Efficacy of 500 IU HP-hCG in the Management of Testosterone Deficient Secondary Male Hypogonadism

Abstract

Background : Hypogonadism is a condition marked by low testosterone levels, impacting men across different ages and affecting not just sexual health but overall wellbeing. While testosterone supplementation has become a common treatment, it can adversely affect testicular function and fertility, leaving many men seeking available alternative options including Gonadotropins. Despite its promise, scant literature exists on use of hCG as a monotherapy for patients with hypogonadic hypogonadism. The purpose
of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of its use in such a population.
Objectives : To assess the efficacy of low dose Highly Purified Human Chorionic
Gonadotropin in promoting parameters of sexual function through normalization of
Serum Testosteone in Hypogonadal patients.
Methods : In this study, the relationship between normalization of testosterone and the
improvement in sexual parameters like libido and erectile function as recorded
subjectively through International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score was studied.
Both serum total testosterone levels and IIEF scores were recorded at baseline and after 6
weeks with 500 IU highly purified hCG, given twice weekly Results : 16 men were given treatment for 6 weeks. Among these 16 secondary hypogonadal , after 6 weeks, the serum testosterone levels have recorded a 79% increase from the baseline (mean serum Testosterone concentrations increasing to 371.4 ng/dL, as against base line Testosterone concentrations of 207.3 ng/dL). Very interestingly, according to the International Index of Erectile function score, these 16 patients have shown an improvement to 39 as against 24 in the baseline. That is, a 61% of improvement as assessed by IIEF score is observed.
Conclusion : In hypogonadal men, 500 IU HP-hCG is effective in elevating endogenous
testosterone from baseline which is quite reflective in the improvement of Testosterone
dependent libido, erectile function and the improvement in semen parameters, just after 6
weeks.500 IU HP-hCG, subcutaneously, can be an alternative to the conventional TRT, with a better patient compliance.