Sexual
HCG
Hormonal
0
Amino acids
Molecular weight
Peptide
Type
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a glycoprotein hormone that mimics luteinizing hormone (LH) by binding to the LHCG receptor, stimulating testosterone production and spermatogenesis in men. FDA-approved as Pregnyl and Novarel, it is used clinically for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, cryptorchidism, and ovulation induction in women. Among men on testosterone replacement therapy, it is widely used to preserve testicular function and maintain fertility.
Top researched benefits
Overview of HCG
HCG binds to the luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) on Leydig cells in the testes, activating cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling to stimulate steroidogenesis and testosterone production, while preserving intratesticular testosterone levels and supporting spermatogenesis.
male fertility
- Maintains intratesticular testosterone at baseline during testosterone therapy, preventing atrophy and preserving fertility.
- FDA-approved for secondary hypogonadism; combined with FSH for spermatogenesis induction.
- Restores testicular function after anabolic steroid cycles.
female fertility
- FDA-approved trigger for follicular maturation; 15-25% pregnancy rate per cycle.
pediatric
- FDA-approved for prepubertal undescended testes not due to anatomical obstruction; ~25% success rate.
Typical Dose
250–500 IU per injection
Frequency
2–3 times per week
Cycle Duration
Ongoing or 12-week cycles depending on indication
Storage
Lyophilized powder: store below -18°C long-term or at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 60 days.
No visual available
Due to this peptide having no amino acids, there is no molecular chain to display.
Chemical Makeup
Key benefits
Stimulates endogenous testosterone production by directly activating LHCG receptors on testicular Leydig cells, raising intratesticular testosterone by up to 26% when combined with TRT
Preserves testicular volume and prevents atrophy during testosterone replacement therapy by maintaining LH-receptor signaling
Restores and maintains spermatogenesis in hypogonadal men, making it the preferred alternative to TRT for men wishing to preserve fertility
Treats prepubertal cryptorchidism (undescended testes) by stimulating testicular descent through androgen production
Community interest
This peptide is still gaining traction in the community.
LH Mimetic | Fertility & Testosterone Support
This overview is informational and based on aggregated descriptions from studies and user reports.
Was it helpful?YesNoHCG Molecular Information
View the scientifc details of HCG.
Molecular Weight
36700DaChain Length
0Amino AcidsType
PeptideHCG Protocols
Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection is the only clinically established delivery route for HCG, as its large glycoprotein structure (molecular weight ~36,700 Da) is destroyed by gastric proteases when taken orally. SubQ injection into abdominal fat is preferred for self-administration due to equivalent bioavailability to IM with significantly less discomfort.
| Goal | Dosage | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trigger final oocyte maturation and ovulation in women undergoing assisted reproduction or timed intercourse cycles | 10000 | 1 period | SubQ or IM, single trigger shot |
| Stimulate Leydig cells to restore intratesticular testosterone and support spermatogenesis in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or anabolic steroid-induced azoospermia | 1500 | 3 week range | SubQ or IM |
| Maintain testicular size and preserve spermatogenesis in men on exogenous testosterone replacement therapy who wish to retain fertility potential | 500 | 3 week range | SubQ, abdomen |
| Restart endogenous LH signaling and restore hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function after discontinuation of anabolic steroids | 2000 | 3 week range | SubQ or IM |
| Normalize serum testosterone levels and support gonadal function in men with confirmed hypogonadotropic hypogonadism as long-term monotherapy | 2000 | 3 week range | SubQ or IM |
| Prevent testicular atrophy in men on TRT who do not require preservation of fertility but wish to maintain testicular volume | 1500 | 1 week range | SubQ, abdomen |
Reconstitution Instructions
Materials needed:
Steps to reconstitute
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and gather all supplies on a clean, flat surface.
- Wipe the rubber stopper of the HCG powder vial and the bacteriostatic water vial with separate alcohol swabs and allow both to air dry completely.
- Draw the appropriate volume of bacteriostatic water (typically 1–2.5 mL for a 5,000 IU vial) into a syringe using an 18-gauge needle.
- Insert the needle into the HCG powder vial at an angle and inject the bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside wall of the vial — never directly onto the powder.
- Gently swirl the vial in slow circular motions until the powder is fully dissolved — do not shake.
- Switch to an insulin syringe (29–31 gauge) to draw the correct dose volume based on your reconstitution ratio (e.g., 5,000 IU in 2.5 mL = 2,000 IU/mL; a 500 IU dose = 0.25 mL).
- Label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration, then refrigerate at 36–46°F (2–8°C) — use within 30 days of reconstitution.
- Before injecting, clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and allow to dry.
- For SubQ: pinch 1–2 inches of skin at the abdomen, outer thigh, or upper arm and insert the needle at a 45–90 degree angle into the fat layer.
- For IM: use a 22-gauge 1.5-inch needle; stretch the skin over the gluteal or vastus lateralis muscle and insert at a 90-degree angle fully into the muscle.
- Slowly depress the plunger to inject the solution, hold the needle in place for 10 seconds, then withdraw cleanly.
- Do not rub the injection site after withdrawal. Dispose of the needle immediately in a sharps container.
- Rotate injection sites with each dose to prevent tissue irritation and lipohypertrophy.
HCG Cycle
The HCG Cycle section explains how long a typical cycle lasts and what to expect during each phase. Over time, your body can become less responsive with continuous use.
Taking breaks between cycles may help maintain effectiveness and support better overall results.
- Day 1-3
- Cellular-level action begins; no immediate noticeable effects
- Week 1-2
- Testosterone increase detectable on labs; possible mood/energy improvement
- Week 2-4
- Testicular fullness/size improvement noticeable; improved well-being
- Week 4-8
- Stable testosterone levels; fertility parameters beginning to improve
- Month 2-3
- Sperm count improvements if used for fertility; sustained testicular function
- Week 0-0
- Maintained testicular size and function with ongoing use
Dosing tools
HCG Peptide Dosage Calculator
Calculate peptide doses with our visual syringe guide.
mg
Enter the total amount of peptide in the vial in milligrams (as stated on the label).
The dose you want to inject per administration, in mcg or mg.
1,000 mcg = 1 mg
1 mL
2 mL
3 mL
5 mL
Custom
Volume of bacteriostatic water you add to reconstitute the powder. Use BAC water for preservation.
Injection Results
Based on your vial and dilution inputs.
HCG
SINGLE COMPOUNDVolume per injection
0.05
mL
Concentration
10.00
mg/mL
Doses per vial
20
doses
Total injections per vial
20 injections
How it works
Based on a 10 mg HCG vial diluted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 500 mcg injection equals 0.05 mL.
1mL / 100 units
5 units
0.050 mL
Reference Guide
Dosing Cycle
- Peptide
- HCG
- Dosing
- 250–500 IU per injection
- Dosing Frequency
- 2–3 times per week
- Cycle Duration
- Ongoing or 12-week cycles depending on indication
- Storage
- Lyophilized powder: store below -18°C long-term or at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 60 days.
Note: Triple agonist; microdose for fewer side effects
Reconstitution Tips
- Use bacteriostatic water (BAC) — contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol for preservation
- Inject water slowly — aim down the vial wall, not directly onto powder
- Never shake — gently swirl or roll the vial until dissolved
- Store properly — refrigerate at 2-8°C after reconstitution
- Use within 28 days — most reconstituted peptides remain stable for about 4 weeks
- Keep sterile — always clean vial tops with alcohol before drawing
Peptide Interactions
Research suggestions of HCG interactions with other common peptides and substances.
Side effects
Contraindications
Hormone-sensitive cancers (prostate, breast)
Pregnancy (except as prescribed)
Precocious puberty risk in children
Stop signs
Signs of gynecomastia (breast tenderness, swelling, nipple sensitivity)
Severe or persistent headaches
Signs of blood clots (leg swelling/pain, shortness of breath, chest pain)
Allergic reactions (rash, hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling)
Severe abdominal pain or bloating in women (possible OHSS)
Testicular pain or swelling beyond normal
Significant mood changes (depression, aggression, severe irritability)
Vision changes
Bad signs
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Frequently asked questions
What is a peptide dosage calculator?
A peptide dosage calculator is a free tool that converts your vial size, bacteriostatic water volume, and target dose into an exact syringe draw volume. Instead of doing the reconstitution math by hand, you enter three inputs and instantly get the concentration of your solution and how many milliliters or syringeunits to draw. This calculator works for single peptide compounds and multi-peptide blends.
How do I calculate peptide dosage from a vial?
To calculate your peptide dose, divide the total peptide content of your vial in micrograms by the volume of bacteriostatic water you added in milliliters. This gives you your solution concentration in mcg/mL. Then divide your target dose by that concentration to get your draw volume. For example, a 5mg (5,000 mcg) vial reconstituted with 2mL of BAC water gives a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg dose would require drawing 0.1mL. This calculator automates all of those steps instantly.
How much Bacteriostatic water should I add to a peptide vial?
Most people add 2mL to 3mL of bacteriostatic water per vial, but the right amount depends on the dose you want to draw and the syringe size you are using. Adding 1mL to a 5mg vial gives you a concentration of 5,000 mcg/mL, making each dose very small in volume. Adding 2mL gives you 2,500 mcg/mL, which is easier to measure on a standard insulin syringe. A general guideline is to choose a volume that puts your typical dose somewhere between 10 and 30 units on a U-100 syringe. Use the calculator above to test different water volumes and find what works for your dose.
How are peptides different from proteins?
Both are made of amino acids, but peptides are much smaller than proteins. Because of their tiny size, peptides can act like tiny messengers in the body, sending specific signals to your cells to tell them exactly what to do.
HCGResearch References
HCG is a fda approved compound
HCG
HCG is a fda approved compound
HCG for Intratesticular Testosterone Maintenance
250 IU HCG every other day during TRT maintains intratesticular testosterone at baseline, preventing atrophy and preserving fertility.
2005
HCG Monotherapy for Hypogonadism
HCG monotherapy (1500-2000 IU twice weekly) effectively increased testosterone and improved symptoms while maintaining fertility.
2013
Spermatogenesis Induction with HCG/FSH
Combined HCG and FSH therapy induces spermatogenesis in 70-90% of men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
2018
Cryptorchidism Treatment Meta-Analysis (Cochrane)
Meta-analysis of 1,231 boys showing ~25% success rate for hormonal treatment of cryptorchidism.
2014
Ovulation Induction Success Rates
HCG trigger achieves pregnancy rates of 15-25% per cycle in clomiphene/letrozole protocols.
2017
Calculate peptide dosages
Learning how to calculate a peptide dose? Use our beginner-friendly peptide dosage, blend, and accumulation calculators. Enter vial size, reconstitution volume, and target dose to get exact draw volumes instantly. No guesswork, just clear guidance that helps prevent common mistakes.
