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HCG |
Male
athletes also report more frequent erections and an inereased
sexual desire. In high doses it can cause acne vulgaris
and the storing of minerals and water. The last point
must especially be observed since the water retention
which is possible through the use of HCG could give the
muscle system a puffy and watery appearance.Athletes
who have already increased their endogenous testosterone
level by taking Clomid and intend
subsequently to take HCG could experience considerable
water retention and distinct feminization symptoms (gynecomastia,
tendency toward fat deposits on the hips). This is due
to the fact that high testosterone leads to a high conversion
rate to estrogens. In very young athletes HCG, like anabolic
steroids, can cause an early stunting of growth since
it prematurely closes the epiphysial growth plates. Mood
swings and high blood pressure can also be attributed
to the intake of HCG. HCG is also suitable as "over
bridge" doping before a competition with doping
controls.
HCG's form
of administration is also unusual. The substance choriongonadotropin
is a white powdery freeze-dried substance which is
usually used as a compress. Based on the low structural
stability of this compress it can easily fall apart,
thus giving the impression of a reduced volume. This
is, however, insignificant since there is neither a
loss in effect nor a loss of substance.
Each package,
for each HCG ampule, includes another ampule with an
injection solution containing isotonic sodium chloride.
This liquid, after both ampules have been opened in
a sterile manner, is injected into the HCG ampule and
mixed with the dried substance. The solution is then
ready for use and should be injected intramuscularly.
If only part of the substance is injected the residual
solution should be stored in the refrigerator. It is
not necessary to store the unmixed HCG in the refrigerator;
however, it should be kept out of light and below a
temperature of 25° C.
HCG is a
relatively expensive compound. Pregnyl costs approx.$36
-45 for 3 ampules of 5000 I.U. each and the relative
solution ampules. The other compounds have a similar
price and are $12 -15 for 5000 I.U.
The 5000 I.U.
ampules are the most economic and, in our opinion,
also the most sensible for bodybuilders, powerlifters
and weightlifters. There are currently only a few fakes
of HCG. Since the dry substance of HCG is somewhat
similar to the dry substance of Somatropin often "cheap" HCG
is sold as "expensive" HGH on the black market.
This circumstance was probably Ben Johnson's downfall
during his second positive doping test with his increased
testosterone/epitestosterone value in early 1993 (see
also growth hormones HGH).
Most athletes,
however, use HCG at the end of a treatment in order
to avoid a "crash," that is, to achieve the
best possible transition into "natural training." A
precondition, however, is that the steroid intake or
dosage be reduced slowly and evenly before taking HCG.
Although HCG
causes a quick and significant increase of the endogenic
plasmatestosterone level, unfortunately it is not a
perfect remedy to prevent the loss of strength and
mass at the end of a steroid treatment. The athlete
will only experience a delayed re-adjustment, as has
often been observed.
Although HCG
does stimulate endogenous testosterone production,
it does not help in reestablishing the normal hypothalamic/pituitary
testicular axis. The hypothalamus and pituitary are
still in a refractory state after prolonged steroid
usage, and remain this way while HCG is being used,
because the endogenous testosterone produced as a result
of the exogenous HCG represses the endogenous LH production.
Once the HCG is discontinued, the athlete must still
go through a re-adjustment period. This is merely delayed
by the HCG use. For this reason experienced athletes
often take Clomid and Clenbuterol following
HCG intake or they immediately begin another steroid
treatment. Some take HCG merely to get off the "steroids" for
at least two to three weeks.
Many bodybuilders,
unfortunately, are still of the opinion that HCG helps
them become harder while preparing for a competion
by breaking down subcutaneous fat so that indentations
and vascularity are better exposed. The HCG package
insert states clearly that HCG has no known effect
of fat mobilization, appetite or sense of hunger, or
body fat distribution. HCG has not been demonstrated
to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment
of obesity, it does not increase fat losses beyond
that resulting from caloric restriction.
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Generic
name: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HCG is
not an anabolic/androgenic steroid but a natural protein
hormone which develops in the placenta of a pregnant woman.
HCG is formed in the placenta immediately after nidation.
It has luteinizing characteristics since it is quite similar
to the luteinizing hormone LH in the anterior pituitary
gland.During the first 6-8 weeks of a pregnancy the formed
HCG allows for continued production of estrogens and gestagens
in the yellow bodies (corpi luteum). Later on, the placenta
itself produces these two hormones.
How
it works
HCG is manufactured
from the urine of pregnant women since it is exereted
in unchanged form from the blood via the woman's urine,
passing through the kidneys. The commercially available
HCG is sold as a dry substance and can be used both
in men and women. In women injectable HCG allows for
owlation since it influences the last stages of the
development of the ovum, thus stimulating ovulation.
It also helps produce estrogens and yellow bodies.
The fact
that exogenous HCG has characteristics almost identical
to those of the luteinizing hormone (LH) which, as
mentioned, is produced in the hypophysis, makes HCG
so very interesting for athletes. In a man the luteinizing
hormone stimulates the Leydig's cells in the testes;
this in turn stimulates production of androgenic hormones
(testosterone). For this reason athletes use injectable
HCG to increase the testosterone production.
HCG is often
used in combination with anabolic/androgenic steroids
during or after treatment. As mentioned, oral and injectable
steroids cause a negative feedback after a certain
level and duration of usage. A signal is sent to the
hypothalamohypophysial testicular axis since the steroids
give the hypothalamus an incorrect signal. The hypothalamus,
in turn, signals the hypophysis to reduce or stop the
production of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and
of LH. Thus, the testosterone production decreases
since the testosterone-producing Leydig's cells in
the testes, due to decreased LH, are no longer sufficiently
stimulated. Since the body usually needs a certain
amount of time to get its testosterone production going
again, the athlete, after discontinuing steroid compounds,
experiences a difficult transition phase which often
goes hand in hand with a considerable loss in both
strength and muscle mass.
Administering
HCG directly after steroid treatment helps to reduce
this condition because HCG increases the testosterone
production in the testes very quickly and reliably.
In the event of testicular atrophy caused by megadoses
and very long periods of usage, HCG also helps to quickly
bring the testes back to their original condition (size).
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Since
occasional injections of HCG during steroid intake can
avoid a testicular atrophy, many athletes use HCG for two
to three weeks in the middle of their steroid treatment.
It is often observed that during this time the athlete
makes his best progress with respect to gains in both strength
and muscle mass. The reasons for this is clear. On the
one hand, by taking HCG the athlete's own testosterone
level immediately jumps up and, on the other hand, a large
concentration of anabolic substances in the blood is induced
by the steroids.
Many bodybuilders, powerlifters, and weightlifters report a lower sex drive at
the end of a difficult workout cycle, immediately before or after a competition,
and especially toward the end of a steroid treatment.
Athletes who have often taken steroids in the past usually accept this fact since
they know that it is a temporary condition. Those, however who are on the juice
all year round, who might suffer psychological consequences or who would perhaps
risk the breakup of a relationship because of this should consider this drawback
when taking HCG in regular intervals. A reduced libido and spermatogenesis due
to steroids in most cases, can be successfully cured by treatment with HCG.
Dosages
Athlete should
iniect one HCG ampule (5000 I.U.)
every 5 days. Since the testosterone level, as explained,
remains considerably elevated for several days, it
is unnecessary to inject HCG more than once every 5
days. The relative dose is at the discretion of the
athlete and should be determined based on the duration
of his previous steroid intake and on the strength
of the various steroid compounds.
Athletes who
take steroids for more than three months and athletes
who use primarily the highly androgenic steroids such
as Anadrol Anavar, Sustanon , Cypionate, Dianabol
(D-bol), etc. should take a relatively high dosage.
The effective dosage for athletes is usually 2000-5000
I.U. per injection and should-as already mentioned-be
injected every 5 days. HCG should only be taken for
a 4 weeks maximum.
If HCG is
taken by male athletes over many weeks and in high
dosages, it is possible that the testes will respond
poorly to a later HCG intake and a release of the body's
own LH. This could result in a permanent inadequate
gonadal function.
Cycles on
the HCG should be kept down to around 3 weeks at a
time with an off cycle of at least a month in between.
For example, one might use the HCG for 2 or 3 weeks
in the middle of a cycle, and for 2 or 3 weeks at the
end of a cycle. It has been speculated that the prolonged
use of HCG could permanently, repress the body's own
production of gonadotropins. This is why short cycles
are the best way to go.
Side
effects
HCG can
in part cause side effects similar to those of injectable
testosterone. A higher testosterone production also
goes hand in hand with an elevated estrogen level which
could result in gynecomastia. This could manifest itself
in a temporary growth of breasts or reinforce already
existing breast growth in men. Farsighted athletes
thus combine HCG with an antiestrogen.
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