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hCG vs Enclomiphene: What the Research Shows

hCG and Enclomiphene side by side: what they are, how they are regulated and what is still unknown.

Medically reviewed by Juan Pablo Frías, MD · · DisclosureUpdated
GonadotropinFDA approved (prescription only)hCGGonadotropin FDA-approved for specific uses; the Novarel label states hCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity.[15]OtherFlat YoYSERM (not a peptide)Not FDA approved · compoundedEnclomipheneOral SERM (not a peptide), not FDA-approved; in men with secondary hypogonadism it raised morning serum testosterone to levels similar to those obtained with a topical testosterone gel.[16]Other+40% searches
Quick verdict

Where the research points

Summary of studies, not a recommendation

Consider hCG if…

  • you want a product with an FDA label: Novarel (chorionic gonadotropin) lists hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males among its indications[15]
  • you want randomized data against clomiphene on testosterone: Testosterone rose in all groups to a final mean of 5.17 nmol/L (223% increase) with no difference between hCG, clomiphene or both.[4]

Consider Enclomiphene if…

  • you want an oral option with randomized testosterone data against a gel: At 25 mg daily, day-42 testosterone averaged 604 ng/dL versus 500 ng for transdermal testosterone.[7]
  • you want randomized data on sperm concentration versus testosterone gel: Sperm concentration stayed in the normal range with enclomiphene but fell markedly with testosterone gel.[6]

What they have in common

  • Chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is prohibited by WADA at all times, in and out of competition[1]
  • Enclomiphene is prohibited by WADA at all times, in and out of competition (a clomifene-type SERM)[1]
Both are prohibited in tested sport (WADA). Status labels come from public FDA and WADA records; see the sources below.
Side by side

Spec comparison

Showing 9 of 12 fields where the two differ. Category, PCAC vote, Jul 2026, Evidence strength are the same or both unknown.

FieldhCGEnclomiphene
ClassGonadotropinSERM (not a peptide)
Also calledhuman chorionic gonadotropinenclo
FDA statusFDA approved (prescription only)Not FDA approved · compounded
WADAProhibited by WADA (S2.2.1)Chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is prohibited for male athletes (S2.2.1, testosterone-stimulating peptides). The list limits this class to males.Prohibited by WADA (S4.2)Enclomiphene is an isomer of clomifene, which is named in S4.2 (anti-estrogens/SERMs, prohibited at all times). Enclomiphene itself is not spelled out in the list text we cached, so this rests on it being a form of clomifene.
Anti-doping detectionNone reportedanti-doping literature, as of 2 Oct 2026
  • In a study of men taking clomiphene (a mix of zuclomiphene and enclomiphene), the zuclomiphene isomer stayed detectable in urine for months. The abstract gives no window for enclomiphene itself.PMID 30295816
Half-lifepooled half-life 5.8 daysinjection (urinary and recombinant hCG) · Clinical endocrinology 2024, PMID 38446525No published half-life foundPubMed search, 2 Oct 2026
Human studies we summarised10 human (9 randomized or controlled) of 15 summarised6 human (4 randomized or controlled) of 9 summarised
Typical study doses
US searches per month74,000 · Flat YoY135,000 · +40% searches

Bracketed values are pending a sourced figure. Legal data reflects the regulatory events in our tracker.

Taken together?

hCG and Enclomiphene together

People also search for this pair as a stack. The stack page covers timing and interaction questions as they are sourced. Evidence for the combination: 1 published study included both (PMID 41066380).

Open the stack page
StackhCG + Enclomiphene, taken as separate injectionsStack page

Sources

  1. 1World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026World Anti-Doping Agency · 2026wada-ama.orgAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2Single and multi-dose pharmacology of recombinant and urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin in men.Clinical endocrinology · 2024PMID 38446525Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3Effect of Combined Low Dose Human Gonadotropic Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, and Testosterone Therapy (LFT Regimen) Versus Conventional High Dose Human Gonadotropic Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone on Spermatogenesis and Biomarkers in Men With Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism.Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists · 2024PMID 39025301Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  4. 4Clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin are both effective in restoring testosterone in hypogonadism: a short-course randomized study.BJU international · 2018PMID 29772111Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  5. 5Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis Effects and Urinary Detection Following Clomiphene Administration in Males.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2019PMID 30295816Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  6. 6Oral enclomiphene citrate raises testosterone and preserves sperm counts in obese hypogonadal men, unlike topical testosterone: restoration instead of replacement.BJU international · 2016PMID 26496621Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  7. 7Testosterone Restoration by Enclomiphene Citrate in Men with Secondary Hypogonadism: Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics.BJU international · 2013PMID 23875626Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  8. 8Newly Detected Atrial Flutter After Enclomiphene Dose Escalation in a Patient With Prior Mitral Valve Repair and Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report.Cureus · 2026PMID 42741668Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  9. 9PubMed search: enclomiphene[tiab] OR enclomifene[tiab] OR "trans-clomiphene"[tiab] (98 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  10. 10PubMed search: (enclomiphene[tiab] OR enclomifene[tiab]) AND (randomized controlled trial[pt] OR clinical trial[pt] OR meta-analysis[pt]) (9 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  11. 11PubMed search: (enclomiphene[tiab] OR enclomifene[tiab]) AND (hypogonadism[tiab] OR testosterone[tiab]) AND humans[mh] (17 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  12. 12PubMed search: (enclomiphene[tiab] OR enclomifene[tiab]) AND (half-life[tiab] OR pharmacokinetic*[tiab]) (5 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  13. 13PubMed search: (enclomiphene[tiab] OR enclomifene[tiab] OR "trans-clomiphene"[tiab] OR Androxal[tiab]) AND (("human chorionic gonadotropin"[tiab] OR "chorionic gonadotropin"[tiab] OR "chorionic gonadotrophin"[tiab] OR hCG[tiab] OR choriogonadotropin[tiab]) NOT (pregnan*[tiab] OR trophoblast*[tiab] OR choriocarcinoma[tiab] OR "germ cell"[tiab] OR hydatidiform[tiab] OR "embryo transfer"[tiab] OR oocyte*[tiab] OR "in vitro fertilization"[tiab] OR IVF[tiab] OR "ovarian stimulation"[tiab] OR "ovulation induction"[tiab] OR "ovarian hyperstimulation"[tiab] OR equine[tiab] OR eCG[tiab] OR "pregnant mare"[tiab]))PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  14. 14Clomiphene or enclomiphene citrate for the treatment of male hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Archives of endocrinology and metabolism · 2025PMID 41066380Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  15. 15NOVAREL ® (chorionic gonadotropin) for injection, for intramuscular use Initial U.S. Approval: 1974FDA label, DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  16. 16Enclomiphene citrate stimulates testosterone production while preventing oligospermia: a randomized phase II clinical trial comparing topical testosterone.Fertility and sterility · 2014PMID 25044085Accessed 2 Oct 2026

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