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PCT & hormone control

HMG

Provides both LH and FSH activity, covering both testicular signals, the more complete but pricier counterpart to HCG.

2 min read 5 sources

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HMG vial with white powder and the black TPD label on a white podium, next to it a large tangle of blue spheres as a hormone molecule in a bright lab
Compound approved · since 1975

Summary

At a glance

Sources checked on 26 Oct 2026

LH and FSH action
2 signals

according to ChEMBL menotropin acts at both receptors, HCG only at the LH receptor5

Sperm production with HCG plus HMG
83.3 %

18 men with congenital gonadotropin deficiency, within 24 months1

Until the first sperm
14 months

median with HCG plus HMG, with a gonadorelin pump 6 months1

Men became fathers
38 of 75

gonadotropin therapy for gonadotropin deficiency, two centres, 1981 to 20082

  • HMG (human menopausal gonadotropin, menotropin) is a hormone mixture with LH and FSH action. It has been approved as a medicine since 1975.5
  • Like HCG, the LH part acts on the Leydig cells and testosterone production. The FSH part adds the signal that matters for sperm maturation.53
  • In 18 men with congenital gonadotropin deficiency, HCG plus HMG triggered sperm production in 83.3 percent, after a median of 14 months. A gonadorelin pump was faster but not better in the end.1
  • Gonadotropin therapy takes patience: in 75 men it took a median of 7.1 months until the first sperm. 38 of them became fathers.2
  • The studies concern men with a medical hormone deficiency, not use alongside anabolic steroids. Everything here is the state of research, not a recommendation.12
Profile

Updated May 2026

Class
Menotropin

LH + FSH

Use
Subcutaneous

in IU

Half-life
hours
WADA
Banned in men

category S2

Sizes
75 IU

1 size in the shop

Contents 16 sections
  1. At a glance
  2. What is HMG?
  3. How it works
  4. What you need
  5. Mixing and units
  6. Dosing (in IU)
  7. Injection
  8. What the research shows
  9. Research status
  10. Side effects
  11. Practice
  12. Storage
  13. Related compounds
  14. FAQ
  15. Glossary
  16. Sources

What is HMG?

HMG (human menopausal gonadotropin, menotropin) contains both LH and FSH activity. That is the difference from HCG: HCG covers only the LH signal (testosterone in the testes), HMG additionally the FSH signal that matters for actual sperm maturation.

That makes HMG the more complete tool for full testicular function, but also pricier and more delicate to handle.

Comparison

Other routes to testicular function

Where each compound acts, as stated in the TPD lexicon. Tap a card to open its entry.

LH plus FSH action HMG LHCGRFSHR
LH substitute only, acts directly on the testes HCG LHCGR GnRH analogue, stimulates the pituitary Gonadorelin GnRHR Kisspeptin, one level higher Kisspeptin-10 KISS1R Oestrogen receptor blocker in the brain Enclomiphene (Androxal) ER

How it works

The LH part of HMG, like HCG, drives the Leydig cells to produce testosterone. The FSH part acts on the Sertoli cells responsible for sperm maturation. Together they cover both signals the pituitary normally sends.

For pure testicular maintenance HCG often suffices, for full sperm production the FSH part of HMG is the decisive addition.

Where it acts

Where HMG acts

Tap a point or a card. Colour = receptor, grey = effect seen in trials.

  1. Testes

    LH part for testosterone production, FSH part for sperm maturation. With HCG plus HMG, sperm production in 83.3 percent1

    LHCGRFSHR
  2. Skin and breast

    More acne and breast tenderness with high testosterone1

    Observed in trials

Targets in the ChEMBL database5

Compound CHEMBL2108427: two recorded mechanisms, type of action on each card.

LH/HCG receptor
Gene
LHCGR
UniProt
P22888
ChEMBL
CHEMBL1854
Action
Agonist, LH action
FSH receptor
Gene
FSHR
UniProt
P23945
ChEMBL
CHEMBL2024
Action
Agonist, FSH action
Glass tubules full of blue and pale spheres as cells, with two tangles of blue spheres docking onto them and lighting up
HMG acts in the testes with its LH and FSH parts. Symbolic image.

What you need

Supplies

2 things, numbered as in the picture

Tick off what you already have. Vial and BAC water are our real shop photos at the same size.

HMG vial and bacteriostatic water at the same size with the black TPD label, next to two U-100 insulin syringes, two alcohol swabs and a sharps container with a blue lid

  1. HMG vial

    The HMG vial (lyophilized powder, labeled in IU).

    In the shop

  2. Water and supplies

    Bacteriostatic water, U-100 insulin syringes, alcohol swabs.

    In the shop

Mixing and units

HMG is given in IU, not in mg. Vials are often labeled 75 or 150 IU.

  • Example: a 75 IU vial with 1ml bacteriostatic water gives 75 IU per ml, that is the whole syringe (100 units on U-100 equals the ml).
  • For partial amounts, draw up correspondingly less.

Just add the water and let it dissolve.

Step by step

Dissolving the powder

Four steps, the same for every vial size.

  1. 1Wipe the cap

    Clean the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab.

  2. 2Add BAC water

    Just add it, it does not matter if it hits the powder directly.

  3. 3Swirl or shake

    Until everything has dissolved, both are fine.

  4. 4Draw up

    With the U-100 insulin syringe.

Less water higher concentration fewer units on the syringe Example: 75 IU + 1 ml = 75 IU/ml

Dosing (in IU)

Dosing

Dosing, titration and syringe

Loading the dosing information …

  • Getting started and stepping up, drawn as a staircase
  • Units on the U-100 syringe for every step
  • How long one vial lasts

Injection

The injection is subcutaneous, into the fat layer under the skin. Common spots are the abdomen (keep about two finger-widths clear of the navel), the front and the inner side of the thigh, or the back of the upper arm.

The short version:

Injection

Where and at what angle

Pick a spot or switch the angle. Subcutaneous means: into the fat layer, not the muscle.

Rotate the spot each time, never the same one twice in a row.

90°More fat under the skin

Rule of thumb: where there is more fat under the skin, insert straight at 90 degrees. In lean people with little fat, 45 degrees, so the needle stays in the fat layer. Simplified diagram.

  1. Clean the spot with an alcohol swab and let it dry

  2. Pinch up a small fold of skin

  3. Insert the needle: at 90 degrees where there is more fat under the skin, at 45 degrees in lean people with little fat

  4. Inject slowly, wait a moment, then withdraw

  5. Put the needle straight into the sharps container

Rotate the site each time so the tissue does not get irritated. Never the same spot twice in a row.

What the research shows

Gonadotropin therapy, which includes hMG, triggers sperm production in a large share of men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (Zhang, 2019, comparing different therapies). The FSH component is decisive for sperm maturation.

Study results

What the trials measured

Interactive: switch tabs, tap points, show or hide arms. Arms are named relative to each other, no dosing advice.

Sperm production within 24 months1

Share of men in whom sperm appeared, 28 men without sperm at the start

Sperm in the ejaculate1 congenital gonadotropin deficiency, 18 and 10 men
HCG plus HMG, cyclical 83.3%
Gonadorelin pump (comparison) 90.0%

Non-randomised study. The difference was not significant. With the pump the first sperm appeared earlier (median 6 versus 14 months). Testicular volume and penile length increased in both groups.

Glass model of an ovary with glowing follicles and a fallopian tube, surrounded by bright light trails
Most menotropin studies come from fertility treatment. Symbolic image.

Research status

Where the research stands

The three trials of HMG in men on ClinicalTrials.gov have an unknown status and are left out here. Shown are trials with the same compound (menotropin) in fertility treatment for women. As of 26 Oct 2026. 4

  1. Preclinical LH and FSH receptors in testes and ovary
  2. Phase 1 no registered trial
  3. Phase 2 no registered trial
  4. Phase 3 2 trials, 2 completed
  5. Approval since 1975
1,019 participants in phase 3 Approved as a medicine (ChEMBL: highest phase 4, first approval 1975). ChEMBL lists indications including infertility and hypogonadism. There is no approval for use alongside anabolic steroids.5
Show all 4 phase 3 and 4 trials on a timelineHide timeline 4 completed 0 running 0 with results
Phase 3
Phase 4

Bar: start to primary endpoint (planned for running trials). Green = completed, blue = progress until 26 Oct 2026.

Side effects

  • As with HCG, a possible estrogen rise via more testosterone.
  • Local reactions at the injection site.
  • Headache, rarely swelling.

Practice

  1. For pure testicular maintenance HCG usually suffices, HMG adds the FSH signal for sperm production.

  2. Use sparingly and usually in combination.

  3. Banned in official competition for men (WADA S2).

Bowl of nuts and berries, a glass of water and a white cube on a white table, a vase with twigs behind

Storage

Before mixing the powder is robust, normal room temperature (around 20 to 25 degrees) is fine, ideally kept in the dark. After mixing, keep in the fridge (2 to 8 degrees), do not freeze. It stays good there for at least 4 to 6 months with barely any loss of potency, in practice considerably longer. Swirl or shake to mix, both are fine.

Shelf life

How long it keeps

Undissolved (powder) Room temperature, around 20 to 25 degrees, dark

Robust, no fridge needed.

Dissolved (mixed) Fridge, 2 to 8 degrees, do not freeze

At least 4 to 6 months with barely any loss of potency, in practice considerably longer.

  • Keep it dark
  • Dissolved: 2 to 8 degrees
  • Note the mixing date on the vial
Nine vials with white powder and blue caps in the door shelf of a bright fridge
Powder dark at room temperature, once dissolved into the fridge (2 to 8 degrees), stable there for at least 4 to 6 months. Symbolic image.

Related

Related compounds

Same targets or a different path: all in the TPD lexicon.

HMG
HCG LH action only, often combined with HMG Gonadorelin As a pump, the comparison in the sperm production study Kisspeptin-10 Start signal of the hormone axis in the brain Enclomiphene (Androxal) Raises the body's own LH and FSH release Clomid (Clomiphene) Related oestrogen receptor modulator Testosterone Enanthate External testosterone suppresses LH and FSH

FAQ

Common questions about HMG

Short answers, each backed by the sources below.

How does HMG differ from HCG?

HCG acts only at the LH receptor and thus replaces the signal for testosterone production. According to ChEMBL HMG (menotropin) acts at both the LH and the FSH receptor. The FSH part is the signal that matters for sperm maturation.53

What does the HCG plus HMG study show?

28 men with congenital gonadotropin deficiency and no sperm received either cyclical HCG plus HMG or a gonadorelin pump. After 24 months 83.3 percent of the HCG plus HMG group and 90 percent of the pump group had sperm. The difference was not significant, but the pump was faster.1

How long does it take until sperm production?

A long time. With HCG plus HMG a median of 14 months. In a second review of 75 men on gonadotropin therapy it took a median of 7.1 months until the first sperm and 28.2 months until pregnancy. Previous treatment with HCG or testosterone influenced the pace.12

Is HMG approved?

Yes, as a medicine since 1975, among other uses in infertility and hypogonadism. Most trials in the registry concern fertility treatment in women. It is not approved for use alongside anabolic steroids.54

Which side effects are known?

The cited studies give no frequencies. In the HCG plus HMG study testosterone tended to be high, together with more acne and breast tenderness. According to the entry, oestrogen can rise as with HCG.1

Glossary

Terms explained briefly

Dotted words in the text open these explanations directly.

FSH
Follicle-stimulating hormone. In men it acts on the Sertoli cells and matters for sperm maturation.
Gonadorelin
Synthetic GnRH. Given in pulses by a pump, it stimulates the pituitary to make LH and FSH itself.
Hypogonadism
Too little sex hormone. Hypogonadotropic means the brain or pituitary send too little LH and FSH.
IU
International unit. HMG is given by its activity in IU, not in milligrams.
Leydig cells
Cells in the testes that make testosterone.
LH
Luteinising hormone. In men the signal to the Leydig cells to make testosterone.
Lyophilisate
Freeze-dried powder. Without water a hormone keeps much longer.
Menotropin
Hormone mixture with LH and FSH action, obtained from the urine of postmenopausal women.
Sertoli cells
Cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes that support sperm as they mature.
Sperm production
Formation and maturation of sperm in the testes. It needs testicular testosterone and FSH and takes several months.
Subcutaneous
Into the fat layer just under the skin.

Evidence

Sources

Show all 5 sourcesHide sources 3 Studies1 Trial registry1 Database checked 26 Oct 2026

Studies

  1. HCG plus HMG versus gonadorelin pump in congenital gonadotropin deficiency

    Zhang et al., American Journal of Men's Health, 2019

    DOI 10.1177/1557988318818280 PMID 30569789
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed, PMC
  2. Sperm production on gonadotropin therapy in 75 men

    Liu et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2009

    DOI 10.1210/jc.2008-1648 PMID 19066302
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  3. Review: the LH/HCG receptor

    Ascoli et al., Endocrine Reviews, 2002

    DOI 10.1210/edrv.23.2.0462 PMID 11943741
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed

Trial registry

  1. Menotropin trials on ClinicalTrials.gov

    ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2

Database

  1. Mechanism, targets and approval in ChEMBL

    ChEMBL, EMBL-EBI (CHEMBL2108427)

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via ChEMBL

In the shop

HMG in the catalog

Sizes, prices and shipping times are on the product page.

To the product