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.
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Subcutaneous
Route
3 recommended
Sites
Twice weekly
Frequency
Preparation
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)—the preservative allows multiple uses
Insulin syringes (29-31 gauge)—thin needles for comfortable injections
Alcohol swabs for cleaning vial tops and injection sites
Your HCG powder vial (typically 5,000 IU or 10,000 IU)
Pro tip
Prepare all supplies on a clean surface before you begin. Having everything ready makes the process smoother and more sterile.
Mixing
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Gather all supplies on a clean, flat surface.
Remove the plastic cap from the peptide vial and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab. Let it air dry.
Draw the appropriate amount of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
Insert the needle into the vial at an angle, aiming at the inside wall of the vial. Slowly push the plunger to let the water trickle down the glass wall -- do NOT squirt directly onto the powder.
Once all water is added, gently swirl the vial in a slow circular motion. Never shake the vial, as this can damage the peptide bonds.
Continue swirling until the powder is completely dissolved and the solution is clear. If particles remain, let the vial sit for a few minutes and swirl again.
Label the vial with the date of reconstitution, the peptide name, and the concentration (e.g. 250mcg per 0.1mL).
Example calculation
If you have a 5,000 IU vial and add 2.5mL of BAC water, you get a concentration of 2,000 IU/mL. So every 0.25mL (25 units on an insulin syringe) equals 500 IU of HCG.
Dose calculation
For a 500 IU dose at 2,000 IU/mL concentration: draw 0.25mL (25 units on a standard insulin syringe). For 1,000 IU: draw 0.5mL (50 units).
Pro tip
Always add the bacteriostatic water slowly, letting it run down the side of the vial. Never shake the vial -- swirl gently to avoid damaging the peptide.
Location
Site 01
Abdomen
Pinch the skin 2 inches from navel. Avoid the area directly around the belly button. Rotate between left and right sides.
Site 02
Outer Thigh
Middle third of the outer thigh. Keep at least 4 inches above the knee and below the hip. Alternate legs each injection.
Site 03
Gluteal
Upper outer quadrant of the buttock. This site is best for intramuscular injections and larger volumes.
Rotate between 3 sites to prevent tissue buildup and ensure consistent absorption.
Pro tip
Rotate your injection sites with each dose to prevent lipohypertrophy (buildup of fatty tissue). Keep a simple log of where you last injected.
Step by step
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry
For subcutaneous: pinch about an inch of skin to create a fold
Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle (45 if you're lean, 90 if you have more tissue)
Push the plunger slowly and steadily over 5-10 seconds
Wait a few seconds before removing the needle
Apply light pressure with a clean swab if needed—don't rub
Pro tip
This peptide uses subcutaneous injection (just under the skin) or intramuscular injection—subcutaneous is easier for self-administration and equally effective. Inject at a 45-90 degree angle into pinched skin. Aspirate before injecting to ensure you haven't hit a blood vessel.
Timing
Optimal timing
Best time
Most men inject HCG on set days—for example, Monday and Thursday, or Sunday and Wednesday. Time of day doesn't matter much, but consistency helps you remember. Some prefer morning injections.
With food?
HCG can be taken regardless of food timing. Absorption is not affected by meals since it's injected, not taken orally.
Stacking notes
When using with testosterone, inject HCG on the same days or alternate days—both approaches work. [7][8] If using an aromatase inhibitor, take it as prescribed to manage any estrogen increase from HCG [18].
Sample daily schedule
Morning (or whenever convenient)
250-500 IU injection
Site: Rotate between belly and thigh
Standard twice-weekly protocol: inject Monday and Thursday, or Sunday and Wednesday. Pair with your TRT injections or on alternate days—both approaches are effective. Most men use HCG continuously alongside testosterone therapy.
Dosing tiers
Dose
500-1,500 IU
Frequency
2-3 times per week
Duration
Ongoing with TRT
Documented clinical practice for preserving testicular function/fertility in men on testosterone therapy; 1,500-2,000 IU 2-3x/week is used for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism [6]. The popular 500 IU 2-3x/week maintenance figure reflects real-world practice rather than the FDA label. In controlled dosing, 250 IU every other day held intratesticular testosterone within 7% of baseline and 500 IU raised it 26% above baseline during testosterone administration [7]; 500 IU every other day preserved semen parameters with no azoospermia in men on TRT [8].
Dose
500-1,000 IU
Frequency
3 times weekly for 3 weeks, then 2 times weekly for 3 weeks
Duration
6-week induction course
FDA-labeled regimen for male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (Pregnyl) [7]. Intramuscular is the only labeled route.
Dose
4,000 IU then taper to 2,000 IU
Frequency
3 times weekly
Duration
4,000 IU for 6-9 months, then 2,000 IU for 3 additional months
Higher-dose FDA-labeled regimen for inducing spermatogenesis/testicular descent (Pregnyl) [7].
Preservation
Before mixing
Keep your HCG powder in the refrigerator (36-46°F / 2-8°C). While some products claim room temperature stability, refrigeration extends shelf life. Store in the original sealed vial away from light. Properly stored powder remains stable for 1-2 years.
After mixing
Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate at 36-46°F (2-8°C). Never freeze the reconstituted solution—freezing damages the protein structure and destroys the hormone. Keep away from light. Use within 30-60 days depending on your provider's guidance.
Shelf life after mixing
30-60 days
Signs of degradation
Discard the vial immediately if you notice any of these:
Cloudy or hazy appearance (should be crystal clear)
Visible particles floating or settled at the bottom
Color changes—any discoloration means discard it
Clumping or precipitation that doesn't dissolve when gently swirled
Important
When to stop
Signs of allergic reaction—rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing (stop immediately, seek emergency care)
Significant gynecomastia development that doesn't respond to estrogen management
Blood clot symptoms—sudden leg pain/swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath (stop immediately, seek emergency care)
Your fertility or TRT goals have been achieved and your doctor recommends discontinuation
Unacceptable side effects that don't improve with dose adjustments
Development of hormone-sensitive conditions
HCG is a prescription medication and should only be used under medical supervision. Never start, stop, or adjust your dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. This information is for educational purposes only—not medical advice.
Clean technique checklist
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling supplies
Swab vial tops and injection site with alcohol and let dry
Never touch the needle tip or allow it to contact non-sterile surfaces
Use a new syringe and needle for each injection
Dispose of used sharps in a proper sharps container
Store reconstituted peptides according to the storage instructions above
Published research
Lee JA, Ramasamy R · 2018
This review established that HCG therapy can help re-establish or maintain spermatogenesis in hypogonadal men, making it an essential tool for fertility preservation during testosterone therapy. It highlighted HCG's role in maintaining intratesticular testosterone levels.
Ramasamy R, Armstrong JM, Lipshultz LI · 2015
This study showed that HCG can reverse azoospermia caused by testosterone therapy and maintain elevated intratesticular testosterone levels. The research demonstrated that combining HCG with selective estrogen receptor modulators effectively maintains spermatogenesis in hypogonadal men.
Boeri L, Capogrosso P, Salonia A · 2021
This comprehensive review found that combined HCG and FSH therapy promotes testicular growth in almost all patients, spermatogenesis in approximately 80%, and pregnancy rates around 50% in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Treatment duration of 12-24 months was typical for optimal results.
Cho MC, Lee H, Kim SW · 2025
This study demonstrated that gonadotropin therapy with HCG and FSH successfully induced spermatogenesis in 82% of patients with prepubertal-onset hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Larger baseline testicular volume was the best predictor of treatment success.
Clift AK, Johnson H, Huang DR, Morgentaler A · 2026
In a study of over 9,500 men, 75% received HCG as part of their testosterone therapy protocol. The combination showed a favorable safety profile with significant improvements in quality of life, sexual function, energy levels, and performance in work and sport.
Organon (FDA label / DailyMed) · 2023
FDA-labeled intramuscular regimens for male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (500-1,000 IU 3x/week x3 wk then 2x/week x3 wk) and for inducing spermatogenesis (4,000 IU 3x/week x6-9 mo, then 2,000 IU 3x/week x3 mo).
Coviello AD, Matsumoto AM, Bremner WJ, Herbst KL, Amory JK, Anawalt BD, et al. · 2005
Twenty-nine men with normal reproductive function received 200 mg testosterone enanthate weekly plus saline or 125, 250, or 500 IU hCG every other day for three weeks. Intratesticular testosterone fell 25% below baseline at 125 IU, held within 7% of baseline at 250 IU, and rose 26% above baseline at 500 IU — establishing the every-other-day low-dose range that maintains testicular testosterone during exogenous testosterone use.
Hsieh TC, Pastuszak AW, Hwang K, Lipshultz LI · 2013
Men on testosterone replacement who co-administered 500 IU hCG every other day maintained semen parameters over more than one year of follow-up, with no cases of azoospermia — against the roughly 40% azoospermia rate reported with testosterone therapy alone.
Smit DL, Verdegaal T, Bond P · 2025
Nineteen men at a Dutch harm-reduction clinic who continued non-prescribed androgen use were treated with hCG; mean total sperm count rose from 18.0 to 146.9 million and total motile sperm count from 1.1 to 66.9 million. A minority remained oligospermic or azoospermic.
Lunenfeld B · 2004
Gonadotrophin extracts prepared from human placenta and urine began to be used in the management of infertility in the early 1930s, with pregnancies reported following their use in the late 1930s — placing clinical use of chorionic gonadotrophin preparations at more than eight decades.
Smitz J, Platteau P · 2020
The hCG beta subunit differs from LH by a carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) extension carrying four O-linked carbohydrate chains; terminal sialic acid content drives charge heterogeneity. The CTP extension confers hCG a markedly increased half-life versus LH (approximately 24-34 h vs approximately 30-60 min) and a markedly longer dissociation rate from the LH/CG receptor. Receptor activation signals through adenylyl cyclase and the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway, producing steroidogenesis.
Zirkin BR, Papadopoulos V · 2018
In the adult testis, luteinizing hormone binding to Leydig cell LH receptors stimulates cAMP production, increasing cholesterol translocation into the mitochondria. Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) acts at the mitochondrial contact-site complex to enhance cholesterol movement across the membranes; cholesterol is then metabolised to pregnenolone by CYP11A1 and on to testosterone by mitochondrial and smooth endoplasmic reticulum enzymes.
Prior M, Stewart J, McEleny K, Dwyer AA, Quinton R · 2018
hCG acts as a long-acting LH analogue stimulating spermatogenesis. Previously virilised men with adult-onset hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and normal testicular volume respond well to hCG monotherapy; men with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism require combined hCG plus FSH.
Matsumoto AM, Snyder PJ, Bhasin S, Martin K, Weber T, Winters S, et al. · 2009
Thirty-six men with severe hypogonadotropic hypogonadism received 1,000 U hCG on alternate days for 3-6 months followed by hCG plus follitropin alfa. Testis volumes increased during treatment. Acne occurred in 52% of patients and was the most common side effect; gynecomastia was reported in 10%.
Rahnema CD, Lipshultz LI, Crosnoe LE, Kovac JR, Kim ED · 2014
Symptomatic hypogonadism, testicular atrophy and gynecomastia are consequences of non-prescribed anabolic-androgenic steroid use. Management strategies for anabolic steroid-associated hypogonadism include judicious use of testosterone replacement therapy, hCG, and selective estrogen receptor modulators.
Rainer Q, Pai R, Zucker I, Ramasamy R, Masterson TA · 2022
Twenty-eight men with previous exogenous testosterone use were switched to hCG monotherapy and followed with laboratory testing of testosterone, LH, FSH, estradiol, hematocrit, HbA1c and PSA. Hematocrit fell significantly (45.27% to 44.16%) and no thromboembolic events were reported; testosterone rose in men whose baseline was drawn outside the prior therapeutic window.
Madhusoodanan V, Patel P, Lima TFN, Gondokusumo J, Lo E, Thirumavalavan N, Lipshultz LI, Ramasamy R · 2019
In 20 men treated with hCG monotherapy for hypogonadal symptoms, mean testosterone rose 49.9% from 362 ng/dL to 519.8 ng/dL over a median 8 months, with 50% reporting symptom improvement and no adverse events.
Mulhall JP, Trost LW, Brannigan RE, et al. (American Urological Association) · 2018
Statement 27: clinicians may use aromatase inhibitors, human chorionic gonadotropin, selective estrogen receptor modulators, or a combination thereof in men with testosterone deficiency desiring to maintain fertility. Hemoglobin and hematocrit are measured before therapy and monitored on treatment; PSA is measured in men over 40 before starting; testosterone levels are measured at follow-up and every 6-12 months on therapy.
Lijesen GK, Theeuwen I, Assendelft WJ, Van Der Wal G · 1995
Meta-analysis of eight controlled and 16 uncontrolled trials of HCG as adjunctive obesity therapy. Of the 12 studies scoring 50 or more on methodological quality, one reported HCG a useful adjunct. The authors concluded there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity: it does not bring about weight loss or fat redistribution, nor reduce hunger.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2020
FDA consumer update advising consumers to avoid HCG weight-loss products: "any loss is from severe calorie restriction. Not from the HCG," and "Living on 500 calories a day is not only unhealthy but also dangerous." All drug products claiming to contain homeopathic HCG are illegally marketed; there are no FDA-approved HCG products for weight loss.
Amann RP · 2008
Review of human spermatogenic kinetics. Heller and Clermont (1963, 1964) concluded that one cycle of the seminiferous epithelium requires approximately 16 days and that the duration of spermatogenesis is approximately 74 days — the value that remains the accepted figure.
Muir CA, Zhang T, Jayadev V, Conway AJ, Handelsman DJ · 2024
Meta-analysis of 41 studies and 1,673 men. Sperm appeared in the ejaculate in 78% of treated men after a median 18 months. Treatment-related increases in testosterone and testicular volume did not differ between hCG monotherapy and combined hCG/FSH, although combined therapy was more efficacious for inducing spermatogenesis.
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