Peptide Comparison
TriptorelinvsHuman Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
GnRH agonist that helps manage prostate cancer, endometriosis, and early puberty by controlling sex hormones
A powerful hormone that mimics luteinizing hormone (LH) to stimulate your body's natural testosterone production while keeping your fertility intact—like having your cake and eating it too for men on hormone therapy.
At a Glance
Quick
comparison
Dose Range
Triptorelin
0.1 mg–22.5 mg mg
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
250–2000 IU
Frequency
Triptorelin
Once daily
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Twice weekly
Administration
Triptorelin
Intramuscular injection
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle Length
Triptorelin
Ongoing/indefinite
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Ongoing/indefinite
Onset Speed
Triptorelin
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Evidence Level
Triptorelin
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
Efficacy
Benefit
ratings
Hormone Regulation
Cancer Management
Endometriosis Relief
Fertility Preservation
Testicular Health
Hormone Balance
Technical Data
Compound
specifications
Triptorelin
Molecular Formula
C64H82N18O13
Molecular Weight
1311.4 g/mol
Half-Life
2-3 hours (free peptide); 2-4 weeks (depot pamoate formulations)
Bioavailability
~100% (intramuscular/subcutaneous injection)
CAS Number
57773-63-4
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Molecular Formula
C1105H1770N318O336S26 (approximate)
Molecular Weight
36,700 g/mol (approximately)
Half-Life
24-36 hours
Bioavailability
High when injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly
CAS Number
9002-61-3
Protocols
Dosing
tiers
Triptorelin
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Applications
Best
suited for
Triptorelin
Managing advanced prostate cancer when combined with other treatments
Triptorelin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on managing advanced prostate cancer when combined with other treatments. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Relieving severe endometriosis pain and symptoms
Triptorelin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on relieving severe endometriosis pain and symptoms. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Delaying puberty development in children with early sexual maturation
Triptorelin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on delaying puberty development in children with early sexual maturation. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Fertility Preservation During TRT
If you're on testosterone therapy but want to keep your swimmers swimming, HCG is your best friend. It keeps your testes active and producing sperm even when external testosterone would normally shut that down. Research shows it can maintain or restore spermatogenesis in about 80% of men.
Preventing Testicular Atrophy
Nobody wants their boys to shrink. When you take external testosterone, your brain stops signaling your testes to work—and they get smaller from disuse. HCG mimics the signal (LH) that keeps them active, maintaining their size and function.
Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
If your pituitary gland isn't sending the right signals to your testes (low LH), HCG can step in and do the job. It's been used for decades to treat this condition, helping men achieve normal testosterone levels and fertility.
Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)
After using anabolic steroids, your natural hormone production is suppressed. HCG can help jumpstart your testes back into action, speeding up the recovery of your natural testosterone production. It's often used as part of a comprehensive PCT protocol.
Safety Profile
Side
effects
Triptorelin
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Common
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Water retention
Uncommon
- Gynecomastia
- Mood changes
- Acne
Serious
- Blood clots
Research Status
Safety
& evidence
Triptorelin
Evidence Level
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
FDA Status
FDA approved for this use
Safety Overview
Triptorelin (GnRH agonist) has extensive FDA-approved safety data spanning decades for prostate cancer, endometriosis, and precocious puberty indications. Initial testosterone surge upon initiation ("flare reaction") can worsen prostate cancer or spinal cord compression symptoms, requiring careful patient monitoring in first 1-2 weeks and use of androgen antagonists in high-risk patients. Hypogonadal effects including hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, and bone loss develop predictably with chronic GnRH suppression; bone density monitoring is recommended in patients on therapy >6 months.
Contraindications
- xPregnancy (can affect fetal development)
- xUndiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- xKnown hypersensitivity to GnRH agonists
- xSevere untreated depression
- xActive spinal cord compression in prostate cancer (requires urgent decompression)
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Evidence Level
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
FDA Status
FDA approved for other use
Safety Overview
HCG has been used medically for over 80 years with a well-established safety profile. When used appropriately for male hypogonadism or fertility preservation, side effects are generally mild and manageable. The most common issues relate to elevated estrogen from increased testosterone aromatization, which can be managed with aromatase inhibitors if needed. Serious side effects are rare when HCG is used under medical supervision.
Contraindications
- xHormone-sensitive cancers (prostate, breast)
- xPrecocious puberty in children
- xKnown allergy to HCG or any component
- xPregnancy (in therapeutic male contexts)
- xUntreated thyroid or adrenal disorders
Decision Guide
Which is
right for you?
Choose Triptorelin if...
- Managing advanced prostate cancer when combined with other treatments
- Relieving severe endometriosis pain and symptoms
- Delaying puberty development in children with early sexual maturation
Choose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) if...
- Fertility preservation during TRT
- Maintaining testicular size and function
- Natural testosterone stimulation
- Post-cycle therapy recovery