Pregnyl (hCG)

Pregnyl is a brand name for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that plays a key role in reproductive health. It is used in both men and women for various medical purposes.

Uses of Pregnyl:

• In Women: It helps trigger ovulation in fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or for women with ovulatory disorders.

• In Men: It stimulates testosterone production and supports sperm production, often used for treating hypogonadism or infertility.

• In Boys: It can be prescribed for conditions like undescended testes (cryptorchidism) when not caused by anatomical obstruction.

How It Works:

Pregnyl mimics the luteinizing hormone (LH), which is essential for ovulation in women and testosterone production in men.

Administration:

• Usually given as an intramuscular (IM) injection.

• Dosage depends on the condition being treated and is prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Possible Side Effects:

• Pain or swelling at the injection site

• Headaches, mood swings

• Fatigue

• Breast tenderness (in men and women)

• Risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in women undergoing fertility treatments

Uses of Pregnyl in Women

Ovulation Induction (Fertility Treatment)

Pregnyl is widely used in women undergoing fertility treatment, such as in:

• Anovulation (not ovulating naturally)

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

How it works:
hCG in Pregnyl mimics the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, which triggers the release of a mature egg from the ovary — this process is called ovulation. It’s usually given after other fertility drugs like clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins have stimulated follicle growth.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In IVF cycles, Pregnyl is used to mature and release eggs for retrieval:

• After ovarian stimulation, when ultrasound shows mature follicles, Pregnyl is administered to finalize egg maturation.

• Eggs are retrieved about 34–36 hours after the injection, timed precisely.

Luteal Phase Support (less common now)

Pregnyl may sometimes be used to support the luteal phase (the second half of the menstrual cycle) to help prepare the uterine lining for implantation.

However, progesterone supplementation is now more commonly used for this purpose due to fewer side effects.

Diagnostic Use in Fertility Workups

In some cases, Pregnyl may be used as part of ovarian function tests to evaluate how the ovaries respond.

Treatment of Hypogonadism:

Hypogonadism is a condition characterized by the body's inability to produce adequate amounts of testosterone. Pregnyl stimulates the testes to produce testosterone, thereby alleviating symptoms such as fatigue, decreased libido, and muscle loss.

Enhancement of Fertility:

For men experiencing infertility due to low sperm count or poor sperm motility, Pregnyl can be beneficial. The hCG in Pregnyl mimics luteinizing hormone (LH), encouraging the testes to produce more sperm, thus potentially increasing the chances of conception.

Management of Cryptorchidism:

In prepubescent males, Pregnyl is sometimes used to treat cryptorchidism, a condition where one or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum. The hormone helps stimulate the descent of the testicles.

Uses of Pregnyl in Men