What are HCG side effects in men?

Headache, mood changes, breast tenderness or growth from raised estrogen, fluid retention and injection-site pain.

Is HCG banned in sport?

Yes for men: WADA prohibits it.

Does HCG help with weight loss?

No. The FDA-approved label says HCG has not been shown to be effective for obesity, and no HCG product is approved for weight loss.

What is HCG approved for?

Certain cases of male hypogonadism caused by pituitary problems, undescended testicles in boys, and ovulation induction under specialist care.

Are HCG diet drops legal?

No. The FDA and FTC have said over-the-counter homeopathic HCG weight-loss products are unapproved drugs that should not be used.

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): Evidence and Reports

1 anonymous report

Gonadorelin vs HCG Peptides for Testosterone

Also known as:

human chorionic gonadotropinhcg injectionpregnylchoragonovidrelnovarel

often mentioned with:

Melanotan II PT-141 Kisspeptin Gonadorelin

What is HCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone made in pregnancy that acts like luteinising hormone (LH). Prescription HCG (for example Pregnyl and Novarel) is FDA approved for certain cases of low testosterone caused by pituitary problems in men, undescended testicles in boys, and ovulation induction under specialist care. Men's-health clinics also prescribe it alongside testosterone therapy to support testicular function, which is an off-label use.

What the evidence and FDA say

The prescription label states in capitals that HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective therapy for obesity and has no known effect on fat mobilisation, appetite or fat distribution. The FDA and FTC have warned that over-the-counter "homeopathic" HCG drops, pellets and sprays sold for the "HCG diet" are unapproved and illegal, and that the very-low-calorie diets paired with them carry risks such as gallstones and heart-rhythm problems.

Label warnings include ovarian hyperstimulation in fertility use, blood clots, allergic reactions, and early puberty when used in children. Last reviewed: October 2026.

HCG uses at a glance

Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

Use	Status	Notes
Male hypogonadism from pituitary problems	Approved	Specialist care
Undescended testicles in boys	Approved	Surgery is often preferred
Ovulation induction, IVF trigger	Approved	Risk of ovarian hyperstimulation
Alongside testosterone therapy	Off-label	Used to help preserve testicular size and sperm production
Weight loss, "HCG diet"	Not effective; OTC products illegal	FDA and FTC warnings
Muscle building	Not approved	Prohibited in sport for men under WADA rules

Side effects people describe

Label-listed effects include headache, irritability, tiredness, depression, breast tenderness or growth in men (HCG raises testosterone, some of which converts to estrogen), fluid retention and injection-site pain. HCG causes a positive pregnancy test. Compare with gonadorelin and see peptides for testosterone.

Anonymous HCG reports

I have been on Retatrutide for 90 days as of tomorrow. Around the same time, I started taking daily low-dose Tadalafil at 5 mg per day. Shortly after, I began taking 140 mg of testosterone per week, divided up twice/wk, along with 750 mg of HCG. I then started taking 20 mg per day of Telmisartan, followed shortly thereafter by LDN (currently at 4.5 mg before bed each day). I have a regiment of supplements (NAC, TUDCA, Taurine, Magnesium Glycinate, L-theanine, Methylene Blue, D3/k2), and 600mg injectable Glutathione/wk. But I am also drinking about 375 mL of vodka per day. I know it's killing me. I hate what it does to my family, my body, and my mind, but I don't know how to stop. I am hoping, with just the smallest bit of hope that I have left, that this regiment is doing at least the bare minimum to add some extra years to my life while I figure out how to kill this demon.

#785

Fertility

If you have used prescribed HCG, submit what happened.

Submit yours

Community Q&A

What are HCG side effects in men?: Headache, mood changes, breast tenderness or growth from raised estrogen, fluid retention and injection-site pain.
Is HCG banned in sport?: Yes for men: WADA prohibits it.
Does HCG help with weight loss?: No. The FDA-approved label says HCG has not been shown to be effective for obesity, and no HCG product is approved for weight loss.
What is HCG approved for?: Certain cases of male hypogonadism caused by pituitary problems, undescended testicles in boys, and ovulation induction under specialist care.
Are HCG diet drops legal?: No. The FDA and FTC have said over-the-counter homeopathic HCG weight-loss products are unapproved drugs that should not be used.

Anonymous first-hand reports plus sourced context — educational only, not medical advice. Editorial policy & corrections.