How does HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) work?
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. In plain terms, HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is 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. Mechanistic detail like this comes largely from preclinical and early research, the human picture is limited.
What people use it for
- Men running TRT who want to preserve testicular size and fertility
- Post-cycle users restarting their HPG axis
- Fertility patients (under physician supervision)
References
- Low-Dose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Maintains Intratesticular Testosterone in Normal Men with Testosterone-Induced Gonadotropin Suppression — Coviello AD, Matsumoto AM, Bremner WJ, et al. — Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2005;90(5):2595-2602
- Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy — Hsieh TC, Pastuszak AW, Hwang K, Lipshultz LI — Journal of Urology, 2013;189(2):647-50
Pepdex is an editorial reference, not medical advice. Peptides vary in legal and approval status by country, many are research compounds without full human safety data. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting anything.
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Last updated 2026-06-06.