PCT After a course of steroids (recovery after a course of steroids)

Post-cycle therapy is a system for leveling the consequences of the use of androgenic anabolic steroids, ideally allowing you to maintain the results of the “course”, cleanse the body and restore the hormonal arc. According to its goals, post-cycle therapy is divided into two main types: therapy for maintaining results and therapy for “rest”. The first is a meaningless thing, used by non-professionals who do not need anabolic steroids at all, since it will not be possible to maintain the result after the “course” , the “rollback” will be even further than the level that was before taking androgenic drugs, but harm to health will be caused. Ideally, of course, the result is preserved, but only if PCT is professional in nature, namely, it is not therapy, but a “bridge.”

Professionals, in general, when they “rest” between “courses”, they do not try to maintain the result of using anabolic steroids, but try to “rest” and recover as much as possible, so that later, when they “sit down” on the “course” again, this will give the greatest result. The bottom line is that the maximum natural level of testosterone is several times, tens of times less than the level that can be achieved with androgenic anabolic steroids, so it is impossible, even theoretically, to maintain muscle mass without steroids! That is why, if you are not a professional, if you are an amateur and are pumping just to look good, then you do not need steroids! You especially don’t need them if you have just started training, if you have not yet learned how to hypertrophy muscle fibers into “natural” ones.

Many beginners think that they will take two or three “courses”, get pumped up, and then quit, and will just keep in shape. This will not work! Firstly, androgenic anabolic drugs are, so to speak, growth accelerators, but if there is no growth at all, then there is nothing to accelerate. Secondly, after finishing the “course” you will lose everything. Thirdly, this is simply stupid, because let’s say that you even manage to gain all the kilograms of pure muscle mass that are genetically available to you. Now you have reached the genetic ceiling, which you would have reached anyway, just not so quickly, but you have already caused harm to your health! And the question arises, why? If you are ready to sacrifice your health, are ready to “plow” 6 days a week, but you have to “plow”, otherwise there will be no result, then isn’t it better to reach the genetic ceiling on your own, and only then use drugs to achieve more?

Okay, let’s finish the lyrical digression , let’s say that you have decided to take a “course” and are thinking about how to approach this more professionally in order to cause the least harm to yourself. First, you need to get tested to know exactly which androgenic anabolic steroids you need and what levels you need to return to as a result of post-cycle therapy. Secondly, you need to choose the medications themselves wisely so as not to harm your body, and you will select the medications in accordance with the test data, which we will talk about in more detail in the corresponding article. During the “course,” by the way, you also need to take tests, but different ones, again, in order to know exactly what measures need to be taken. Well, after the “course” you will also need to undergo tests to understand whether you have restored the balance of hormones or not.

Thirdly, you must understand that although PCT is called post-cycle therapy, nevertheless, you need to start therapy during the “course” , because if your testicles do not function at all, then by the end of the “course” they will atrophy, and you will have to recover longer. In general, you must understand that before you get into something, you need to think about how to get out of there! The essence of PCT is to restore the hormonal arc: hypothalamus-pituitary-testes, as well as normalize the ratio of low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins, and, which is also extremely important, suppress the secretion of cortisol and normalize liver function.

Conclusion: before the “course” you need to take tests for the level of total and free testosterone, gonadotropin, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone, cholesterol, blood pressure, liver enzymes and bilirubin; during the “course” it is necessary to measure cholesterol, blood pressure, liver enzymes, bilirubin and prolactin with estradiol; After the “course”, take all the tests again.

What is PCT for and how does it work?

The effect of taking hormones can negatively affect some organs, and especially the testicles. Testosterone production is controlled by a hormone produced by the hypothalamus - gonadotropin hormone. This hormone is responsible for cell division in the genitals, their production of androgenic hormones and spermatogenesis. Taking hormones from the outside causes a reaction in the body, which leads to a reduction in the production of gonadotropin hormone. This process must be carefully monitored, since a lack of gonadotropic hormone causes testicular atrophy. What an important point! If your external hormones are not even the standard for synthetic testosterone, then the body will still interpret them as such and reduce its production to zero (over time).

Conclusion: If you get enough (or even too much) testosterone, or a similar anabolic hormone (testosterone derivatives), then the body reduces its production to a minimum. This is more than logical: why should he waste resources and energy if someone is doing the work for him?!

Therefore, if you have a long course (more than 2 months), then we recommend adding hCG (Chorionic Gonadotropin) 1000 units in the 2nd month of the course - 3 Fridays in a row, one rest. We continue to install according to this scheme until the PCT itself. The creator of the project, Sergei Soklakov, wrote about this in the article: “The philosophy of long courses, or why fitness models are fitness models, but you are not!” Very comprehensive material that I recommend reading!

Next moment! When you stop the course and stop supplying the body with testosterone, it may not immediately adjust to the new regime, which means it will not immediately produce enough of its own testosterone immediately after completing the course.

In simple words, a long course, without background hCG injections, and even without PCT, can lead to infertility and impotence! To be fair, I note that there are unique people who do not do PCT as such at all and for them everything recovers on its own within an adequate period of time (2-3 months), but I do not advise repeating such an experience when it can be done more competently from a scientific point of view!

Let's move on to the next point. It would seem that a lot of testosterone is good, but this is not always the case. The principle of homeostasis (balance) operates in our body. The same principle works mercilessly when too much testosterone appears in the blood, part of which is brought into balance and replaced by its opposite - estrogen. This is where antiestrogens come to the rescue. The principle of their operation is simple - they suppress aromatase enzymes, which convert testosterone into estrogen. If you do not fight estrogen, then gynecomastia awaits you.

Everything is clear with the liver. She passes all the drugs through herself and for this reason she simply needs to help any person (at least once a year), and even more so an athlete on the course! These drugs are called hepatoprotectors - they cleanse and restore the liver. It turns out that with the help of PCT drugs you can:

1. Restore normal hormonal levels;
2. Fight against “rollback”;
3. Prevent gynecomastia;
4. Stop testicular atrophy and oligospermia;
5. Prevent other side effects.

During the course, it is important to take tests at least once every two months. Ideally, you should be treated by an endocrinologist who specializes specifically in athletes (this is a must)! If you don’t have this (and 90% of people don’t), then you can contact Sergei. He will help you with a specialist for very reasonable money!

Steroid profile of Testosterone Cypionate

The steroid demonstrates:

• 100% anabolic and androgenic effects from testosterone;
• significant suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-testes chain;
• no toxic effect on the liver;
• high level of estrogen conversion.

Any form of testosterone acts through anabolic receptors. Cypionate is no exception. This allows you to significantly increase the hormone’s ability to retain nitrogen, which is the main building block for creating protein in the muscles.

Classic PCT

Typically, after a course of hormones, two types of PCT are used: classic and bridge-style PCT. Their only difference is the presence of hormonal drugs. Let's look at everything in order.

The classic option is logical to use if you are not going to start another course in the near future. The following drugs are used:

• Dough boosters;
• Hepatoprotectors;
• Antiestrogens.

These are only basic supplements that must be used after the cycle; they can also be supplemented with cortisol blockers, which will help reduce catabolism and maintain muscle volume, peptides that can enhance the production of their own hormones (testosterone, GH, IGF-1, MGF-1, etc. .d.).

But the use of SARMs on a classic PCT is a controversial issue, since it was noticed that, despite the manufacturers’ statements, they still suppress the production of their testosterone. That is, if you are doing a course of SARMs, we personally recommend doing the classic PCT after them!

HCG and its role in post-cycle therapy

HCG is a hormone produced by the human embryo, the chorion tissue. In men, as well as in non-pregnant women, this hormone may appear in the presence of a tumor, indicating its presence. A drug containing hCG prevents the development of testicular atrophy.

Its use is especially relevant after completing a course lasting more than 6 weeks. Often human chorionic gonadotropin is included as early as 2 weeks. Sometimes it is better to start taking it a little later - at the end of the course, at week 5. Human chorionic gonadotropin also prevents the desensitization of Leydig cells. When the anabolic drug is completely removed from the body, use is stopped.

How to do classic PCT in practice?

Let me make a reservation right away that here I am talking about one of the classical methods after a course of no more than 3 months. If the course is longer, then not everything is so obvious and if you do not have the proper experience, then you need a mentor!!!

Take 1 dough booster from the dough boosters section. By the way, you can have two, but just make sure that the trains overlap to a minimum, or do not overlap at all. We take one liver protection and one anti-estrogen from the support section of the course. If the tests are not restored, then we repeat this procedure for another month. If you don’t want to get tested, then do PCT for 2 months just to be sure!

Notes[edit | edit code]

1. Andrologia. 1983 May-Jun;15(3):283-6. German.
2. Source: William Llewellyn's, Anabolics 9th edition, 2009
3. https://experimentjournal.com/expadmin/pdf_files/exp_11.4_721-725.pdf
4. https://thinksteroids.com/articles/antiestrogens-anti-aromatases-estrogen-antagonists/
5. Kövary PM, Lenau H, Niermann H, Zierden E, Wagner H (May 1977). "Testosterone levels and gonadotrophins in Klinefelter's patients treated with injections of mesterolone cipionate." Arch Dermatol Res 258(3):289–94.
6. https://base.garant.ru/12158202/#block_3000
7. Register of Medicines of Russia - https://www.rlsnet.ru/tn_index_id_2669.htm
8. https://www.buildbody.org.ua/farmakologiya/proviron-mesterolon-otzyvy-kurs-pkt-pobochnye-effekty
9. Spitz IM, Margalioth EJ, Effect of non aromatizable androgens on LHRH and TRH responses in primary testicular failure. PMID: 2892728
10. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2007 N 964 “On approval of lists of potent and toxic substances for the purposes of Article 234 and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, as well as large amounts of potent substances for the purposes of Article 234 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation”
11. Effect of non aromatizable androgens on LHRH and TRH responses in primary testicular failure. Horm Metab Res. 1984 Sep;16(9):492-7.
12. The effect of mesterolone on sperm count, on serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, plasma testosterone and outcome in idiopathic oligospermic men.Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1988 Feb;26(1):121-8.
13. https://do4a.com/threads/Analysis-of-hormone-tests-advice-from-a-specialist.5626

PKT in the style of "bridge"

Now let's look at the second option - PCT “bridge”. This option is logical to use if you want to do several courses - one after another. You won’t be able to use large dosages forever, for two reasons:

1. Moral fatigue from constant hard training;
2. Prolonged excessive stress on the body.

As you may have guessed, experienced athletes “bridge” when they use long courses. In general, an experienced athlete and a long course are synonymous! The essence is simple, we leave only one hormone instead of a ligament, or a SARM, or a special test-booster-bridge. Accordingly, we reduce the intensity of training and, if possible, equalize the analysis indicators.

There is no point in hoping that anything will be restored for you with this scheme. LH and FSH will be practically zero and endogenous testosterone will be practically not produced. BUT, this is the only option if you want to make a high-quality form!

What medications should you take:

• Test booster with a light prohormone, or test booster + prohormone, or prohormone solo;
• Hepatoprotectors;
• Antiestrogens;
• SARM.

It is logical to “cobble” only when the rest between courses is shorter than the courses themselves. There is simply no need to disturb and rearrange the hormonal system ten times.

Possible side effects

The steroid exhibits a high level of aromatization. Consequently, along with an increase in muscle mass, the concentration of estrogen also increases, which is the cause of the development of such an ailment as gynecomastia, accompanied by thickening and swelling of the area around the nipples. To prevent the risks of gyno, athletes take aromatase blockers and Nolvadex or Clomid, which are antiestrogens.

Side effects from taking cypionate are often due to the high conversion of the hormone into the active form of dihydrotestosterone and are androgenic in nature. In some cases, the athlete may experience increased blood pressure, hair growth on various parts of the body and on the face, or, conversely, baldness, acne, and increased secretion of the sebaceous glands.

Examples of specific products for PCT

Theory is a necessary basis for a quality result, but practice is no less important. Therefore, we decided to give you an example of selecting the right products for PCT and support during the course. We will present some products in their categories, and you will only need to choose one from each. A small gift for those who don’t want to spend a long time looking for the perfect option!

Liver protection

Dough boosters

Killer Labz Terminator Test

Price: 3968.00 rub.

Card Product

Blackstone Labs Multi

Price: 2304.00 rub.

Card Product

Killer Labz LaxoBulk

Price: 3840.00 rub. 2592.00 rub.

Card Product

Go to the Testoboosters / PCT category »

Summary

A high-quality and long-term course should include PCT and support. Support is based on taking a hepaprotector, an anti-etrogen and hCG. After canceling the course, a full-scale PCT is carried out. Classic PCT should include the following drugs: test booster(s), antiethrogen, hepaprotector. PCT in the bridge style includes: a test booster with a prohormone, or a test booster + a light prohormone, or a solo prohormone, or a SARM, an antiethrogen, a hepaprotector. During the course and PCT, do not forget about the recovery and training base, which is described here.

Remember, before you try hormones, you must have at least three years of successful experience of progress “naturally”! Also, you should not take hormones before the age of 21!

If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments! Good luck!

The use of steroids on an eternal course

A continuous cycle of steroids involves taking anabolic hormones continuously for several years or even decades.

This “know-how” is used only in competitive bodybuilding.

For comparison: for medical purposes, anabolic steroids are used in small concentrations and for a short time.

The course of treatment is 4-8 weeks, followed by a break in hormonal therapy for a period of 1.5-2 times longer.

This duration of taking hormones and further rest from them are designed to minimize the risk of developing numerous side effects.

In professional bodybuilding, medical dosages and periods of taking steroids are exceeded several times.

As a result, even among amateurs, the norm has taken root to practice steroid courses for 12-16 weeks.

Well, the pros decided to go even further, taking anabolic steroids all year round, without interruption.

Some professional bodybuilders claim that they have been on steroids for 8-10 years.