What Is HCG?

HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin and it is female hormone that is responsible for maintaining progesterone and development of the placenta during the early stages of a pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, the HCG hormone will be easily detected on a pregnancy test during the first trimester. When a woman takes a home pregnancy test, it is testing the urine for the presence of the HCG hormone. If the home test is positive, then HCG hormones were detected by the home test. HCG can be detected as early as 11 or 12 days after conception. As the pregnancy progresses, the presence of HCG eventually disappears because the placenta develops enough to be able to maintain the needed progesterone on its own. However, the HCG hormones is essential for proper development during the early stages of pregnancy, and without it, the pregnancy can be lost.
 
HCG injections can also be used as a medication. In women, it can be used to stimulate ovulation. After an injection of HCG, a woman will generally ovulate. In men, it is generally used to synthesize testosterone that can stimulate the production of sperm and make the man more fertile.
 
The HCG hormone is also used with performance enhancing drugs in combination with anabolic steroids. Many times, it is taken after the steroid in order to maintain testosterone and testicular size in the male. Many steroids will reduce the amount of testosterone in the male, and by taking the HCG hormone, they are able to maintain and increase the production of testosterone. However, prolonged use or overuse can have a negative effect on the male body.

Apparently it is a chemical that is secreted in the female body when she is pregnant, called human chorionic gonadotropin, secreted in the urine. It is used to detect pregnancy. In essence, it is a pregnancy test. Hope this helps you out.