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№ 068

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

Used clinically to boost fertility and restart the body's own testosterone production after a suppressive cycle. It's a glycoprotein hormone that works by mimicking LH at the testicular Leydig cell.

Metabolic
Evidence: Strong

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): Used clinically to boost fertility and restart the body's own testosterone production after a suppressive cycle. It's a glycoprotein hormone that works by mimicking LH at the testicular Leydig cell. HCG is a hormone that tells the testicles to keep making testosterone and sperm.

FDA ⓘ
Approved
WADA
Banned
Typical dose
Alongside TRT: 250-500 IU 2-3x weekly
Half-life ⓘ
~24-36 hours sub-q
Route ⓘ
Subcutaneous or intramuscular
Schedule
2-3x weekly (low-dose alongside TRT) or daily (PCT restart)
In plain English

HCG is a hormone that tells the testicles to keep making testosterone and sperm. Men on testosterone therapy (TRT) use a low dose so their testicles don't shrink and they stay fertile, since TRT alone switches that signal off. It's also used to restart your own testosterone after a suppressive cycle, and for fertility. Despite old diet fads, it is not a fat-loss drug.

Status & legalityWhat do these mean? →
Natty? ⓘ
Not natty

FDA-approved drug used to mimic LH and stimulate endogenous testosterone. Universally banned in tested sport.

FDA ⓘ
Approved

Approved (multiple brand names, Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel) for fertility induction in men and women, and for cryptorchidism in boys.

Compounding ⓘ
Approved drug

Available as an FDA-approved drug, not a compounded peptide.

WADA ⓘ
Banned (S2)

Listed under S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors). Banned in male athletes only, female athletes are exempt because HCG is endogenous in pregnancy.

Prescribed ⓘ

Yes, prescribed by reproductive endocrinology, urology, and TRT-aware providers for fertility, hypogonadism adjunct, and post-cycle support.

Who it's for

  • →Men running TRT who want to preserve testicular size and fertility
  • →Post-cycle users restarting their HPG axis
  • →Fertility patients (under physician supervision)

What to expect

  1. Week 1

    Testicular volume restoration begins within days when running alongside TRT.

  2. Week 4

    PCT users see meaningful endogenous testosterone reactivation if HPG axis is intact.

  3. Week 8

    PCT pulse usually wraps. Long-term TRT users continue indefinitely.

Looking at HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)? Your next 3 steps

  1. 1Work out your exact dose

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  2. 2See what to stack & monitor

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How it works (mechanism)

Glycoprotein hormone that mimics luteinizing hormone (LH) at the testicular Leydig cells, directly driving intratesticular testosterone production and preserving testicular size and sperm output, the exact functions exogenous testosterone suppresses. In women it triggers ovulation, which is its fertility use.

Dosing protocol

Members only

Stacks well with

Members only

Stack essentials

Members only

Side effects

01Acne flare from increased intratesticular testosterone
02Estrogen elevation (HCG also stimulates aromatase), may need an AI
03Mild gynecomastia risk if estrogen runs uncontrolled
04Mood changes during PCT pulses

When NOT to use

  • ⚠Precocious puberty
  • ⚠Prostate cancer or other androgen-dependent tumor (incl. male breast)
  • ⚠Prior allergic reaction to HCG (anaphylaxis risk)
  • ⚠Pregnancy (HCG is the pregnancy hormone, distinct context)

Bloodwork to monitor

  • • Total + free testosterone
  • • Estradiol (sensitive assay)
  • • LH / FSH (PCT context)
  • • PSA if older

Common mistakes

  • • Running it solo as a 'natural' alternative to TRT, ignores estrogen and long term axis effects
  • • Skipping estrogen monitoring during PCT pulses
  • • Mixing pharmacy-grade HCG with research grade product without understanding the IU-vs-mg labeling difference
  • • Confusing HCG with HMG (different gonadotropin, different role)

The Pepdex take

Pepdex take: HCG is the most-used peptide nobody calls a peptide. On TRT, low-dose HCG (250 IU 3x/week) preserves testicular function and fertility without meaningfully changing your TRT dose-response, the cost is acne and slightly higher estrogen. For PCT, it's one tool of three (HCG + SERM + time); HCG alone restarts the testes but not the brain, which is why solo-HCG PCTs leave people feeling flat. The IU-vs-mg confusion is real: research grade product sold as '5,000 IU' or '10,000 IU' refers to total vial activity, not dose, reconstitute carefully.
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AI Coach, live sample
Members only
is 250mcg of bpc enough for a knee injury?
For a knee, 250 mcg sub-q daily is the standard working dose and a solid place to start. The trick with BPC is consistency, give it weeks, not days. Inject close to the joint, run it 4-6 weeks, and don't drop below 200 mcg, it tends to stop cracking the threshold reliably down there. If it hasn't moved at all by week 3, that's when adding TB-500 earns its place.
how much bac water for a 10mg reta vial?
3 mL is the standard play for a 10 mg reta vial. That's 3,333 mcg/mL, clean unit math across the titration: 2 mg = 60 units, 4 mg = 120 units, 6 mg = 180 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe. Run 2 mL instead if you want fewer, more concentrated shots (5,000 mcg/mL, so 2 mg = 40 units). Since most people titrate up over ~12 weeks, 3 mL keeps the numbers cleanest.
what should i track on bloodwork for tirzepatide?
Lipid panel, ALT/AST (liver enzymes), and an A1C, baseline before you start then every 3 months. If you've got metabolic-syndrome history, add fasting glucose and insulin so you can actually watch insulin sensitivity improve. You don't need a big hormone panel for a GLP-1.

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Frequently asked

What is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?+
HCG is a hormone that tells the testicles to keep making testosterone and sperm. Men on testosterone therapy (TRT) use a low dose so their testicles don't shrink and they stay fertile, since TRT alone switches that signal off. It's also used to restart your own testosterone after a suppressive cycle, and for fertility. Despite old diet fads, it is not a fat-loss drug.
Is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) FDA approved?+
Approved (multiple brand names, Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel) for fertility induction in men and women, and for cryptorchidism in boys.
Is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) legal?+
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is FDA-approved and legal to obtain by prescription in the US. Yes, prescribed by reproductive endocrinology, urology, and TRT-aware providers for fertility, hypogonadism adjunct, and post-cycle support.
Is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) banned by WADA?+
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is on the WADA prohibited list under Banned (S2). Listed under S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors). Banned in male athletes only, female athletes are exempt because HCG is endogenous in pregnancy.
Are you still natty after taking HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?+
No. FDA-approved drug used to mimic LH and stimulate endogenous testosterone. Universally banned in tested sport.
Do doctors prescribe HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?+
Yes, prescribed by reproductive endocrinology, urology, and TRT-aware providers for fertility, hypogonadism adjunct, and post-cycle support.
What's the typical dose of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?+
Dosing depends on your goal, experience, and tolerance. The full HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) protocol (dose, frequency, and how to titrate) is in the members section on the entry page.
What are the side effects of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?+
Common side effects include: Acne flare from increased intratesticular testosterone; Estrogen elevation (HCG also stimulates aromatase), may need an AI; Mild gynecomastia risk if estrogen runs uncontrolled; Mood changes during PCT pulses. Less common effects and full safety details are on the entry page.
How long until HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) starts working?+
Testicular volume restoration begins within days when running alongside TRT.
What can you stack with HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?+
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is commonly combined with complementary compounds. The full stacking protocol (what to pair, dosing, and timing) is in the members section on the entry page.
Where do people get HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?+
Pepdex does not sell, ship, or recommend suppliers. HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is FDA-approved and dispensed through licensed pharmacies with a prescription; some telehealth clinics prescribe it. If you're vetting a source, /coa explains how to verify a Certificate of Analysis.

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