HCG is not an anabolic/androgenic steroid but a natural protein hormone
which develops in the placenta of a pregnant woman. HCG is formed in the
placenta immediately after nidation. It has luteinizing characteristics
since it is quite similar to the luteinizing hormone LH in the anterior
pituitary gland. During the first 6-8 weeks of a pregnancy the formed
HCG allows for continued production of estrogens and gestagens in the
yellow bodies (corpi luteum). Later on, the placenta itself produces
these two hormones.
HCG is manufactured from the urine of pregnant women since it is
exereted in unchanged form from the blood via the woman's urine, passing
through the kidneys. The commercially available HCG is sold as a dry
substance and can be used both in men and women. In women injectable HCG
allows for owlation since it influences the last stages of the
development of the ovum, thus stimulating ovulation. It also helps
produce estrogens and yellow bodies. The fact that exogenous HCG has
characteristics almost identical to those of the luteinizing hormone
(LH) which, as mentioned, is produced in the hypophysis, makes HCG so
very interesting for athletes. In a man the luteinizing hormone
stimulates the Leydig's cells in the testes; this in turn stimulates
production of androgenic hormones (testosterone). For this reason
athletes use injectable HCG to increase the testosterone production.
HCG is often used in combination with anabolic/androgenic steroids
during or after treatment. As mentioned, oral and injectable steroids
cause a negative feedback after a certain level and duration of usage. A
signal is sent to the hypothalamohypophysial testicular axis since the
steroids give the hypothalamus an incorrect signal. The hypothalamus, in
turn, signals the hypophysis to reduce or stop the production of FSH
(follicle stimulating hormone) and of LH. Thus, the testosterone
production decreases since the testosterone-producing Leydig's cells in
the testes, due to decreased LH, are no longer sufficiently stimulated.
Since the body usually needs a certain amount of time to get its
testosterone production going again, the athlete, after discontinuing
steroid compounds, experiences a difficult transition phase which often
goes hand in hand with a considerable loss in both strength and muscle
mass. Administering HCG directly after steroid treatment helps to reduce
this condition because HCG increases the testosterone production in the
testes very quickly and reliably. In the event of testicular atrophy
caused by megadoses and very long periods of usage, HCG also helps to
quickly bring the testes back to their original condition (size). Since
occasional injections of HCG during steroid intake can avoid a
testicular atrophy, many athletes use HCG for two to three weeks in the
middle of their steroid treatment. It is often observed that during this
time the athlete makes his best progress with respect to gains in both
strength and muscle mass. The reasons for this is clear. On the one
hand, by taking HCG the athlete's own testosterone level immediately
jumps up and, on the other hand, a large concentration of anabolic
substances in the blood is induced by the steroids. Many bodybuilders,
powerlifters, and weightlifters report a lower sex drive at the end of a
difficult workout cycle, immediately before or after a competition, and
especially toward the end of a steroid treatment. Athletes who have
often taken steroids in the past usually accept this fact since they
know that it is a temporary condition. Those, however who are on the
juice all year round, who might suffer psychological consequences or who
would perhaps risk the breakup of a relationship because of this should
consider this drawback when taking HCG in regular intervals. A reduced
libido and spermatogenesis due to steroids in most cases, can be
successfully cured by treatment with HCG.
Most athletes, however, use HCG at the end of a treatment in order to
avoid a "crash," that is, to achieve the best possible transition into
"natural training." A precondition, however, is that the steroid intake
or dosage be reduced slowly and evenly before taking HCG. Although HCG
causes a quick and significant increase of the endogenic
plasmatestosterone level, unfortunately it is not a perfect remedy to
prevent the loss of strength and mass at the end of a steroid treatment.
The athlete will only experience a delayed re-adjustment, as has often
been observed. Although HCG does stimulate endogenous testosterone
production, it does not help in reestablishing the normal
hypothalamic/pituitary testicular axis. The hypothalamus and pituitary
are still in a refractory state after prolonged steroid usage, and
remain this way while HCG is being used, because the endogenous
testosterone produced as a result of the exogenous HCG represses the
endogenous LH production. Once the HCG is discontinued, the athlete must
still go through a re-adjustment period. This is merely delayed by the
HCG use. For this reason experienced athletes often take Clomid and
Clenbuterol following HCG intake or they immediately begin another
steroid treatment. Some take HCG merely to get off the "steroids" for at
least two to three weeks.
Many bodybuilders, unfortunately, are still of the opinion that HCG
helps them become harder while preparing for a competion by breaking
down subcutaneous fat so that indentations and vascularity are better
exposed. The HCG package insert states clearly that HCG has no known
effect of fat mobilization, appetite or sense of hunger, or body fat
distribution. HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive
therapy in the treatment of obesity, it does not increase fat losses
beyond that resulting from caloric restriction.
Athlete should inject 5000 IU every 5 days. Since the testosterone
level, as explained, remains considerably elevated for several days, it
is unnecessary to inject HCG more than once every 5 days. The relative
dose is at the discretion of the athlete and should be determined based
on the duration of his previous steroid intake and on the strength of
the various steroid compounds. Athletes who take steroids for more than
three months and athletes who use primarily the highly androgenic
steroids such as Androlic, Sustanon 250, Cypionate, Dianabol (D-bol)
etc. should take a relatively high dosage. The effective dosage for
athletes is usually 2000-5000 IU per injection and should, as already
mentioned, be injected every 5 days. HCG should only be taken for a 4
weeks maximum.
If HCG is taken by male athletes over many weeks and in high dosages, it
is possible that the testes will respond poorly to a later HCG intake
and a release of the body's own LH. This could result in a permanent
inadequate gonadal function. Cycles on the HCG should be kept down to
around 3 weeks at a time with an off cycle of at least a month in
between. For example, one might use the HCG for 2 or 3 weeks in the
middle of a cycle, and for 2 or 3 weeks at the end of a cycle. It has
been speculated that the prolonged use of HCG could permanently, repress
the body's own production of gonadotropins. This is why short cycles
are the best way to go.
HCG can in part cause side effects similar to those of injectable
testosterone. A higher testosterone production also goes hand in hand
with an elevated estrogen level which could result in gynecomastia. This
could manifest itself in a temporary growth of breasts or reinforce
already existing breast growth in men. Farsighted athletes thus combine
HCG with an antiestrogen. Male athletes also report more frequent
erections and an increased sexual desire. In high doses it can cause
acne vulgaris and the storing of minerals and water. The last point must
especially be observed since the water retention which is possible
through the use of HCG could give the muscle system a puffy and watery
appearance. Athletes who have already increased their endogenous
testosterone level by taking Clomid and intend subsequently to take HCG
could experience considerable water retention and distinct feminization
symptoms (gynecomastia, tendency toward fat deposits on the hips). This
is due to the fact that high testosterone leads to a high conversion
rate to estrogens. In very young athletes HCG, like anabolic steroids,
can cause an early stunting of growth since it prematurely closes the
epiphysial growth plates. Mood swings and high blood pressure can also
be attributed to the intake of HCG. HCG is also suitable as "over
bridge" doping before a competition with doping controls.
HCG's form of administration is also unusual. The substance
choriongonadotropin is a white powdery freeze-dried substance which is
usually used as a compress. Based on the low structural stability of
this compress it can easily fall apart, thus giving the impression of a
reduced volume. This is, however, insignificant since there is neither a
loss in effect nor a loss of substance. Each package, for each HCG
ampule, includes another ampule with an injection solution containing
isotonic sodium chloride. This liquid, after both ampules have been
opened in a sterile manner, is injected into the HCG ampule and mixed
with the dried substance. The solution is then ready for use and should
be injected intramuscularly. If only part of the substance is injected
the residual solution should be stored in the refrigerator. It is not
necessary to store the unmixed HCG in the refrigerator; however, it
should be kept out of light and below a temperature of 25°C. HCG is a
relatively expensive compound.
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