What is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that mimics luteinizing hormone (LH) and is prescribed during testosterone replacement therapy to maintain testicular size, sperm production, and natural hormone production.
During testosterone replacement therapy, the body's natural testosterone production shuts down as external testosterone signals the pituitary gland to stop releasing luteinizing hormone (LH). Without that LH signal, the testes shrink and stop producing both testosterone and sperm. hCG steps in to replace that missing LH signal, telling the testes to keep working even while a man receives supplemental testosterone.
hCG is a protein hormone originally discovered in pregnant women, where it maintains progesterone production. In the TRT context, it functions as a chemical messenger that directly stimulates testosterone and sperm production inside the testes. When prescribed alongside testosterone, hCG helps preserve testicular volume and maintains fertility for men who may want biological children in the future or who prefer to minimize testicular atrophy.
Many testosterone replacement therapy clinics in Florida include hCG as part of a comprehensive treatment protocol, typically given as a weekly injection. The goal is to keep the testes functioning rather than allowing them to become dormant. Without hCG during long-term TRT, recovery of natural testosterone production after stopping treatment becomes slower and less certain. hCG is not a substitute for testosterone itself but rather a complementary medication designed to prevent the endocrine system from fully shutting down.