HCG protocol · PepGuide

Standard

12.5u

250 IU · Mon/Wed/Fri

LH-mimetic, maintains testosterone.

Higher

25u

500 IU · Mon/Wed/Fri

At this dose, estrogen (E2) elevation is more likely. Have an AI available and test at Week 4.

Fertility

25–50u

500–1,000 IU · Daily or M/W/F

Full fertility support dose. This protocol takes 70+ days to show results in sperm counts.

FDA label

25–50u

500–1,000 IU · 3×/wk

FDA Pregnyl/Novarel male-hypogonadism dose (or 4,000 → 2,000 IU 3×/wk). The 250 IU "Standard" above is a lower community TRT-adjunct microdose.

Phase	How often	Dose	Units	Notes
Standard	Mon/Wed/Fri	250 IU	12.5u	LH-mimetic, maintains testosterone.
Higher	Mon/Wed/Fri	500 IU	25u	At this dose, estrogen (E2) elevation is more likely. Have an AI available and test at Week 4.
Fertility	Daily or M/W/F	500–1,000 IU	25–50u	Full fertility support dose. This protocol takes 70+ days to show results in sperm counts.
FDA label	3×/wk	500–1,000 IU	25–50u	FDA Pregnyl/Novarel male-hypogonadism dose (or 4,000 → 2,000 IU 3×/wk). The 250 IU "Standard" above is a lower community TRT-adjunct microdose.

Cycle & timing

Cycle: TRT-adjunct: ongoing while on TRT (no scheduled off-cycle). Fertility: 70+ day cycle (one full spermatogenesis cycle). Single-dose ovulation trigger: one IM injection per IVF cycle (per FDA Pregnyl / Novarel labels).

Timing: 2–3×/week SubQ, anytime; same days each week.

Where: SubQ abdomen. Rotate.

What to expect

Testicular volume maintenance and testosterone support within days. Monitor estrogen, HCG raises both T and E2.

How much to buy

For 10-wk @ 500 iu × 3/wk:

15

× 1000iu vials

8

× 2000iu vials

3

× 5000iu vials

2

× 10000iu vials

Men & women

Men: Mimics LH so the testes make their own testosterone and sperm; low-dose ~250–500 IU every other day keeps intratesticular T and fertility, even on TRT.

Women: Acts like LH, an ovulation trigger and luteal support, timed to the cycle.

Recommended mixes

Vial	Water	Strength
1000 iu	0.5 mL	2000 IU/mL
2000 iu	1 mL	2000 IU/mL
5000 iu	2.5 mL	2000 IU/mL
10000 iu	5 mL	2000 IU/mL

1000 iu: U-100 syringe

Storage

PowderFreeze-dried: -4°F.
MixedReconstituted: 36–46°F, use within 60 days.

Don't use if: Hormone-sensitive malignancy (prostate cancer outside intentional ADT, breast cancer, ovarian cancer) · Active thromboembolic disease · Untreated thrombophilia · Pregnancy (except specific fertility indications under specialist supervision) · Polycythemia vera

Stop if you notice

Hematocrit >54% (donate/hold)
E2 persistently above target despite AI
OHSS (distension, weight gain, dyspnea)
Thrombosis (calf swelling, chest pain, dyspnea, neuro)
New breast tenderness/growth

Side effects

Water retention, mood swings, estrogen elevation.

Drug interactions

AIs (anastrozole, letrozole): manage E2; over-suppression worsens lipids/bone. SERMs (clomiphene, tamoxifen, enclomiphene): redundant HPG overlap. Exogenous testosterone: shuts down LH/FSH, reduces HCG efficacy unless TRT paused/microdosed. Anticoagulants: elevated E2 raises thrombotic risk. Insulin/antidiabetics: monitor glucose at high doses.

Labs

E2 (baseline + Wk 4–6); total + free testosterone, LH, FSH, sensitive E2 (baseline/mid/end); SHBG + prolactin baseline; CBC + hematocrit (polycythemia); lipid panel; PSA (men >40); semen analysis baseline + quarterly (fertility); D-dimer if clotting symptoms. Out of range? Low testosterone or high estradiol = the hormone axis needs tuning; hematocrit >54% = blood too thick (donate or hold).

What these labs mean →

Warnings

Estradiol elevation common; AI may be needed (monitoring mandatory). Thromboembolic risk with elevated E2. OHSS in females can be life-threatening. Mood changes, gynecomastia in males. Precocious puberty in males with cryptorchidism.

Patient education

Watch for clotting symptoms (leg swelling, calf/chest pain, sudden dyspnea). Estrogen side effects manageable with an AI under physician guidance. Fertility: 70+ days before semen analysis changes. Recon math reflects community TRT-adjunct / PCT use (multi-dose SubQ); FDA labels (Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel) describe single-use IM only; off-label is community-standard but unlabeled. HCG is a licensed biologic (2020 BPCIA), compounding requires a biologics license; US Pregnyl/Novarel supply is intermittent (2026).

These apply on top of the universal safety rules.

Pairs well with

CJC-1295 No DAC + Ipamorelin

systemic anabolic environment

CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin

Kisspeptin

HPG-axis stimulation

Avoid with

Hormone-sensitive cancer (prostate, breast)

Active polycythaemia

Untreated thrombophilia

estradiol elevation

Can HCG + CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin share a syringe?

Depends on timing. Reproductive and hormonal peptides are compatible, but doses and timing vary widely. Combine only what you truly co-time. If unsure, separate.

What it does

FDA labels (Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel) describe single-use IM only; off-label is community-standard but unlabeled.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, mimics LH to maintain testicular function and testosterone during suppressive cycles. Binds LH/CG receptors on Leydig cells to stimulate testosterone production.

References

rxlist researchdosing peptidedosages DailyMed Coviello 2005

From the guide, page 39.