HCG is a widely used adjunct in testosterone replacement therapy.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin functions as a fertility treatment for both male and female patients.
Injectable HCG is typically supplied in freeze-dried (powder) form and must be reconstituted before administration.
The diluent used for reconstituting lyophilized HCG is bacteriostatic water, which normally accompanies your shipment and contains 0.9% Benzyl Alcohol as a preservative.
Continue reading to learn the proper procedure for preparing and administering your HCG.
Step 1: Hand hygiene and material preparation
Initiate the process by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Assemble all necessary materials including alcohol prep pads, bacteriostatic water and HCG vials, a reconstitution syringe with needle, and a sharps disposal container.
If planning immediate administration post-reconstitution, prepare an additional injection syringe, needle, and alcohol pad. (Using separate needles helps maintain sterility and needle sharpness.)
Step 2: Material preparation
Remove protective caps from both bacteriostatic water and HCG vials, then disinfect the rubber stoppers using alcohol pads.
Attach the needle to your syringe while maintaining sterility – avoid touching the needle or allowing it to contact any surfaces.
For subsequent injection, prepare a second syringe with needle (without touching the needle tip) and keep an alcohol pad accessible for skin preparation.
Step 3: Drawing bacteriostatic water
The volume of bacteriostatic water required depends on vial size. Standard 10,000 IU HCG vials typically need 10 mL of diluent.
Verify your syringe is calibrated in milliliters. Draw an equivalent volume of air (usually 10 mL) as per pharmacy instructions.
Invert the bacteriostatic water vial and carefully insert the needle through the stopper.
Slowly inject air into the vial, pausing if resistance is encountered. Complete the process until the syringe contains the correct volume of bacteriostatic water.
Maintain strict aseptic technique throughout to preserve medication sterility.
Step 4: Reconstituting HCG powder
Insert the needle through the HCG vial stopper and gently inject the bacteriostatic water.
Administer the diluent slowly, allowing pressure to equalize if needed. The plunger may rebound slightly during this process.
Exercise caution – never force the solution into the vial.
Step 5: Mixing the solution
Gently swirl the vial until complete dissolution is achieved. Avoid shaking or vigorous mixing of your medication. The final solution should appear clear without visible particles.
Step 6: Administration (if applicable)
When ready for injection, use your prepared second syringe, needle, and alcohol pad.
While HCG injections are typically subcutaneous, always follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions regarding administration.
Step 7: Proper storage
Refrigerate reconstituted HCG immediately after preparation.
Lyophilized HCG may be stored at room temperature, but reconstituted product requires refrigeration.
Reconstituted HCG remains stable for 60-90 days when properly refrigerated.
Brief room temperature exposure (under 72 hours) typically doesn’t compromise medication integrity.
HCG dosing guidelines
Standard syringe markings correlate to HCG units as follows:
- 10 units = 100 IU HCG
- 25 units = 250 IU HCG
- 50 units = 500 IU HCG
For example, a 100 IU dose would correspond to the 10-unit mark on your syringe.
Your healthcare provider will establish an individualized dosing regimen based on your specific needs.
Understanding HCG
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a multifunctional hormone that supports reproductive health. In females, it facilitates ovulation, while in males it stimulates spermatogenesis and testosterone production.
HCG mimics luteinizing hormone (LH) activity in men, supporting testicular function during testosterone replacement therapy by preventing atrophy and preserving fertility.
Important HCG considerations
HCG is primarily administered via subcutaneous injection.
For self-administration, carefully review all provider instructions and ensure proper injection technique.
HCG availability update
Recent FDA regulations have limited compounded HCG availability, making it exclusively available through commercial prescriptions at increased cost. The industry is currently experiencing supply chain adjustments to these new requirements.
MedsBird offers solutions for patients navigating HCG access challenges, including options for addressing testicular atrophy, fertility preservation, sexual dysfunction, and low testosterone without requiring prescriptions.