500 IU of hCG Twice Per Week Used Alone in Men with Low Testosterone and ED- Study Results

[Nelson Vergel]

The study titled "Efficacy of 500 IU HP-hCG in the Management of Testosterone Deficient Secondary Male Hypogonadism," conducted by researchers at Chirayu Medical College and Hospital in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose Highly Purified Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HP-hCG) in enhancing sexual function in hypogonadal men by normalizing their serum testosterone levels. The study was published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research in 2024.

Background and Purpose:​

Hypogonadism, characterized by low testosterone levels, affects men's sexual health and overall well-being. Traditional testosterone supplementation, while common, can impair testicular function and fertility, prompting interest in alternative treatments like Gonadotropins. This research looked into whether hCG could be used as a single treatment for secondary hypogonadism. This is when the problem is not with the testicles themselves, but with the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

Methods:​

The study enrolled 20 males with erectile dysfunction (ED) and low testosterone, out of which 16 completed a 6-week treatment protocol. They were administered 500 IU of highly purified hCG subcutaneously twice weekly. Measures included serum testosterone levels and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores both at baseline and after 6 weeks.

Results:​

After 6 weeks, participants showed a significant increase in serum testosterone levels, with an average rise of 79% from baseline levels (mean increase to 371.4 ng/dL from 207.3 ng/dL). IIEF scores also improved by 61%, reflecting enhancements in libido, erectile function, and other aspects of sexual health.

Discussion:​

The study indicates that low-dose HP-hCG can effectively elevate testosterone levels and improve sexual function in men with secondary hypogonadism. It suggests that this treatment can be a viable alternative to conventional testosterone replacement therapy, offering the potential for better patient compliance and fewer impacts on fertility.

Conclusion:​

500 IU HP-hCG administered subcutaneously twice weekly was found to be effective in treating secondary male hypogonadism by significantly improving endogenous testosterone levels and sexual function after just 6 weeks. The study highlights the potential for hCG to be used more broadly in hypogonadal men whose testicular function is intact but who are affected by disruptions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Study attached

 

[Mastodont]

This supports the idea that hcg mono does not require huge doses like often claimed, goes well with the other study showing over baseline ITT on 500iu eod.

 

[phalloguy100]

Yeah but it’s not a large enough increase into therapeutic levels. For someone like myself starting at 150, it would raise T to 268 on average… still low.

The six-week duration and low number of participants also make this study a little doubtful in my opinion.

 

[Dog427]

Yeah but it’s not a large enough increase into therapeutic levels. For someone like myself starting at 150, it would raise T to 268 on average… still low.

The six-week duration and low number of participants also make this study a little doubtful in my opinion.

The percentage increases make it sound great but the reality is the T levels are still too low. For me I needed 800 to feel better and prefer to cruise at 1,200.

 

[sammmy]

Although Indian studies tend to be less quality than western ones, this study shows that in truly hypogonadal men even restoration to low normal testosterone (370 ng/dL) improves sexual function.

This is important to understand for people that have low normal testosterone above that level and claim their sexual problem is due to lack of high testosterone, while their endocrinologists know this is not the case. It takes truly low testosterone to manifest as sexual problems.

 

[phalloguy100]

@sammmy agreed. But, it is also talking about a 79% average increase which for purely hypogonadal men is still not enough to increase to even borderline low T levels. For example, I have secondary hypogonadism and before TRT, my total T was running around 150. So 79% increase = 150 x 1.79 = 268.5 which is still below normal (300 but depends on the lab) - not even low-normal.

So yes, it's helpful to have this data, but it also shows that hCG mono therapy may not be an option for someone starting out with very low T levels.

Nothing against studies from other countries. India has brilliant doctors and researchers. Just pointing out the small study size and duration are a limitation. It's possible that if someone repeated the study protocol with a larger and more diverse number of participants, the results could be even more impressive. But, I guess that's why all studies always conclude with "more research is needed."