HMG

Summary

Human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) is a urinary-derived gonadotropin preparation containing FSH and LH activity used to stimulate ovarian follicle development in infertility treatment, marketed as highly purified formulations such as Menopur ^[2]. In a randomized controlled trial in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, letrozole (2.5 mg) combined with HMG improved endometrial receptivity and promoted mono-follicle development, supporting it as a beneficial ovulation-induction protocol ^[1]. For controlled ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI, Menopur was as effective as recombinant FSH in pregnancy rates—despite a lower oocyte yield—and improved some aspects of embryo quality in IVF ^[2]. Systematic reviews comparing recombinant FSH and HMG report that more oocytes are often retrieved with recombinant FSH while cost per oocyte is similar, and an older Cochrane review of FSH versus HMG showed odds ratios modestly favoring FSH for cycle outcomes ^[3,4]. The human evidence base is robust and HMG is a long-established clinical therapeutic, though some efficacy comparisons versus recombinant FSH are mixed.

Sources

1. 1. Human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) combined different doses of letrozole for treating anovulatory infertility in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 2025.
2. 2. Highly Purified Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (Menopur(®)): A Profile of Its Use in Infertility Clinical drug investigation, 2018.
3. 3. Human recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) compared to urinary human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction: a literature review and cost evaluation Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2015.
4. 4. WITHDRAWN: Follicle-stimulating hormone and human menopausal gonadotropin for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction cycles The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 1996.

For educational purposes only.