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EMA-approvedaka hMG, Menopur

Menotropin — Complete Research Guide (2026)

Last updated 2026-06-30

TL;DR

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

What is Menotropin?

Menotropin, or human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), is a purified gonadotropin preparation containing both FSH and LH activity, historically extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women; the highly purified form is marketed as Menopur. It is FDA- and EMA-approved for controlled ovarian stimulation in ART and for ovulation induction in anovulatory women.

Evidence includes a large randomized assessor-blind trial (MERIT) and several meta-analyses comparing highly purified hMG with recombinant FSH; the data are human and well established.

How does Menotropin work?

Its combined FSH and LH activity stimulates ovarian follicular recruitment and growth (FSH) while supporting theca-cell androgen and estradiol production (LH), driving multifollicular development in stimulated cycles.

What does the research say about Menotropin?

  • Highly purified hMG produces live birth and ongoing pregnancy rates at least comparable to recombinant FSH in IVF/ICSI, with some meta-analyses favouring hMG. [2]
  • In the randomized MERIT trial, highly purified hMG achieved clinical outcomes similar to recombinant FSH in a long agonist IVF protocol. [1]
  • Pooled meta-analysis of hMG versus recombinant FSH found a small but significant advantage in clinical pregnancy/live birth for hMG. [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] Clinical outcome following stimulation with highly purified hMG or recombinant FSH in patients undergoing IVF: a randomized assessor-blind controlled trial — Andersen AN et al., Human Reproduction 2006. (Randomized assessor-blind controlled trial (MERIT))
  • [2] Urinary hMG versus recombinant FSH for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation following an agonist long down-regulation protocol in IVF or ICSI treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Coomarasamy A et al., Human Reproduction 2008. (Systematic review / meta-analysis (human RCTs))
  • [3] Efficacy and safety of human menopausal gonadotrophins versus recombinant FSH: a meta-analysis — Al-Inany HG et al., Reproductive BioMedicine Online 2008. (Meta-analysis (human RCTs))
  • [4] Effectiveness of human menopausal gonadotropin versus recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in assisted reproductive cycles: a meta-analysis — van Wely M et al., Fertility and Sterility 2003. (Meta-analysis (human RCTs))
  • [5] Clinical efficacy of highly purified hMG versus recombinant FSH in IVF/ICSI cycles: a meta-analysis — Jee BC et al., Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 2010. (Meta-analysis (human RCTs))
  • [6] Influence of ovarian stimulation with HP-hMG or recombinant FSH on embryo quality parameters in patients undergoing IVF — Ziebe S et al., Human Reproduction 2007. (Randomized controlled trial substudy (MERIT))

Dosing context

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

In monitored cycles it is given as daily subcutaneous (or intramuscular) injections during the stimulation phase, with the dose titrated to ovarian response measured by ultrasound and estradiol.

Figures are context only and reflect specialist-managed ART; they are not a dosing recommendation.

Side effects & safety profile

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the principal serious class risk, and stimulating multiple follicles increases the likelihood of multiple pregnancy; both require individualized dosing and close cycle monitoring.

Injection-site reactions, headache, abdominal or pelvic pain, bloating and ovarian enlargement are commonly reported.

Treatment is prescribed and supervised by a fertility specialist.

Stacking & combinations

It provides combined FSH/LH stimulation during the stimulation phase and is followed by an hCG trigger for final oocyte maturation, always under specialist supervision.

Finding Menotropin vendors

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Frequently asked questions

It is human menopausal gonadotropin, a preparation with both FSH and LH activity used for ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI and for ovulation induction in anovulatory women, under specialist care.

References

  1. [1] Clinical outcome following stimulation with highly purified hMG or recombinant FSH in patients undergoing IVF: a randomized assessor-blind controlled trial — Andersen AN et al., Human Reproduction 2006. PMID: 16873892. View sourceStudy: Randomized assessor-blind controlled trial (MERIT)Highly purified hMG gave clinical outcomes comparable to recombinant FSH, with a higher ongoing pregnancy rate in the reported analysis.
  2. [2] Urinary hMG versus recombinant FSH for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation following an agonist long down-regulation protocol in IVF or ICSI treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Coomarasamy A et al., Human Reproduction 2008. PMID: 18056719. View sourceStudy: Systematic review / meta-analysis (human RCTs)hMG was associated with a modest but statistically significant higher live birth rate than recombinant FSH in long agonist protocols.
  3. [3] Efficacy and safety of human menopausal gonadotrophins versus recombinant FSH: a meta-analysis — Al-Inany HG et al., Reproductive BioMedicine Online 2008. PMID: 18252052. View sourceStudy: Meta-analysis (human RCTs)Menopausal gonadotrophins showed a small significant advantage in pregnancy outcomes over recombinant FSH.
  4. [4] Effectiveness of human menopausal gonadotropin versus recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in assisted reproductive cycles: a meta-analysis — van Wely M et al., Fertility and Sterility 2003. PMID: 14607553. View sourceStudy: Meta-analysis (human RCTs)Early pooled analysis found comparable pregnancy rates between hMG and recombinant FSH in ART cycles.
  5. [5] Clinical efficacy of highly purified hMG versus recombinant FSH in IVF/ICSI cycles: a meta-analysis — Jee BC et al., Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 2010. PMID: 20389096. View sourceStudy: Meta-analysis (human RCTs)Highly purified hMG yielded clinical pregnancy rates comparable to recombinant FSH in IVF/ICSI cycles.
  6. [6] Influence of ovarian stimulation with HP-hMG or recombinant FSH on embryo quality parameters in patients undergoing IVF — Ziebe S et al., Human Reproduction 2007. PMID: 17640944. View sourceStudy: Randomized controlled trial substudy (MERIT)Stimulation with highly purified hMG was associated with a higher proportion of top-quality embryos than recombinant FSH.
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.