hCG Units: Understanding Dosage and Its Role in Fertility

The hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is typically produced in the placenta during pregnancy. Its primary function is in the production of progesterone and estrogen, which help maintain the first trimester of pregnancy. hCG is retrieved from the urine of pregnant women and administered in a dose of between 5,000 and 10,000 units.

Stimulating Ovulation

• hCG is administered to women who wish to become pregnant and works by stimulating ovulation. hCG causes the ovaries to release more eggs than normal by imitating the luteinizing hormone (LH). Doctors often prescribe hCG to women with ovulatory disorders such as anovulation, polycistic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or irregular periods.

Success Rates

• Taken by injection, hCG takes approximately 36 hours to work and has been proven to stimulate ovulation in 90 percent of anovulatory women. Pregnancy rates have been evaluated at 15 percent per cycle, with increased chances of pregnancy when using the intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure, according to Shared Journey.

Side Effects

• hCG has been shown to cause minor side effects such as headaches, water retention, fatigue, sore breasts, abdominal discomfort and irritability. Because it causes more eggs to be released, the use of hCG also increases the risk of multiple births.

Cost

• hCG sells under the brand names Profasi and Pregnyl. The cost of one dose averages between $35 and $75, as of 2010, and a treatment can require up to six doses. Check with your insurance carrier to see if the cost of hCG is covered under your plan.