HMG
HMG / Menotropin (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin: purified urinary FSH + LH 1:1 ratio)
Highly purified menotrophin (urinary-derived) containing FSH and LH activity in a 1:1 ratio. Each Menopur 75 IU vial contains 75 IU FSH + 75 IU LH. Brand: Menopur (Ferring); historical brands Pergonal, Repronex (discontinued).\n\nFDA-approved (Menopur, 2007): controlled ovarian stimulation in women undergoing IVF. FEMALE FERTILITY ONLY.\n\nOff-label biohacker uses (MALE, off-label): male HPTA shutdown recovery (post-AAS PCT), male hypogonadism with very low FSH (azoospermia), fertility restoration in TRT-suppressed men (combined with HCG). Rationale: HCG stimulates Leydig cells but does not restart FSH-driven Sertoli function. HMG adds the FSH to support spermatogenesis recovery in men with severely suppressed ITT and FSH after long AAS or TRT cycles.\n\nWADA: prohibited at all times.
At a glance
- Half-life
- ~24 h FSH component: ~36h. LH component: ~10-20h. Combined functional half-life ~32h. Supports 2-3x weekly SubQ dosing.
- Routes
- SubQ · IM
- Evidence base
- 2 studies 2 human
Mechanism
HMG provides exogenous FSH (stimulates Sertoli cells → spermatogenesis) and LH (stimulates Leydig cells → testosterone). LH activity is largely redundant with HCG (which has potent LH-receptor agonism); the FSH activity is the unique HMG contribution for male fertility restoration. In published protocols, HCG alone preserves spermatogenesis in TRT men in mild cases and provides the baseline against which HMG addition is evaluated for severe cases.
Dosing
Any amounts shown here are reported from published studies only. 2 of 2 catalogued studies involved human subjects. COMPOUND does not publish its own dosing guidance.
Where a study reports an amount, it appears in that study's entry below, attributed to the source.
Published evidence
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Human RCT 2005
Low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin maintains intratesticular testosterone in normal men with testosterone-induced gonadotropin suppression
250 IU HCG every other day maintains ITT in men on TRT, the foundational protocol HMG is added to in advanced HPTA recovery cases.
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Human observational 2013
Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy
HCG-only protocol preserves spermatogenesis in TRT men (no FSH addition needed in mild cases). Provides the baseline against which HMG addition is evaluated.
Reported side effects
- Injection site reaction
- Common Mild · Local pain, redness; generally mild. FDA label.
- Headache
- Common Mild · FDA label.
- Abdominal pain / bloating (female)
- Common Moderate · From ovarian stimulation; female-specific. FDA label.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (female only)
- Occasional Serious · Female-specific; not relevant for male PCT use. FDA label.
- Gynecomastia (male)
- Occasional Moderate · From elevated estradiol via aromatized testosterone; manage with AI if needed.
- Multiple gestation (female)
- Occasional Moderate · Risk of twins/triplets in female fertility use; not relevant for male PCT. FDA label.
Interactions
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HCG Synergy
HCG provides LH activity; HMG adds FSH. Together they provide complete gonadotropin replacement for HPTA recovery.
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Test Cypionate Caution
TRT suppresses HPTA; HMG can partially counter but is not typically used DURING TRT (use is for restoration POST-TRT or fertility window).
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Enclomiphene Redundant
Both restore HPTA; mechanism differs (Enclomiphene = SERM at hypothalamus; HMG = direct gonadotropin replacement).
Reconstitution and storage
Menopur 75 IU lyophilized vial. Reconstitute with 1 mL of supplied diluent (sodium chloride 0.9%). Yields 75 IU/mL. For doses >75 IU, typically multiple vials reconstituted into a single syringe or use a multi-dose preparation. SubQ male PCT: same reconstitution; inject 0.5-1 mL.
Lyophilized: refrigerated 2-8°C, can be stored at room temp up to 25°C briefly. Reconstituted: refrigerated; use within 24-28 days (FDA label conservative; biohacker community uses up to 30 days).