HCG: Why It’s Often Used During or After Steroid Cycles

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone that mimics the action of luteinizing hormone (LH), which signals the testes to produce testosterone. For bodybuilders using anabolic steroids, HCG plays a crucial role in maintaining or restoring natural testosterone production. It’s often used during cycles to prevent testicular shutdown and after cycles to kickstart recovery.

Why Steroids Suppress Natural Testosterone
When you introduce synthetic testosterone or other anabolic compounds, your body detects high hormone levels and responds by shutting down its own testosterone production. Over time, this leads to testicular shrinkage, low sperm count, and suppressed LH and FSH levels. Without intervention, recovery can be slow—or incomplete.

How HCG Helps During a Cycle (On-Cycle Use)
Using HCG during a cycle helps keep the testes active by mimicking LH. This has several benefits:

• Prevents testicular atrophy (shrinkage)
  
• Maintains intratesticular testosterone production
  
• Speeds up recovery after the cycle
  A typical on-cycle HCG protocol is 250–500 IU twice per week, starting a few weeks into the cycle and continuing up to the last steroid injection.
  

HCG in Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)
After a cycle, especially a long or heavy one, natural LH levels remain low. HCG is used before or at the start of PCT to “wake up” the testes and prepare them to respond to actual LH. Common post-cycle HCG use looks like:

• 500–1000 IU every other day for 2–3 weeks
  
• Followed by a traditional PCT protocol (Clomid or Nolvadex)
  

Benefits of HCG Use

• Faster hormone recovery
  
• Better mood and libido post-cycle
  
• Higher chance of preserving fertility
  
• Less shrinkage and testicular discomfort
  

Cautions and Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t use high doses for too long: Chronic high HCG use can cause desensitization of the Leydig cells.
  
• It’s not a substitute for full PCT: HCG is a tool to support recovery, not the entire strategy.
  
• Always store properly: Once reconstituted, HCG must be kept refrigerated and used within weeks.
  
• Use pharmaceutical-grade HCG to avoid underdosed or fake products.
  

Conclusion
HCG is one of the most important tools for bodybuilders using steroids. Whether used during the cycle to prevent shutdown or post-cycle to support recovery, it helps maintain hormonal health, fertility, and overall well-being. When timed and dosed properly, HCG makes a big difference in how your body bounces back after a cycle.