HCG For Men: Testosterone, Weight Loss, Side Effects & More

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HealthlineSubscribeHuman Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Injections for Men

Medically reviewed by Andrew Cox, PharmD, MBA — Written by the Healthline Medical Network — Updated on October 13, 2025

Why hCG is used
How it works
What the research says
Side effects
Weight loss
Safety
Summary

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved hCG injections to treat specific medical conditions. In females assigned at birth (FAABs), they can help treat infertility. In males assigned at birth (MAABs), they can treat a type of hypogonadism.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is sometimes called “the pregnancy hormone” because of its important role in maintaining pregnancy.

Pregnancy tests check hCG levels in the urine or blood to determine if a person is pregnant or not.

Read on to learn how it can be used for MAABs.

What is hCG used for in men?

There are a variety of reasons why a doctor might prescribe hCG to a man.

To help address hypogonadism

In men, doctors prescribe hCG to help address the symptoms of hypogonadism, such as low testosterone and infertility. hCG can help the body increase its production of testosterone and sperm, which can help reduce infertility.

To improve testosterone deficiency

Injections of hCG are also sometimes used as an alternative to testosterone products in MAABs with testosterone deficiency.

Testosterone deficiency is defined as testosterone blood levels less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) along with symptoms of low testosterone. These include:

fatigue
stress
a low sex drive
depressed mood

According to the American Urological Association, hCG is appropriate for those MAABs with testosterone deficiency who also desire to maintain fertility.

Testosterone products boost levels of the hormone in the body but can have the side effects of shrinking the gonads, altering sexual function, and causing infertility.

hCG can help increase:

gonad size
testosterone levels
fertility

Some doctors believe that using testosterone along with hCG may help improve symptoms of testosterone deficiency while preventing some of testosterone’s side effects.

To improve sexual function

hCG may also help improve sexual function in MAABs who don’t experience improvement while on testosterone.

To reverse steroid side effects

Bodybuilders who take anabolic steroids such as testosterone also sometimes use hCG to help prevent or reverse some of the side effects steroids cause, such as gonad shrinkage and infertility.

How does it work to increase testosterone?

In men, hCG acts like luteinizing hormone (LH). LH stimulates Leydig cells in the testicles, which results in the production of testosterone.

LH also stimulates production of sperm within structures in the testicles called seminiferous tubules.

As hCG stimulates the testicles to produce testosterone and sperm, the testicles grow in size over time.

What does the research say?

Some recent clinical research has evaluated hCG in people assigned male at birth with low testosterone levels.

According to a 2018 study, hCG can help MAABs with hypogonadism preserve their fertility, whether it’s used alone or in combination with testosterone. It can help restore sperm production as well.

A small 2019 study concluded that hCG was safe and effective for MAABs who experience the symptoms of hypogonadism but have testosterone levels above 300 ng/dL. Testosterone levels above 300 ng/dL are widely considered normal.

A 2021 study notes that hCG is can be an effective alternative to exogenous testosterone in males wishing to preserve fertility.

According to a 2022 study of 31 males with hypogonadal symptoms but baseline testosterone greater than 300 ng/dL, hCG monotherapy led to subjective improvements in libido (80% of participants), energy (79% of participants), and erectile dysfunction (86% of participants).

This suggests hCG may benefit males with symptoms who do not meet the strict biochemical criteria for testosterone therapy.

A 2024 review emphasizes that for males with hypogonadism who wish to remain fertile, hCG and gonadotropin medications are the most reliable alternatives to testosterone replacement therapy, while other options remain experimental or limited by safety and practicality.

What are the side effects of hCG for males?

For people assigned male at birth, the most common side effects of hCG injections include:

gynecomastia, or the growth of male breasts
pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
stomach pain
nausea
vomiting

In rare cases, people taking hCG have developed blood clots. Although also rare, allergic reactions can occur, including mild skin rashes and severe anaphylactic reactions.

Can hCG be used for weight loss?

The hormone is sometimes used for weight loss. Several products are available that are marketed as over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic hCG products for weight loss.

However, the FDA has warned that it hasn’t approved hCG products for the purpose of weight loss. Any OTC products claiming to contain hCG aren’t legally authorized, either.

The FDA has also advised consumers that there’s no substantial evidence that hCG works for weight loss.

These products are often used as part of an “hCG diet.” This typically involves taking hCG supplements while following a low calorie diet of 500 calories per day.

Although this low calorie diet can help reduce weight, there’s no evidence that using hCG products helps.

Additionally, this extremely low calorie diet can be unsafe for many people. Possible side effects of extremely restrictive diets include:

gallstones
electrolyte imbalances
arrhythmias

Is hCG safe for males?

When used appropriately with the guidance of a doctor, hCG is considered safe.

However, it shouldn’t be used by people assigned male at birth with prostate cancer, certain brain cancers, or uncontrolled thyroid disease.

Speak with your doctor about other medical conditions you may have before using hCG.

Additionally, hCG is produced from hamster ovary cells. People with an allergy to hamster protein shouldn’t take hCG.

You should avoid all OTC hCG products, since none of them have been FDA approved. The FDA warns against using these products or following the hCG diet.

Takeaway

The hormone hCG is an FDA-approved medication for treating specific conditions in people assigned both male and female at birth.

In males, it may play important role as an alternative to testosterone for boosting testosterone levels and maintaining fertility.

Some doctors prescribe hCG alongside testosterone products for testosterone deficiency to help maintain fertility and sexual function.

Some people are also using hCG for weight loss. However, there’s no reliable evidence that hCG works for this purpose. Due to concerns about its safety, it’s best to avoid it as a weight loss aid.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Avoid dangerous hCG diet products. (2020).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/avoid-dangerous-hcg-diet-products
Jayasena CN, et al. Society for Endocrinology guidelines for testosterone replacement therapy for male hypogonadism.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/cen.14633
Lee JA, et al. (2018). Indications for the use of human chorionic gonadotropic hormone for the management of infertility in hypogonadal men.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6087849
Lockie AWC, et al. (2024). Diagnosis and treatment of hypogonadism in men seeking to preserve fertility – what are the options?https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-024-00897-4
Madhusoodanan V, et al. (2019). Human chorionic gonadotropin monotherapy for the treatment of hypogonadal symptoms in men with total testosterone > 300 ng/dL.https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1677-55382019000501008&tlng=en
Mulhall JP, et al. (2018). Evaluation and management of testosterone deficiency.https://www.auanet.org/guidelines/testosterone-deficiency-guideline
Rainer Q, et al. (2022). 9 safety of human chorionic gonadotropin monotherapy for men with hypogonadal symptoms and testosterone >300 ng/dL.https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article-abstract/19/Supplement_1/S5/7013359
Zucker I, et al. (2022). Efficacy and safety of human chorionic gonadotropin monotherapy for men with hypogonadal symptoms and normal testosterone.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9246432/

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Medically reviewed by Andrew Cox, PharmD, MBA — Written by the Healthline Medical Network — Updated on October 13, 2025

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