testicle maintenance for blast and cruise

[akaz13]

I have been on since '08. I use 250 iu of HCG twice/ week. But, my testicle size is noticeably smaller.

What type of maintenance are other long time users or b&c'ers doing?

I ran across this this link:

http://www.promusclemag.com/forum/t4...h-part-ii.html

Testicular
Testicular atrophy is common with long term AAS use. When LH and FSH levels fall, the testis begin to shrink from disuse essentially. If this continues long enough, there will even be a loss of leydig cells through apoptosis. Leydig cells produce testosterone . Once this occurs, the capacity of the testis to produce testosterone is greatly reduced. This poses a significant problem once the individual decides to discontinue use of AASs. The atrophied testis are often unable to produce enough testosterone to maintain levels in the normal range. Testicular atrophy can also cause infertility. (1,2)


Treatment options: Pregnyl (hCG) is the recommended treatment to prevent testicular atrophy while using supraphysiological doses of AASs. Menotropins Intramuscular (hMG) is often useful as adjunct therapy to return the testis to full functionality and ensure fertility.

Testicular atrophy can be corrected while the individual is using AASs by intermittent hCG therapy. If using Pregnyl alone, 500 IUs 2-3 times per week should be used until the testis return to normal size as measured with a Prader orchidometer. Normal testicular size is defined as 15–25 ml. Having baseline values for testicular size for that patient is helpful. After normal testicular size is achieved, hCG can be used intermittently to maintain normal testicular volume.

Prior to menotropins/hCG therapy to stimulate spermatogenesis in males with primary or secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, pretreatment with hCG alone is required. The usual pretreatment dosage of hCG is 500 USP units 3 times weekly until normal serum testosterone concentrations are achieved. Pretreatment with hCG may require 4–6 months if the individual has used AASs in high doses for several years. Once normal testosterone levels have been achieved, concomitant therapy with menotropins can be initiated. The usual initial dosage of menotropins to stimulate spermatogenesis is 75 IU of FSH and 75 IU of LH 3 times weekly in conjunction with hCG 500 USP units 2 times weekly.

Menotropins/hCG therapy should be continued for at least 4 months to ensure normal sperm count, since it takes approximately 70–80 days for germ cells to reach the spermatozoa stage. If evidence of increased spermatogenesis does not occur following 4 months of menotropins/hCG therapy, treatment can be continued at the same dosage, or dosage of menotropins may be increased to 150 IU of FSH and 150 IU of LH 3 times weekly; dosage of hCG should not be changed.

Any thoughts on the link, other testicle maintenance, other links, etc are welcomed.

[JohnnyVegas]

I am on 200mg/wk of Test Cyp and take two 400iu shots of hCG a week.

[akaz13]

I am on 200mg/wk of Test Cyp and take two 400iu shots of hCG a week.

Have you pretty much kept your original testicle size with that routine?

[Bonaparte]

Throw in some HMG if you can afford it. But who really cares how big your balls are?

[akaz13]

Throw in some HMG if you can afford it. But who really cares how big your balls are?

I do!

[akaz13]

I just read this in the profile section (which is odd b/c I got all my info on this site, but never actually read HCG info)

http://www.steroid.com/HCG.php

Your best bet is to start at 250iu or 500iu ed for 5 or 6 days, and if you dont notice anything happening (nuts dropping and getting bigger) up the dose slightly. Small doses like 500iu two days a week isnt going to cut it like some people think. The only thing small doses of HCG ay be useful (sublingually) for is reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (7). Yeah, thats right, you can probably reduce some symptoms of an enlarged prostate with the use of small doses of HCG.

So it seems that inj 250-500iu ed for 5-6 days when you notice they have reduced in size may make more sense (be more effective) that 2x/ wk,through out.

[akaz13]

I used the 250-500iu formula for 5-6 days & it worked. I was using a 250iu 2x/ wk protocol and it wasn't working for me.

Again, I was on for 3yrs. So long term users or blast & cruise guys may get more mileage out of the 5-6 days method. Having said that, it was only in the last several months that I noticed significant shrinkage.

Either way, it worked & that is how I will be going about it from now on. I will wait until I notice shrinkage & do 250iu/ 5-6 days.

At minimum it is cheaper to do it that way. A 1500iu amp is 6 days of 250iu injections. But that is only 6wks of 250iu inj 2x/ wk, so it would take 2-1500iu amps for a 12wk cycle, & the 5-6 approach is more effective for me.

[oscarjones]

how long before you notice shrinkage?

so you're saying that, for a trt guy, wait until you notice the shrinkage, then administer for 5-6 days in a row, then wait until they shrink again (which could take x amount of time) and repeat?

is there risk of reducing leydig cell sensitivity with the 5-6 day dosing and isn't the point to prevent shrinkage to begin with, not wait until it occurs ?

[akaz13]

how long before you notice shrinkage?

Like I said, it was 3yrs before I noticed shrinkage. It was probably in the works before it was obvious though.

so you're saying that, for a trt guy, wait until you notice the shrinkage, then administer for 5-6 days in a row,

I used to inj 250iu 2x/ wk and that wasn't effective in the long run. If it was, I wouldn't have been in a panic about the size of my nuts. All I can say is what did & didn't work for me.

then wait until they shrink again (which could take x amount of time) and repeat?

That is what I plan to do. I have no idea how long it will take to notice shrinkage. I figure somewhere between 1-3mos, then use the 5-6 days method.

is there risk of reducing leydig cell sensitivity with the 5-6 day dosing and isn't the point to prevent shrinkage to begin with, not wait until it occurs ?

As far as the thought of preventing shrinkage, 250iu twice/ week didn't prevent shrinkage for me.

And ASFA sensitivity, seems like it shouldn't be an issue doing 5-6 day protocol b/c you use a lot in a short period of time, but there are decent intervals beteen use. Also, the link in post #6 refers to a single 6000iu injection of HCG , so I don't think there would be reduced sensitivity using it ed/ 5-6 days. Twice a week long term might, though, if I consider that shrinkage eventually became noticeable using it 2x/ wk.