Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Injections for Men
For men who suffer from low testosterone, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) may be recommended alone or in combination with testosterone to attempt to preserve fertility and prevent testicular atrophy.hCG is a naturally occurring hormone. hCG is generally only produced by women during pregnancy, but it is an analog of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is produced in a man’s pituitary gland and plays a critical role in men by signaling the testes to produce testosterone.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved hCG injections to treat specific medical conditions. In females, they can help treat infertility. In males, they can treat a type of hypogonadism. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is sometimes called “the pregnancy hormone” because of its important role in maintaining pregnancy.
What is hCG used for in men?
There are a variety of reasons why a doctor might prescribe hCG to a man.
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1. To help address hypogonadism: In men, doctors prescribe hCG to help address the symptoms of hypogonadism, such as low testosterone and infertility. hCG can help the body increase its production of testosterone and sperm, which can help reduce infertility.
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2. To improve testosterone deficiency: Injections of hCG are also sometimes used as an alternative to testosterone products in males with testosterone deficiency. Testosterone deficiency is defined as testosterone blood levels less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) along with symptoms of low testosterone. These include fatigue, stress, a low sex drive, depressed mood
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3. Testosterone products boost levels of the hormone in the body but can have the side effects of shrinking the gonads, altering sexual function, and causing infertility. hCG can help increase gonad size, testosterone levels, fertility. Some doctors believe that using testosterone along with hCG may help improve symptoms of testosterone deficiency while preventing some of testosterone’s side effects
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4. To improve sexual function: hCG may also help improve sexual function in MAABs who don’t experience improvement while on testosterone.
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5. To reverse steroid side effects: Bodybuilders who take anabolic steroids such as testosterone also sometimes use hCG to help prevent or reverse some of the side effects steroids cause, such as gonad shrinkage and infertility.
How does it work to increase testosterone?
In men, hCG acts like luteinizing hormone (LH). LH stimulates the testicles, which results in the production of testosterone. LH also stimulates production of sperm within structures in the testicles called seminiferous tubules. As hCG stimulates the testicles to produce testosterone and sperm, the testicles grow in size over time.
What are the side effects?
For men, the most common side effects of hCG injections include: gynecomastia, or the growth of male breasts, pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. In rare cases, people taking hCG have developed blood clots. Although also rare, allergic reactions can occur, including mild skin rashes and severe anaphylactic reactions.
Is hCG safe?
When used appropriately with the guidance of your doctor, hCG is safe. It shouldn’t be used by males with prostate cancer, certain brain cancers, or uncontrolled thyroid disease. Talk with your doctor about other medical conditions you may have before using hCG.hCG is produced from hamster ovary cells. People with an allergy to hamster protein shouldn’t take hCG.
You should avoid all OTC hCG products, since none of them have been FDA approved. The FDA warns against using these products or following the hCG diet.
What’s the takeaway?
hCG is an FDA-approved medication for treating specific conditions in both females and men. In men, it seems to have an important role as an alternative to testosterone for boosting testosterone levels and maintaining fertility. Some doctors are prescribing it in conjunction with testosterone products for testosterone deficiency to help maintain fertility and sexual function.