The prescription gonadotropin used alongside TRT to preserve testicular size and fertility — and to restart natural production after a cycle.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone naturally produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Pharmaceutically, it mimics luteinizing hormone (LH) at its receptor — which means it can directly stimulate the testes to produce testosterone and support spermatogenesis, even when the pituitary is shut down from TRT.
HCG is prescription-only. Its primary legitimate uses are: adjunct to TRT (preserving testicular size / fertility), restoring HPG function after anabolic cycles, and fertility treatment in both men and women.
FDA approved. Prescription only. WADA prohibited (S2 — Peptide Hormones).
Binds and activates the LH receptor on testicular Leydig cells — triggering testosterone synthesis and spermatogenesis support, bypassing the suppressed HPG axis.
On TRT without HCG, testicular atrophy is common. HCG keeps Leydig cells stimulated and testicular volume intact.
Maintains intratesticular testosterone levels needed for spermatogenesis — even when exogenous TRT suppresses FSH. Fertility can be preserved throughout long-term TRT with appropriate HCG use.
| Use case | Evidence |
|---|---|
| TRT fertility preservation | Two studies, measuring two different things. Coviello 2005 (PMID 15713727) measured intratesticular testosterone, not sperm: 29 men on 200 mg testosterone enanthate weekly had ITT suppressed 94%, and hCG restored it dose-dependently — 250 IU every other day held ITT within 7% of baseline. The authors state the ITT threshold needed for spermatogenesis was not determined. The semen evidence comes from Hsieh 2013 (PMID 23260550), where 26 men on TRT plus 500 IU hCG every other day kept semen parameters steady past a year with no azoospermia |
| Testicular volume | Direct correlation with dose; atrophy reverses when HCG added |
| Post-cycle restart | Used with SERMs (clomid, enclomiphene) to restart HPG axis after anabolic steroid use |
| Male hypogonadism | Alternative to TRT when fertility must be preserved (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism) |
| Mood / well-being on TRT | Anecdotal. No trial has tested hCG for mood or well-being in TRT patients, and the pregnenolone explanation offered for it is a mechanism proposed to fit the reports rather than one that has been measured |
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeNot medical advice. These are prescription medications. The figures below describe established clinical practice and labelled prescribing information — they are not a recommendation, they do not account for your labs, history, or other medications, and safe use depends on monitoring a page cannot do. Work with a qualified healthcare provider.
Worth knowing what was actually studied: both supporting trials dosed every other day, not two or three times weekly, and the dose–response was linear — 125 IU left intratesticular testosterone 25% below baseline, 250 IU 7% below, and 500 IU 26% above (PMID 15713727). If fertility preservation is the goal rather than testicular volume, frequency matters more than the weekly total suggests.
PCT is complex and benefits significantly from provider supervision.
Not medical advice. These figures describe what is reported in the literature and what practitioners and communities do — not a recommendation, and for most compounds here no human dose-finding study exists. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider.
Pharmaceutical HCG comes as a lyophilized powder with a dedicated diluent (or is supplied separately with bacteriostatic water).
5000 IU vial + 3 mL BAC water = 1667 IU/mL
| Dose | Volume | Syringe Units |
|---|---|---|
| 250 IU | 0.15 mL | 15 units |
| 500 IU | 0.30 mL | 30 units |
| 1000 IU | 0.60 mL | 60 units |
Pre-filled with a typical HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) setup. Edit any field — the draw updates live.
Insulin syringe — 100 units = 1 mL
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HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a prescription medication. StackTrax does not sell, prescribe, or facilitate purchase of prescription drugs.
Find a clinician who can order baseline lab work, screen for contraindications, monitor your response, and adjust dosing over time. Options to consider:
Before starting, you’ll typically want:
Avoid sources that offer prescription medications without labs, medical history, or licensed-provider oversight. If a telehealth service promises a prescription after a 5-minute questionnaire, that’s a red flag.
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeHCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is FDA-approved and prescription-only. Its primary legitimate uses are as an adjunct to TRT (to preserve testicular size and fertility), as part of a post-cycle restart after anabolic steroid use, and for fertility treatment in both men and women. It works by mimicking luteinizing hormone (LH) at its receptor, directly stimulating the testes to produce testosterone and support spermatogenesis even when the pituitary is shut down.
Usually, when dosed appropriately alongside TRT — though the two supporting studies measured different things. Coviello 2005 (PMID 15713727) showed low-dose hCG maintains intratesticular testosterone, the precursor condition for sperm production, and explicitly did not establish the threshold needed for spermatogenesis itself. Hsieh 2013 (PMID 23260550) is the study with actual semen data: 26 men on TRT plus 500 IU hCG every other day held their semen parameters past a year, with none becoming azoospermic. The mechanism is that HCG mimics LH at the testicular Leydig cell receptor, maintaining the intratesticular testosterone levels needed for sperm production even when exogenous TRT suppresses FSH. Typical TRT-adjunct dosing is 250-500 IU subcutaneously 2-3 times per week (500-1500 IU weekly total).
HCG mimics LH at the testicular receptor and supports testosterone production and spermatogenesis. HMG (human menopausal gonadotropin) provides both LH and FSH activity. On TRT, HCG alone is often sufficient to preserve testicular volume and basic spermatogenesis. When fertility is the primary goal and HCG alone isn't enough, providers may add HMG to supply the FSH component directly.
This guide does not cover the hCG weight-loss diet (the very-low-calorie diet paired with low-dose hCG injections popularized decades ago). The legitimate clinical uses for hCG documented here are TRT fertility preservation, post-cycle restart of the HPG axis, and fertility treatment. Any weight loss on an hCG diet is driven by the severe caloric restriction, not the hCG itself.
HCG is FDA approved and prescription-only in the U.S. It is WADA prohibited (S2 — Peptide Hormones), so athletes subject to anti-doping testing should not use it. Legitimate access requires a prescription from a licensed provider — most commonly through a TRT clinic, urologist, or reproductive endocrinologist. StackTrax does not sell or facilitate purchase of HCG.
Common mild effects include injection site reactions, mild gynecomastia if estradiol rises from testicular aromatization, increased acne, and water retention. In women, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a primary risk — especially in those undergoing fertility treatment or with PCOS — and can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening fluid shifts and thromboembolism. Active prostate cancer, other hormone-sensitive cancers, and precocious puberty in boys are contraindications.
Pharmaceutical HCG comes as a lyophilized powder, typically reconstituted with the supplied bacteriostatic water. A common reconstitution is a 5000 IU vial plus 3 mL of BAC water, yielding 1667 IU/mL. At that concentration, a 250 IU dose draws to 0.15 mL (15 units on an insulin syringe), 500 IU to 0.30 mL (30 units), and 1000 IU to 0.60 mL. Swirl gently — do not shake — and refrigerate immediately.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The compounds discussed are not FDA approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or peptide protocol. StackTrax does not sell peptides or supplements directly — purchase links go to third-party vendors. StackTrax is not responsible for the products, quality, or business practices of any third-party vendor.
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StackTrax guides cover peptides and compounds that are not FDA-approved for the uses discussed. The dosing, reconstitution, and safety information is compiled from published research and community protocols for educational purposes only.
Before using any compound mentioned here, consult a qualified healthcare provider. StackTrax does not sell, prescribe, or recommend these substances for personal use.