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Comparison

hCG vs HMG

Both are reproductive & HPTA, so the meaningful differences are in kinetics, evidence and regulatory status.

hCG HMG
Class Reproductive & HPTA Reproductive & HPTA
Evidence Regulator approved Regulator approved
Human trials ~60 ~50
Half-life ~24-36 hours ~30-60 hours
Reported range 250 mcg - 1.5 mg 75-150 mcg
Frequency 2-3x weekly (dosed in international units) 2-3x weekly (dosed in international units)
Routes Subcutaneous, Intramuscular Subcutaneous, Intramuscular
FDA approved Yes Yes
Research use only No No
Banned in sport Yes Yes
Studied for Preservation of fertility and testicular volume on TRT, Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, Ovulation induction Assisted reproduction (IVF), Male fertility restoration (off-label in the US)
Reported side effects Gynaecomastia, Water retention, Acne, Mood changes, Injection-site reactions Injection-site reactions, Headache, Abdominal discomfort, Gynaecomastia in men

hCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein hormone, not a simple peptide, structurally similar to luteinising hormone and acting at the same LH/CG receptor. In men it stimulates Leydig cells directly to produce testosterone and maintains testicular volume and intratesticular testosterone during exogenous androgen therapy. Because it acts downstream of the pituitary it works even when the HPTA is fully suppressed, which is the practical difference from gonadorelin.

HMG

Human menopausal gonadotropin is a purified glycoprotein preparation from the urine of postmenopausal women, containing roughly equal FSH and LH activity. In male fertility protocols the FSH component is the point: hCG alone restores intratesticular testosterone but does not supply the FSH signal to Sertoli cells that spermatogenesis also requires. It is therefore added when hCG monotherapy fails to restore sperm counts.

hCG vs HMG: common questions

What is the difference between hCG and HMG?

Both are reproductive & HPTA. hCG: A placental glycoprotein hormone that mimics LH directly at the testis, the long-standing standard for preserving fertility on TRT. HMG: A urine-derived preparation containing both FSH and LH activity, used where spermatogenesis needs FSH support.

Which has stronger evidence, hCG or HMG?

They sit at the same evidence level: regulator approved. hCG has about 60 human studies and HMG about 50.

Are hCG and HMG FDA approved?

Both are FDA approved. hCG: Prepubertal cryptorchidism; Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males; Ovulation induction. HMG: Development of multiple follicles and pregnancy in ovulatory women as part of an assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle such as IVF (Menopur).

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. PubChem compound record (CID 4369448) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  2. DailyMed: FDA-approved labeling for hCG ↗ · indications, dosing, warnings as approved
  3. FDA Drugs@FDA database ↗ · approval history
  4. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · current year
  5. CAS Registry Number 9002-61-3 ↗ · chemical identity
  6. PubChem compound record (CID 1662) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  7. DailyMed: FDA-approved labeling for HMG ↗ · indications, dosing, warnings as approved
  8. FDA Drugs@FDA database ↗ · approval history

Published literature

  1. Khadilkar V, Mondkar SA. Micropenis.Indian J Pediatr 2023.PubMed 37079255 · doi:10.1007/s12098-023-04540-w
  2. Singla N, Bagrodia A, Baraban E, et al.. Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: A Review.JAMA 2025.PubMed 39899286 · doi:10.1001/jama.2024.27122
  3. Rahnema CD, Lipshultz LI, Crosnoe LE, et al.. Anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism: diagnosis and treatment.Fertil Steril 2014.PubMed 24636400 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.02.002
  4. Abacı A, Besci Ö. A Current Perspective on Delayed Puberty and Its Management.J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 2024.PubMed 38683021 · doi:10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2024.2024-2-7
  5. Latronico AC, Arnhold IJ. Gonadotropin resistance.Endocr Dev 2013.PubMed 23392092 · doi:10.1159/000342496
  6. Mihm M, Gangooly S, Muttukrishna S. The normal menstrual cycle in women.Anim Reprod Sci 2011.PubMed 20869180 · doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.08.030
  7. Talwar GP, Raghupathy R. Anti-fertility vaccines.Vaccine 1989.PubMed 2665354 · doi:10.1016/0264-410x(89)90043-1
  8. Naelitz BD, Momtazi-Mar L, Vallabhaneni S, et al.. Testosterone replacement therapy and spermatogenesis in reproductive age men.Nat Rev Urol 2025.PubMed 40346275 · doi:10.1038/s41585-025-01032-8
  9. Lathi RB, Milki AA. Recombinant gonadotropins.Curr Womens Health Rep 2001.PubMed 12112963
  10. Melo P, Eapen A, Chung Y, et al.. Controlled ovarian stimulation protocols for assisted reproduction: a network meta-analysis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2025.PubMed 40590303 · doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012586.pub2
  11. Weiss NS, Kostova EB, Mol BWJ, et al.. Gonadotropins for ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2025.PubMed 40193219 · doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010290.pub4
  12. Witz CA, Daftary GS, Doody KJ, et al.. Randomized, assessor-blinded trial comparing highly purified human menotropin and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone in high responders undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection.Fertil Steril 2020.PubMed 32416978 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.03.029
  13. Deeks ED. Highly Purified Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (Menopur(®)): A Profile of Its Use in Infertility.Clin Drug Investig 2018.PubMed 30264288 · doi:10.1007/s40261-018-0703-8
  14. Matsumoto AM. Hormonal therapy of male hypogonadism.Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 1994.PubMed 7705324
  15. Li J, Peng Y, Dai X, et al.. Human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) combined different doses of letrozole for treating anovulatory infertility in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.J Assist Reprod Genet 2025.PubMed 40193016 · doi:10.1007/s10815-025-03455-z
  16. Wang Y, Li L, Deng K, et al.. Comparison of the combination of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and recombinant luteinizing hormone protocol versus human menopausal gonadotropin protocol in controlled ovarian stimulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Evid Based Med 2020.PubMed 32627395 · doi:10.1111/jebm.12390

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.

Read this first This page compares published reference data. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use either compound. Several compounds documented on this site are not approved for human use.