hCG: what the research shows
The pregnancy hormone: an approved fertility medicine, and the center of a long-running weight-loss myth.
Also known as Human chorionic gonadotropin, Pregnyl, Ovidrel
At a glance
Approved as a prescription medicine for female infertility and some other conditions. It is not approved for weight loss, and the FDA warns against “hCG diet” products.
What is hCG?
hCG is the hormone made during pregnancy, the one pregnancy tests detect. It is a protein hormone, larger than most peptides.
How does hCG work?
It acts like LH, the hormone that triggers ovulation in women and tells the testes to make testosterone in men.
What does the research show?
- Doctors use it to trigger ovulation in fertility treatment, and in some men whose low testosterone comes from a pituitary problem, including after anabolic steroid use.
- The FDA says hCG does not cause weight loss: any loss on “hCG diets” comes from extreme calorie cutting.
Known risks and side effects
- In fertility treatment it can over-stimulate the ovaries (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), so it is used under close medical supervision.
Is hCG approved?
A medicines regulator, such as the FDA in the US or the EMA in Europe, has approved it for specific uses.
Approved as a prescription medicine for female infertility and some other conditions. It is not approved for weight loss, and the FDA warns against “hCG diet” products.
From the community
Watch: hCG and related science
We have not selected a reliable dedicated hCG video. These lessons cover the relevant biology and research methods; the compound-specific evidence is in the sources below.
khanacademymedicine
The hypothalamus and pituitary gland
How the hypothalamus and pituitary coordinate hormone release, including growth and reproductive hormones.
Khan Academy · endocrine physiology
Related biology
Background on hypothalamus and pituitary signalling for understanding hCG. It does not demonstrate benefits of this compound or formulation.
National Institute of Mental Health
Different types of clinical research
An introduction to the different questions and designs used in studies involving people.
NIMH · US National Institutes of Health
Research skills
Helps you judge the study design or uncertainty in hCG research; it is not a trial of the compound.
Sources and references
- Avoid dangerous hCG diet productsUS Food and Drug Administration · consumer update
- Anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism: diagnosis and treatmentRahnema et al. · Fertility and Sterility · 2014
VETUD Learn explains published research in plain language. It is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
In the research shop
Check the catalog for related laboratory research materials. These products are separate from the approved medicines and clinical trial formulations discussed here.
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