Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Also referenced as: hCG, Pregnyl
A glycoprotein reproductive hormone, not a short peptide.
- Evidence grade
- AStrong Clinical Evidence
Strong Clinical Evidence
- Regulatory status
- FDA Approved for Specific Indication
Approved products have specific indications including ovulation induction and selected male reproductive conditions. hCG is not FDA-approved for weight loss.
- Human data
- Yes
Registered clinical trials exist
- Last reviewed
- October 27, 2026
Overview
A glycoprotein reproductive hormone, not a short peptide.
Approved products have specific indications including ovulation induction and selected male reproductive conditions. hCG is not FDA-approved for weight loss.
Glycoprotein-hormone identity and population-specific treatment goals differ from short research-peptide use.
Why It's Being Studied
- Ovulation induction
- Selected hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
- Reproductive endocrinology
Mechanism of Action
LH-receptor activation stimulates steroidogenesis and, in the appropriate ovarian context, ovulation.
LH-receptor activation stimulates steroidogenesis and, in the appropriate ovarian context, ovulation. Glycoprotein-hormone identity and population-specific treatment goals differ from short research-peptide use.
From molecular target to clinical evidence
Tap each stage to see what happens.
Background: Clinical Peptide Medicines
Clinical peptide medicines include endocrine treatments, antimicrobial drugs, receptor blockers and targeted diagnostic or cancer agents. They do not share one mechanism or one set of indications.
An approval belongs to a specific medicine and indication. A diagnostic tracer, an antibiotic and a hormone are not interchangeable wellness products; read each profile's own mechanism and prescribing source.
Research Areas & Routes Studied
- Ovulation induction
- Selected hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
- Reproductive endocrinology
- Product-specific approved injections
Evidence Summary
Human evidence supports product-specific reproductive indications. Weight-loss claims are not an approved indication.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin; tap to read it.
- Human evidence supports product-specific reproductive indications. Weight-loss claims are not an approved indication.
1 cited sources.
- Prescribing label1
Human clinical evidence
- Human evidence supports product-specific reproductive indications. Weight-loss claims are not an approved indication.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Ovarian hyperstimulation, thromboembolism, multiple gestation and gynecomastia are relevant risks.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- Glycoprotein-hormone identity and population-specific treatment goals differ from short research-peptide use.
- Findings apply to the product, route and population studied; they do not establish benefits or safety for unrelated wellness uses or research-vial products.
How to Read This Research
- Is this a single molecule or a family of medicines?
- Is the use diagnostic, therapeutic or investigational?
- Does the quoted outcome match the exact product, formulation and population?
- Use the compound-specific mechanism above; this diagram describes drug development, not a shared biological pathway.
- Historical approval, present availability and off-label use are distinct questions.
- For radiopharmaceuticals and hospital medicines, specialist handling is part of the treatment context.
- Indication
- The condition and population for which a medicine is approved.
- Antagonist
- A compound that blocks activity at a receptor.
- Radiopharmaceutical
- A medicine containing a radioactive isotope for imaging or treatment.
Compare With Other Compounds
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin | Trofinetide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | A — Strong Clinical Evidence | B — Moderate Human Evidence |
| Regulatory status | FDA Approved for Specific Indication | FDA Approved for Specific Indication |
| Human data | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical trials | Registered trials exist | Registered trials exist |
| Research routes | Product-specific approved injections | Oral approved medicine |
| Cited sources | 1 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Prescribing label
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin — prescribing label