FSH vs HMG: Which One Helps Boost Egg Production?

FSH vs HMG is a topic that often comes up when couples think about fertility treatments. Both of these are hormone injections that are used to help women to produce more eggs during treatments like IVF. FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) contains only one hormone. On the other hand, HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin) has two hormones, FSH and LH (Luteinizing Hormone). It’s very important to know about these two to know which is better for your body.

At Risaa IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi (Senior IVF Specialist) has over 35 years of experience and guides every patient carefully. In this blog, we will explain everything about FSH vs HMG in a simple way. We will include what they are, how they work, what’s the difference, and when each one is used.

What Are FSH and HMG?

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin) are types of fertility medications for women that are used during treatments like IVF. Their main job is to help the ovaries to produce more eggs than normal. This helps to increase the chances to get pregnant.

FSH is a lab-made version of a natural hormone which is found in a woman’s body. It helps small eggs in the ovaries to grow and get ready for fertilization. Extra FSH is given during fertility treatment to help the ovaries to make more eggs than normal.

On the other hand, HMG contains two hormones, FSH and LH (Luteinizing Hormone). LH works together with FSH to support egg growth and helps the eggs to mature properly. Since HMG has both hormones, it’s often used when more hormonal support is needed.

In short, both FSH vs HMG are important fertility medications for women that support egg development. Your doctor will decide which one is better for you based on your body and the treatment plan.

How Do FSH and HMG Work in Fertility Treatment?

A woman’s body usually releases just one egg during a natural menstrual cycle. However, in fertility treatments like IVF, doctors collect more than one egg to increase the chances of success. This is where FSH and HMG help. They are fertility medications for women that help the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in just one cycle.

FSH helps the ovaries to make more eggs by helping small egg sacs (called follicles) to grow. In short, the more follicles grow, the more eggs can be collected later.

HMG does the same job as FSH but also has another hormone called LH. LH helps the eggs to grow fully and get ready to be collected.

So, both FSH vs HMG help the ovaries to produce more eggs than usual. A fertility specialist will give these medicines through injections. They will also check your body regularly to make sure everything is going well. This helps to improve your chances to get pregnant through IVF (IN Vitro Fertilization).

Key Differences Between FSH and HMG

FSH and HMG are both used in fertility treatments to help the ovaries to make more eggs. However, it’s important to know that both of them are not exactly the same. The main difference is that FSH has only one hormone and HMG has two. Let’s understand the basic difference between FSH vs HMG through a simple table below: 

When Is FSH Recommended?

FSH hormone for fertility is usually recommended when a woman needs help with the early growth of eggs in her ovaries. If her body is not making enough of this hormone on its own then giving FSH can help to grow healthy eggs. This is often needed for women who have issues with ovulation or have a low egg reserve.

Doctors may also choose FSH when they want more control over the treatment. Because it has only one hormone and gives more steady results. It’s often used during IVF to help collect multiple eggs in a safe manner.

In short, FSH hormone for fertility is a good option when the goal is to boost egg production naturally, without the need for other hormones.

When Is HMG Recommended?

HMG injections for infertility are usually recommended when a woman needs support with both egg growth and egg maturity. Since HMG contains two hormones—FSH and LH—it helps not only in growing the eggs but also in preparing them for ovulation or collection during IVF.

Doctors often suggest HMG when the body’s natural LH levels are low, or when past treatments with FSH alone didn’t give the desired results. It can be especially helpful for women with irregular periods, poor egg development, or those who didn’t respond well to other medications.

In short, HMG injections for infertility are a good choice when the body needs extra hormonal support to grow and mature eggs properly during fertility treatment.

Benefits of FSH and HMG

Between FSH vs HMG, both are helpful in fertility treatments. They help to improve the chances of getting pregnant. Let’s look at the benefits of both these:

Benefits of FSH:

• Helps Eggs Grow: FSH helps the ovaries to make more eggs. This is important to find healthy eggs during treatments like IVF.
• Fixes Ovulation Problems: If a woman has issues with ovulation then FSH helps to restart the process and makes it easier to get pregnant.
• More Control for Doctors: Doctors control the treatment and results since FSH focuses only on egg growth.

Benefits of HMG:

• Helps Eggs Grow and Mature: HMG has both FSH and LH, so it helps the eggs to grow and mature properly.
• Balances Hormones: If a woman’s body has low LH levels or poor egg growth then HMG offers extra support.
• Better Chances for IVF: HMG can increase the chances of success in IVF because it supports both growth and maturity of eggs.

Side Effects of FSH vs HMG

FSH vs HMG can have side effects but not everyone experiences them. These side effects can vary from person to person. Below are some side effects that someone may experience.

Side Effects of FSH:

• Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): This is one of the most serious side effects. It can cause the ovaries to become swollen and can cause pain.
• Bloating and Abdominal Pain: Some women may feel bloated or even have mild stomach pain as the egg grows.
• Headaches and Mood Swings: Hormonal changes can cause headaches, irritability, and mood swings.
• Injection Site Reactions: Some women may also experience redness, swelling, or pain at the injection area.

Side Effects of HMG:

• Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): Just like FSH, HMG can also cause OHSS and may also lead to painful and swollen ovaries.
• Bloating and Abdominal Discomfort: This can happen when the eggs grow and the ovaries become large.
• Headaches and Fatigue: Hormonal changes from HMG can cause headaches, tiredness, or fatigue.
• Multiple Pregnancy Risk: HMG increases the chance of twins or multiple pregnancies because it produces more eggs.
• Injection Site Reactions: HMG may also cause irritation or swelling where the injection is given.

In both cases, most of these side effects are temporary and go away after some time. It’s important for women to visit their doctor regularly to help manage these side effects. If you notice any serious symptoms then it’s important to contact a doctor immediately.

How To Boost Egg Production?

It’s important to boost your egg production to help the ovaries to make more healthy eggs. This is especially helpful for women who are trying to get pregnant. There are many natural and medical ways to help in this, including:

• Eat a Healthy Diet

Eat foods that are rich in protein, vitamins, iron, and antioxidants like fruits, vegetables, eggs, and nuts. These can improve overall reproductive health.

• Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being underweight or overweight can also affect your hormone levels and ovulation. So, it’s important to do regular exercise and follow a balanced diet that can help in healthy egg production.

• Reduce Stress

Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation to keep your mind and body calm.

• Take Supplements (only with doctor’s advice)

Vitamins like folic acid, vitamin D, and CoQ10 can be helpful for some women. However, it’s very important to always ask your doctor before including any supplement to your diet.

• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking and alcohol can damage eggs and can also lower fertility. It’s important to quit these habits to improve your chances of getting pregnant.

• Fertility Medications

In some cases, doctors may prescribe fertility medicines like FSH or HMG injections to help the ovaries to produce more eggs.

• Regular Check-Ups

Visit a fertility specialist regularly to keep track of progress and make changes when it’s needed. They can also check hormone levels and suggest treatments which are best for your body.

Final Thoughts

It’s very important to understand FSH vs HMG if you’re trying to conceive and are confused about the treatment. In this blog, we’ve explained what FSH and HMG are, how they work in fertility treatments, when each is recommended, and their key differences. We’ve also shared their benefits, possible side effects, and natural ways to boost egg production. These are important things that every woman should know when planning to start a family.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi (Obs & Gynae and Senior Fertility Specialist) has supported many couples on their journey to become parents. If you have questions or want to understand which treatment is best for you, we’re here to help. Call us at 95555 44421/22/23 or email [email protected] to take the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Are hMG and FSH the same?

No, hMG and FSH are not the same. While both help in egg development, FSH contains only follicle-stimulating hormone, whereas hMG contains both FSH and LH (luteinizing hormone). hMG gives broader hormonal support in fertility treatments.

• How much FSH is in hMG?

Each dose of hMG usually contains equal parts of FSH and LH, around 75 IU of FSH and 75 IU of LH per vial. The exact amount can vary depending on the brand and prescription.

• Does hMG injection improve egg quality?

Yes, hMG injections for infertility can support better egg development and maturity by providing both FSH and LH. This hormonal balance may help improve the quality of eggs in some women.

• Can hMG increase follicle size?

Yes, hMG can help follicles grow larger and mature properly. This is important because mature follicles release eggs that can be fertilized during ovulation or IVF.

• Is hMG better than hCG?

hMG and hCG serve different purposes. hMG helps in egg development and follicle growth, while hCG is usually given to trigger ovulation.