HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) (2,000 IU)
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a glycoprotein hormone that acts on the same receptor as LH. It is sold as an approved prescription medicine at other doses and for other indications. The numbers below are data from research sources and not instructions for use.
Reviewed by the AllPeptides.eu Editorial Team·Last reviewed: 2026-10-31
Educational information. Not medical advice, and no efficacy claim is implied. Regulatory approval is not a use recommendation by AllPeptides.eu.
⚠️ For informational/educational purposes only. Not medical advice. We do not sell any products. Self-treatment carries serious risks — consult a healthcare professional. Disclaimer
Research monograph
See the full HCG encyclopedia page with mechanism, evidence tier, related variants and research context.
How It Works
HCG binds to the LH/CG receptor. In men it stimulates the Leydig cells to produce testosterone. In women it acts on the ovaries and can induce ovulation in an ovary already prepared with gonadotropins.
Quick Start
- Vial: 2,000 IU. With 1 mL of bacteriostatic water the concentration is 2,000 IU/mL.
- Standard schedule in the sources: 500 IU, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks.
- Route: the research sources state subcutaneous. The approved FDA labels state intramuscular only.
- Human data: these exist, with schedules that differ from the table.
Schedules from research sources: HCG 2,000 IU
Route: Subcutaneous in the research sources · intramuscular on the FDA labels | Frequency: 3 times a week
| Week | Dose | Units (per injection) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard schedule, weeks 1–12 | 500 IU | 25 units (0.25 mL) |
| Higher schedule, weeks 1–4 | 1,500 IU | 75 units (0.75 mL) |
| Higher schedule, weeks 5–8 | 2,000 IU | 100 units (1 mL) |
| Higher schedule, weeks 9–12 | 1,000 IU | 50 units (0.50 mL) |
The two schedules are published with the same numbers on peptidedosages.com and peptidedosage.org (accessed 31/10/2026). They do not come from a clinical trial. The units correspond to 2,000 IU/mL. The randomized study Coviello 2005 used administration every other day for 3 weeks, so it does not directly support the frequency in the table.
Related compounds
Reconstitution Steps
- The sources describe 1 mL of bacteriostatic water for the 2,000 IU vial, which gives 2,000 IU/mL.
- peptidedosages.com also carries the line "2 mL = 2,000 IU/mL", which does not add up. The table uses 1 mL.
Protocol Overview
- HCG activates the LH/CG receptor on the Leydig cells of the testes and in the ovaries.
- The FDA has approved chorionic gonadotropin for specific indications, such as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and induction of ovulation, under medical supervision.
Dosing Protocol
- Research sources: 500 IU, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks. The higher schedule has three phases: 1,500, 2,000 and 1,000 IU.
- FDA label, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: 500–1,000 USP units 3 times a week for 3 weeks, then 2 times a week for 3 weeks. Alternatively 4,000 units 3 times a week for 6–9 months, then 2,000 units 3 times a week for 3 months. Intramuscular, under medical supervision.
- Coviello 2005: 29 healthy men on weekly testosterone, administration every other day for 3 weeks. With 125, 250 and 500 IU, intratesticular testosterone was 25% below, 7% below and 26% above the baseline value.
- Hsieh 2013: retrospective series of 26 men on testosterone therapy, 500 IU intramuscularly every other day. None became azoospermic at the mean follow-up of 6.2 months.
Storage Instructions
- The FDA label states that reconstituted solution not used immediately is stored at 2–8 °C and discarded after 60 days.
Important Notes
- The numbers are data from sources and not instructions. Administering HCG outside medical supervision carries risks, listed below.
- The subcutaneous route does not appear on the labels. Pregnyl and Novarel state "intramuscular use only".
- HCG has not been shown to be effective for weight. The FDA label and the Lijesen 1995 meta-analysis both state this.
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
Potential Benefits:
- In healthy volunteers with drug-induced gonadotropin suppression (a physiology experiment): intratesticular testosterone was maintained (Coviello 2005, 29 men)
Potential Side Effects:
- The FDA label lists headache, irritability, fatigue, edema, gynecomastia and pain at the administration site.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women, which can quickly progress to a serious event.
- In women, thromboembolism, usually linked to severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
⚠️ Serious Warnings & Long-Term Risks
The following warnings are based on published literature, FDA labels, and post-marketing surveillance. They do not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional.
OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome)
In women, HCG can cause severe OHSS (ascites, thromboembolism, renal failure). In men, possible gynecomastia from aromatization.
📄 FDA Label — Pregnyl®References
- Coviello AD et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005;90(5):2595-602 — Randomized study in 29 men with low-dose HCG and intratesticular testosterone.
View Source - Hsieh TC et al. J Urol 2013;189(2):647-650 — Retrospective series of 26 men, intramuscular HCG alongside testosterone.
View Source - Lijesen GK et al. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1995;40(3):237-43 — Meta-analysis of 24 studies: no scientific evidence of HCG effectiveness in obesity.
View Source - Pregnyl label, FDA (effective 02/12/2025) — Approved indications, doses, intramuscular route, storage and warnings.
View Source - peptidedosages.com: HCG 2000 IU — Research source for the schedules in the table. Accessed 31/10/2026.
View Source - peptidedosage.org: HCG — Second research source with the same schedules. Accessed 31/10/2026.
View Source - Novarel label, FDA (effective 27/08/2025) — Intramuscular route.
View Source
Recommended Supplements
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)
Folate (5-MTHF)
External Sources & Regulatory Status
Regulatory Approvals
Pregnyl® / Ovidrel® · Infertility / Ovulation induction (1975)
Ovitrelle® · Infertility
Infertility
Approved worldwide
Educational information. Not medical advice, and no efficacy claim is implied. Regulatory approval is not a use recommendation by AllPeptides.eu.
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