Human chorionic gonadotropin, commonly known as HCG, is a hormone produced naturally in the human body during pregnancy. Let’s take a deeper look at this important hormone – what it is, its functions, medical uses and more.
What is HCG?
HCG, as the name suggests, stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. It is a glycoprotein hormone that is produced by the placental tissue of an implanted fertilized egg or blastocyst. The chorion is the outer layer of the placenta that forms after implantation. HCG contains two subunits – an alpha subunit and a beta subunit that is unique to HCG.
The primary function of HCG is to support the early stages of pregnancy by maintaining the corpus luteum which secretes progesterone, preventing menstruation and preparing the uterine lining for a potential implantation. The corpus luteum forms after ovulation from the follicles on the ovaries and secretes progesterone and estrogen to stimulate and maintain uterine changes. By maintaining the corpus luteum, HCG ensures sufficient progesterone levels until the placenta is developed enough to secrete progesterone itself.
Functions of HCG
Some key functions of HCG in early pregnancy include:
– Maintenance of the corpus luteum: As mentioned earlier, HCG signals the corpus luteum to continue producing progesterone and estrogen after implantation. This is vital to sustain the uterine lining and pregnancy.
– Prevention of menstruation: By maintaining the corpus luteum through HCG, menstruation is prevented. This allows the fertilized egg to implant into the uterine lining.
– Growth and development of fetus: HCG stimulates the release of progesterone and estrogen, both of which help in fetal growth and development during early stages.
– Nourishment to fetus: HCG supports the nourishment of the fertilized egg until the placenta fully develops by around week 12 of pregnancy.
– Diagnosis of pregnancy: HCG levels rise significantly in the very early stages of pregnancy and form the basis of pregnancy testing.
Medical Uses of HCG
Given its important role in maintaining pregnancy, HCG has several medical applications as well:
Fertility treatments
– Assisted reproductive technology: Procedures like in-vitro fertilization involve inducing ovulation through fertility drugs. HCG injection is given to trigger the final maturation and release of eggs.
– Hypothalamic amenorrhea: Some women face menstrual cycle issues due to low body weight or excessive exercise. HCG injections along with a dietary plan can help restore ovulation and menstrual cycles.
Weight loss
– Although not recommended or proven effective for long term weight loss, injectable HCG was promoted as a weight loss aid by following a very low calorie diet along with it. However, it provides only temporary weight loss.
Pregnancy diagnosis
– As mentioned before, home pregnancy test kits detect heightened HCG levels in urine to confirm if a woman is pregnant. This provides an early diagnosis, usually 4-5 days before a missed period.
Conditions treated by HCG
Some medical conditions that are treated using HCG injections or supplements include:
– Cryptorchidism in boys: A condition where one or both testes fails to descend into the scrotum. HCG injections may help with testicular descent.
– Birth control and libido issues in men: Low HCG levels in men have been associated with reduced sperm count and quality. Supplements claim to boost testosterone levels.
– Cysts and infertility in women: Conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome involving cyst formations on ovaries. HCG is given with fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation.
Side effects and safety profile
While HCG has many benefits, it also has some potential side effects when taken as an injection or supplement:
– Mild allergic reactions like rashes, itching or swelling at injection site.
– Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in high risk cases undergoing ovarian stimulation.
– Miscarriage risk if fertilization is unsuccessful after fertility treatment using HCG.
– Masculinizing effects like acne, weight gain and increased sex drive reported by some men taking high doses.
– Possible teratogenic effects if taken during early pregnancy stages.
So it is advisable to use HCG under medical guidance or prescription only to avoid any complications. The hormonal effects also require monitoring by a fertility specialist or OB-GYN during treatment cycles involving HCG.
Conclusion
In conclusion, human chorionic gonadotropin is a vital hormone naturally produced during pregnancy that has important functions like maintaining the corpus luteum as well as aiding fetal development. It forms the basis of early pregnancy diagnosis and also has applications in fertility treatments and conditions involving hormonal imbalance. However, care needs to be exercised with injectable HCG or oral supplements due to potential side effects. Overall, HCG plays a crucial physiological role but requires medical oversight for therapeutic use.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
