HMG General Description
HMG (also called Menotropin) means “human menopausal gonadotropin” and is the most expensive drug of the group of existing gonadotropins. Its action is similar to follicle stimulating hormone, therefore the substance is used to normalize spermatogenesis rather than to restore the production of male hormone, but this property is inherent to the drug as well.
Menotropin is a combination of luteinizing (LH) and follicle stimulating (FSH) hormones in equal concentration, obtained by genetic engineering from ovarian and mammalian animal cells (hamsters or other animals are often used for this purpose) or from urine obtained from menopausal women. While the well-known chorion gonadotrophic hormone is produced in the placenta and is extracted from the urine of pregnant women, it is much less likely to be extracted from GMOs with recombinant DNA. In terms of their chemical structure and action, the hormones are similar to pituitary LH. As a clinical drug, chorion gonadotrophic hormone replaces the natural form of luteinizing hormone.
HMG Benefits
The pharmaceutical industry produces a large number of drugs based on gonadotropin. After intramuscular injection, the active component is rapidly absorbed, and the elimination half-life is several hours, but the effect of one administration is maintained for 5-6 days.
Injectable gonadotropin is available on the market in the form of a dry vialed substance (placed in a glass ampoule). The ampoule goes with a bottle of the solution for preparing the drug. Generally, this is sodium chloride for dissolution – the powder dissolves in it perfectly. The resulting solution must be administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously. If all liquid has not been used, the rest is placed in the refrigerator.
Previously, menotropin has not been commonly used in sports. This is only natural, as the cost of the drug is quite high. Most commonly it must be taken after the end of an androgenic steroid cycle. However, many athletes do not do this because a high level of luteinizing hormone sends a signal to the hypothalamus concerning the cessation or complete termination of gonadobelin production.
Menopausal gonadotropin is used in combination with HCG to achieve the following beneficial effects:
- stimulated spermatogenesis;
- increased development of the genitals and the manifestation of pronounced secondary sexual characteristics in men – low voice, hair growth throughout the body, male facial features (low brow ridges, square jaw, high forehead and others);
- stimulated production of sex hormones in the testicles.
The use of gonadotropin is advisable in sports pactise, bodybuilding in particular, and even necessary for a cycle of anabolic substances in order to prevent testicular atrophy.
Gonadotropin is rarely used during post-cycle therapy. Most athletes prefer making injections before PCT because during post-cycle therapy the hormone can block the recovery processes. The cycle of human menopausal gonadotropin is prescribed most often in medical practice to accelerate spermatogenesis, while athletes prefer to use it in combination with HCG. Standard chorion gonadotrophic hormone is used during the cycle of anabolic steroids to prevent testicular atrophy when the cycle exceeds 6 weeks. The combined use of HMG with chorion gonadotrophic hormone helps bring male sexual health in order.
HMG Possible Side Effects
Menotropin does not cause practically any undesirable reactions, but in rare cases skin rashes may appear, indicating an allergic reaction to the drug. Do not exceed the recommended dosages, otherwise it may lead to a sharp spike in estradiol level, which is fraught with gynecomastia, increased swelling and other unpleasant symptoms of aromatization.
HMG Administration and Dosage
A high concentration of luteinizing hormone in the bloodstream signals the hypothalamus to reduce or block the production of gonadoliberin. In other words, Menotropin, as well as hCG, does not make it possible to restore the secretion of luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland, which leads to the production of natural testosterone being stopped from normalizing. It is advisable to use Menotropin in the middle of a long and potent cycle of anabolic drugs alongside with chorion gonadotrophic hormone or before the end of the “infinite" cycles. Menotropin is produced as a powder and it must be administered intramuscularly immediately after diluting the powder in the solution.
Men are prescribed 75 IU of the drug per day, or 2-3 times a week. Generally, such injections are combined with the intake of chorion gonadotrophic hormone 2-3 times a week at 1000-2000 IU for maximal effect. Such a cycle can continue for 3 months and is the only way to normalize spermatogenesis. Anabolic drugs should not be used during this.
In the middle of the “infinite” anabolic steroid cycles lasting more than 24 months it is necessary to use Menotropin in combination with chorion gonadotrophic hormone to increase the effect of HCG. As for the dosages, they are equal to one ampoule containing 75 IU of LH and 75 IU of FSH every day and 500 IU of chorion gonadotrophic hormone. Depending on the packaging, it’s possible to use one ampoule of 150 IU of LH and 150 IU of FSH every other day and 1000 IU of chorion gonadotrophic hormone.
Menotropin can be taken at the end of the steroid cycle if there are problems with sexual function, but users should proceed with caution. In this situation, the dosage should be much lower – one ampoule of 75 IU of FSH and 75 IU of LH once every 2-3 days. The duration of the cycle should not exceed 10-12 days with the added use of Tamoxifen or Clomid during it.