"Tamoxifen" on PCT: how to take, side effects, reviews

October 2, 2019
Sports nutrition
Daria Dorogokup

Tamoxifen is a high-quality drug with anti-estrogenic effects. The product compares favorably with all analogues with its unique properties and wide scope of application. The medicine is part of a group of hormones that have a positive effect on many human organs and systems. In the article, we will look at all the features of using Tamoxifen on PCT (post-cycle therapy - a cycle of drugs that are used after a course of steroids), and also find out why this medication is highly valued among bodybuilders.

Description of the medication

Tamoxifen belongs to the category of popular drugs. Initially, the drug was developed exclusively for the treatment of women. It has been actively used for the effective prevention of cancer. The drug allows not only to detect, but also to warn a person about the development of a fatal pathology. Thanks to this, it is possible to diagnose and treat a dangerous disease in a timely manner. Only after some time did Tamoxifen begin to be actively used in sports. The medication acts rather slowly, especially in the first stages of therapy. That is why doctors recommend combining the product with other drugs.

Today, Tamoxifen PCT is in great demand. And there are reasons for this. The thing is that the drug significantly increases the usual level of testosterone in the body of men. Studies have shown that taking 20 mg of the drug for 10 days can increase the hormone level by 45%. If a man takes the drug for more than two months, the final testosterone level will increase by 85%. All this allowed experts to conclude that Tamoxifen is much more effective than other drugs.

Indications for use

Tamoxifen belongs to the category of potent non-steroidal drugs that suppress estrogen synthesis. The antihormonal effect of the drug is achieved by suppressing the sensitivity of the receptors responsible for the perception of estradiol.

In bodybuilding, the drug is indicated for use in the following cases:

Indications for use	Intended use of the drug
Fluid retention in the body	During an intensive training course aimed at gaining muscle mass, as well as the concomitant intake of steroid hormones, leads to the retention of excess fluid in the muscle fibers and soft tissues of the body. Regular use of Tamoxifen allows you to remove excess water, dry out the muscles and give them a sculpted effect. This property of the drug is especially in demand by athletes who are preparing for competitive programs where the aesthetic appearance of muscle mass is assessed.
Long-term use of androgens and anabolic steroids	During long-term use of anabolic steroids, a critical increase in male sex hormones is possible. To bring their concentration within normal limits, prophylactic doses of Tamoxifen are prescribed. The drug can be used during a training course in combination with steroid drugs, or used during the recovery period after consuming anabolic products.
Female-type breast growth	Long-term use of hormonal drugs that promote muscle gain, increase cardiovascular endurance, and can cause an imbalance of male and female sex hormones. If estrogen levels increase in the male body, radical changes in hormonal levels occur. In this regard, a man may experience signs of gynecomastia, when the mammary gland enlarges with its female-type growth. The active components of Tamoxifen block the sensitivity of receptors responsible for recognizing estrogen. Thanks to this, the pathological growth of the mammary glands stops.
Obesity	Athletes who are professional bodybuilders periodically face the problem of gaining excess body weight. After completing a course of taking drugs that increase muscle mass, a gradual decrease in testosterone levels in the blood is possible. At the same time, the concentration of estrogen increases proportionally. The consequence of this process is excess weight gain with localization of adipose tissue in the waist, anterior abdominal wall, and around the pectoral and gluteal muscles. Taking Tamoxifen after completing a course of intense training prevents obesity.
Decreased testosterone concentration	Men and women who are professional bodybuilders periodically face the problem of too low levels of testosterone in the blood. A deficiency of this male sex hormone leads to a lack of positive results from training, the growth of muscle mass stops, and the body's endurance decreases. Regular use of Tamoxifen maintains stable testosterone levels and prevents the growth of estrogen.
Prevention of testicular atrophy	Taking anabolic steroids, which saturate the body with additional testosterone, can lead to testicular dysfunction and cause atrophic processes. Tamoxifen ensures a balance of sex hormones, which stimulates the functioning of the organs of the male reproductive system, preventing atrophic processes.
Increased endurance and muscle density	Removing excess fluid from the body, as well as increasing the concentration of testosterone in the blood, increases the density of muscle fibers, as well as their endurance during exercise. Especially if the athlete's training program is aimed at working with heavy weights and high repetitions.
Preservation of muscle mass	To preserve the muscle mass that was gained during a course of intense training and taking anabolic steroids, it is necessary to take Tamoxifen. The drug is prescribed to maintain physical fitness and prevent muscle tissue obesity. Taking the drug is indicated for athletes who have completed their careers, or are taking a break from intense physical activity and do not want to lose shape.
Restoring the balance of female and male sex hormones	An imbalance of male and female sex hormones is the consequence of prolonged bodybuilding and the use of anabolic steroids. To restore stable hormonal levels, prophylactic use of Tamoxifen is prescribed.

Tamoxifen is also used in bodybuilding under the name Nolvadex.

Taking the drug is indicated only after a preliminary examination by an endocrinologist, as well as with his direct permission.

Unauthorized therapy with Tamoxifen, aimed at restoring the body after a training course, gaining muscle mass, preventing obesity, may not bring the expected result, and may also worsen the balance of male and female sex hormones.

Operating principle

Tamoxifen on PCT is very popular in bodybuilding. Professional athletes highly value the drug for its principle of action:

Normalization of liver function.
Breakdown of subcutaneous fat tissue.
Stimulation of natural testosterone production.
Prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Normalization of hormone production.

Tamoxifen should be used on PCT with caution so as not to provoke the development of adverse reactions.

Storage conditions and periods

Tamoxifen should be stored in a dry place without direct sunlight at a temperature not exceeding +25 degrees Celsius. Violation of these conditions may cause the breakdown of the chemical components of Tamoxifen and lead to premature deterioration of the drug.

The shelf life of the medicine is 3 years, after which the medicine is contraindicated for use.

Tamoxifen is a non-steroidal drug, the pharmacological properties of which are aimed at the treatment and prevention of cancer of the breast, as well as the endometrium of the uterus. In bodybuilding, the drug is used as an effective agent that suppresses the activity of female sex hormones - estrogens.

The drug allows you to stabilize testosterone levels, maintain gained muscle mass, increase endurance and gives the effect of relief to muscle fibers.

Advantages of the drug

To figure out how to take Tamoxifen on PCT, you need to first study all the positive aspects of this medication. The main advantages include the following characteristics:

Affordable price.
No adverse reactions if used correctly.
Reducing blood cholesterol levels.
Highly effective impact on the body.

The use of Tamoxifen after a course of steroids helps to increase strength, burn excess fat, and also increase muscle mass.

Flaws

If a novice athlete decides to figure out how to take Tamoxifen after a course of powerful steroids, then you need to study all the negative aspects of the drug. Otherwise, even a physically healthy person may experience a significant deterioration in the performance of vital organs. The main disadvantages include the slow action of the medication. Experts recommend combining Tamoxifen with the universal Proviron, which boasts excellent fat-burning properties.

Contraindications

Not all athletes can use Tamoxifen after a course of intensive training. The main contraindications include the following factors:

Tamoxifen should not be used if you are hypersensitive to any of the components of the composition.
Before therapy, it is necessary to undergo a full examination of the body in order to promptly diagnose ophthalmological and thromboembolic pathologies. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of diabetes or kidney problems so that the medication does not aggravate the situation.
The drug is contraindicated for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The medication should not be used for blood diseases (for example, hypercalcemia, leukopenia).
If after using Tamoxifen your legs begin to swell, then the dosage of the medicine should be halved.

Side effects

Negative reactions of the body to the effects of the drug are associated with the antiestrogenic effect of Tamoxifen. The dosage for PCT must be strictly followed. Otherwise, various adverse reactions may occur (rash, fever, dizziness, nausea). Possible swelling of the limbs and acute pain in the spine, constipation. In rare cases, experts have recorded a decrease in libido in an athlete, drowsiness, increased fatigue, and depression.

Exceeding the permissible dose of the drug negatively affects the functioning of the central nervous system, which entails a significant deterioration in vision:

Keratopathy. Damage to the cornea, which is directly related to changes in the transparency of the eye.
Cataract. Partial or complete clouding of the lens.
Retrobulbar neuritis. The pathology is characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve.
Retinopathy. The disease affects the retina of the eye.

Taking Tamoxifen incorrectly after a course of steroids can negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system. In this case, the following side reactions occur:

Gastrointestinal tract disorder.
Severe nausea and dry mouth.
Liver infiltration, hepatitis.
Decreased appetite.

Optimal dosage of the drug

To figure out how much to take Tamoxifen on PCT, you need to study the instructions included with the medication. To improve the effect, it is better to combine this remedy with Proviron. Tamoxifen should be used 10-20 mg daily. It is necessary to start therapy from the last week of the steroid course.

It is worth noting that after seven days of regular use of the drug Tamoxifen, the highest level of estrogen will be reached.

Application

Tamoxifen in bodybuilding can be used during a course of intense physical activity, in combination with taking anabolic steroids, or as an independent drug during the period of recovery of the body.

No steroids

Tamoxifen therapy without the use of anabolic steroids is aimed at suppressing the receptors responsible for identifying estradiol sex hormones. To reduce estrogen levels, increase testosterone concentrations and speed up the process of gaining lean muscle mass, the optimal dosage of the drug is 20 mg per day.

The average duration of taking the medication is from 4 to 10 weeks. If the expected effect is not achieved, the dosage of the drug can be increased by another 10 mg.

Separately

Athletes who are professionally involved in bodybuilding, who do not take chemical additives and hormonal substances that stimulate muscle growth, should take 30 mg of Tamoxifen. This is a dosage of the drug that exceeds the average.

The maximum dose of the drug for an adult who is involved in bodybuilding is 40 mg per day.

Exceeding the indicated doses is not recommended, as the risk of overdose and side effects increases. The average duration of taking the drug is from 1.5 to 2.5 months. depending on what results the athlete wants to achieve in bodybuilding.

As part of the course

In combination with anabolic steroids, as well as other drugs that accelerate muscle gain, increase endurance, and burn fat tissue, Tamoxifen is taken 10-20 mg per day.

These are the optimal doses, the observance of which allows you to reduce the level of estrogen in the blood, increase the concentration of testosterone and prevent the development of side effects associated with an imbalance of sex hormones. While taking anabolic steroids, you should avoid simultaneous use of Tamoxifen tablets.

The time interval between the use of these drugs should be at least 1 hour.

After the course

After completing a course of active physical activity and taking anabolic steroids, the process of rehabilitation therapy begins. If the goal is to restore the disturbed balance of female and male sex hormones, then you should take 20 mg of tamoxifen citrate daily.

If the drug is prescribed for preventive purposes, then it is enough to take 10 mg of the medication per day.

The use of tamoxifen in bodybuilding (post-cycle therapy)

Getting rid of signs of gynecomastia, female obesity, a critical increase in the level of hormonal substances of the estradiol group requires daily intake of 30 mg of tamoxifen citrate.

In case of urgent need, the daily dose can be increased to 40 mg. Long-term use of maximum dosages, which lasts more than 14 days, requires prior consultation with an endocrinologist.

It is also recommended to undergo a biochemical blood test to determine the balance of female and male sex hormones. The average duration after a course of recovery with Tamoxifen is from 1 to 2 months. The daily dosage of the drug can be divided into 2-3 doses.

The tablets must be consumed while maintaining the integrity of the protective shell, washed down with a sufficient amount of water at room temperature. It is forbidden to crush the drug into a powder or chew it. In this case, the pharmacological properties of tamoxifen citrate may be noticeably reduced.

Reviews from athletes and specialists

All bodybuilders noted the fact that the drug Tamoxifen has a pronounced anti-estrogenic effect. Despite possible adverse reactions, numerous reviews from professional athletes indicate that negative reactions of the body to the medication are extremely rare.

Bodybuilders have repeatedly noted the fact that Tamoxifen is strictly forbidden to be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. During such therapy, egg implantation is simply impossible.

Athletes should always remember that each person's body reacts differently to the drug. Only a specialist can advise on the appropriate medication and select the optimal dosage. It is necessary to constantly monitor your well-being and, if you have any questions, contact your doctor for a full examination. Exceeding the permissible dosage can undermine human health.

Specialist consultation

To get a positive effect from taking tamoxifen for gynecomastia in men, it is better to consult an endocrinologist who will work with the patient individually, will be able to collect anamnesis, help determine the dosage, explain which drugs can be combined with and which cannot, and information received from a specialist will be much more useful than reviews of the drug on the Internet and from friends.

I, Romanov Georgy Nikitich, provide paid online consultation services. More than twenty years ago I received a higher medical education and became a practicing endocrinologist. Today I am a candidate of medical sciences, I see patients in my clinic and conduct consultations online. Over the years of work, I have gained enormous experience and helped many of my patients return to normal life.

You can sign up for my consultation in any of the presented messengers: Viber, Telegram, Instagram, WhatsApp, Skype, Vkontakte.

Tamoxifen on PCT

Experts believe that the drug is effective for post-course therapy for athletes. At the end of the steroid course, the athlete begins to use the universal “Tamoxifen”, which allows the internal organs to work harder to replenish testosterone levels. Due to this, the production of the main male hormone is normalized. The huge advantage is that all the muscle mass gained is retained.

It is worth noting that the direct function of the drug is to suppress the level of estrogen in the body. If an athlete wants to enhance the result, then it is worth purchasing Clomid, which copes well with the basic tasks of PCT.

Tamoxifen: benefits in bodybuilding

The drug belongs to drugs with an antiestrogenic effect, i.e. blocking estrogen receptors. Why does an athlete need this? The fact is that steroids, by increasing the production of testosterone, simultaneously increase the level of female hormones, in particular estradiol. If the symptoms are not dealt with using aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole) or their use turns out to be insufficient, and the first stages of gynecomastia develop, then a man, instead of an impressive muscular figure, risks acquiring sagging breasts and hips, problems with vitality, and at the same time many other unpleasant things. consequences. To prevent such reactions in cases where aromatase and prolactin inhibitors are not enough, additionally use Tamoxifen (not suitable on a course with nadrolone and trenbolone), which blocks the effect of estrogens in the body.

At the same time, Tamoxifen is more affordable in price than its main competitor Fareston, which makes it more popular among bodybuilders; however, Tamoxifen cannot be used on a course with Nadrolones and Trenbolone, which cannot be said about Fareston. The advantage of the drug is also its mild effect on the body. If you do not abuse it, the likelihood of developing unpleasant reactions is minimal. To monitor the condition, it is recommended to regularly take hormone tests.

Universal pills for men

Professional bodybuilders practice the use of universal anabolic steroids. Modern drugs allow you to achieve the desired physical shape in the shortest possible time. The classic composition of most steroid drugs boasts the presence of numerous components, the use of which can increase the amount of estrogen in human blood.

Long-term use of the drug can lead to the athlete experiencing all the signs of feminization. This process is characterized by the following manifestations:

Excessive female pattern hair growth.
Changing the timbre of your voice.
Unusual distribution of fatty tissue for men.
Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts).

The multifunctional drug "Tamoxifen" on PCT allows you to prevent the negative effects of powerful steroids due to the anti-estrogenic effects of the active components. The product does not transform testosterone into estrogens. The drug only blocks specific receptors in body tissues. Manufacturers claim that the medication does not interfere with the important process of aromatization, which is especially important for professional athletes and bodybuilders.

To purchase the drug at a regular pharmacy, you do not need to present a prescription from a doctor. But athletes need to remember that Tamoxifen is a rather rare pharmacological agent, despite its enormous popularity among athletes.

Authorization...

Author: Metan Dienonovich, www.fatal-energy.com

On the question of the need to use tamoxifen and Clomid during steroid courses.

Recently, the topic and related questions about the use of antiestrogens during steroid courses , as well as the very pressing issue of post-course therapy. I think that it is advisable to continue this discussion, but if possible, present the material without excessive use of medical terms and clarify the situation for beginning “chemists” about the usefulness and features of the use of antiestrogens in steroid courses and post-course therapy.

Of course, any athlete involved in strength sports is interested in minimizing as much as possible the manifestations of feminization (the manifestation of female sexual characteristics) that are destructive to athletic performance. To do this, it is necessary to control the level of estrogen, the female sex hormone, in the blood.

Unlike the female body, which is capable of producing the male sex hormone - testosterone, the male body itself cannot produce female sex hormones. Testosterone is converted into female sex hormones. More precisely, the conversion of testosterone occurs only into one of the female sex hormones - estrogen , even more precisely, only into one of the estrogens, the most powerful - estradiol . This transformation, like the vast majority of other transformations in the body, does not occur on its own, but with the assistance of enzymes - catalysts of chemical reactions. In this case, this enzyme, or more precisely, a set of enzymes united by a common name, is aromatase . And the very phenomenon of converting testosterone into estradiol is called “aromatization.” In the process of this very aromatization, an increase in estrogen levels occurs. This process constantly occurs in male bodies and there is nothing wrong with it. The level of estrogen is constantly monitored by the body and in normal amounts for men is not only not dangerous, but also useful for good health and cheerful mood. By the way, it is the age-related decrease in testosterone levels and the simultaneous increase in estrogen levels that explains problems with the prostate, cardiovascular system and memory in older men, diseases associated with weakened immunity, as well as age-related gynecomastia.

The situation does not change in the best way when testosterone or its derivatives begin to enter the male body from the outside (I think everyone knows about the positive aspects of this process). In this situation, the body is no longer able to control the level of estrogen in the blood itself and its sharp increase can lead to negative consequences for the athlete: accumulation of excess water and, worst of all, gynecomastia - enlargement of the mammary glands in men, the return of which to its original state is only possible through surgery .

In medical practice, in order to combat estrogens, a number of drugs are used, which are usually used as antitumor agents in the treatment of neoplasms (cancerous and other tumors) in the female genital area. These include clomiphene citrate (Clostilbegit or Clomid), tamoxifen (Nolvadex).

The use of these drugs, on the one hand, allows you to combat the effects of aromatization, and on the other hand, helps to quickly restore the level of your own testosterone. The last feature of the drugs under consideration is very important due to the fact that even a small therapeutic dose of nandrolondecanoate (50 mg) can significantly reduce the level of the body’s own testosterone within a couple of weeks. Therefore, after discontinuation of steroid therapy, the body’s production of its own testosterone is practically suppressed, and after a triumphant increase in muscle and strength results, the athlete inevitably experiences a “reset.” Therefore, anyone who, for whatever reason, has dared to use steroids should know a way to minimize this “kickback” and restore the level of their own testosterone as soon as possible.

So, during a course of aromatizing drugs (primarily testosterone and its esters - testosterone propionate, enanthate, etc.; a mixture of testosterone esters - omnadren, sustanon, andropen, etc.), you need to take care, firstly, about possible side effects from the action of estrogen, and secondly, about the speedy restoration of the level of your own testosterone.

To be fair, it is worth noting that an increase in estrogen levels in the blood occurs only with long-term use of sufficiently high doses of aromatizing steroids. That is, the use of the same testosterone will not always create problems associated with its aromatization. It all depends on the level of aromatase (the substance that converts testosterone into estrogens) in the blood of a particular person, as well as the number and distribution of estrogen receptors in his body. Accordingly, the more receptors, the better they respond to the appearance of the female hormone, the same is with aromatase - the more of it in the blood of a particular person, the more estrogen is produced from the available testosterone. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account that all people are different, some will not have problems with aromatization even when using one and a half to two grams of testosterone per week for many months, while others will experience pain in their nipples from the very first ampoule of Sustanon. If we take an average, a dose of 500 mg of testosterone per week is considered quite safe in all senses, including an excessive increase in estrogen levels in the blood. However, even if you are not prone to manifestations of feminization, the use of steroids will inevitably lead to suppression of the production of your own testosterone and this will definitely have to be dealt with. And here Clomid and Nolvadex come to our aid. Let's talk about these drugs in more detail.

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is an anti-estrogen (it does not block aromatization, but blocks its possible negative consequences, the most unpleasant of which is gynecomastia), it is usually taken 2 tablets during the entire course and another five weeks after it (2 weeks from the last After injection, steroids such as nandrolone decanoate or sustanon still continue to work effectively. And post-course therapy with Clomid lasts for 3 weeks, and during these same three weeks the amount of estrogen in the blood gradually declines in the body and, as a rule, reaches a relatively safe level). In general, the advice that I once came across on one of the pharmacological forums, to drink not 5 weeks, but 2 months after the course, is also fair, but this, in my opinion, is unnecessary reinsurance and is not required in a normal situation. Tamoxifen is a very strong drug and 20 mg per day (i.e. 2 tablets) is enough for most men taking aromatizing steroids.

As I already noted, during the courses, in addition to the possible consequences of aromatization, one more problem must be solved - the restoration of one’s own testosterone. Suppression of its production occurs due to the fact that, due to the use of steroids, the body stops producing its own test. The brain begins to understand that there are already a lot of hormones and gives a command to a certain control system to reduce functionality, and then completely shut down the testicles - the organ that produces testosterone in the male body. This usually occurs after two weeks of steroid therapy.

This problem is partially solved by taking tamoxifen, but tamoxifen is not a universal drug and acts on estrogen-sensitive receptors throughout the body, and cannot sufficiently affect the functioning of the mentioned system, which specifically controls the production of testosterone in the body. A drug such as Clomid successfully copes with this problem.

This drug acts only on the system responsible for the production of testosterone by the testicles. Its dosage is from 300 mg (6 tablets) on the first day, 100 mg (2 tablets) for the next 10 days, one 50 mg tablet for the remaining 10 days after a course of Clomid therapy. During these three weeks of using Clomid, the following happens: the level of the artificial hormone gradually decreases, but estrogen is still high, and this is a signal for the system that controls the production of its own test to continue to block the functioning of the eggs. Clomid, by attaching to the necessary receptors, deceives this system, blocking access to it from the estrogen present in the blood. The body begins to think that there are no estrogens, which means there is no testosterone, which is the source substance for estrogen, and begins to take measures to activate the process of producing its own testosterone.

There are two benefits of using Clomid for an athlete. Firstly, the testicles begin to release testosterone in full force, and gradually recover from possible partial atrophy or temporary dysfunction. Secondly, this leads to a minimal post-course “rollback” because the steroids have worked out (their level, along with the level of estrogen, has decreased to safe limits), the level of our own test is normal, and what else do we need? Let's start eating creatine, drink ecdysterone, enjoy the weight gained and the results, and look forward to the next course!

I should also note that if you are a beginner “chemist”, then, firstly, I do not recommend exceeding the dosage of aramatizing steroids more than 500 mg per week, and, secondly, do not neglect the benefits of using Clomid and tamoxifen.

Tamoxifen at the pharmacy costs around 1-2 dollars for 30 tablets, Clomid, unfortunately, is much more expensive and the entire clomid-tamoxifen course (about 7 packs of tamoxifen and 4 clostilbegide) last time personally cost me about 90 dollars... No recipe needed.

I will give an example with specific numbers. Let's say you decide to take a 7-week course of 250 mg of nandrolone decanoate and 250 mg of omnadren per week. We administer these medications once a week for seven weeks. Tamoxifen must be taken at a steady dose of 20 mg for 12 weeks. We take Clomid according to the indicated regimen at the 10th, 11th and 12th weeks. In the eighth and 9th weeks, Clomid is not needed - it’s too early. At this time, steroid levels are still high and stimulation of the release of your own testosterone is not yet required.

However, if you are not prone to the influence of estrogens (I have already mentioned this in this article), tamoxifen needs to be purchased in advance, but you can start taking it only when you feel discomfort in the nipple area (pain, itching, etc. .). Or just under your nipples, when you feel with soapy hands in the shower, you will feel a pea-sized lump. This risky approach is taken by those athletes who do not want to suppress the production of insulin-like growth factor hormone with tamoxifen during the course. The afterbirth is the fly in the ointment. Yes, yes, unfortunately, together with estrogens, tamoxifen also blocks this essential hormone, however, in principle, the overall contribution of growth hormone to the increase in mass and strength during the 7-week course is not so great and therefore this fact can be neglected.

feeling and cheerful mood. By the way, it is the age-related decrease in testosterone levels and the simultaneous increase in estrogen levels that explains problems with the prostate, cardiovascular system and memory in older men, diseases associated with weakened immunity, as well as age-related gynecomastia.

The situation does not change in the best way when testosterone or its derivatives begin to enter the male body from the outside (I think everyone knows about the positive aspects of this process). In this situation, the body is no longer able to control the level of estrogen in the blood itself and its sharp increase can lead to negative consequences for the athlete: accumulation of excess water and, worst of all, gynecomastia - enlargement of the mammary glands in men, the return of which to its original state is only possible through surgery .

See: how to increase testosterone levels?