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If you’re new to the world of bodybuilding, you’ve probably heard of post cycle therapy (PCT) but have no idea what it is. PCT is an important part of any steroid cycle, and understanding what it entails will help you prepare for it. This blog post will explain what PCT is, what to expect during and after PCT, and how to take care of your body during this time. Continue reading for more information!
What is PCT?
Post cycle therapy, or PCT as it is more commonly known, is a process of care and recovery that occurs after the steroid cycle has ended. Many people prefer to use steroids for a period of time before adding PCT to the mix. Some people, however, do not require post-cycle therapy because they are only supplementing their natural testosterone levels. PCT can be performed in two stages. The first phase begins immediately after the steroid cycle ends and should last four to six weeks. Following phase one, patients can choose between phase two and no PCT at all. This second round of PCT is referred to as “extended PCT,” and it can last up to eight weeks.
See info about oral anabolic steroids such as Dianabol
Post cycle therapy is intended for those who have planned to use anabolic steroids during their cycle. Individuals who are new to the world of bodybuilding may wonder why they need PCT at all if they aren’t using anabolic steroids; however, it’s important to understand that anyone who supplements their testosterone levels is at risk for anabolic steroid side effects. PCT can help you avoid these side effects while also allowing you to gain muscle faster than if you were not supplementing your natural testosterone levels.
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What is PCT in Bodybuilding?
When you finish an anabolic steroid cycle, you put a lot of strain on your body. Recovery is the number one priority during phase one, which occurs immediately after the steroid cycle is completed. The first round of PCT is focused on recovery more than anything else. Walking and stretching are common exercises prescribed by doctors to help relieve muscle soreness and aches. If the individual chooses PCT phase two, which is a “extended PCT,” they will need to focus more on muscle building.
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When to Start PCT After Cycle
PCT should typically begin about 2 weeks after your last dose of anabolic steroids. The process should then be repeated for another 4-6 weeks (for a total of 6-8 weeks). However, determining this can be difficult if you don’t know how long you’ve been taking anabolic steroids.
It is recommended that you begin your PCT at least two weeks after your last use of anabolic steroids. If this was not possible for whatever reason, it is advised to wait even longer (4-6 months).
How Long Does PCT Take?
Individual recovery times for PCT will differ. It’s possible that some people will need 4-6 weeks before they’re completely recovered. Other people may require 8-10 weeks to fully recover from anabolic steroid use. It all depends on how long you’ve been taking anabolic steroids and whether you had any complications that needed to be resolved during PCT.
Individuals who have been using anabolic steroids for an extended period of time may never fully recover. This is why it’s critical to limit your steroid use within a specific timeframe. Individuals who are mostly drug-free will heal much faster than those who abuse steroids for years.
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Nolvadex PCT
Nolvadex is commonly used in post-cycle therapy to increase natural testosterone levels after anabolic steroid use has inhibited them.
Nolvadex is well-known for its ability to boost testosterone while limiting estrogen’s action, allowing the pituitary gland to produce more luteinizing hormone (LH).
This hormone is necessary for testosterone production, and Nolvadex excels at resuming regular testosterone function so you can avoid the symptoms of low T and keep your cycle gains.
Most users will require 4 weeks of Nolvadex for PCT, whereas longer or stronger steroid cycles may necessitate 8 weeks of post-cycle therapy combining Nolvadex with additional medications such as aromatase inhibitors.
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While it may be tempting for new users to exceed the maximum recommended dose of 20mg per day during post cycle therapy, it has been proven that doing so has no effect on testosterone levels. An aromatase inhibitor and HCG are commonly used with Nolvadex during post cycle therapy to cover all bases.
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Nolvadex PCT Dosage
A Nolvadex dose for PCT is used during a steroid cycle to prevent male breast tissue expansion, also known as gynecomastia. Any anabolic-androgenic steroids you use that have aromatizing effects will necessitate gyno treatment, and Nolvadex is a low-cost, simple, and safe option.
It only takes a low Nolvadex dose for PCT (10mg to 20mg per day) to protect against gyno because it binds to estrogen receptors in the breast tissue, preventing estrogen from acting. If the aromatizing effect of the steroids you’re taking is too strong for PCT Nolvadex dosage to work, aromatase inhibitors will almost certainly be required.
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Nolvadex Side Effects PCT
The majority of the side effects of Nolvadex have been linked to its use as a breast cancer treatment SERM for women. However, because it has been used by male anabolic steroid users for a long time, there is enough anecdotal evidence and personal experience to pinpoint some of the side effects that are common in males. For the purposes of this article, we will not discuss the side effects of Nolvadex for women who are taking it to treat breast cancer.
Not only does the medication affect the female body differently, but when used as cancer medication, it is used for a much longer period of time than when used by men to reduce estrogen side effects while on steroids or during post cycle therapy. As a result, the long-term negative effects of Nolvadex use aren’t particularly concerning.
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So, what are some of the long-term side effects to be aware of when using Nolvadex, either during the cycle or after it?
1. Acne – While it is not the most common side effect of Nolvadex, it is considered the most likely. This is because your testosterone levels will start to rise, and acne is simply a natural side effect of rising testosterone levels in some men; not all guys are predisposed to acne, and if you aren’t, you’re unlikely to experience this side effect.
2. Nausea or abdominal cramping – Although possible, this is an extremely rare side effect of Nolvadex that the vast majority of men will never experience.
Cognitive impairment, hot flashes, and even other types of cancer are side effects of Nolvadex for cancer medicine; however, they are not recognized as a risk factor for men using this drug for performance enhancement purposes.
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The best way to limit or eliminate the possibility of long-term Nolvadex side effects is to keep the dosage at a reasonable level.
Clomid PCT
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) is a medication in the Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators class (SERM). It has anti-estrogen properties and was developed as a fertility treatment for women who do not ovulate naturally.
Clomid is also occasionally prescribed for the treatment of hypogonadism in men as an alternative to testosterone replacement therapy, which is why it has become such a popular drug among anabolic steroid users.
Clomid is highly valued in the bodybuilding industry for its ability to reduce the estrogenic side effects caused by many steroids during a cycle, as well as counteracting the decline in testosterone production caused by using steroids, which is the primary reason it is used in post cycle therapy.
Two of the most feared estrogen-related side effects that anabolic steroid users hope to avoid are water retention and gynecomastia. Clomid can help with both of these side effects, which can have serious consequences if left untreated.
Excess water retention can ruin your physique and hide your gains, but it can also cause an increase in blood pressure. Clomid is a tremendously effective tool in any anabolic steroid user’s arsenal for all of these reasons.
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Clomid PCT Dosage
Clomid is typically used in low doses to protect against the estrogenic side effects of an anabolic steroid cycle. Most men will find that 25mg per day is enough to combat these negative effects for the rest of the cycle.
If side effects appear, some people will increase this to 50mg per day, but taking Clomid at doses higher than 25mg per day is not thought to be effective in reducing side effects. Another SERM, such as Nolvadex or Toremifene, may be required. If side effects persist despite taking Clomid, an aromatase inhibitor medication may be required in some cases.
Female Clomid PCT Dosage
Because Clomid was designed with women in mind when it was first introduced as a fertility aid, the recommended Clomid PCT dosing for this use is typically 50 mg per day, with some women occasionally requiring an increase to 100 mg.
We can see that this dosage is the same as the one recommended above for men. This demonstrates that the most effective Clomid dose PCT is 50 mg or 100 mg, with higher dosages providing no benefit while increasing the risk of side effects.
A PCT Clomid dose should not be used in female steroid users because neither estrogenic side effects nor testosterone suppression are issues for women.
Keep in mind that a proper Clomid dosing PCT is one of the keys to a successful Post Cycle Therapy
Clomiphene for Men
Clomiphene Citrate, also known as Clomid, is mostly used for PCT by male bodybuilders and other steroid-users. The reason for this is because Clomiphene Citrate is the only drug in existence that will stop the body from converting testosterone into estrogen.
Clomid for Women
Clomiphene Citrate, or Clomid, is not usually recommended to female bodybuilders and female steroid-users due to the fact that it has a negative impact on a female’s natural estrogen levels, which can lead to negative symptoms such as Irregular menstrual cycles, Depression, Thinning hair, and dry skin.
The Best Cycle to Keep Gains (PCT)
If you want to keep the gains you have received from your steroid cycles, the best thing to do is start a Post Cycle Therapy. This will help the body avoid a series of hormonal imbalances that might come with the use of steroids.
I have been taking Nolvadex for over a year and it has had a great impact on my body. I have been able to maintain an impressive physique with relative ease, when before I would spend my whole day in the gym. It is great for PCT, and has been especially useful after weaning off of steroids following competition season.
I’m starting my first cycle with test cypionate 200 mg once a week and 25 mg of Anavar every day. And I’ll be using Clomid PCT dosage after my anabolic steroid cycle. And for me, to be honest, I’m just going to keep the Clomid dosage low, but it’s still a little higher than some guys. I’ve been reading that PCT is a very important part of your bodybuilding routine.
After a Test Cycle of 12 weeks, Nolvadex PCT and Clomid PCT will work just fine; my recommendation is to take25-50 mg of Clomid and 20-40 mg of Nolva for 4 weeks. HCG is beneficial since it restores the natural test.
Nolvadex PCT dosage is far more successful when given in the final 4-6 weeks of the cycle and during the oral PCTs. It’s best to stimulate organic production before your test crashes.
My name is Tyler and I’ve been doing PCT after cycle for years now. I’m in my prime and it’s helped me tremendously. PCT in bodybuilding is something that you need to make sure you’re doing after a cycle of steroids. It will help get your body back on track after a cycle of steroids which can be harmful in the long run if not followed with the right type of therapy to limit any long-term damage.
I took Clomiphene for men for a month and felt OK, so I can resume my cycle after taking test prop for three months and tren ace for one month. Post Cycle Therapy is a must for me after every steroid cycle.
I am always getting messages from people asking about my bodybuilding so I will detail out the process that I follow. First, you need to train heavy and hard to build muscle. Next, you need a good diet. Finally, you need to take Clomid for women during your post-cycle. Female Clomid PCT dosage is great for female bodybuilders because it will help make us grow while our testosterone levels are low after the cycle of steroid.
I sailed for four years. There was no HCG during that period. Wife also wanted to become pregnant. I tried for a few months while still on cruise dosage of 200mg/wk, knowing full well it wouldn’t work. I didn’t experiment with low-dose PCT. I performed a proper PCT. I stopped taking Test E injections and started taking HCG at 1000iu/EOD for two weeks. The HCG was subsequently reduced to 500iu/EOD, and Clomid was begun at 100mg/day for two weeks, then reduced to 50mg/day for two weeks. She became pregnant during the same month I was on that PCT.
Hello, gentlemen. I’m just going to share my experience. For three years, I blasted and cruised. I utilized Tren, NPP, Deca, EQ, test, dbol, anavar, winny, and a few different sarms throughout this period. Obviously, not all at once. That’s over the course of several years. My wife decided she wanted another child, so I stopped everything at the three-year point and started a PCT in order to try to get her pregnant. For three months, I took 50 mg of clomid every day and 2000iu HcG every other day. I stopped taking clomid and HCG after three months. After discontinuing the juice, I got the elderly lady pregnant during the fourth month and went to have blood work. The blood work was done a month after I had stopped using clomid and HcG. Because my test levels were within the usual range, I was almost denied a prescription. Everything worked out. I got the script last month when I had the baby. I will note that I ran 250iu HcG every other day while blasting and cruising, so I can’t say if I would have recovered without it. Good luck to anyone embarking on this adventure or who is concerned about fertility.