In short
hCG therapy for men uses human chorionic gonadotropin to make the testes produce their own testosterone and sperm, instead of replacing testosterone from outside. hCG helps men with secondary hypogonadism who want children: sperm appears in up to 90 percent, after a median of about 7 months when FSH is added. It does not work when the testes themselves are damaged.
Treatment Overview
What is hCG therapy for men?
hCG therapy for men uses human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that acts like luteinizing hormone (LH), to make the testes produce their own testosterone and sperm. Testosterone replacement lowers sperm production, while hCG raises testosterone inside the testes to about 100 times the level in the blood, which sperm production needs. Fertility planning around testosterone is described on the TRT and fertility page.
Who does hCG therapy help?
hCG therapy helps men with secondary hypogonadism, low testosterone caused by the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, who want children. It does not work in primary hypogonadism, where the testes themselves are damaged, and it does not raise sperm counts in men with a low count and normal testosterone. Men whose hypogonadism began after puberty and men with larger testes respond better; undescended testes in childhood reduce the response.
How is hCG given?
hCG dosing is set by a fertility specialist for the diagnosis and prescribed product. The dose, injection route and monitoring are individual; this page is not a self-dosing schedule. Testosterone levels, symptoms and semen analyses guide changes. Possible adverse effects include breast enlargement, acne and fluid retention. Do not start, stop or adjust hormones without your treating clinician.
When is FSH added to hCG?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is added when the sperm count is still below 5 to 10 million per mL, or pregnancy has not occurred, six months after testosterone has reached its target. FSH is given as human menopausal gonadotropin or recombinant FSH, 75 units three times a week. FSH often helps when hCG alone is not enough. In a combined analysis of 100 men who still had no sperm on hCG alone, about 7 in 10 (69 percent) produced sperm after FSH was added, at least 1.5 million per mL.
How long does hCG therapy take to work?
hCG with FSH produces the first sperm after about 6 to 10 months, and pregnancy takes longer. In a study of 75 men, the first sperm appeared after about 7 months in a typical case (median 7.1 months). About half of the men, 38, became fathers, on average about two and a half years (28.2 months) after starting. Sperm appears in up to 90 percent of men with secondary hypogonadism, often below normal counts but frequently enough for pregnancy or assisted reproduction.
hCG therapy in Dubai and the UAE
How is hCG therapy organised in Dubai?
hCG therapy in Dubai is organised by Dr. Felix together with a fertility specialist when sperm production is the goal, with semen analyses every one to three months. If pregnancy does not occur within 12 to 24 months of sperm appearing, assisted reproduction such as insemination or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the next step.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
- Men with secondary hypogonadism, confirmed by low testosterone with normal or low LH and FSH, who want children.
- Men on testosterone replacement who now plan a family and have secondary hypogonadism.
- Primary hypogonadism with high LH and FSH: hCG does not restore sperm production.
- Low sperm count with normal testosterone: hCG does not raise the count.
What Happens During the Consultation
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1
Diagnosis confirmed
Morning fasting testosterone on two days, LH and FSH, and the other causes of the symptoms are reviewed before any preparation is chosen.
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2
Safety checks
Haematocrit, PSA and prostate examination where age-appropriate, sleep apnoea, heart failure and plans for children are checked.
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3
Choice of preparation
Dr. Felix compares gel, injections and hCG with you by dosing rhythm, practical limits and fertility.
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4
Plan and review dates
The plan sets the dose, the first blood test at 2 to 3 months and the monitoring schedule.
Program Structure & Follow-Up
How is hCG therapy followed up?
hCG therapy is followed up with testosterone every one to two months until it is 400 to 800 ng/dL, then semen analyses every one to three months. After a pregnancy, FSH is stopped at the end of the first trimester, and hCG can continue if another pregnancy is planned.
Benefits, Limits & Safety
What are the limits of hCG therapy?
hCG requires functioning testicular tissue and does not help every cause of infertility. Response depends on the diagnosis and previous treatment. A fertility specialist reviews ineffective treatment and alternatives; higher doses do not guarantee sperm recovery or pregnancy.
What hCG can achieve
Normal testosterone and sperm in up to 90 percent of men with secondary hypogonadism, often with FSH added.
How you are followed
Testosterone every one to two months until 400 to 800 ng/dL, then semen analysis every one to three months.
When hCG does not help
Primary hypogonadism with damaged testes, and low sperm counts with normal testosterone.
Cost & Program Investment
The cost depends on the preparation and the monitoring it needs. Dr. Felix explains the full cost before any prescription. Ongoing care runs through the membership programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, hCG acts like LH and makes the testes produce testosterone, usually into the normal range within two to three months of dose adjustment.
hCG for fertility is started after testosterone replacement is stopped, according to the standard regimen, because outside testosterone suppresses sperm production.
Sperm appears after about 6 to 10 months on hCG with FSH; in one study of 75 men, the typical time was about 7 months.
The cost of hCG therapy in Dubai depends on the doses, whether FSH is added and the monitoring. Dr. Felix explains the full cost before treatment.
Evidence
Where this information comes from
Every figure on this page is taken from the sources below. All of them are free to read, so you can check them yourself.
This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Trial results are averages across large groups, not a prediction for any one person.