Do peptides help with infertility and assisted reproduction?
5 peptides are graded for infertility and assisted reproduction on this page. The strongest grade is human RCT evidence, for cetrorelix, ganirelix, HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and leuprolide. Each one is weighed against the standard of care below, and the evidence table gives the grade and a note for every peptide.
What is the standard of care for infertility and assisted reproduction?
Evaluate both partners (ovulation, tubal patency, uterine cavity, semen analysis); ovulation induction with letrozole or clomiphene; intrauterine insemination; IVF with gonadotropin stimulation, where a GnRH antagonist and an hCG or GnRH agonist trigger are standard.
Any peptide below should be judged against this baseline, not against doing nothing. Talk to a licensed provider before replacing or adding to an established treatment.
Which peptides have been studied for infertility and assisted reproduction?
Ordered by strength of evidence for this use. Grades follow the methodology; each peptide page lists the individual studies.
| Peptide | Evidence for this use | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cetrorelix | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | A Cochrane review of GnRH antagonist protocols found similar live birth rates and lower odds of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (odds ratio 0.61) versus agonist protocols; FDA approved as Cetrotide. [1] [4] |
| Ganirelix | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | Ongoing pregnancy rates matched a long leuprolide protocol in 313 IVF patients, with a shorter treatment course; FDA approved. [1] [2] [6] |
| HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | FDA labeled to induce ovulation in anovulatory women after menotropin pretreatment; widely used as the final egg maturation trigger in IVF. [5] [7] |
| Leuprolide | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | Used off label in long agonist IVF protocols and served as the comparator in the ganirelix trial; not FDA labeled for fertility. [9] |
| Gonadorelin | Evidence: Human observational evidence | In over 1,000 women with hypothalamic amenorrhea, pulsatile GnRH produced high ovulation rates with little hyperstimulation; branded US products were discontinued. [3] [8] |
Head-to-head comparisons
Cost and access
Price ranges, lawful channels, and insurance notes for peptides graded here. State rules are in the legal guides by state.
Frequently asked questions
Which peptide has the strongest evidence for infertility and assisted reproduction?
Cetrorelix, ganirelix, HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and leuprolide have the strongest evidence among the peptides graded here, at human RCT evidence. Cetrorelix: A Cochrane review of GnRH antagonist protocols found similar live birth rates and lower odds of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (odds ratio 0.61) versus agonist protocols; FDA approved as Cetrotide. Ganirelix: Ongoing pregnancy rates matched a long leuprolide protocol in 313 IVF patients, with a shorter treatment course; FDA approved. HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin): FDA labeled to induce ovulation in anovulatory women after menotropin pretreatment; widely used as the final egg maturation trigger in IVF. Leuprolide: Used off label in long agonist IVF protocols and served as the comparator in the ganirelix trial; not FDA labeled for fertility. [1] [2] [4] [6]
Is any peptide FDA approved for infertility and assisted reproduction?
Cetrorelix, ganirelix, HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), gonadorelin, and leuprolide are FDA approved drugs, but an approval covers only the indications on that label, so check the label before assuming it applies to infertility and assisted reproduction. [1] [2] [4] [6] [8]
Has any peptide been tested in a randomized trial for infertility and assisted reproduction?
Yes, for cetrorelix, ganirelix, HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and leuprolide. Check each note for the population and endpoints: a randomized trial in a related group or on a surrogate marker is weaker than one on the outcome you care about. [1] [2] [4] [6]
From the blog
- Peptides for men, ranked by human evidence
hCG, GLP-1 drugs, teriparatide, and tesamorelin have human trials and a lawful route. PT-141 is off-label for men, and kisspeptin and melanotan II have no lawful path. Ranking, legality, and WADA.
- Peptides for women, ranked by human evidence
GLP-1 drugs, teriparatide, abaloparatide, and Vyleesi (PT-141) have real trials in women. Kisspeptin is research-only and GHK-Cu rests on small skin studies. The ranking and legal status.
Sources
- [1]Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists for assisted reproductive technologyPubMed 27126581, 2016
- [2]Efficacy and safety of ganirelix acetate versus leuprolide acetate in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulationPubMed 11163814, 2001
- [3]Efficacy and safety of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy among patients with idiopathic and functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysisPubMed 29605411, 2018
- [4]FDA prescribing information for Cetrotide (cetrorelix acetate for injection), via DailyMedFDA, 2023
- [5]FDA prescribing information for Novarel (chorionic gonadotropin for injection), via DailyMedFDA, 2025
- [6]FDA prescribing information for Ganirelix Acetate Injection, via DailyMedFDA, 2023
- [7]FDA prescribing information for Pregnyl (chorionic gonadotropin for injection), via DailyMedFDA, 2025
- [8]Drugs@FDA database (search gonadorelin for the discontinued Factrel and Lutrepulse approvals)FDA, 2026
- [9]FDA prescribing information for Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate) injection, via DailyMedFDA, 2024