Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone naturally occurring in both women and men in small quantities. However, production increases significantly in women during pregnancy, earning it the name "pregnancy hormone." All pregnancy tests detect HCG, which starts to be detectable around 6 days after fertilization. HCG also serves important purposes for men. It can be used to address infertility issues and promote an increase in testosterone levels.
How HCG Works
Human chorionic gonadotropin is a natural hormone in men that can mimic the effects of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is crucial for testosterone synthesis. For men who want to raise testosterone levels, HCG triggers the testes to produce testosterone. (1)
The Role of Testosterone
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone that plays a vital role in sexual development in males. During puberty, testosterone is responsible for: (2)
- Development of the penis and testes
- Sperm production
- Sex drive
- Deepening the voice
- Producing facial and body hair
- Producing muscles
- Bone growth and strength
Testosterone is also responsible for maintaining mood and energy levels.
How a Testosterone Deficiency Impacts Men
Low testosterone is a condition where the testes can't produce enough testosterone. It can cause various symptoms depending on age but declines naturally as men age. More than a third of men age 45 or older experience low testosterone levels. (3)
According to research, (4) symptoms can include:
- Low libido
- Low sperm count
- Infertility and impotence
- Loss of body hair
- Loss of muscle mass
- Increased fat
- Depression
- Irritability
- Poor concentration
- Weakened bones
- Hot flashes
Low testosterone affects all areas of a man's health and can reduce the enjoyment of everyday life. The physical, emotional and psychological toll it can take can be devastating. But HCG may help:
Benefits of HCG in Men
As men age, it's normal to experience a drop in testosterone. HCG can be beneficial for men dealing with various problems related to low T. They include:
Improvement of testosterone deficiency & sexual function
According to a study, (5) HCG can help increase testosterone levels in men with any of the following symptoms:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Low libido
- Low energy levels
Over the 8 months, the men in the study experienced a 49.9% increase in testosterone, and 50% had improved ED symptoms, energy levels and sex drive. According to the American Urological Association, (6) It can be used as an alternative to or in conjunction with TRT for men still interested in having a family.
HCG can be beneficial in increasing the following:
- Testosterone levels. HCG can help improve testosterone production, enhancing libido, energy levels and well-being.
- Fertility. It helps to stimulate the production of sperm and improve quality, improving the chances of conceiving.
- Hormone balance. HCG can restore hormone balance and stimulate the production of luteinizing hormones (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH), which improves health.
- Testes. HCG can help maintain the function and size of the testes, especially when used with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
- Weight loss. HCG may help weight loss by breaking down fat and reducing hunger.
Reverse effects of steroid use
The use of anabolic steroids can suppress the body's ability to produce testosterone, resulting in a hormone imbalance. When steroid use stops, testosterone levels drop even more, causing side effects such as mood swings, anxiety, irritability, muscle loss and loss of sex drive.
HCG can stimulate the testes to produce testosterone, which can help to balance the hormones. HCG can boost testosterone production by mimicking the effects of luteinizing hormones (LH).
Improve sexual function
HCG may be beneficial for men with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone levels by boosting the production of testosterone and improving erections and libido. However, studies are limited.
HCG in Men vs. Clomid
For men with low testosterone, testosterone replacement therapy is an effective way to treat symptoms and feel like themselves again. But TRT can pose some concerns for men worried about fertility and may not be a viable option. In that case, they may benefit from utilizing other treatments.
To address the concern of fertility, there are two options: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid). While they are both considered effective treatments, they have differences in safety, impact on fertility and effectiveness that are worth noting.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
HCG is a naturally produced hormone in women and men. For women, it's produced during pregnancy and in men, HCG mimics the behavior of luteinizing hormone (LH), which stimulates the testicles to produce testosterone production and improves fertility.
HCG is more effective in producing testosterone because it can stimulate the testes' Leydig cells directly to produce testosterone.
While it's safe to use, some men may experience side effects, including an enlarged prostate, acne and mood swings.
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)
Clomid is a selective estrogen receptor in both men and women. It helps treat fertility issues in women and men and stimulates male testosterone production. Clomid indirectly stimulates testosterone production by blocking the negative feedback of estrogen on the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
It's also safe to take but does have side effects such as hot flashes, headaches, irritability and the possibility of vision problems.
Regarding fertility, HCG indirectly stimulates testosterone production by blocking the negative feedback of estrogen on the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Both HCG and Clomid are viable options that can be used with testosterone replacement therapy to preserve fertility.
Energy flagging, running on empty?
IT COULD BE YOUR HORMONES
Conclusion: HCG for Men
HCG is an FDA-approved medication for treating testosterone levels in men. While studies are limited, they suggest that HCG may be beneficial in boosting testosterone and maintaining fertility. However, it's generally used along with TRT to improve sexual function.
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