# Preggy Urine... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preggy-urine/284789 "2005-01-14T23:52:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![outside\_artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@outside\_artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outside_artist)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preggy-urine/284789/1 "2005-01-14T23:52:19Z")
I hear that there are injections that one can get to cause weight loss from the urine of a pregnant woman. This works because a woman secretes a hormone during pregnancy that reduces her ability to retain fat. My friend swears by them, and she is not a kook even tho she IS in CA. There, they are easy to come by, but up here, in Boston, no one has even heard of the practice. Does anyone know anything about this procedure, and the side effects, etc., of it? Thanx “I’m not prejudiced, I hate everyone equally” ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preggy-urine/284789/2 "2005-01-15T00:02:18Z")
During pregnancy, a woman’s ability to retain fat should _increase_ if it changes at all. Gotta keep that baby fed, even if mom’s not eating much. I wouldn’t place much stock in this. ---
**Author:** ![SavageNarce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preggy-urine/284789/3 "2005-01-15T00:12:46Z")
From this [FDA website:](http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-822.html) > [@](#): > > In addition to miracle pills with unproven claims, another type of dieter’s delusion is still being perpetrated by some diet clinics years after both the FDA and the American Medical Association stated it was useless for weight loss. > > This deceptive practice is injection with HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG is a hormone extracted from urine of pregnant women. It is approved by FDA for treatment of certain problems of the male reproductive system and in stimulating ovulation in women who have had difficulty becoming pregnant. No evidence has been presented, however, to substantiate claims for HCG as a weight-loss aid. > > An article in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) in 1974 stated: > > ``` > "No convincing scientific evidence exists that human chorionic gonadotropin has any pharmacologic effect in weight reduction. Hence, claims to the public that such effects do occur are a misrepresentation of the scientific facts." > > ``` > > FDA requires all labeling and advertising of HCG to state that it has not been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of obesity. The ads must also state that HCG is not approved by FDA as safe and effective in treatment of obesity of weight control. > > Yet the use of HCG for weight loss continues. For instance, advertisements for weight-loss clinics using HCG appeared in the Chicago area in the summer of 1982. The ads included the required disclaimer, but in type much smaller than that used to extol the virtues of the clinics’ program. ---
**Author:** ![outside\_artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@outside\_artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outside_artist)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preggy-urine/284789/4 "2005-01-15T02:06:27Z")
Yeah, well, that makes sense. I agree that it would benefit a woman to GAIN weight rather than lose it at that time. Also, if it were such a great cure-all, it would be all over the place. I don’t get it though. this person is very sane and intelligent, it wouldn’t make sense for her to fall for some scam. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preggy-urine/284789/5 "2005-01-15T02:08:32Z")
> [@Not a Well Woman](#): > > I don’t get it though. this person is very sane and intelligent, it wouldn’t make sense for her to fall for some scam. Wouldn’t be the first time. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preggy-urine/284789/6 "2005-01-15T04:18:12Z")
Of course, if you’re talking _horses_, while that’s a horse of a different color – you get the most widely prescribed drug in the world: Premarin. It’s made from pregnant horse urine. Pre(g) + mar(e) + (ur)in(e). [quite](http://www.findings.net/supremarin.html) [a](http://www.animal-lib.org.au/lists/premarin/premarin.shtml) [few](http://www.hihopes.com/premarin_info.html) folks are displeased with this.