Hormones · Medication Guide
Clomiphene and hCG for Men in Thailand
How clomiphene and hCG raise a man's own testosterone while keeping the testes working, how well they do it, their side effects, and how men in Bangkok get them legally. Both are used off-label under a urologist's care at a MOPH-registered men's health clinic.
- Fertility-sparing testosterone support
- Prescription only · off-label in men
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Noppon Arunkajohnsak (Win)
Menscape Clinic
Last reviewed
11 July 2026
2.7×
Testosterone increase
average rise in a young-hypogonadal-men study
94%
Testicular testosterone lost
on testosterone therapy alone, without hCG
≈36 h
hCG half-life
it acts like the body's own LH signal
1967
Clomiphene first approved
for female fertility, so male use is off-label
Key takeaways
Clomiphene and hCG are prescription medicines used off-label to raise a man's own testosterone while protecting fertility, either instead of or alongside standard testosterone therapy.
Clomiphene is a tablet that frees the brain to signal the testes to make more testosterone; hCG is a small injection that acts on the testes directly, like luteinising hormone.
Neither is registered in Thailand for male low testosterone. Clomiphene is registered for female infertility, so use in men is off-label and must be doctor-supervised with blood tests.
This is treatment for diagnosed low testosterone or fertility preservation, not for bodybuilding or performance. A urologist decides if it fits after reviewing your bloods.
01
What clomiphene and hCG are & how they work
Clomiphene and hCG both raise testosterone, but neither replaces it from outside the body. Instead they push the body's own hormone system to produce more. That makes them a common choice for men with low testosterone (hypogonadism) who also want to protect their fertility, which standard testosterone therapy can suppress.
Clomiphene citrate is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It blocks oestrogen feedback at the hypothalamus and pituitary, so the brain reads oestrogen as low and releases more luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Those signals tell the testes to make more testosterone and to keep producing sperm. It is taken as a tablet.
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is shaped much like LH and binds the same receptors on the testes. Given as a small injection, it stimulates testosterone production directly and helps maintain testicular size and sperm output. It is often added to testosterone therapy to counter the shutdown that replacement testosterone causes.
The contrast with standard therapy matters. Testosterone from a gel or injection works quickly but signals the brain to switch off natural production, so the testes shrink and sperm counts fall. Clomiphene and hCG keep that system running. Which route fits depends on your age, symptoms, fertility plans and blood results, which is what the urologist's assessment is for.
The brain sets the level
The hypothalamus and pituitary release LH and FSH, the signals that tell the testes how much testosterone and sperm to make.
Clomiphene lifts the brake
By blocking oestrogen feedback, clomiphene makes the brain send more LH and FSH.¹
hCG signals the testes directly
hCG mimics LH at the testes, driving testosterone and keeping sperm production going.²
Own testosterone rises
Testosterone climbs while the testes keep working, so fertility is protected rather than suppressed.³
02
Getting clomiphene and hCG in Thailand
Thai FDA status
Both are prescription-only medicines. Clomiphene citrate is registered in Thailand for female infertility (sold under brands such as Clomid), so prescribing it to raise a man's testosterone is off-label. hCG is registered for fertility and hormonal use. Off-label prescribing is legal when a doctor judges it appropriate.⁴
How to get it through Menscape
Menscape does not keep these on the shelf. After a urologist reviews your symptoms and blood work and confirms low testosterone, the medicine is ordered specifically for you and dispensed through a licensed pharmacy. If hCG is used, injection technique is taught in clinic.
Why the grey market is risky
Clomiphene and hCG are sold online and in gym and bodybuilding circles without oversight. Products are often counterfeit, and taking hormones without baseline and follow-up bloods (testosterone, oestradiol, haematocrit, PSA) can do real harm. There is no one accountable for what you receive.
Off-label and regulatory note. Male use of clomiphene for low testosterone is off-label in Thailand and most countries. The Thai FDA has repeatedly warned against buying prescription medicines, and hormones in particular, from unlicensed online sellers.⁵
03
Does it work? The evidence
Clomiphene is well studied as an off-label option for men with low testosterone. In a study of young hypogonadal men, average total testosterone rose from about 228 to 612 ng/dL on clomiphene, moving most men into the normal range while keeping their own production running.¹ Reviews report it raises testosterone in the majority of men who take it, though response varies and some do not respond.
hCG has strong evidence for protecting testicular function. In a controlled study, intratesticular testosterone fell by 94% in men on testosterone therapy alone, but low-dose hCG maintained it, which is why hCG is often added to preserve fertility.² Two honest caveats: long-term data for these approaches is thinner than for standard testosterone therapy, and neither is a cure. Testosterone drifts back down if you stop, so treatment and monitoring continue while you take it.
612
ng/dL average testosterone
on clomiphene, up from 228 at baseline
228
ng/dL at baseline
the same men, before treatment
Katz et al., young hypogonadal men treated with clomiphene citrate (BJU Int, 2012). Individual results vary.
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Side effects & who shouldn't take it
Clomiphene side effects
Mood changes, headache, breast tenderness, acne and raised oestradiol are the most common. Visual disturbances such as blurring, floaters or light sensitivity are uncommon but important; stop and tell your doctor if they occur, as they usually reverse on stopping.¹
hCG side effects
Injection-site reactions, acne, fluid retention, mood changes and breast tenderness (gynaecomastia) can occur, often linked to a rise in oestradiol. Overstimulation is possible, which is why dose and bloods are reviewed as you go.
Not suitable for
Men with prostate or breast cancer, an untreated prostate problem, a history of blood clots or a high haematocrit, and men who simply want it for muscle or performance rather than a diagnosed hormone problem. Certain eye conditions are a reason to avoid clomiphene.
Monitoring is part of the treatment
Baseline and follow-up bloods (total and free testosterone, oestradiol, LH and FSH, haematocrit and PSA) guide the dose. These medicines should never be combined with unsupervised anabolic steroids, and any visual symptom on clomiphene means stopping it.
05
Alternatives & combinations
Direct replacement
Testosterone therapy
A gel or injection replaces testosterone directly and relieves symptoms fastest, but it shuts down natural production, so the testes shrink and fertility falls. The usual choice when fertility is not a concern.
Fertility-sparing alternative
Enclomiphene
The purified active isomer of clomiphene. It raises testosterone through the same pathway and has been studied specifically in men, with the aim of fewer oestrogen-related effects.
Sometimes added
Anastrozole
An aromatase inhibitor used only in selected men whose oestradiol runs high on treatment. It is added when bloods justify it, not by default.
06
How prescription works at Menscape
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Book your consultation and blood test.
Message us on WhatsApp or LINE
A few minutes on your phone: symptoms, health history, fertility goals and any current medications. It is free and PDPA-protected.
Blood tests & urologist consultation
Baseline bloods (testosterone, LH, FSH, oestradiol and more) plus a review by a licensed urologist confirm whether low testosterone is present and whether these medicines fit.
Prescription, if suitable
If appropriate, the medicine is ordered specifically for you and dispensed through a licensed pharmacy. If hCG is part of the plan, injection technique is taught in clinic.
Follow-up & monitoring
Repeat bloods at around 4–6 weeks, then periodically, so the dose can be adjusted and haematocrit and PSA kept in check.
The doctor decides. Starting a conversation is not a commitment and does not guarantee a prescription. If clomiphene or hCG is not right for you, your urologist will say so and discuss alternatives such as testosterone therapy.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Noppon Arunkajohnsak (Win)
Menscape Clinic, Bangkok
“For a younger man with low testosterone who still wants children, replacing testosterone outright is not always the first move. Clomiphene and hCG work with the body's own system, but only after blood tests tell us what is really going on.”
- Reviewed
- 11 July 2026
- Next review
- January 2027
- Editorial standard
- Each guide is checked against the Thai FDA label and the primary literature, then reviewed by a licensed physician.
07
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy clomiphene or hCG over the counter in Thailand?
No. Both are prescription-only. Clomiphene is registered for female infertility, so a doctor prescribing it for a man's low testosterone is doing so off-label, and it needs blood tests first. hCG also requires a prescription. Anything sold without that oversight is a legal and counterfeit risk.
Is it legal for a man to take clomiphene if it's approved for women?
Yes. Off-label prescribing, using an approved medicine for a purpose outside its licence, is legal and common when a doctor judges it appropriate for you. What matters is that a licensed physician assesses you, prescribes it, and monitors your bloods.
Will these medicines affect my fertility?
Unlike testosterone therapy, clomiphene and hCG are often chosen precisely to protect fertility. They keep the testes producing sperm rather than switching them off. That is one of the main reasons a doctor might prefer them for a younger man.
Clomiphene or testosterone therapy: which is better?
It depends on your goals. Testosterone therapy is more direct and relieves symptoms fastest, but it suppresses fertility. Clomiphene and hCG keep your own production running, which suits men who want to preserve fertility. A urologist weighs this up against your bloods and history.
How is hCG taken?
As a small subcutaneous injection a few times a week, not a tablet. The technique is simple and is taught in clinic. Clomiphene, by contrast, is an oral tablet.
How long until I notice a difference?
Testosterone often rises within about 4–6 weeks, which shows first on blood tests. Improvements in energy, mood or libido can take longer, and results are not guaranteed. Follow-up bloods track whether it is working.
Can I use this to build muscle or for bodybuilding?
No. These are prescribed for diagnosed low testosterone or fertility preservation, not for performance or muscle gain. Using hormones without a medical reason and without monitoring can raise haematocrit and cause other harm, which is why a urologist gates access.
I already take testosterone. Can I add hCG to keep my fertility?
Possibly. hCG is often added to testosterone therapy to maintain testicular function and sperm production. Whether it fits your case is something to discuss with the doctor, who will check your bloods and goals.
08
References
1. Katz DJ, Nabulsi O, Tal R, Mulhall JP. Outcomes of clomiphene citrate treatment in young hypogonadal men. BJU Int. 2012;110(4):573-578.
2. Coviello AD, et al. Low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin maintains intratesticular testosterone in normal men with testosterone-induced gonadotropin suppression. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;90(5):2595-2602.
3. Wenker EP, et al. The use of HCG-based combination therapy for recovery of spermatogenesis after testosterone therapy. J Sex Med. 2015;12(6):1334-1337.
4. Thai Food and Drug Administration — drug registration database, ndi.fda.moph.go.th. Accessed July 2026.
5. Thai FDA (อย.) consumer warnings on purchasing medicines from unlicensed online sellers, oryor.com. Accessed July 2026.
6. Mulhall JP, et al. Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency: AUA Guideline. J Urol. 2018;200(2):423-432.
7. Bhasin S, et al. Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(5):1715-1744.
This guide is educational information, not medical advice. Clomiphene and hCG are prescription medicines used off-label in men and must be prescribed and monitored, with blood tests, by a licensed physician.
This guide is part of the Menscape hormone library
Book a consultationLow testosterone but want to keep your fertility? Ask a urologist, not a forum.
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