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Is it Harder to Get Pregnant With a Low HCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is one of the hormones necessary to maintain a pregnancy. It is produced by the cells of the corpus luteum; these cells form the basis of the placenta.

  1. Misconceptions

    • Many people may believe that a woman must have a high hCG level in order to become pregnant. In truth, a woman's hCG levels are negligible until she becomes pregnant. Pregnancy is the cause for the rise in hCG levels.

    Fertility Treatments

    • Couples struggling with infertility may include hCG injections as part of their fertility treatments. Because of hormone deficiencies, some women may benefit from synthetic hCG to help stabilize and maintain an early pregnancy.

    The Importance of Change

    • More important than the amount of hCG is the rise in the level of the hormone. It is crucial for the level of hCG to rise consistently throughout early pregnancy--this indicates the cells responsible for creating the placenta are multiplying and supporting the fetus.

    Other Considerations

    • Some tumors secrete hCG. According to the American Cancer Society, hCG is a marker for "gestational trophoblastic tumors and some germ cell cancers." Therefore, a rise in hCG levels without evidence of a pregnancy could indicate the presence of a tumor.

    Getting Pregnant

    • The majority of women will not need supplemental hCG to maintain a pregnancy. Under normal conditions, a complex set of triggers and balances allow the female reproductive system to regulate itself and maintain a pregnancy without additional hormones.

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