Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)

PCT. There is a lot of talk about Post Cycle Therapy, or PCT as it is commonly referred to as, in gyms around the world. If you’re new to bodybuilding, you must have come across this phrase too. But what is it, really? And why should you care about it? Let’s find out. 

What is Post Cycle Therapy and Why Do You Need It?

Have you seen a professional bodybuilder? You can see how big and muscular they are. Did they do anything special? Was it because of spending hours at the gym? Because of a miracle diet? Was it because of Whey Protein supplements? Or maybe it was because of anabolic steroids.

A truthful answer would be – all of the above. Bodybuilders take steroids, they just don’t tell you about it. It is an open secret in the bodybuilding community. There is nothing wrong with that as long as you stick to the recommended dosage and don’t compete in bodybuilding events – as that would give you an unfair edge over the competition.

The thing about steroids is that while they give you tremendous muscle gains, they make a mess of the natural working of the body. That is why after going through an anabolic steroid cycle; you will need a cooling off period, which is what the Post Cycle Therapy is all about.

How Does Post Cycle Therapy Help?

 When you take steroids, you will certainly experience an increase in strength and muscle mass. But steroids may also have certain side effects. The side effects become apparent days after finishing the steroid cycle.

You don’t experience the side effects during the steroid cycle as your body is in another zone. It stops producing hormones naturally when you are taking steroids. When the steroid cycle is stopped, the body has to adjust itself to life without steroid.

That is where PCT comes in.

PCT is an essential process through which every bodybuilder should go through after finishing a steroid cycle. What PCT does is to get the body back to its natural and healthy state, so that it can get back to producing hormones naturally.

The PCT starts once the steroid use is over and it can last anything from 30 to 45 days. During PCT, you will take a number of drugs that mitigate the side effects of steroids. These drugs are called SERMS.

What are SERMS and How are they Used in PCT?

SERMS or Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators are the most popular drugs used in PCT. SERMs work to block the estrogenic effect of some of the steroids. Their anti-estrogenic properties make them an integral part of post cycle therapy.

Understand: When taken in high doses, some anabolic steroids can aromatise and convert into estrogen in the body. This is not good for you – especially if you are a guy – as it can lead to ugly things like man boobs. Who wants that! That would really make a mess of all the hard work you’ve put in at the gym.

SERMs inhibit estrogen and fight such dangerous side effects of certain anabolic steroids.  They also boost your testosterone levels and restore your testosterone production back to how it was when you were in the prime of your life, in your early to mid 20s.

Clomid and Tamoxifen are the two most popular SERMS used in PCT.

A Post Cycle Therapy Plan

Let’s get started and prepare a PCT plan for you. There is no single PCT plan that works for everyone. You have to see what suits you best and prepare your own plan out of that.

Generally, every PCT cycle includes SERMS such as Clomid or/and Tamoxifen. These drugs can help reverse the estrogenic effects of certain anabolic steroids, help the muscles recover faster after a particularly gruelling workout and restore your natural testosterone levels.

You may also take HGH or Human Growth Hormone during the PCT. HGH helps boost testosterone levels, build muscular strength and endurance, and fight aging.

 A typical PCT cycle will be like this:

• HGH – About 2-4iu every other day for a PCT cycle of 45 days
• Clomid – About 50mg taken Twice day for a PCT cycle of 30 days
• Tamoxifen – About 20mg taken once per day for a PCT cycle of 45 days

Let’s quickly talk about each of these drugs.

Clomid

What is Clomid?

Clomid was originally created as a fertility drug for women.  But these days it is also used in bodybuilding as a part of PCT. 

When taken after the steroid cycle, Clomid fires up your gonads and boosts testosterone production. Also, Clomid fights mitigate some of the worst side effects of steroids such as man boobs and boating.

The right time to take Clomid is about two weeks after finishing the steroid cycle. That is when you know your body is ready for this drug. Take about 50mg of this drug twice day for a PCT cycle of 30 days

Tamoxifen

What is Tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen is a SERM that is often used in conjunction with Clomid during the PCT. It is also used in bodybuilding as a part of PCT.

This drug has strong estrogenic effects, which makes it highly effective at combating some of the harsh side effects of steroids. You may take Tamoxifen alone or together with Clomid.

Taking this drug will restore the body to homeostasis and get your testosterone levels back to how it was when you were younger. Take about 20mg of this drug once per day for a PCT cycle of 45 days

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

The human growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. It is essential for the basic functioning of the body, cell regeneration, preservation of muscle tissue and proper working of the internal organs.

HGH can also be injected into the body in the form of subcutaneous injections. It is very popular with body builders as it restores testosterone to natural levels and fights the estrogenic effects of some of the anabolic steroids.

Take an injection of 2-4iu of HGH every other day for a PCT cycle of 45 days.