Human chorionic gonadotrophin ( Pregnyl ) is a hormone that is only found in the placenta of pregnant women. Its main interest for use in bodybuilding circles is that it can mimic the action of LH in the body. ( LH is a hormone that is released and signals the manufacture of testosterone in the testicles). When too much sex hormones are released into the body (like anabolic androgenic steroids and estrogens) The brain signals to stop the release of LH. During long duration cycles, if natural testostoerone stays suppressed for considerable time, a male user may begin to note an atrophy in his testicles, meaning they will visibly shrink purely out of disuse. By administering an LH-mimicking agent such as HCG , one can bring back the function of the testicles and let them regain their size. This is the main use of HCG. HCG. is allways packaged in two separate vials, one with a powder and the other with a sterile solvent. These vials need to be mixed before injecting, any left needs to be refrigerated,It has a life span of about 10 weeks. Since it forms testosterone in the body to some extent, it can impart certain performance enhancing properties, but usually these are not major and the cost/side effects / performance ratio means and the fact that is easily detectable in athletic competitions , It is rarely used for this purpose. T To the steroid user HCG is an almost essential part of a cycle. Because of its effect on bringing testicle size back it can promote the return of natural testosterone, since the first natural signals can immediately deliver a higher yield of testosterone in the body. And getting natural testosterone back online after a cycle is crucial, especially if you intend to keep most of your hard-earned gains. Without an adequate natural response you will not be able to maintain a mass that was higher than before. The downside is that HCG too is suppressive of natural testosterone. This is why the product is always used in conjunction with a potent estrogen receptor antagonist like clomid or Nolvadex. After HCG therapy, testicle size is restored again and shortly thereafter natural testosterone manufacture should return to normal. But therefore its crucial that users note that though HCG is essential after long cycles, it shouldn't be used without clomid or Nolvadex AND HCG should be discontinued at least two weeks before coming off Clomid or Nolvadex or else it will suppress natural testosterone itself. Also important to take into account : using HCG for too long a period of time or in doses that are excessively high, can desensitize the testicles to the effect that it would put your right back where you started from. In terms of side-effects one should expect some androgenic signs such as acne and there is a risk for hair loss or prostate hypertrophy, but in most cases this compound will not be used for more than 3 weeks, so these should not manifest themselves to any serious degree. There will also be some estrogen build-up, but since the user HAS to be on clomid or Nolvadex, this should not become apparent either. Next to this, HCG being a fertility drug, one should be aware that increased blood pressure and blood clotting can occur. HCG is clinically used to make women ovulate, or to invoke birth in pregnant women. Most users only normally opt to use HCG after a long duration cycle, usually 8 weeks or more. Most oral cycles wouldn't be longer than 6-7 weeks. In these cases too HCG can have a use, but most of the time testicular atrophy will not have progressed to such a stage that it is an absolute necessity. Unless the duration of the cycle was excessively long a single 5000 iu shot at the beginning of post cycle therapy or 3000 IU followed by 2000 IU 5-6 days later should be adequate to kick start the testes Some users do prefer a longer duration of HCG therapy. Maybe start off with one shot of 3000 IU somewhere in the last week of your stack, then another 3000 5 days later, then drop to 1500 5 days later and a last shot of 1500 6 days after that. Sometime after the second or third shot, therapy with Nolvadex or clomid should be commenced and continued for 4 weeks. HCG is and always will be an important part of post-cycle recovery, but it should never be run too long or at too high a dose and should always be accompanied by the use of either Clomid or Nolvadex. The use of Clomid or Nolvadex should also be continued at least 2 weeks after HCG is discontinued to avoid the HCG causing problems.
