What is HCG?

• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that mimics luteinizing hormone (LH).  LH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a vital role in both male and female reproduction. hCG as a medication is commonly used in fertility treatments for women, but it can also be used to raise testosterone levels in men and to help with undescended testicles in young males.

How does hCG work in men?

• In men, hCG acts as an analog to LH, stimulating the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone. This can be particularly useful during testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), as TRT alone can suppress the body’s natural production of testosterone. hCG helps maintain testicular function and sperm production, making it beneficial for men who wish to preserve fertility while undergoing TRT.