Did your tescicles shrink?

[hammerheart]

Though there is no published data that I know of comparing the health of those on TRT who do or do not use HCG, it is my personal observation that there are benefits beside the preservation of fertility. Those who argue strongly for HCG use point to the fact that there are LH receptors throughout the body and without an LH stimulus, and that you may disrupt other important hormonal pathways without it. One in particular that is often argued is the production of DHEA in the adrenal glands. DHEA is a major upstream steroid hormone from which numerous important steroid hormones derive their base structure.

For me, the decision is a bit more pragmatic with two main drivers for it's use: 1) Cosmetic. I have small testicles to begin with, and without HCG, they shrink up to the size of almonds within a few months. NOT PRETTY. 2) I have observed that HCG also is important for preserving ejaculate volume, and as most guys know from experience, volume of the payload is proportional to pleasure involved with delivering the payload.

Even though the testicles only account for about 5% of the ejaculate volume, as previously discussed, it is well documented that other glands in the body have LH receptors. Among these are the Seminal Vesicles which account for about 60% of the payload, the prostate which accounts for about 30%, and the Cowpers Gland (a.k.a., Bulbourethral Gland) which accounts for 5% to 10% of the payload (mostly pre-ejaculate). The presence of LH receptors in the Cowpers gland seems to be variable among men, some guys (like myself) produce copious amounts and others next to nothing. This is where I notice a big difference with and without HCG. I go from one extreme (big producer) to the other (little production) without HCG. So I know from personal experience that it has an effect on seminal fluid.

I've noticed huge difference in after- and pre-ejaculate with exogenous progestins. Bonus if on caber, but I have moderate hyperprolactinemia that might also play a role.

HCG should raise progesterone as well.

[Youthful55guy]

I've noticed huge difference in after- and pre-ejaculate with exogenous progestins. Bonus if on caber, but I have moderate hyperprolactinemia that might also play a role.

HCG should raise progesterone as well.

Yes, progesterone is part of the complex steroid cascade. It is derived further upstream than DHEA directly from pregnenolone. Here's a good diagram that shows some of the major hormones in the cascade.


A word of caution about using exogenous progestins, particularly in the light of mild hyperprolactemia. You absolutely need to watch your E2 levels carefully. high E2 alone can cause gynecomastia, but in combination with high progesterone, the effect is greatly enhanced. This is what happens to women during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy when placental production of both E2 and Progesterone is at it's highest; there is rapid breast development. Add to that the hormone placental hormone placental lactogen (a.k.a., somatomamotropin) which also spikes during the third trimester. Placental lactogen is a unique hormone that has both growth hormone and prolactin activity. The prolactin activity stimulates mammary production synergistically with progesterone.