hCG vs hMG
hCG behaves like luteinising hormone, acting on Leydig and theca cells to drive testosterone and ovulation signalling. hMG carries follicle-stimulating hormone as well, which is what drives follicle growth and the later stages of sperm production; fertility protocols often pair the two for that reason.
hCG
A placental glycoprotein hormone that mimics luteinising hormone (LH), stimulating testicular testosterone production — a prescription fertility medicine.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Reproductive axis
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hMG
A gonadotropin preparation purified from urine that carries both FSH and LH activity, used in assisted reproduction.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Reproductive axis
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SIDE BY SIDE
| hCG | hMG | |
|---|---|---|
| The key difference | LH-like signal only | FSH plus LH activity |
| Class | Reproductive axis | Reproductive axis |
| Mechanism | hCG binds the LH/hCG receptor on Leydig cells, stimulating testosterone and supporting spermatogenesis. | hMG supplies follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which drives follicle growth in the ovary and supports spermatogenesis in the testis, together with luteinising-hormone (LH) activity, which acts on theca and Leydig cells. |
| Status | Registered prescription medicine (fertility). Androgen-related use is regulated; in sport it is prohibited for men. | Registered prescription fertility medicine, used under specialist supervision in IVF/ICSI cycles and in some male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism protocols. |
| Reported safety signals | Clinical series report it as generally well tolerated; oestradiol rises and gynaecomastia are described in the androgen literature. | In IVF meta-analyses, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome rates were not significantly different from recombinant FSH. It is a clinical medicine with specialist monitoring. |
| A key study | Reported that hCG alongside testosterone therapy preserved spermatogenesis in men. (J Urol 2013, PMID 23260550) | A meta-analysis of IVF/ICSI cycles reported a higher live-birth rate with hMG than recombinant FSH (OR 1.20), with no significant difference in OHSS rates. (Reprod Biomed Online 2008, PMID 18252052) |
WHEN TO RESEARCH WHICH
hCG for LH-pathway research; hMG where FSH activity is the variable under study. Both are discussed here strictly as research compounds; nothing on this page is medical advice or a dosing guide.
REFERENCES (PUBMED)
- [hCG] Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy — J Urol 2013. PMID 23260550
- [hCG] Human chorionic gonadotropin treatment: a viable option for management of secondary hypogonadism and male infertility — Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2021. PMID 33345656
- [hCG] Optimal restoration of spermatogenesis after testosterone therapy using human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle-stimulating hormone — Fertil Steril 2025. PMID 39442683
- [hMG] Efficacy and safety of human menopausal gonadotrophins versus recombinant FSH: a meta-analysis — Reprod Biomed Online 2008. PMID 18252052
- [hMG] Clinical efficacy of highly purified hMG versus recombinant FSH in IVF/ICSI cycles: a meta-analysis — Gynecol Obstet Invest 2010. PMID 20389096
- [hMG] Predicting pregnancy and spermatogenesis by survival analysis during gonadotrophin treatment of gonadotrophin-deficient infertile men — Hum Reprod 2002. PMID 11870114
FREQUENTLY ASKED
What is the difference between hCG and hMG?
hCG behaves like luteinising hormone, acting on Leydig and theca cells to drive testosterone and ovulation signalling. hMG carries follicle-stimulating hormone as well, which is what drives follicle growth and the later stages of sperm production; fertility protocols often pair the two for that reason.
What is the regulatory status of hCG and hMG?
hCG: Registered prescription medicine (fertility). Androgen-related use is regulated; in sport it is prohibited for men. hMG: Registered prescription fertility medicine, used under specialist supervision in IVF/ICSI cycles and in some male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism protocols.
What safety signals have been reported?
hCG: Clinical series report it as generally well tolerated; oestradiol rises and gynaecomastia are described in the androgen literature. hMG: In IVF meta-analyses, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome rates were not significantly different from recombinant FSH. It is a clinical medicine with specialist monitoring.
Which studies is this comparison based on?
For hCG: “Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy” (PMID 23260550); “Human chorionic gonadotropin treatment: a viable option for management of secondary hypogonadism and male infertility” (PMID 33345656); “Optimal restoration of spermatogenesis after testosterone therapy using human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle-stimulating hormone” (PMID 39442683). For hMG: “Efficacy and safety of human menopausal gonadotrophins versus recombinant FSH: a meta-analysis” (PMID 18252052); “Clinical efficacy of highly purified hMG versus recombinant FSH in IVF/ICSI cycles: a meta-analysis” (PMID 20389096); “Predicting pregnancy and spermatogenesis by survival analysis during gonadotrophin treatment of gonadotrophin-deficient infertile men” (PMID 11870114).
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