Editing Human chorionic gonadotropin (section)

===Anabolic steroid adjunct===
HCG is included in some sports' [[Doping in sport|banned substances]] lists.

When exogenous AAS (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) are put into the male body, natural negative-feedback loops cause the body to shut down its own production of [[testosterone]] via shutdown of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis ([[Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis|HPGA]]). This causes testicular atrophy, among other things. HCG is commonly used during and after steroid cycles to maintain and restore testicular size as well as normal testosterone production.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/HCG-helps-steroid-users-restore-testosterone-3162496.php | date = May 8, 2009 | vauthors = Williams L | newspaper = San Francisco Chronicle | title=Manny Ramirez suspended; testosterone ratio exceeded limits; fertility drug reported}}</ref>

High levels of AASs, that mimic the body's natural testosterone, trigger the [[hypothalamus]] to shut down its production of [[gonadotropin-releasing hormone]] (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. Without GnRH, the [[pituitary gland]] stops releasing [[luteinizing hormone]] (LH). LH normally travels from the pituitary via the blood stream to the testes, where it triggers the production and release of testosterone. Without LH, the testes shut down their production of testosterone.<ref name="pmid12740738">{{cite journal | vauthors = van Breda E, Keizer HA, Kuipers H, Wolffenbuttel BH | title = Androgenic anabolic steroid use and severe hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction: a case study | journal = International Journal of Sports Medicine | volume = 24 | issue = 3 | pages = 195–196 | date = April 2003 | pmid = 12740738 | doi = 10.1055/s-2003-39089 | s2cid = 260166539 }}</ref> In males, HCG helps restore and maintain testosterone production in the testes by mimicking LH and triggering the production and release of testosterone.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

Professional athletes who have tested positive for HCG have been temporarily banned from their sport, including a 50-game ban from [[MLB]] for [[Manny Ramirez]] in 2009<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/sports/baseball/08ramirez.html|title=Manny Ramirez Is Banned for 50 Games|date=May 8, 2009| vauthors = Schmidt MS | newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> and a 4-game ban from the [[NFL]] for [[Brian Cushing]] for a positive urine test for HCG.<ref name="urlCushing suspended for performance-enhancing drugs | Houston Texans Football | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle">{{cite web | url = http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6995505.html | title = Cushing suspended for performance-enhancing drugs  | vauthors = McClain J | date = 2010-05-12 | work = Houston Texans Football | publisher = Houston Chronicle | access-date = 2010-10-23 }}</ref> [[Mixed Martial Arts]] fighter [[Dennis Siver]] was fined $19,800 and suspended 9 months for being tested positive after his bout at [[UFC 168]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2014/4/24/5649056/dennis-siver-fined-suspended-nine-months-positive-drug-test-hcg-ufc-168-mma|title=Dennis Siver fined, suspended nine months for positive drug test following UFC 168|date=April 24, 2014| vauthors = Holland JS |newspaper=MMAMania.com}}</ref> Jurickson Profar tested positive for the substance and was suspended for 80-games on 3/31/2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44482019/braves-jurickson-profar-gets-80-game-ban-ped-violation|title=Braves' Jurickson Profar gets 80-game ban for PED violation|date=March 31, 2025| vauthors = Gonzalez A | work=espn.com | access-date=2025-03-31}}</ref>