Human chorionic gonadotropin, commonly known as HCG, is a hormone that supports the early stages of pregnancy. It is produced by cells called syncytiotrophoblasts that are found in the placenta of pregnant women. Around 10 days after fertilization, the number of these cells rise dramatically and begin releasing large amounts of HCG into the mother's bloodstream. The main roles of HCG during pregnancy include: Preventing thecorpus luteum from regression: The corpus luteum is a structure that forms in the ovary after ovulation. It secrets progesterone and estrogen, which prepare the uterus for pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotropin Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) mimics LH and stimulates the corpus luteum to continue secreting progesterone and estrogen during the first trimester, maintaining the uterine lining and supplying nutrients to the developing embryo. Without HCG, the corpus luteum would regress around 14 days post-ovulation halting progesterone production. Implantation and development of embryo: HCG helps promote uterine lining development and supports implantation of the fertilized egg. It also encourages continued development of the embryo in the early weeks. Detection of pregnancy through home pregnancy tests: Commercial pregnancy tests are able to detect HCG within a week of conception, as its levels rise dramatically. This verifies whether a woman is pregnant soon after a missed period. Role of HCG in treating infertility Another important role of HCG is its use in fertility treatments for conditions like oligospermia and primary ovarian failure. Some ways it helps with infertility include: Triggering ovulation in IVF cycles: In in vitro fertilization, HCG is given to trigger ovulation after follicles have matured, usually around 36 hours before egg retrieval. This mimic's nature's LH surge and causes the follicles to rupture, releasing eggs. Without the HCG trigger shot, natural ovulation would not occur. Assisting with male factor infertility: For men with low sperm counts due to conditions like varicocele, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) can be used to stimulate natural testosterone and sperm production. Small doses are taken over several months which signals the brain to produce more LH and FSH, boosting sperm count and quality. Ovulation induction for anovulatory cycles: Women who do not ovulate regularly due to issues like PCOS can take HCG orally or by injection. It acts like LH to induce follicle maturation and trigger ovulation, making pregnancy possible in cycles when ovulation would not have otherwise occurred. Side effects and complications related to HCG While HCG plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy, in some cases high levels have been linked to potential health issues. Some side effects and complications include: Ectopic pregnancy: An abnormally located pregnancy outside the uterus, which occurs in around 2% of pregnancies. High HCG could delay diagnosis of ectopic pregnancies as it may not correspond to ultrasound findings. Ruptured ectopics can be life threatening. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Rare conditions like hydatidiform moles or choriocarcinoma that are associated with abnormal proliferation of placental tissue. Elevated HCG can indicate these present or have relapsed after treatment. Hyperstimulation during fertility treatment: Overly high levels from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) lead to ovarian swelling and internal bleeding. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) trigger shot may rarely cause or worsen cases of moderate to severe OHSS. Miscarriage risk: While studies are mixed, some data suggests high progesterone levels from HCG support in early pregnancy may be linked to higher chance of miscarriage later in the first trimester. Precise HCG trends are watched in pregnancy care. HCG in doping and weight loss scams Besides medical usage, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) has gained notoriety because of its misuse in underground practices like doping and weight loss scams. Some questionable uses include: Athletes illegally using HCG to boost testosterone levels while avoiding detection on drug tests. Pure HCG would not trigger positives but maintains natural testosterone production during steroid cycles. However, this is still considered doping and banned in most sports. Dubious weight loss clinics prescribe extremely high dose HCG injections paired with a very low-calorie diet, falsely claiming it targets abdominal fat. While human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) may modestly aid weight loss as part of a healthy regimen, large injections have no ability to selectively burn deep belly fat. Many touted weight loss benefits are not supported by science. Online sellers target bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts by promoting HCG for building muscle or reversing the side effects of steroid use without proper medical oversight. Unregulated HCG sales bypass screening and physician safety monitoring. human chorionic gonadotropin is an important hormone made during pregnancy with roles like maintaining the corpus luteum, supporting implantation, and enabling early detection of fertilization through home pregnancy tests. It assists with fertility treatments and ovulation induction, but also carries risks like ectopic pregnancy or gestational trophoblastic disease if levels are unusually high. While human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) does modestly impact metabolism, weight loss claims are dubious and dangerous fad practices exploit its name recognition without scientific evidence. Overall HCG performs vital functions in reproduction and should only be used under physician guidance.
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