Relevance and importance of HCG during BnC

[Deadpool99]

I posted by accident in the wrong forum/section so I'm reposting here.

I have used HCG on all my cycles. However thinking of it's potential increase in E2, and the convenience factors, I had some questions and would like to hear y'all's takes on them

If you know you will eventually have kids in the future or eventually come off in the years to come.

Do you guys still prefer cycling HCG? Or prefer starting a HCG protocol a few weeks/months before you're planned PCT?

My approach currently is 12 weeks on 4-6 weeks off (250ius 3x week), the thought process was to not continuously use HCG year round in fear of desensitization. However I don't know if my approach makes sense/is optimal.

Option 1 would entail year round or cycling of HCG during the year:

- I would be keeping my Leydig cells active and testes full-sized

- But in theory I believe it doesn’t rly keep FSH or spermatogenesis active.
So my understanding it wouldn't guarantee better long-term fertility, only a faster restart.
Also chronic use may cause LH-receptor fatigue and desensitization

Option 2 would entail to Skip hCG Until Needed, (so maybe using it during the trt cruise before my pct):

- So it entails Letting the testes shut down fully during blast/cruise.
Using HCG 500–1000 IU EOD for 3–4 weeks before PCT, or maybe low dose 250iu 3x week during cruise and taper it up during final weeks pre pct.

But the potential drawbacks could be I believe:
- Idk if recovery will be likely if I don't use HCG year round.


I am biased for convenience to go with option 2 but ofc I'm not sure how effective it could be and if option 1 is miles better.

The goal of this post was to gather's you're guy's opinion on the best protocol. As I lack the experience and knowledge y'all have to determine the best approach. Research can only take you so far, and if y'all would be kind enough to lay ur wisdom on me, I'd be grateful,.

 

[Juicedhead]

From what ive heard some coaches tell me they said its pointless unless youre trying to have a baby or are planning to come off permanently and are trying to recover natural production. Only other reason would be if you dont like your balls being small like if youre embarrassed or dont like women giving you shit for it haha. Just my opinion of course.

 

[labsabeb]

Another option would be to do 4 weeks of HCG twice a year just to keep your balls from being off for long time.

 

[Deadpool99]

To summarize my research so far:​

After going through clinical literature alongside my dumbass partner in crime Chatpgt deep research option. Trying to find some studies/anecdotes.
I wanted to share everything I found about cycling HCG vs only using it before PCT/doing a long trt cruise HCG Blast.
Specifically for those who blast/cruise long term and eventually plan to come off or have kids.

So we know HCG stimulates LH but not FSH (which is the main precursor for fertility) so it won’t guarantee on-cycle fertility.

Desensitization doses seem to be with very high continuous doses (>2,000 IU/day). Moderately intermittent usage (≤1,000 IU EOD) has never shown lasting receptor fatigue in human studies.

Many studies show that the leydig cells remain viable even after years of shutdown; they just need time and stimulation to reactivate.

I based my summary on these studies mainly:

• Wenker 2015 (J Sex Med) – 3,000 IU HCG every other day + SERM for up to 6 months; restored spermatogenesis in ~95.9 % of men after prolonged testosterone use. PubMed+1
• Kohn 2017 (Fertil Steril) – In 66 men after testosterone use, HCG + SERM therapy: ~70 % achieved a total motile sperm count >5 million within 12 months; age and duration of T use predicted slower recovery. PMC+1
• Coviello 2005 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab) – 29 healthy men suppressed with testosterone; 250–500 IU HCG EOD maintained intratesticular testosterone despite LH/FSH suppression. OUP Academic+1
• Lee & Ramasamy 2018 (Transl Androl Urol) – Review of HCG therapy in hypogonadal/AAS-related infertility, summarising evidence for HCG to re-establish or maintain spermatogenesis. PubMed

So to come back to my original 2 options:

Option 1 would entail year round or cycling of HCG during the year:

- I would be keeping my Leydig cells active and testes full-sized

- But in theory I believe it doesn’t rly keep FSH or spermatogenesis active.
So my understanding it wouldn't guarantee better long-term fertility, only a faster restart.
Also chronic use may cause LH-receptor fatigue and desensitization

Option 2 would entail to Skip hCG Until Needed, (so maybe using it during the trt cruise before my pct):

- So it entails Letting the testes shut down fully during blast/cruise.
Using HCG 500–1000 IU EOD for 3–4 weeks before PCT, or maybe low dose 250iu 3x week during cruise and taper it up during final weeks pre pct.

But the potential drawbacks could be I believe:
- Idk if recovery will be likely if I don't use HCG year round.

---

​

I wanted to see if higher doses of anabolics would cause the need for option 1 since I will be heavily suppressed.
Higher AAS will causes deeper suppression but it seems it isn't inherently permanent.

But it seems the literature supports option 2.
By simply extending HCG usage for a good 10-12 week cycle and keep doses moderate while on trt/cruise.
Ofc assuming PCT compounds used later (Enclomiphene + Nolvadex)

In conclusion:

Continuous HCG is safest for ongoing fertility, but Option 2 (HCG only on cruises or right before PCT) is clinically validated and equally effective for long-term recovery, provided it’s done for 8–12 weeks at 500–1,000 IU EOD, followed by a proper SERM PCT.

Now you're probably saying, "duh obviously you can do that, look at how many ppl on years on TRT/BnC recovered" But my goal was to research the likelihood of the possibility for peace of mind. As if option 2 was a very risky option, I would rather bet on the safeness of option 1.

For most people I find Option 2 strikes the best balance between effectiveness, convenience, and E2 management. Of course this is what I found and used chatpgt deep research to find studies and map out how the studies worked and how to implement them with me. IK chatpgt is a dumbass but seeing anecdotes in MesoRX and overall common sense/logic, this seems to be solid viable option.

I am also interested in seeing some anecdotes on this topic:

• Do you guys who’ve recovered after multi-year blasts see faster recovery with continuous vs end-only HCG?
• Any personal data on optimal EOD dose or estrogen control during the HCG phase?
• Thoughts on whether short “mid-blast” HCG bursts add real benefit?

 

[luanmyk]

Used sometimes during Cycle and PCT. Have bad side effects like mood swings, bloat, gut issues... so, if u don't want to have kids, i think it's safer not to use

 

[craigdt]

I run HCG all year long, regardless of blast or cruise.

Not trying to have kids.

Maybe thats stupid? I just prefer it.