sure how to prepare and use HCG.
If you're a male with hypogonadism, your testosterone levels might return to normal after you take HCG for about 3 months. But you might need to take HCG for about 6 months to a year to see a more noticeably higher sperm count. It's important to be consistent with your injections and follow your treatment plan as recommended by your provider. If your sperm counts don't improve within 4 to 6 months of using HCG, your provider might recommend additional options.
No, HCG isn't approved by the FDA for weight loss, and there is currently no evidence that it helps you lose weight. Many products claim HCG can help you lose weight by changing your eating patterns and affecting your metabolism, but there is no evidence to support these claims. The FDA does not recommend using these products for weight loss. Talk with your provider about a safe and healthy weight loss plan.
Yes, HCG, as well as brands Novarel and Pregnyl, is obtained from the urine of pregnant females. If this concerns you, talk to your provider. There are recombinant hCG medications, such as Ovidrel, that are lab-made versions of hCG.
