HCG For PCT (HCG Guide) – Steroid Cycles

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a powerful, naturally occurring hormone that steroid users value for its ability to help increase, maintain, or restore normal testosterone production. However, HCG is effective when used with other compounds rather than alone. While it has seen some mainstream promotion as a failed (and illegal) weight loss ingredient, HCG’s real power lies in its ability to help steroid users achieve a major goal after a steroid cycle: To get natural testosterone back on track again.

HCG is one of the most essential ancillaries we can use, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood. There’s not just one single reason you would want to use HCG. And there’s not just one single situation where it gives you benefits. You don’t even need to be a bodybuilder to find HCG beneficial. Regular guys on TRT can find HCG to be life-changing. And if you’re like me as a bodybuilder who uses AAS, then you might decide that there’s no reason NOT to be using HCG! I’m about to let you know everything you need about HCG. So, let’s get into it!

Table of Contents

• What is HCG?
  • History and Overview
  • Mechanism of Action
  • Effects of HCG (Benefits) for Men
  • HCG and Steroids
• What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)?
• HCG for PCT
  • Doses
  • Dosing schedule, half-life, and PCT length
  • Proper administration and timing
• HCG vs. Other PCT Options
  • HCG vs. SERMs
  • HCG vs. Aromatase Inhibitors
  • HCG vs. HGH
• HCG Side Effects in Men
• Where to Buy HCG?
  • Availability of HCG
  • Is HCG legal?
  • Typical pricing
• HCG FAQs
  • What is the function of human chorionic gonadotropin?
  • Does HCG cause cancer?
  • Is HCG illegal?
  • What is HCG used for in bodybuilding?
  • Does HCG increase sperm volume?
  • Can you buy HCG online?
• Final Thoughts

Medical disclaimer: The following guide is based on personal experience and does NOT promote the illegal use of steroids (PEDs). Consult a healthcare professional before using PEDs.

What is HCG?

HCG is a hormone that we produce naturally in the body, and in men, this is done in the pituitary gland and the testes. It’s also an essential hormone for females and is the hormone that’s looked for to determine a positive pregnancy test.

When it comes to HCG for our benefit as men who use anabolic steroids? HCG will act the same in men as LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone). And this is our primary reason for using it! LH and FSH stimulate the testes to produce testosterone.

LH can be described as a pituitary analog to HCG because it is a hormone produced in different body parts (luteinizing hormone forms in the pituitary gland) but has a similar function.

This is where HCG becomes very relevant to men: LH is vital for stimulating natural testosterone production. This makes HCG a popular option for PCT usage, in particular, where the recovery of normal testosterone function following anabolic steroid suppression is required.

There are three big reasons you’ll want to consider taking HCG:

• To protect your fertility
• To provide testicular and libido support on-cycle
• To assist with testosterone recovery

You can now see just how critical a role HCG can play for steroid users.

While SERMs and aromatase inhibitors are generally widely accepted as a necessary addition for any steroid user, HCG comes under much more debate, with some anabolic steroid users swearing by its use and others finding that it is not necessary or useful or comes with a greater risk than the other drugs. In any case, when HCG is used, it is rarely used alone but in conjunction with SERMs in post-cycle therapy and only at low doses for short periods if used during a steroid cycle.

Although considered a side-effect-friendly hormone for most people, HCG comes with one particular risk factor that we need to be concerned about, and this revolves around dependence. Thankfully, this can be well controlled through sensible dosing and is a critical reason why HCG shouldn’t be taken until you’ve done adequate research into just how much you should be taking so you don’t put yourself at risk of dependence.

A Quick Look at HCG

• Other Names: Novarel, Pregnyl, others.
• Primary Use: Prescribed for fertility treatment and hypogonadism. Not a traditional PCT drug but used pre-PCT to restart testicular function after steroid cycles.
• Administration: Injectable form (subcutaneous or intramuscular). During cycle (on-cycle): 250-500 IU 2-3x/week to maintain testicular function. Pre-PCT (post-cycle): 1000-2000 IU every other day for 10 days before starting SERMs (Clomid/Nolvadex). Half-life: ~24-36 hours.
• Cycle Length: See below.
• Benefits: Restores testicular size and function after steroid shutdown, accelerates recovery of natural testosterone production when used before PCT, reduces the “crash” feeling post-cycle by maintaining testosterone levels.
• Side Effects: Estrogenic effects (bloating, gynecomastia) due to increased testosterone aromatization; headaches, fatigue, or mood swings; desensitization of Leydig cells (with prolonged high doses), increased risk of blood clots.

Note: hCG is a critical tool for preserving testicular function during/after cycles but must be timed correctly. Never use it alone for PCT—combine with SERMs to fully restart natural hormone production. Overuse can desensitize the testes and worsen suppression. Use bloodwork to guide dosing. Misuse risks permanent hormonal imbalance.

History and Overview

The FDA has approved HCG for medical use in males for limited conditions. Hypogonadism, infertility, and delayed puberty are some conditions in males that HCG can be used to treat with a doctor’s prescription. It’s also commonly used as fertility support for men on TRT.

In women, HCG is used to trigger the process of ovulation. It’s so effective at this that a female will ovulate within 40 hours following an HCG injection.

HCG has a history of being a proclaimed weight loss product and is associated with a bogus concept of an “HCG diet” – however, this claim has long been dismissed by both scientists and the FDA (and is now illegal).

What can come as a surprise to male HCG users is this: Unlike the anabolic steroids and other compounds we use, which are produced synthetically nowadays, HCG is extracted from humans to be made into an injectable product.

HCG is extracted from the urine of pregnant women (it’s the presence of HCG that determines a positive pregnancy test). The HCG is then separated, purified, and standardized to make it suitable as an injectable solution for pharmaceutical use.

Mechanism of Action

The functionality of HCG in all males is essential, whether you use steroids or not. HCG gives us the same actions as the LH naturally produced in the pituitary gland:

• To stimulate sperm production and testosterone – HCG will stimulate the Leydig cells in the testicles, which tell them to produce testosterone and sperm.
• To support testicle function – HCG helps prevent atrophy of the testicles.

You can see just how critical this hormone is for steroid users who need precisely this kind of support when using AAS that causes testicular atrophy (shrinkage), fertility problems, and testosterone suppression.

In females, HCG, of course, has a different mechanism of action. However, it still relates to LH, and in the case of women, HCG is substituted for luteinizing hormone to trigger ovulation and promote fertility.

Effects of HCG (Benefits) for Men

HCG can be used as a testosterone base during a cycle in place of testosterone injections. There’s a significant benefit to doing this: regular testosterone will still shut down your natural testosterone because you’re simply replacing it with an exogenous source of testosterone. But with HCG, you don’t get shut down. All you’re doing instead is maintaining testicular function and testosterone production – not replacing it.

HCG will, however, suppress luteinizing hormone levels, but PCT recovery will still be quicker with a SERM if you’ve used HCG versus not using it. Guys will have their priority reasons for using HCG, but these are the primary effects and benefits:

Maintain fertility

It’s not a huge deal if you’re using steroids short term, but a small number of men can face fertility issues with ongoing steroid use. HCG will keep the testes full and maintain your sperm production to support fertility.

Testicular size

Although related to fertility, men who are primarily concerned about testicle shrinkage will often use HCG specifically for this reason. A moderate HCG dose can keep your testes at normal size, but you’ll also need to manage estrogen levels by moving your AI dose up or down as required.

Kickstart testosterone production

Even if you haven’t used HCG on-cycle, starting it towards the end of your cycle and then for another two weeks before a SERM PCT will give you a faster testosterone recovery after a suppressive AAS cycle. This strategy stops your testicles from completely shutting down and means you’re less dependent on a SERM to reenter your T production. HCG can do this before your AAS has cleared your system, so you’ll find your gains easier to maintain, and your overall well-being and sexual health will remain high.

HCG and Steroids

For steroid users who make use of HCG while using anabolic steroids, the intent is to use this hormone to address the suppression of natural hormones that takes place when you use most types of steroids. During this time, your normal testosterone production and levels will be extremely low or even non-existent, and the use of HCG during steroid use can prevent the problem of testicular atrophy, but more importantly, taking HCG during a steroid cycle helps prime the body for recovery once your cycle ends.

So, what’s the downside to HCG, and why doesn’t everyone use it during a cycle? One of the commonly overlooked issues is the way the male body can become dependent on HCG’s supply of what is an exogenous luteinizing hormone. Guys who take too much HCG or don’t seriously regulate the use of it are at higher risk of dependence.

Those men who go overboard with their use of HCG during a steroid cycle, either through lack of knowledge or a false belief that more equals better, can quickly find themself suffering from a low testosterone condition. Those who know how to use HCG responsibly during a steroid cycle, however, will reap the benefits and avoid the problem of dependence occurring.

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)?

In the US alone, it’s estimated that nearly 3% of men are on prescribed TRT – and that’s not accounting for the many men who undertake their own TRT. Testosterone replacement therapy is just that: Replacing what should be your natural testosterone levels because your body isn’t adequately doing it for you.

TRT is prescribed for men with all sorts of medical conditions that can result in low testosterone levels, including:

• Hypogonadism
• Testicular injury
• HIV/AIDS
• Kidney disease
• Chemotherapy
• Klinefelter syndrome
• Kallmann syndrome
• Diabetes
• Obesity

Men using AAS are, of course, a different category of TRT users. Men will usually be prescribed testosterone injections, gels, or patches for TRT. And HCG will be prescribed particularly for men who want to maintain fertility, as it counteracts the suppression of natural testosterone (and potential infertility) while a guy is on TRT. What HCG can also do if you’re on TRT is help keep your balls at a normal size to prevent that dreaded shrinkage we suffer with on AAS cycles.

Many guys who use gear will not just run a cycle and then stop. More and more guys are staying on testosterone (TRT) long term and are committed to basically a lifetime of use of AAS for this purpose, and along with that, a low dose of HCG is typically used.

Why do this?

The more you use steroids, the more difficult it is to make a full recovery of testosterone and testicular function back to what it was before you used gear. So TRT isn’t only for guys who are unlucky enough to have a medical condition, but a lot of steroid users go down the long-term TRT path by choice as well, and the reasons for using HCG while on TRT are simple:

• HCG will help maintain your sperm count (that’s vital if you want to have children)
• HCG will prevent atrophy of your testicles

Libido and mental health will also benefit from a TRT and HCG protocol.

HCG for PCT

Post-cycle therapy use of HCG is the most common reason guys will use this hormone to optimize recovery after a steroid cycle. The power of this hormone for PCT use comes with taking it before starting a SERM cycle.

Most PCT plans will include either or both of the SERMs Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) and Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate). While these are generally very effective on their own, many steroid users find that adding HCG to the PCT phase provides enhanced recovery benefits. The strategy here is to use HCG before starting your regular SERM dosage. HCG essentially acts as a kickstart to the hormone production process thanks to its mimicking luteinizing hormone. The SERMs then take over the rest of your PCT cycle, providing a more efficient and effective recovery.

This type of PCT plan provides for the two main purposes of post-cycle therapy: To help you maintain your gains and to speed up the restart of natural testosterone production; this hormone will be in a greatly suppressed state at the end of your steroid cycle in most cases, and without a proper PCT plan the rate of recovery is extremely slow which puts you in the certain position of low testosterone and the associated symptoms and muscle loss.

Those who are concerned about possible estrogenic side effects from using HCG during PCT because of increased aromatase activity might also choose to include an aromatase inhibitor in their PCT plan. This is not always an effective idea because AIs come with their own set of issues when it comes to potentially negatively impacting testosterone levels because of powerful estrogen suppression; in general, HCG is utilized for a short time frame during PCT, so side effects are not a great concern for most users.

Doses

Clinical use of HCG will vary according to the doctor’s directions and the patient’s specific needs (age and weight also play a role in dosage). Doses of 500iu to 1000iu three times weekly can be prescribed to males, but this is considered a low-end dosage range. Higher doses of 4000iu three times weekly for long-term use (e.g., up to 9 months) are then reduced to half that amount for a few more months.

Should we be taking such high doses of HCG? No – guys using AAS and HCG on-cycle require only a relatively small amount of HCG. We’ll ramp up the dose for PCT purposes to get things going. Here are my recommendations:

HCG dosage on-cycle

500iu weekly is more than an adequate dose of HCG most of the time. Split it into two doses per week (250iu per injection). This dosage will maintain your testicle size, prevent the dreaded shrinkage, and won’t have you in such a depleted state when the cycle ends. If you plan to continue HCG into PCT, you’ll want to increase the dosage at that time, as I’ve outlined below.

HCG dosage for PCT

Kicking off PCT with HCG straight after your AAS cycle ends or a few days before that is best done at higher doses, considering this is just a short-term use before SERMs take over. 2,500iu per week for two weeks only is my standard protocol. I like to split it in half for a simple twice-weekly administration.

I will add 1mg of Arimidex daily, which you’ll often need at this higher HCG dosage, to combat any side effects, if needed. You certainly don’t have to use HCG as part of PCT, but in my experience, it gets you back to normal functioning much faster than if you rely only on SERMs, especially after a very suppressive cycle.

HCG dosage for men on TRT

TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) is regularly prescribed to men suffering from medical conditions like hypogonadism, and HCG provides essential fertility support. Doctors will prescribe an HCG dosage for TRT patients based on individual needs, but most commonly, the dosage is between 750iu and 1500iu weekly. Guys with very low testosterone levels can be prescribed up to 5000iu weekly, but as we know, this will come with some challenging side effects.

Female HCG dosage

HCG is very useful medically for females to improve fertility, but it has no use for women who are using steroids. Men experience suppressed testosterone from most steroids, but this is not an issue that female steroid users need to be concerned with. Therefore, the use of HCG is not warranted by women outside of medical use.

Dosing schedule, half-life, and PCT length

You’ll still need to use a SERM following HCG for PCT, which means your PCT will still need to be the regular length: typically 4 to 6 weeks. Use Enclomiphene or an older SERM like Clomid – whatever works best for you.

Injectable HCG has a half-life of 1-2 days. A twice-weekly injection is the most common dosing schedule. Some TRT patients will be directed to administer HCG three times per week. I’ve heard of some guys who will break their weekly dose into daily injections to take in a smaller amount with each pin.

Proper administration and timing

When you buy real injectable HCG (not drops or other fake products), you’ll receive two products you need to mix to formulate the injection according to the instructions. This might sound complex, but once you’ve done it once, it’s very straightforward.

Most users will want to inject subcutaneously (under the skin) rather than intramuscularly. You CAN inject into the muscle if you prefer. Some guys will find sub-cut injecting makes them feel ill for whatever reasons. Studies have found that intramuscular injection tends to have higher bioavailability than subcutaneous[1] (but be aware that this study was undertaken on higher body weight females). You don’t have to go as deep into the muscle as you do with an AAS injection; it should be a less painful overall injection.

What is the best time of day to inject HCG? I don’t have a preference, and there’s no medical advice concerning the best time of day. What matters is that your injection schedule is consistent; ideally, doing it around the same time on every injecting day.

HCG vs. Other PCT Options

We could call HCG a PCT add-on. It won’t ever be your sole PCT protocol – you will always need to use another ancillary, which will be a SERM for most of us. So, how does HCG differ from these other ancillaries, and how do you know which one to use for what purpose? Here’s a quick comparison of HCG alongside SERMs, AIs and HGH:

HCG vs. SERMs

HCG and SERMs are vastly different compounds but two that bodybuilders highly value. Something that we can easily forget is that HCG itself is suppressive. No, not to your testosterone levels. Instead, it will suppress your luteinizing hormone levels. So, your natural LH is low after using HCG, which is another reason you need to follow up with a SERM (a SERM will also stimulate LH production).

HCG won’t help with side effects like gyno as a SERM can – instead, HCG can CAUSE estrogenic side effects. What they do have in common is in their treatment for infertility. HCG is established for its benefits in promoting fertility, whereas some SERMs are a potential treatment for infertility in some men.

HCG vs. Aromatase Inhibitors

Most of us will want to always keep at least one aromatase inhibitor on hand, primarily for on-cycle use to prevent and reverse estrogenic side effects like gyno and water retention. This makes an AI a very different experience from using HCG.

HCG can itself cause estrogenic-type adverse effects if your dosage is too high, and you can find yourself needing to use an AI to combat HCG’s side effects.

AIs work to lower your circulating estrogen levels. Few AIs can stimulate testosterone, and none can do so anywhere near as well as HCG. AIs are not ideal for PCT use – whereas HCG can be a very beneficial compound to kick-start testosterone production in the pre-PCT stage.

HCG vs. HGH

You’ll want to know all your acronyms as a steroid user because while HCG and HGH look similar in name, they are very different types of hormones with vastly different effects, benefits, and uses.

• HGH is all about promoting development and growth. Steroid users will use HGH to build upon the anabolic effects of AAS – to gain more muscle and size.
• HCG is much more of a support compound than HGH is. HCG is here to support fertility and testicular function. HGH is about giving you physical results: Muscle gains, reducing fat gain while bulking, faster recovery and tissue repair, joint support, and plenty more.

HGH and HCG have a place in your cycles, but you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the negatives of HGH (as we also do with HCG).

HCG Side Effects in Men

If you’re taking a high HCG dose during your cycle, you can find yourself faced with some familiar estrogenic and androgenic side effects. There is a known list of possible side effects that men who are prescribed HCG are at risk of. These include some adverse effects that will be detrimental to us as bodybuilders. They include:

• Gynecomastia
• Acne
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Mood problems
• Water retention
• Testicle pain

Testicular pain and gynecomastia are considered to be common side effects of HCG. We will always want an AI (generally at a very low dose) to mitigate any estrogenic side effects caused by HCG. Although rare, blood clots are indicated as a possible serious side effect of HCG.

One of the great positives about HCG is that side effects are rare to non-existent. Unlike other substances used by steroid users like SERMs and AIs, HCG is not a drug developed in a lab but instead is a naturally occurring hormone. This means we don’t have to worry about adverse effects like headaches, upset stomach, or other common problems that come about with the use of powerful medications.

HCG can raise testosterone levels, so the main effects to watch out for relate to rising levels of the hormone, and these can come in the form of an estrogenic nature. Water retention and gynecomastia are possible but are considered rare, particularly because HCG is not often used on its own but instead combined with anti-estrogen drugs that will mitigate these side effects when you are on a steroid cycle.

Because of the increase in circulating testosterone and DHT, androgenic side effects can be a concern, including increased oily skin and acne, increased body hair growth, and hair loss on the head. Still, the risk of these adverse effects is highly individual and usually only affects men who are genetically predisposed to them, in the same way that androgenic side effects come about from steroid use.

With the use of HCG during post-cycle therapy, you are likely to be using it at higher doses. This is balanced by the fact that your use of HCG is also likely to be only for a short period, so the risk of side effects during PCT is again quite low. All of these factors make HCG a hormone that is unlikely to cause you many or any problems at all and possibly is the most side-effect-friendly substance you will take at any time of anabolic steroid use.

The greatest risk with HCG is not in the form of traditional types of side effects that we see with steroids or other drugs, but rather whether the body starts becoming dependent on the external form of luteinizing hormone that you’re consuming.

When this happens, you will have the reverse effect occur – instead of testosterone levels rising or maintaining at a healthy level with the help of HCG, you’ll be back down to low testosterone because the testicles have become reliant on the amount of HCG you’re taking in. This is avoided with low dosing and only using HCG for a minimal period.

Where to Buy HCG?

If there’s one thing I can say here, it’s this: Don’t waste your time or money on pills or drops when it comes to HCG. Get the real thing, or avoid using it. It can be tempting to go for cheaper and more convenient pills or other oral products, but they are not the real thing: real HCG only comes in injectable form.

Be aware of fake HCG weight loss products being sold over the counter[2] – in fact, these are typically the pills and drops I’ve just mentioned. In the US, these fake weight loss HCG products are not legal, but some suppliers continue to sell them under the radar, and these are products you won’t want to waste your time and money on or risk your health taking as they will not provide you with the benefits you need from real HCG!

Availability of HCG

Injectable HCG sold in vials is available under different brands in different countries. Pharma-grade HCG is the only form I will use and the only form worth using – steer clear of illegal diet products and oral HCG. If you’ve been prescribed TRT, you’ll likely find it easy to obtain a prescription for HCG.

Black market HCG is the only option for many of us, and it can be considerably cheaper than buying directly from pharmaceutical suppliers. As always, due diligence is needed when seeking out a black-market supplier for HCG, but most reputable steroid or ancillary/peptide suppliers will also have HCG available.

Is HCG legal?

Because HCG is well known to be an accompaniment to steroid use and because of its effects on testosterone production, it is a banned substance by WADA and some other anti-doping sporting authorities. However, HCG is prohibited for male athletes only because HCG is not considered a performance-enhancing substance for females. This only concerns you if you compete in events or competitions where drug testing occurs. In terms of purchasing HCG for personal use – to do so legally requires a prescription, and most men will get this as part of a TRT prescription.

Typical pricing

Regardless of which pharmaceutical brand you find, it will be quite expensive. Although genuine pharma-grade HCG injections are what we all want (and need in this case), the cost is beyond reasonable for many of us, but this will vary substantially between different countries. This can make you turn to the black market, where you can often find the same brands for a discounted cost.

With counterfeit or fake injectables not known to be a concern with HCG, you can be confident that black-market HCG vials are the real deal. How much do you need to pay for black-market HCG? It depends on the supplier and location. However, full-priced pharmaceutical HCG in the US per 10,000 IU vial can be priced up to $250. You can expect to pay half that cost or less from a good black-market supplier.

HCG FAQs

What is the function of human chorionic gonadotropin?

The natural function of the hormone HCG is in the female body once she is pregnant, and it promotes the release of the important pregnancy hormone progesterone early on in the pregnancy. HCG presence is one way of detecting whether a woman is pregnant.

In men, HCG functions similarly to the luteinizing hormone produced in the pituitary gland and is important for testosterone function. Luteinizing hormone stimulates cells in the testicles to produce testosterone, so we can say that HCG, thanks to its almost identical functioning to LH, also serves to stimulate testosterone production – and this is what makes it so valued by men including those with abnormally low testosterone levels and bodybuilders or athletes who have induced low testosterone through the use of anabolic steroids.

Does HCG cause cancer?

The fad of HCG weight loss products (which are not legal) spurred some research, which found that weight loss products containing HCG may increase the risk of cancer because of an increase in androgen cell production, which can lead to some types of cancers growing.

Besides the formation of HCG in a pregnant woman, the only time that a man will have levels of HCG naturally present is when there is cancer because cancer cells can also produce HCG. This tells us there is a certain relationship between HCG and cancer cells, but much more study needs to be undertaken until we can fully understand the risks.

Is HCG illegal?

HCG is a prescription medication in the United States and most other countries. This means you can’t legally get your hands on it over the counter or through mainstream retailers. HCG is popular as a weight loss ingredient, so some sellers have tried to sell it through that avenue, but this is not legal either.

The FDA has not approved HCG as a weight loss product or for any other purpose besides via a prescription where doctors prescribe it as an injection either for men who need to increase their sperm production or women with egg production issues.

What is HCG used for in bodybuilding?

Bodybuilders use HCG to help reverse the problem of low or no natural testosterone production due to the effect of many steroids in significantly reducing or even completely shutting down normal hormone function while you’re taking the substances. During a bodybuilding steroid cycle, bodybuilders will use HCG at low doses to help maintain the function and size of the testicles.

Bodybuilders also use HCG for post-cycle therapy and usually as a kick-starting substance at the start of PCT, which is then later followed up with SERM drugs, with the overall goal of getting the body to start producing testosterone naturally again so you can avoid the distressing effects of low testosterone, including the loss of any muscle gains made during a steroid cycle.

Does HCG increase sperm volume?

HCG can be prescribed to men who are suffering from hypogonadism, which is a condition that results in reduced production of sex hormones. HCG works to increase sperm production as well as the production of testosterone, which is commonly used to treat infertility in men[3]. It is very effective in addressing the entire functioning of the testicles, including sperm volume or sperm count, as well as reducing testicle shrinkage, which is a concerning problem we can face with steroid use.

Can you buy HCG online?

HCG can be obtained pharmaceutically if you have a prescription, but for most steroid users, this is not going to be an option. So people turn to anabolic steroid suppliers either online or within your local gym community if you are well connected.

Those buying HCG on the black market will often notice it is cheaper than if you bought from a pharmacy with a prescription, even for the same brand names. This rarely means they are counterfeit items as it is not known to be a common concern with HCG, but instead, you are just not being exposed to the large markup that happens with prescription drugs sold through pharmacies.

Final Thoughts

HCG can increase testosterone in men by acting similarly to luteinizing hormone (LH), a natural hormone that stimulates the testicles to produce testosterone. It also stimulates sperm production.

Through increasing the production of testosterone and sperm, symptoms of low testosterone and infertility can be relieved. The testicles can also grow larger, which addresses another of the common problems with steroid use of shrunken testicles because of the way that steroids send signals to the brain to stop producing testosterone as you are feeding your body synthetic testosterone hormone.

HCG is a fantastic alternative testosterone base, but not only that – it’s what I consider to be a must-have ancillary that’s as important as a good SERM and AI. But you know what? Some guys won’t agree with me. I’ve heard the other side of the coin on HCG opinions, and some guys think it makes things more complicated.

HCG indeed comes with its own side effects we need to consider. For some people, it won’t be worth it. Then there’s fertility. Not everyone is worried about fertility. And none of us know whether infertility will happen even on TRT – it’s the risk you take. I don’t always use it for PCT, but if you’re worried about your balls turning into olives on cycle, then that reason alone is enough for a lot of guys to turn to HCG.

HCG is expensive if you can’t find an affordable source, and cost alone might be your deciding factor. Weigh up the pros and cons of HCG before deciding if it’s what you want! With a dual use for both on-cycle and to lead into PCT, once you start using HCG and see how it can transform your cycle and recovery, it’s hard to go without it.

— Furious Joe