Is HCG better than Clomid?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is an effective way to address the symptoms of low testosterone in men. However, TRT can sometimes have negative impacts on fertility, which is a major concern for some men. Two popular treatments to address this concern are Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid). While both treatments are effective, they have differences in terms of their effectiveness, safety, and impact on fertility. We will compare HCG and Clomid and suggest which treatment is better for men interested in TRT.What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)?
HCG is a hormone that is naturally produced in women during pregnancy. In men, HCG can stimulate the production of testosterone and improve fertility. HCG mimics the action of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is responsible for stimulating the testicles to produce testosterone. HCG can be administered via injections or sublingual drops.What is Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)?
Clomid is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that is used to treat infertility in women. In men, Clomid can stimulate the production of testosterone by blocking the negative feedback loop of estrogen on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Clomid is typically administered orally in tablet form.Comparing HCG and Clomid
HCG v Clomid: Effectiveness
HCG is a more potent stimulator of testosterone production than Clomid. HCG can directly stimulate Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone, while Clomid indirectly stimulates testosterone production by blocking the negative feedback loop of estrogen on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. In one study, men who were treated with HCG showed a significantly greater increase in testosterone levels compared to men who were treated with Clomid.HCG v Clomid: Safety and side effects
Both HCG and Clomid are generally safe for most men. However, HCG can cause some side effects, including acne, mood swings, and enlargement of the prostate. I Clomid can cause some side effects, including hot flashes, mood swings, and headaches. In rare cases, Clomid can also cause vision problems, which typically resolve once treatment is discontinued.HCG v Clomid: Impact on Fertility
Both HCG and Clomid can improve fertility in men who are undergoing TRT. HCG can directly stimulate the testes to produce testosterone and increase sperm production. Clomid can indirectly stimulate testosterone production and increase sperm production by blocking the negative feedback loop of estrogen on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. However, HCG may be a better option for men who are concerned about fertility as it directly stimulates the testes to produce testosterone and may lead to a faster recovery of sperm production.Combining HCG or Clomid with Testosterone Therapy
Both HCG and Clomid can be used in combination with testosterone therapy to maintain fertility. HCG is typically used in conjunction with testosterone therapy to prevent testicular atrophy and maintain sperm production. Clomid can also be used in conjunction with testosterone therapy to prevent testicular atrophy and maintain sperm production. However, Clomid may be less effective than HCG at preventing testicular atrophy.Conclusion: Is HCG better than Clomid?
HCG and Clomid are both effective treatments for maintaining fertility in men who are undergoing TRT. HCG is a more potent stimulator of testosterone production and may be a better option for men who are concerned about fertility and testicular atrophy.Is HCG better than Clomid?
Hormone Therapeutics March 25th, 2023
Posted In: Low T Info
Tags: Clomid, fertility, free t, HCG, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, low t, motility, shrinkage, sperm, sperm count, testicles, testicular atrophy, testosterone
Here’s What You Should Know on How Testosterone Replacement Therapy Works
If you’ve been reading Hormone Therapeutics blogs and testosterone replacement therapy eBooks, you’re probably already completely aware of just how important testosterone is to male health. It boosts mental energy, physical energy, alertness, strength, sexual vitality, and just generally helps us live our lives better.
You might be wondering just how exactly it provides all these benefits, though. What’s the actual mechanism? What, precisely, does testosterone do?
The fact is, testosterone does all sorts of beneficial things in just about every part of the body. It’s a key hormone to maintaining our body systems, especially in men. Women actually also have small amounts of testosterone, but their bodies rely more on estrogen.
The importance of living with a fully functioning endocrine system has only really mattered this much in the past century as people are living longer due to improved medicine, sanitation and many other factors. 100 years ago the average life span was 48 and today it is 78 years. Many areas of the body do not hold up over time as well as others and require assistance like eye glasses, hearing aids or Lipitor. The same is true with balancing and optimizing the endocrine system through testosterone replacement therapy.
We now understand that a properly balanced endocrine system leads not just to the vanity aspects of it’s benefits but a healthier, happier, more effective and longer life.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy – How It Works
So to satisfy your scientific curiosity, here’s a high-level rundown of what testosterone does in men, across each main part of the body.
The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is where our bodies produce hormones. It’s a series of glands distributed around various parts of the body that, as a whole, keep our hormone levels at their proper levels.
Testosterone is a hormone, so it’s also produced by the endocrine system. The process starts in the brain at the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland what the body’s overall level of testosterone should be. The pituitary gland then directs the testicles and, to a lesser extent, the adrenal glands to actually produce the stuff. This is called the HPA axis.
This is where Testosterone levels can be thrown off. Typically, hypogonadism is to blame for low testosterone levels, and can cause a multitude of health problems. Although it’s normal for testosterone production to peak at 19 and drop gradually over time, about 1% per year after age 30, for some people it can fall too fast. In those cases, testosterone replacement therapy is indicated.
The Reproductive System
Testosterone production starts in male children surprisingly soon after conception. A seven-week old fetus has already developed enough to begin producing the hormone, as well as sperm.
If testosterone levels are too low later in life, a man can suffer from erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, and even prostate problems. Its bad news, and it’s why testosterone replacement therapy is so important under the right circumstances for men in need of hormone balancing and testosterone supplementation.
Puberty
Testosterone is responsible for male puberty, as well. It’s the reason we start growing hair in new places, our voice (and other things) drop, and our muscles start to develop.
When boys start to notice girls, that’s the work of testosterone, and it carries through later in life. Low testosterone levels can impact our libido, and it’s actually a two-way street. Periods of minimal sexual activity can actually cause testosterone levels to drop in response, which can cause erectile dysfunction and lowered libido. It’s a snake that eats itself, and it’s best avoided.
The Central Nervous System
The central nervous system is how our body communicates with itself. It’s a network that lets glands and organs communicate to trigger production of hormones, among other things. Hormones, including testosterone, have all kinds of effects on the body and mind. Testosterone drives our competitiveness and self-esteem.
That means lowered testosterone levels can make us lose our motivation and spark. It can literally make us sad. Like sexual desire, it’s a two-way street. Engaging in competitive activities like sports can spike our testosterone, which in turn makes us more motivated to strive for success. Lowered testosterone can make us lose our motivation, and sitting around can further lower the testosterone levels.
Skin and Hair
It starts at puberty. Hair starts growing in new and disturbing places. Pretty soon, we’ve got manly, hairy chests and armpits, as well as hair on points further south.
Testosterone is responsible for that, and lowered testosterone levels can have the opposite effect. Our body hair might actually start to fall out if testosterone gets too low!
The other thing about puberty, acne, is also an effect of testosterone. For that reason, you might need to stock up on some acne cream or gel when you’re undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. It’s a small price to pay for the benefits you’ll receive.
Muscles, Fat, and the Skeleton
Testosterone is a major factor in the development of our muscles, both size and strength. Testosterone levels work to improve our muscles in a few different ways.
- It stimulates neurotransmitter production, which in turn tell our muscles to grow.
- It tells the nuclear receptors in our DNA to synthesize protection.
- It increases growth hormone levels
What that means overall is that testosterone makes strength training more effective. If you’re been hitting the weights and not seeing much gain, low testosterone levels might be to blame. The male hormone is also important to our skeleton. It increases bone density, and it’s what makes our bone marrow manufacture red blood cells. If you have low testosterone production, you might actually become more brittle and prone to fractures.
Finally, testosterone is important to burning fat, and low levels can be responsible for a higher body fat percentage.
Overall, testosterone levels are vital to your physical health.
The Circulatory System
Finally, testosterone is crucial to the health of our blood. As mentioned, it improves our red blood cell count, which is a positive because it carries more oxygen throughout our body. However, a physician needs to monitor and manage red blood cell and hematocrit levels to ensure blood does not get too viscous.
Some studies have shown that testosterone replacement therapy can also make our hearts healthier. These studies suggest that the hormone is effective in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. It can even help destroy harmful clots.
Although testosterone replacement therapy shouldn’t be undergone lightly and without the advice of a medical professional, its benefits are becoming more and more apparent. If any of the symptoms and problems mentioned in this article ring a bell for you, get in touch with a doctor today.
Hormone Therapeutics aims to help people looking to improve and optimize their health through natural means or through the guidance of our physicians.
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Here’s What You Should Know on How Testosterone Replacement Therapy Works
Saleamp Design October 18th, 2016
Posted In: Testosterone Therapy
Tags: adrenal, Andropause, cognitive, endocrine system, energy, fatigue, gonads, growth hormone, hair, HPA axis, hypogonadism, hypothalamus, libido, mental, muscles, pituitary, puberty, reproductive system, sex, skin, sperm, strength, testes, testosterone, testosterone levels, testosterone production, Testosterone replacement therapy, vitality
Testosterone Levels’ Link to General Health in Men
A study has shown that serum testosterone concentration in men may have links to fitness and health levels that can serve as an indicator of general health. These studies are exploring how testosterone content may affect all-cause mortality in older men and what it may mean for men as they age.
Testosterone Concentration in Men
Testosterone (T) is a hormone produced by males in the testicles after a communication pathway called the HPA axis from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland through the adrenals and to the gonads. While it is also present by women, it is produced in much higher concentrations in men. It is responsible for maintaining energy, bone density, muscles mass, sperm production and sex drive, along with other traits, and is associated with maintaining many of the characteristics associated with men.
The level of T concentration in men peaks and declines at given points in their lifetime. In general, serum T concentration is highest in adolescence and young adulthood, when it is at its peak. However, as men age, its levels commonly undergo a steady decline. Men peak at age and experience a range of one to two percent decline in their concentration.
Testosterone levels and their links to health
Scientists have been exploring possible links of testosterone as an indicator of men’s health conditions, studying the correlation of low T with general health and mortality.
One study has discovered that while a decline in men’s T levels of one to two percent is considered normal, a sudden and immediate drop in testosterone concentration may be associated with an increased probability of mortality. Based on observations, a low level of serum testosterone concentration in men is seen as associated with risk factors such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. However, while these conditions may be associated with illnesses and premature death, the FDA is not saying they see a direct causational effect between decreasing testosterone and longevity.
Scientific Testosterone Studies
Currently, available studies tackling the topic have produced mixed results. In one study researching a sample of 794 men, it was concluded that men whose testosterone levels were in the lowest quartile of test subjects were at a 40% greater risk of mortality in comparison to those men who had higher levels. A 15 year study of US military veterans also showed that men with low T levels, treated under physician guidance and supplemented back to normal levels above 500, had lower incidence of heart attack, stroke, prostate cancer and death.
In an effort to consolidate all the data and results from these previous researches, a newer study examined multiple works from 1966 to 2010 in order to gain a clearer and more definitive understanding of testosterone levels and mortality. In addition to testosterone levels, it also took into account lifestyle factors, age and other characteristics that may affect results.
Low Testosterone and Higher Mortality or Cardiovascular Risk
Ultimately, the research concluded that a decline in total testosterone was linked with cardiovascular mortality by 25% and with higher susceptibility to general, all-cause mortality by 35%.
The study did note that other factors may influence the relative risk that was determined in the study. Among these, researchers noted the age of the population studied, the total testosterone level and the amount of years the patient followed up as possible sources of differences within the study. The study also observed the most susceptible demographics for larger relative risks. These included patients with lower levels of testosterone, older men and patients who followed up for a smaller amount of years.
As a conclusion, the data gathered from this research establishes low T as a possible basis or indicator of general health in men. However, while it may be seen as a marker of higher susceptibility to all-cause mortality, it is not strictly a direct source of it. Overall, there remains much to be learned about the two.
Hormone Therapeutics
Aside from being and indicator of one’s general well-being, testosterone levels and hormone balance are traits that can greatly affect one’s quality of life. As men age, it becomes important to monitor these factors in order to gain a better idea of one’s health and fitness.
Hormone Therapeutics specializes in assisting people with endocrine-related concerns in order to help them monitor and regulate the level of hormones in their bodies. If you have any inquiries regarding your testosterone level and what it means for you, Hormone Therapeutics can help you jumpstart your life and provide you with the answers you need.
Testosterone Levels’ Link to General Health in Men
Saleamp Design April 12th, 2016
Posted In: Testosterone Therapy
Tags: adrenals, bone density, cardiovascular, energy, health, hormone replacement therapy, HPA axis, hypothalamus, low t, low testosterone, mortality, muscles mass, pituitary glands, sex drive, sperm, testosterone, testosterone therapy
Revealed: How Testosterone Converts to Estrogen to Battle Depression
A recent study at the George Washington University, found that men diagnosed with borderline low testosterone levels had much higher rates of experiencing depression and depressive symptoms compared to the general population. In the study, 56% of the male participants were diagnosed with depression while 25% were already taking medications for this.
Produced in the testicles, testosterone helps drive a man’s production of sperm, muscle strength and mass, sex drive, facial and body hair and bone density. Men who don’t produce the normal amount of testosterone may have a condition called hypogonadism.
To Ward off Depression, Testosterone Converts to Estrogen
Testosterone, the male sex hormone, seems to have anti-depressant like properties, yet the exact mechanism of its effect still remained unclear.
In 2012, Mohammed Kabbaj and Nicole Carrier, both researchers at the Florida State University College of Medicine, are working to elucidate such mechanisms. They have found out that a particular pathway called MAPK pathway in the hippocampal region, a part of the brain, involved in regulation of stress responses and memory formation, plays a vital role in mediating the effect of testosterone.
Low Testosterone and Depression
Between men and women, females are typically more prone to suffer from depression, however, men diagnosed with low T or hypogonadism are also predisposed to depression or anxiety. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy has been found to effectively enhance mood.
While it may seem that much is already known, it’s still very important to fully understand where and how these effects are happening so that scientists can develop better, targeted antidepressant therapies.
In the study, Kabbaj performed several experiments in neutered male rats and found that the rats manifested depressive-like behaviors that were then reversed by supplemental testosterone replacement.
According to the researcher, in order to protect males with hypogonadism from developing depression, testosterone in the brain must be converted to estrogen. Kabbaj stated a certain brain enzyme ‘mediates’ the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Furthermore, inhibiting such enzyme in the hippocampal area has prevented the antidepressant effect of testosterone. This makes the conversion to estrogen vital.
In this study, the antidepressant effect of supplementing low testosterone to normal levels has only manifested in male rats, not in female rats.
Do You Need Help?
Hormone Therapeutics is the leading national company assisting men who want to get their lives back through Hormone Replacement and Testosterone Replacement therapy. Our local physicians are ready to treat you anywhere in the entire country. Hormone Therapeutics is pioneering an easier, cost efficient and more private way for you to work with our clinical advisors and physicians from the privacy of your home or office after your local physical exam confirms you have one of the symptoms of Low T.
Contact us today and our clinical advisors will work with you on a hormone therapy program that may include prescribed hormones, exercise, nutrition and sleep programs to reclaim your vitality.
Revealed: How Testosterone Converts to Estrogen to Battle Depression
Saleamp Design March 29th, 2016
Posted In: Low T Info
Tags: antidepressant, bone density, depression, hair loss, hormone replacement therapy, hypogonadism, low t, muscle strength and mass, sadness, sex drive, sex hormone, sperm, testosterone, testosterone levels
HCG – Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, commonly called HCG, is an important hormone for sexual development. While it is more commonly thought of in conjunction with women as it affects fertility and ovulation, it also plays an important role in Hormone Replacement Therapy for men. HCG is a secretogue that naturally causes your body to produce more testosterone and sperm. Because of this, many HRT specialists will prescribe it for men for fertility purposes as well as encouraging the body to continue to produce testosterone.
HCG – Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Saleamp Design March 16th, 2015
Posted In: Low T Info, Testosterone Therapy, Uncategorized
Tags: Cialis, fertility, HCG, hormone replacement therapy, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, increase their natural levels, Leydig cells, natural production of testosterone, produce more testosterone, sexual development, sperm, testicles, testosterone, Tri-Mix, Viagra
