Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Clomiphene (Clomid) | Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Hormones | Hormones |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 25-50 mg daily or every other day for PCT/HPTA restart protocols. Clinical hypogonadism treatment: 25-50 mg daily. | — |
| Timing | Take at the same time daily. Evening dosing may reduce perception of visual side effects. No food timing requirements. | — |
| Cycle Duration | PCT protocols: 4-8 weeks. Long-term SERM monotherapy: 3-12 months with periodic reassessment. Zuclomiphene accumulation is a concern beyond 6 months. | — |
| Evidence Level | moderate_human | Strong |
Clomiphene citrate is a racemic mixture of enclomiphene (trans-isomer, estrogen antagonist) and zuclomiphene (cis-isomer, weak estrogen agonist) that acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It competitively occupies hypothalamic estrogen receptors, blocking the negative feedback of estradiol on GnRH pulse frequency. This disinhibition increases pulsatile GnRH release, stimulating anterior pituitary gonadotrope secretion of both LH and FSH, which in turn drives testicular testosterone synthesis and spermatogenesis. The zuclomiphene isomer has a much longer half-life (~30 days vs. ~10 days for enclomiphene), leading to tissue accumulation with chronic use.
Research indicates 25-50 mg daily or every other day for PCT/HPTA restart protocols. Clinical hypogonadism treatment: 25-50 mg daily.
Take at the same time daily. Evening dosing may reduce perception of visual side effects. No food timing requirements.
PCT protocols: 4-8 weeks. Long-term SERM monotherapy: 3-12 months with periodic reassessment. Zuclomiphene accumulation is a concern beyond 6 months.
LH receptor agonist that stimulates intratesticular testosterone production and can help preserve fertility signaling in selected male hormone protocols.
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