HCG Protocol for Men

Last updated: June 8, 2026

TL;DR

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) mimics LH and tells the testicles to keep producing testosterone. Men use it for testicular maintenance during a steroid cycle, to restart natural production after a cycle, or to restore fertility on TRT. Standard cycle dose is 250-500 IU subcutaneously, 2-3x per week. Standard PCT restart dose is 1500-2500 IU EOD for 2-3 weeks. Run reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate, use within 30 days.

What is HCG?

HCG is a hormone naturally produced by the placenta during pregnancy. For male performance use, it is harvested or recombinantly produced and used because its molecular shape closely mimics luteinizing hormone (LH). The pituitary normally pulses LH to the testes telling them to make testosterone – when exogenous testosterone shuts down LH, HCG fills the gap and keeps the testicular machinery running.

What does HCG actually do for men?

Three main uses:

• Testicular maintenance on cycle – prevents the testicle shrinkage that always accompanies steroid use
• HPTA restart post-cycle – kickstarts natural test production faster than waiting for it to return on its own
• Fertility restoration on long-term TRT – keeps sperm production active in men who otherwise become functionally infertile on weekly testosterone

It does not directly raise testosterone in a healthy untreated man much – the body downregulates LH receptor when external LH-mimics arrive. The benefit is preserving the testicular function while another compound is doing the heavy lifting.

What dose should you run?

Three protocols depending on use case:

• On-cycle maintenance: 250 IU SubQ, twice per week (Mon/Thu)
• PCT restart: 1000-2500 IU EOD for 2-3 weeks, starting the day after last test injection
• Long-term TRT fertility: 250-500 IU 2-3x per week alongside test

Going above 500 IU per shot on-cycle increases the chance of desensitizing the Leydig cells – the testes stop responding to LH and HCG both. Less is more on the maintenance protocol.

How do you reconstitute it?

HCG ships as a lyophilized powder with a separate vial of diluent (usually sterile water) or you add your own bacteriostatic water. The math depends on vial size:

• 5000 IU vial + 5 mL bac water = 1000 IU per mL
• 10000 IU vial + 10 mL bac water = 1000 IU per mL

At 1000 IU/mL, 0.25 mL gives 250 IU. Use an insulin syringe (29-31 gauge, 0.5 inch) into belly fat. Reconstituted HCG is stable refrigerated for 30 days – after that, potency drops noticeably.

When during the cycle should you start it?

Two strategies:

• Throughout the cycle – run 250 IU 2x/week from week 1 to last shot. Best testicular maintenance, smoother PCT.
• Blast at end – run 1000 IU EOD for the last 10 days before PCT. Shorter, but harder restart.

Most experienced users do the throughout-cycle approach. The testes never fully shrink, the PCT works faster, and you avoid the rebound shutdown that happens when blasting at the end. See our PCT guide for the full restart protocol.

What bloodwork should you track?

HCG affects multiple markers:

• Total testosterone – HCG-driven production shows up here
• Estradiol – HCG aromatizes more aggressively than test, monitor closely
• LH and FSH – both will be suppressed during use, this is normal
• SHBG – typically drops 10-20% on HCG

The big one is estradiol. HCG drives the testicular aromatase pathway hard, often elevating estrogen even at low doses. Have an AI on hand and check E2 at week 4 of any extended HCG protocol.

Does HCG work for PCT alone?

Not really. HCG kickstarts the testes but does nothing to restart the pituitary-hypothalamus loop. Running HCG alone in PCT keeps the testes producing for a few weeks then crashes when you stop. The standard restart is HCG plus a SERM (clomiphene 50 mg/day or enclomiphene 25 mg/day) for 4 weeks. The SERM blocks estrogen feedback at the hypothalamus and the LH-FSH pulse returns naturally while HCG keeps the testes from atrophying during the recovery window. We covered enclomiphene as a SERM option in our peptide buying guide.

What about fertility on TRT?

Men on long-term TRT (over 12 months) typically become infertile because suppressed LH means no spermatogenesis. Adding 250-500 IU HCG 2-3x per week alongside the testosterone dose preserves intra-testicular testosterone at levels high enough to maintain sperm production. Multiple studies confirm men can stay fertile indefinitely on TRT plus HCG. Without HCG, recovery requires stopping testosterone for 6-12 months.

What are the side effects?

Common at standard doses:

• Elevated estrogen (most common, manage with AI)
• Mood swings or sensitivity in some users
• Acne flare-up from elevated DHT
• Gynecomastia risk if estrogen runs high uncontrolled
• Leydig cell desensitization at doses above 500 IU per shot

Side effects scale with dose. The 250 IU twice-weekly maintenance protocol is well tolerated in nearly all users. The 2500 IU restart protocol is short-term and side effects resolve as the dose tapers down.

How can you tell if your HCG is real?

Real HCG is a fine white powder in a sealed sterile vial with matching batch numbers on box, vial, and foil cap. Counterfeits commonly substitute saline with a fake batch number, mannitol filler, or low-dose product diluted to look like full strength. The only reliable check is bloodwork – LH will read low (suppressed by exogenous HCG showing up on the assay as cross-reactive) and testosterone should respond within 7-10 days. We covered the visual inspection process in our fake HGH guide – same principles apply to HCG.

Is HCG legal in Canada?

HCG is a prescription drug regulated under the Food and Drugs Act – legitimate medical use requires a doctor and a pharmacy. Personal-use possession is rarely prosecuted. Importation without prescription is technically illegal. Federal classification is at the Health Canada Drugs and Health Products page.

Sources

• Coviello AD, et al. Low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin maintains intratesticular testosterone in normal men with testosterone-induced gonadotropin suppression. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2005.
• Hsieh TC, et al. Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. J Urol, 2013.
• Llewellyn W. Anabolics. Body of Science Publishing, 11th ed.