Women typically turn to hCG injections (human chorionic gonadotropin) to boost their chances of pregnancy, but did you know that this hormone is also a standout treatment for men?
It’s true—hCG injections are a common treatment for men.
It’s used in men for one primary reason: to boost adolescents and adults, increase their sperm volume and ramp up sperm production.
Besides that, hCG injections also can be used to treat certain medical conditions. For instance, hCG has been used to treat hypogonadism in men.
If you’re considering taking hCG for men, here are some critical facts that you must know when using hCG.
1. hCG Acts Like a Luteinizing Hormone
hCG mimics the function of the luteinizing hormone (LH) in males due to the presence of only one receptor, although they’re not exactly the same.
The luteinizing hormone, a hormone made in the pituitary gland, spurs testosterone production in the testes through the Leydig cells.
Testosterone is responsible for numerous male characteristics, such as the development of muscle mass, improved bone strength, the deepening of the voice, and so on.
For men with low testosterone levels, or T levels that fall below the standard baseline of 300 ng/dL, hCG can act as a therapeutic solution to get the testes to produce testosterone naturally at normal levels again.
2. Don’t Worry, hCG Injections Work
Apprehensive about injecting foreign-sounding compounds into your body? While that fear is intrinsic and natural, the good news is that there’s really nothing to worry about on a scientific level.
In one published study, medical professionals administered hCG injections over a span of 6 months at a dosage of an average weekly hCG dose of 2000 IU in men with low testosterone.
After this period is over, it’s been found that this treatment has effectively boosted testosterone levels in a majority of these men by 60%.
Furthermore, half of the participants have reported facing reduced symptomatic episodes corresponding to low testosterone after the treatment.
It’s also been found in the aforementioned study that there were no side effects following these injections among all the participants, regardless of testicular size and patient age.
3. As Rare As They Are, Side Effects Can Occur
While the aforementioned study featured no participant with adverse reactions to hCG injections, it’s not completely out of the picture.
hCG side effects do occur, and they can be debilitating in their own right.
Here are some of the most notable side effects that men who regularly take hCG injections may be exposed to:
- Stomach pain
- Gynecomastia
- Vomiting
- Redness or pain at the site of the injection
- Nausea
- Blood clots
- Allergic reactions
- Skin rashes
The majority of these symptoms are mild and pass on their own. However, if symptoms persist and occur several times a week, it’s important to reevaluate your hCG therapy with your doctor and adjust your therapy accordingly.
4. While Effective, Further Scientific Studies Are Needed
It was during the mid-1950s when British physician Albert T. Simeons first proposed the claim that taking hCG supplements, alongside following a calorie-restrictive diet, can help in significantly reducing weight in men and women.
In particular, the diet plan includes three main stages:
- Loading stage: Eat high-fat and high-calorie food for 2 days with hCG supplements.
- Weight loss phase: For 6 weeks, eat only 500-800 calories a day with hCG supplements.
- Maintenance phase: Stop hCG supplement intake, and slowly ramp up food intake except for sugar and starch for 3 weeks.
And while this diet plan was first brought to light in the 1950s, this low-calorie diet plan has reemerged with the proliferation of untrustworthy sources like TikTok.
The supposed benefits of taking hCG supplements lie in their ability to support weight loss and redistribute fat from the buttocks to different body parts. It’s also said to reduce feelings of hunger.
However, as it currently stands, there’s no scientific evidence that supports this claim. Furthermore, the Food & Drug Administration has not approved the use of this drug for weight loss purposes.
In fact, the lowered calorie intake on its own is likely the main reason for the reduced body weight in dieting individuals.
5. hCG Is Used For Its Many Sexual Benefits
hCG injections can only be taken with a prescription from a doctor. If you’re qualified, you’ll be given a brand and dosage requirements you must strictly adhere to.
After a few weeks of hCG injections, you can gain the following sexual benefits:
- Reduced infertility risk
- Improved testosterone deficiency
- Improved sexual function
- Minimized steroid sexual side effects
Because of these sexual benefits, men can also find improvements in other areas of their health.
As an example, low testosterone typically leads to a depressed mood. Since hCG reverses symptoms of low testosterone, this can help treat hormone-induced depressive symptoms. This vastly improves the quality of life of the affected individual.
5. hCG Comes in Many Brand Names
hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is marketed under various brand names.
They all fall under a drug class called gonadotropins, which are known to be peptide hormones that regulate sexual function in males and females.
Some popular brand names include:
- Pregnyl
- hCG
- APL
- Novarel
- Ovidrel
While they have the same core hormone, get in touch with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable brand for your needs.
Get Quality Hormone Treatment at Tampa, Florida’s Prestige Men’s Medical Center
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injections are an effective testosterone replacement therapy plan for men looking to improve the production of testosterone in their bodies.
That said, it’s vital to be in touch with a medical professional before proceeding with any long-term treatment plans.
Need assistance? The medical professionals from Tampa’s leading men’s health clinic at Prestige Men’s Medical Center can help you identify the root causes of dysfunction, as well as the right treatment plan to help restore your sexual health.
Besides hormone therapy, we also offer ED treatment, adrenal fatigue treatment, and premature ejaculation treatment, among other therapies for qualified individuals who need medical assistance.
Schedule an appointment with us today, your initial consultation and first treatment are completely free.
