Hormonal & Endocrine

hCG

HCG · human chorionic gonadotropin · choriogonadotropin alfa · Pregnyl · Novarel

Human chorionic gonadotropin is an LH-receptor agonist used as a prescription fertility and hypogonadism drug (Pregnyl, Novarel; recombinant Ovidrel is a pen). Vials are labeled in IU, not mcg - reconstitution math is IU ÷ mL. In men it is a WADA S2 prohibited substance at all times. This page is for vial math, not a protocol.

WADA (S2) - prohibited in sport at all times

Quick answer

What it is: Human chorionic gonadotropin is an LH-receptor agonist used as a prescription fertility and hypogonadism drug (Pregnyl, Novarel; recombinant Ovidrel is a pen).

Typical research dose: 250-500 IU 2–3×/week (male hypogonadism / TRT adjunct); fertility doses are indication-specific

Reconstitution calculator ↓Online TRT clinics compared →

Research summary, not medical advice.

Reviewed by Kymata Health Editorial Team

·Last updated: August 2026·Evidence: High·1 peer-reviewed citation

Typical research dose

250-500 IU 2–3×/week (male hypogonadism / TRT adjunct); fertility doses are indication-specific

Frequency

2–3× weekly (SC or IM)

Half-life

~32–33 hours SC/IM (PMID 9688371)

Common vials

5000 IU / 10000 IU

CAS

9002-61-3

Molecular weight

~36–37 kDa (urinary hCG)

Use-case scores

0–10 against the evidence we have, not a gym ranking. Hidden domains do not apply here.

Sexual / hormonal8/10
Labeled fertility and selected hypogonadism uses. Ceiling 9; haircut because this page is vial math, not a fertility protocol, and gray-market IU vials are not Pregnyl.

Compound card

Class: LH-receptor agonist glycoprotein (Pregnyl/Novarel; IU math)
Formula: Glycoprotein (α/β heterodimer)
Status: FDA-approved

Dose it

5000 IU + 1 mL BAC water → 5000 IU/mL · 250 IU ≈ 5 units (U-100)

Open in calculator

How it works

hCG is a glycoprotein hormone with an identical receptor target to luteinizing hormone. Urinary products (Pregnyl, Novarel) are labeled in USP/IU. Recombinant choriogonadotropin alfa (Ovidrel) is dosed in micrograms as a prefilled pen and is not this reconstitution job.

After IM or SC injection, terminal half-life is about 32–33 hours (PMID 9688371). Pregnyl 10,000 USP units reconstitutes with 1–10 mL of the supplied benzyl-alcohol diluent. Draw math is IU, not mcg - do not apply the usual mg×1000 conversion.

Source: Pregnyl PI (Organon); PMID: 9688371 (SC vs IM t½ ~32–33 h)

Dose in IU, not mcg

A 5,000 IU vial + 1 mL diluent is 5,000 IU/mL. On a U-100 syringe, 1 unit = 50 IU, so 250 IU is 5 units. Enter IU in the calculator - it will not multiply by 1,000.

Research Use Cases

✓Fertility / hypogonadism: High
✓Sport: Low

Dosing

Phase	Dose	Frequency	Notes
Male hypogonadism / TRT adjunct (off-label community range)	250–500 IU	2–3× weekly SC	Not a substitute for labeled fertility protocols. Monitor estradiol and hematocrit with a clinician.
Labeled fertility (example only)	5,000–10,000 IU	Per indication (ovulation trigger / spermatogenesis regimens)	Follow the product PI. Do not copy TRT adjunct math onto an IVF trigger.

Administration

Route / form

Intramuscular (labeled Pregnyl) or subcutaneous (bioequivalent in PMID 9688371)

Timing

Per protocol. Multi-dose reconstituted Pregnyl may be refrigerated and discarded after 60 days per US PI.

Empty stomach?

No - Food timing is not critical.

hCG: Pregnyl / Novarel IU vial vs Ovidrel prefilled syringe

Pregnyl / Novarel IU vial

Bioavailability

Urinary hCG, labeled in IU. SC and IM are both used; terminal t½ is about 32–33 hours in older SC vs IM work (PMID 9688371). Do not convert IU to mcg without the product’s specific activity.

Dose note

Reconstitute the lyophilized IU cake per the insert or a checkable IU chart. Example on this site: 5000 IU + 1 mL → 5000 IU/mL; 250 IU = 0.05 mL = 5 units on a U-100. Male hypogonadism adjunct folklore is not a fertility protocol from this page.

Advantages

This is the multi-dose IU vial math the calculator is for.
Prescription products exist (Pregnyl, Novarel). Gray-market IU cakes are not those inserts.

Considerations

IU ≠ mcg. Do not run a 250 mcg BPC chart on a 5000 IU vial.
WADA S2 in men at all times. This leaf is identity plus vial math, not PCT blogging.

Ovidrel prefilled syringe

Bioavailability

Recombinant choriogonadotropin alfa. Ovidrel is a 250 mcg prefilled syringe, already in solution. That mcg figure is the recombinant product’s labeled mass, not a conversion from Pregnyl IU.

Dose note

Inject the labeled syringe. Do not add BAC water. Do not put Ovidrel into the reconstitution calculator. Do not “turn 250 mcg Ovidrel into IU” with a forum factor and call it Pregnyl.

Advantages

Finished device. No recon chart. This is the real split from multi-dose urinary vials.
Clinic trigger-shot workflow is the insert, not a research-chem calendar.

Considerations

Not a multi-dose pen like Ozempic. One labeled syringe, one job.
Recombinant mcg is not urinary IU. Mixing those units is how people blow a trigger dose.

Recommendation: hCG: Pregnyl/Novarel are IU vials that get reconstitution math. Ovidrel is a recombinant 250 mcg prefilled syringe, not a BAC cake and not an IU conversion toy. IU ≠ mcg. This page will not run fertility or TRT from a calculator.

Timeline

Hours–days

Serum hCG detectable; Leydig-cell testosterone rise in men is not immediate.

Weeks

Spermatogenesis and fertility protocols run on labeled multi-week schedules.

Who it is for

Fertility / hypogonadism

High

FDA-approved indications exist. This site does not prescribe - it does vial math.

Sport

Low

WADA S2 in males at all times. A reconstitution page is not a therapeutic-use exemption.

Reconstitution

Vial	Water	Concentration	Example dose
5000 IU lyophilized	1 mL sterile/BAC	5000 IU/mL	250 IU = 0.05 mL = 5 units on a U-100.

Change vial size or water volume? Open the reconstitution calculator.

Safety & Considerations

Prescription gonadotropin. Risks include OHSS in stimulated cycles, gynecomastia and erythrocytosis in men, and injection-site reactions. WADA-prohibited in males. Recombinant Ovidrel is a different presentation (pen, mcg).

Regulatory & Legal Status

FDA Status (US)

Approved

FDA-approved as Pregnyl®, Novarel® (urinary); recombinant choriogonadotropin alfa as Ovidrel® (pen)

WADA Status (2026)

Prohibited (S2)

Competitive athletes subject to anti-doping controls should not use hCG.

Classification

Prescription Drug

US Compounding: Not eligible / not available

⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory updates. Always verify with official FDA, WADA, and jurisdiction-specific sources before use.

Limits of current evidence

Do not convert IU to mg without the product’s specific activity.
This site will not treat infertility or hypogonadism from an hCG page.

Verdict

hCG is a prescription glycoprotein dosed in IU. Pregnyl/Novarel are labeled products. Ovidrel is recombinant in a pen. WADA S2 in men. This leaf is reconstitution identity, not a PCT blog.

Interactions & Contraindications

Appears in goal guides

Goal guides are maps, not clinic protocols. A mention here is not a treatment plan.

Post-Cycle Endocrine Restoration (HPTA)

Educational PCT map: Testoluten, Libidon, Glandokort, plus Enclomiphene and Kisspeptin. Not a license to run steroids. Physician-owned.

View Protocol →

Frequently Asked Questions

Pregnyl vial or Ovidrel syringe?▼

Pregnyl and Novarel are multi-dose IU vials that get reconstitution math. Ovidrel is recombinant choriogonadotropin alfa as a 250 mcg prefilled syringe: no BAC water, no IU conversion. IU ≠ mcg. This page is identity, not a fertility protocol.

Why can I not enter milligrams for hCG?▼

Urinary hCG vials are labeled in IU. Specific activity (IU per mg) is not 1:1 with somatropin and is not printed as a simple 3 IU/mg conversion. Use the IU calculator mode.

How many units is 250 IU after 5,000 IU in 1 mL?▼

5,000 IU/mL means 50 IU per U-100 syringe unit. 250 IU = 5 units. 500 IU = 10 units.

Is Ovidrel the same math?▼

No. Ovidrel is recombinant hCG in a prefilled syringe dosed in micrograms. Do not run Pregnyl IU math on Ovidrel.

References

Organon “Pregnyl (chorionic gonadotropin) prescribing information.” US PI (current).

Prescription options: compare licensed telehealth providers

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