Extensively StudiedSexual Health

HMG

Human Menopausal Gonadotropin

Human Menopausal Gonadotropin | FSH/LH Fertility Hormone

Half-life

~32 hours (FSH component: 39-54 hours)

Chain length

Variable (gonadotropin mixture)

Reference frequency

Daily during stimulation phase (7-12 days)

Research overview

DoseGear research brief

Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (HMG) is a hormonally active medication containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in a 1:1 ratio, extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women. FDA-approved for fertility treatment, HMG stimulates ovarian follicle development in women and spermatogenesis in men. While largely replaced by recombinant gonadotropins in some settings, HMG remains an effective and cost-efficient option for ovulation induction and assisted reproduction.

Mechanism of action

HMG acts on gonadal tissue through two mechanisms: FSH stimulates growth and maturation of ovarian follicles containing eggs in women, and promotes spermatogenesis in men. LH stimulates ovulation and corpus luteum formation in women, and Leydig cells in men to produce testosterone. Highly purified HMG (HP-hMG) has enhanced FSH receptor activity with reduced inactive proteins. The LH component modifies follicular development and decreases intermediate-sized follicles, potentially resulting in safer, more controlled stimulation.

Compound background

Development & research timeline

Study windows describe what researchers measured, not when an individual should expect a result.

Origin & development

Menotropin preparation derived from postmenopausal urine, with gonadotropin activity.

What it is researched for

Ovarian stimulation and selected male-infertility applications through FSH/LH-related receptor activity.

Research observation window

Not reported in the reviewed compound-specific evidence.

Reference data

Lyophilized vial injectable protocols

Not personalized dosing instructions

Only injectable vial references are shown. Nasal, topical, and unsupported non-vial schedules are excluded.

Research context	Amount	Frequency	Route
Ovulation induction	75-150 IU	Daily	IM or SubQ
IVF stimulation	150-300 IU	Daily for 7-12 days	IM or SubQ
Male fertility	75-150 IU	2-3x weekly	IM or SubQ

Reference cycle

7-12 days per cycle

Reference storage

Lyophilized: Room temperature; Reconstituted: 2-8°C, use immediately after reconstitution

Safety context

Reported side effects

Injection site reactions
Abdominal discomfort
Ovarian enlargement
Mood changes
Headache

Contraindications & cautions

Primary ovarian failure
Uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction
Sex hormone-dependent tumors
Abnormal uterine bleeding of unknown cause
Ovarian cysts (not due to PCOS)
Pregnancy

Scientific references

01
Human Menopausal Gonadotropin
Scientific citationHuman Menopausal Gonadotropin. ScienceDirect (2024).
02
HMG vs Recombinant FSH in PCOS Patients Undergoing IVF
Scientific citationHMG vs Recombinant FSH in PCOS Patients Undergoing IVF. PMC/NCBI (2013).
03
Effect of HMG and HP-FSH on IVF Outcomes
Scientific citationEffect of HMG and HP-FSH on IVF Outcomes. Human Reproduction (1996).
04
Generic hMG vs Costly FSH for Ovulation Induction
Scientific citationGeneric hMG vs Costly FSH for Ovulation Induction. PubMed (2001).

This DoseGear profile combines published scientific literature with lyophilized-vial protocol references. Citations are provided for independent review.

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