Compounds / HMG
HMG
Also known as: Human menopausal gonadotropin; menotropins; hMG; highly purified hMG (HP-hMG)
Primary research focus: Controlled ovarian stimulation in fertility treatment (and, off-label, male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism)
Last updated July 2026 · Reviewed against FDA labeling and published research.
What is HMG?
HMG (human menopausal gonadotropin, or menotropins) is a purified gonadotropin preparation containing both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) activity, historically extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women. It is FDA-approved (marketed as Menopur) for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction. It is a biologic mixture standardized by bioactivity, not a single molecule.
The FSH component stimulates growth and maturation of ovarian follicles, while the LH activity supports follicular steroidogenesis and, at the appropriate time, contributes to final maturation. In men (off-label), the combined FSH and LH activity supports Sertoli-cell-driven spermatogenesis and Leydig-cell testosterone production. In modern highly purified hMG, much of the LH bioactivity is provided by chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) present in or added to the preparation.
How it’s supplied
Brand / trade names: Menopur (Repronex discontinued)
Supplied as an FDA-approved prescription product (Menopur) as a lyophilized powder with diluent for subcutaneous injection after reconstitution, standardized to 75 IU of FSH activity and 75 IU of LH activity per vial. An older product (Repronex) has been discontinued. It is administered as part of monitored fertility protocols.
Dosage Chart
Units shown are for a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL), calculated from the vial size and BAC water you select. Always confirm against your prescription and your syringe markings.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-16 | 75IU | 3x Weekly | — |
- Rotate injection sites to reduce irritation and lipohypertrophy
- Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Do not exceed the recommended dose to try to speed results
- It is typically combined with hCG injections to maximize spermatogenesis and testosterone production
Potential Benefits and Side Effects
Effects reported in published research. Not a promise of results, and not medical advice.
- Established, FDA-approved and clinically used effects.
- Stimulates multiple follicular development for assisted reproduction (IVF).
- Induces ovulation in selected anovulatory infertility when combined with an ovulation trigger.
- Provides both FSH and LH activity, which can benefit patients who need LH supplementation.
- Supports spermatogenesis in male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism when combined with hCG (off-label).
- Injection-site reactions, abdominal pain or bloating, and headache.
- Ovarian enlargement and OHSS (potentially serious).
- Increased chance of multiple pregnancy.
- Nausea, breast tenderness, and mood changes.
- Rare thromboembolic and vascular complications.
Warnings and contraindications
Important safety information. This is not exhaustive — read the full prescribing information and consult your prescriber or pharmacist.
- Based on the FDA-approved labeling.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) can occur and may be severe or life-threatening; careful monitoring of ovarian response (estradiol and ultrasound) is required.
- Multiple pregnancy and multi-fetal gestation are increased with gonadotropin therapy.
- Ovarian torsion, thromboembolic events, and pulmonary or vascular complications have been reported.
- Pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, and congenital anomalies can occur; use requires an experienced clinician.
- It should be used only under the supervision of a physician experienced in infertility treatment.
- Per the approved labeling: primary ovarian failure (elevated FSH); uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction; a pituitary or hypothalamic tumor; sex-hormone-dependent tumors of the reproductive tract; abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin; ovarian cysts or enlargement not due to polycystic ovary syndrome; pregnancy; and known hypersensitivity.
Reconstitution Steps
How to prepare the lyophilized vial. Confirm specifics with your pharmacist or prescriber.
- HMG (Menopur) is reconstituted with the supplied diluent just before subcutaneous injection; the steps below describe preparation.
- Confirm the number of vials and the supplied diluent before starting.
- Wash your hands and gather supplies: the HMG powder vial(s), the supplied diluent (sodium chloride), an alcohol swab, and the reconstitution and injection needles.
- Wipe the stopper of the diluent and powder vials with a fresh alcohol swab and let them dry.
- Draw up the supplied diluent and inject it slowly into the powder vial.
- Gently swirl (do not shake) until the powder fully dissolves; additional vials of powder may be dissolved into the same diluent if directed.
- Inspect the solution: it should be clear with no particles. Do not use if cloudy.
- Draw up the prescribed volume, change to the injection needle, and administer subcutaneously as directed.
- Use promptly; discard any unused reconstituted solution per the labeling.
US regulatory status
Classifications are public record but can change. For reference only, not legal advice.
Development: Human menopausal gonadotropin has been used in fertility medicine for decades; it was originally purified from the urine of postmenopausal women, which is rich in gonadotropins. The current FDA-approved product, Menopur (a highly purified menotropin), is indicated for controlled ovarian stimulation in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology, and menotropins have long been used for ovulation induction. Comparative trials have evaluated highly purified hMG against recombinant FSH in IVF. In modern HP-hMG, analytical work has shown that hCG contributes much of the labeled LH activity. Off-label, hMG is sometimes used with hCG to support spermatogenesis in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
Notes: HMG (menotropins) is FDA-approved and marketed as Menopur for controlled ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction. As a urinary-derived biologic gonadotropin preparation, it is not eligible for pharmacy compounding under 503A or 503B; only the approved product should be used. Use for male fertility is off-label. It is not a controlled substance.
International status
Pharmacokinetics
Storage and handling
Important Notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
- HMG is an FDA-approved fertility biologic (Menopur), not a research peptide.
- It contains both FSH and LH activity; in modern highly purified hMG, hCG provides much of the LH activity.
- OHSS is a serious risk that requires monitoring during ovarian stimulation.
- It cannot be legally compounded; only the approved product is lawful.
- Male-fertility use is off-label.
Lifestyle Factors
- Administered within monitored fertility protocols, with ultrasound and hormone tracking.
- Not a lifestyle or performance product.
References
Related compounds
Important disclaimer
This page is an educational reference, not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation, and not a substitute for your prescriber or pharmacist. Approval and regulatory status varies by compound and can change. Always confirm against current prescribing information and consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decision about a medication.