Gonadotropin Therapy

When working with gonadotropin therapy, the clinical use of hormone injections such as hCG, LH, and FSH to stimulate the gonads for fertility or hormone replacement. Also known as gonadotropin treatment, it helps people with infertility, low testosterone, or delayed puberty achieve normal hormone function.

This approach requires a clear understanding of the hormones involved. human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) mimics the body’s natural LH surge, triggering ovulation in women and testosterone production in men. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) often incorporates hCG to time egg retrieval, while fertility clinics may pair it with follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH) to grow multiple follicles. These semantic links—gonadotropin therapy → hCG → ART—show how the treatment fits into modern reproductive medicine.

Who Benefits From Gonadotropin Therapy?

People with primary or secondary hypogonadism often lack sufficient LH or FSH, leading to low sex hormone levels. By supplying the missing hormones, gonadotropin therapy restores natural production pathways. In women, the regimen can jump‑start ovulation cycles, making it a cornerstone of in‑vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols. Men with low testosterone may receive hCG to boost intratesticular testosterone, improving sperm count without resorting to testosterone patches that suppress natural production.

Beyond infertility, the therapy supports delayed puberty in adolescents and helps bone health in older adults who suffer from hormone deficiencies. The common thread is that hormone replacement works best when it mirrors the body’s own signaling, which is why clinicians prefer agents like recombinant FSH over generic alternatives.

Choosing the right protocol depends on several attributes: dosage, timing, and monitoring. For example, a typical IVF cycle starts with daily FSH injections for 8–10 days, followed by a single hCG trigger to induce final oocyte maturation. Blood tests for estradiol and ultrasound monitoring of follicle size guide dose adjustments. The goal is to achieve optimal follicle growth while minimizing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome—a risk that rises with aggressive dosing.

Insurance coverage and cost are practical concerns. Many plans cover gonadotropins when prescribed for medically diagnosed infertility, but out‑of‑pocket expenses can be high. Patients often compare recombinant products with urinary‑derived versions, weighing efficacy against price. Understanding side effects—such as mild injection site pain, abdominal bloating, or temporary mood swings—helps set realistic expectations.

Below you’ll find a curated list of articles that dive deeper into specific drugs, compare alternatives, and share tips for managing side effects. Whether you’re starting a fertility journey, addressing hypogonadism, or simply curious about how these hormones work, the posts ahead provide practical guidance you can act on right away.