Does the hCG diet work for weight loss?

No. The FDA states hCG is not effective for weight loss, and multiple double-blind, placebo-controlled trials found no benefit over placebo. Any weight change on the hCG diet is attributable to severe calorie restriction, which itself can be risky.

How does hCG differ from LH?

hCG binds the same LH/CG receptor and produces similar effects, but it has a longer half-life, so it stimulates the gonads for a more prolonged period than natural LH.

Why is hCG combined with FSH for male fertility?

hCG (acting like LH) drives testosterone production, while FSH supports Sertoli-cell function and sperm maturation; many men need both to achieve full spermatogenesis.

Can hCG cause side effects?

Yes. These can include injection-site reactions, gynecomastia, and mood effects in men, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or multiple pregnancy when used for ovulation induction. Medical supervision is essential.

EMA-approvedaka hCG, Choragon, Novarel

Human chorionic gonadotropin — Complete Research Guide (2026)

Last updated 2026-06-30

TL;DR

Human chorionic gonadotropin (also known as hCG) is a peptide catalogued under Sexual Health (Placental). Documented context: Infertility; cryptorchidism. Neutral reference entry; EU status: EU-approved prescription medicine.

What is Human chorionic gonadotropin?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a placental glycoprotein hormone that acts on the LH receptor.

It is an approved medicine for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, prepubertal cryptorchidism, and ovulation induction in assisted reproduction, and it has a large clinical evidence base.

Importantly, the FDA has long held that hCG is not effective for weight loss, and the hCG diet is not supported by controlled evidence.

How does Human chorionic gonadotropin work?

hCG mimics luteinizing hormone, stimulating testicular Leydig cells to produce testosterone and supporting intratesticular androgen levels and spermatogenesis in men.

In women it triggers final follicular maturation and ovulation.

What does the research say about Human chorionic gonadotropin?

hCG can maintain or restore spermatogenesis and intratesticular testosterone in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. ^[1]
Adding concurrent hCG helps preserve spermatogenesis in men on testosterone replacement therapy. ^[2]
hCG is used as an option to manage secondary hypogonadism and support male fertility. ^[3]

Clinical research & studies

The references below are the primary sources cited throughout this guide. Each links directly to PubMed or the regulator. Where evidence is preclinical (animal or in-vitro), that is stated rather than implied.

[1] Maintenance of spermatogenesis in hypogonadotropic hypogonadal men with human chorionic gonadotropin alone — Depenbusch M et al., European Journal of Endocrinology 2002. (Clinical study)
[2] Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy — Hsieh TC et al., The Journal of Urology 2013. (Clinical cohort)
[3] Human chorionic gonadotropin treatment: a viable option for management of secondary hypogonadism and male infertility — Fink J et al., Expert Review of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2021. (Review)
[4] Addition of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone to human chorionic gonadotropin treatment in adolescents and young adults with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism promotes normal testicular growth and may promote early spermatogenesis — Zacharin M et al., Fertility and Sterility 2012. (Clinical study)
[5] Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction: a double-blind study — Stein MR et al., The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1976. (Randomized double-blind trial)
[6] Human chorionic gonadotrophin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial — Bosch B et al., South African Medical Journal 1990. (Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial)

Dosing context

This is not medical advice or a usage recommendation. Dosing figures are reported research context only, cited from the published literature.

In clinical practice hCG is given by injection, with regimens differing widely by indication, for example intermittent dosing to stimulate testosterone and spermatogenesis versus a single trigger dose in fertility cycles.

These descriptions are context only and not dosing instructions; regimens must be set by a clinician.

Side effects & safety profile

hCG is a prescription hormone; reported effects include injection-site reactions, gynecomastia, mood changes, and, in ovulation induction, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancy.

It should be used only under medical supervision.

hCG is NOT proven effective for weight loss: multiple double-blind, placebo-controlled trials found no benefit over placebo, and very-low-calorie hCG diets carry their own risks.

Stacking & combinations

In male-fertility protocols hCG is often combined with FSH (or hMG) to drive both androgen production and complete spermatogenesis.

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Frequently asked questions

Approved uses include hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and prepubertal cryptorchidism in males, and ovulation induction and final oocyte maturation in assisted reproduction. Exact labeling varies by country.

References

[1] Maintenance of spermatogenesis in hypogonadotropic hypogonadal men with human chorionic gonadotropin alone — Depenbusch M et al., European Journal of Endocrinology 2002. PMID: 12444893. View sourceStudy: Clinical studyhCG monotherapy maintained spermatogenesis in men whose sperm production had first been initiated by combined gonadotropins.
[2] Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy — Hsieh TC et al., The Journal of Urology 2013. PMID: 23260550. View sourceStudy: Clinical cohortLow-dose hCG alongside testosterone therapy preserved semen parameters in the majority of men.
[3] Human chorionic gonadotropin treatment: a viable option for management of secondary hypogonadism and male infertility — Fink J et al., Expert Review of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2021. PMID: 33345656. View sourceStudy: ReviewReviews hCG as a treatment to raise testosterone and support fertility in secondary hypogonadism.
[4] Addition of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone to human chorionic gonadotropin treatment in adolescents and young adults with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism promotes normal testicular growth and may promote early spermatogenesis — Zacharin M et al., Fertility and Sterility 2012. PMID: 22763096. View sourceStudy: Clinical studyhCG plus rFSH promoted testicular growth and early spermatogenesis in young hypogonadotropic males.
[5] Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction: a double-blind study — Stein MR et al., The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1976. PMID: 786001. View sourceStudy: Randomized double-blind trialhCG was no better than placebo for weight loss, hunger, or well-being on a calorie-restricted diet.
[6] Human chorionic gonadotrophin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial — Bosch B et al., South African Medical Journal 1990. PMID: 2405506. View sourceStudy: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trialhCG produced no significant advantage over placebo for weight loss or fat distribution.

This article is for educational and research purposes only. Peptides discussed here are not approved for human consumption by the FDA, EMA, or equivalent regulators outside of specific clinical contexts. Always consult a licensed medical professional before any therapeutic use.