PCT after a course of steroids - what is PCT in bodybuilding

• July 14, 2018
• Sports nutrition
• Kim Zahidakhon

In bodybuilding, the decoding of PCT is a derivative of the English. Postcycletherapy (translated as “post-cycle therapy”). This concept means the complex use of medications and dietary supplements in order to reduce and neutralize side effects after a course of taking anabolic steroids by bodybuilders. PCT after a course of steroids is mandatory.

Steroids in professional sports

Today, without them, it is impossible to win in professional sports, since a “natural” is not a rival to a “chemist”. The need to use anabolic steroids in bodybuilding comes to everyone who wants not just to pump up muscles, but to achieve stunning results. Although many beginners are sure from the very beginning that they will pump up the body naturally, without chemicals.

Over time, any athlete finds himself at a dead end, because there are no visible training results. Then the question arises about choosing an anabolic steroid. The most commonly used drugs are testosterone.

In general, everything is based on testosterone. Its compounds are designed to enhance the effects of the hormone itself. For example, in propionate, propionic acid enhances the effect of testosterone several times. It is its application that proves effective in achieving goals.

Tests before starting a steroid course

Before you start using steroids, you need to take tests to determine the level of total and free testosterone, prolactin, estradiol, gonadotropin, progesterone, cholesterol, bilirubin, and blood pressure.

During the period of taking steroids, it is necessary to periodically check blood pressure, cholesterol levels, liver condition and bilirubin levels. After completing the course of steroids, take all tests again.

Before taking steroids, tests must be taken to determine the natural level of hormones in the human body. If any violations are identified, the athlete must first correct this, and then take steroids.

Tests while taking steroids are important in order to promptly adjust medications and change nutritional recommendations. Tests after stopping steroid use are necessary to create competent and effective post-cycle therapy.

Goals of post-cycle therapy

The first direction of PCT after the course is the restoration of natural testosterone production. The second direction is reducing the level of estrogen in the male body, which is also increased due to the use of anabolic steroids. Their balance needs to be restored. The ratio should be 1:200.

PCT after the course aims to preserve muscle mass and restore natural hormonal levels - that is, the task is not to retain the gained muscles, but to preserve the existing ones:

• reduce the manifestations of the rollback phenomenon;
• remove feminization of the body;
• prevent oligospermia, decreased libido and testicular atrophy;
• tidy up the liver, because all steroids are toxic to the liver;
• increase high-density lipoproteins and decrease low-density lipoproteins, i.e. reduce bad cholesterol.

In order for your own testosterone to begin to be produced, the artificial one must end.

Medical use

HCG in a steroid cycle is used as a means that preserves and protects the bodybuilder’s health. In conventional medicine, the drug is used to treat diseases:

• in men: delayed sexual development, cryptorchidism, testicular dysfunction, gonadism, insufficient manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics, oligoasthenospermia, adiposogenital syndrome;
• in women: anovulatory infertility, corpus luteum deficiency, ovarian dysfunction, threat of miscarriage.

What do anabolic steroids give during training?

They help increase the number and thickness of muscle fibers. As soon as the steroids are stopped, the number of muscle fibers begins to drop. Even the most modern PCT will still allow some muscle mass to be burned. This happens because the body naturally, after stopping the pills, cannot provide an increase in hormones for super muscle growth.

The hormonal chain hypothalamus + pituitary gland is responsible for regulating the production of the male hormone testosterone in the body, and the testicles are responsible for the production of the hormone (this is the so-called HPA arc - hypothalamus-pituitary-testes). The connection here is reverse. When there is a lot of testosterone in the body, by order of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland instructs the testicles to reduce testosterone synthesis. And if the course of treatment is heavy or long, then the synthesis will stop altogether.

This causes varying degrees of testicular atrophy. Many bodybuilders notice this during training. Even if the size does not change, atrophy has begun, but it is a completely reversible process.

Increased testosterone production

In addition to the use of drugs that suppress female sex hormones, human chorionic gonadotropin . At its core, gonadotropin is an analogue of luteinizing hormone (LH), but it is produced not by the pituitary gland, but by the corpus luteum in the placenta of pregnant women, from whose urine this drug is isolated.

Thus, gonadotropin, like LH, stimulates the secretion of hormones in the testicles, and therefore has the same effects as testosterone. Accordingly, spermatogenesis increases, the testicles restore their size after a course of AAS.

Chorionic gonadotropin should be used only while you are still on the course, as it suppresses its own production of LH, which is absolutely unacceptable during the period of restoration of the entire hormonal system as a whole.

The most productive regimen with minimal suppression of LH production is subcutaneous administration of 500-1000 units of gonadotropin every three days. In total, 5-10 thousand units of the drug are usually sufficient for a course of gonadotropin.

How is estrogen harmful in a man’s body?

Testosterone and its esters are subject to aromatization, i.e. transformation into estrogens. The HPA arc in such cases is suppressed even more. Estrogens will lead to feminization of the body, and there will be no recovery.

When there is little estrogen, a signal goes to the pituitary gland that there is little testosterone and it needs to start producing it. Gonadotropins can also intervene here, which will inhibit testosterone synthesis. There are also androgens that do not undergo aromatization (Deca and Trenbolone), but they are progestants and tend to bind to progesterone receptors, which also inhibits testosterone synthesis. As you can see, the process is very complex.

When to start PCT?

PCT after a cycle can only be started if testosterone levels are low, when the effect of anabolic steroids has stopped. If this condition is not met and PCT is started earlier, there will be no recovery. The injected artificial anabolic should disintegrate, and its concentration in the blood should decrease to 100 mg.

According to scientific studies, such a dose does not suppress the HPA arc. On average this lasts from 2 to 3 weeks. This is necessary for the body to produce its own testosterone. You can start PCT after a course of oral steroids within 24 hours.

In other words, when determining the time to start using PCT, several factors are taken into account:

• LPR—steroid half-life;
• dose received;
• Additional factors include body weight, body reaction, etc.

PPR is the time period during which the drug is eliminated from the body by 50%. Courses of taking steroids can be carried out in combination, so the calculation of starting PCT after a course of testosterone will also depend on this. It is easier to calculate the start of PCT with a solo course.

Origin

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG for short) is synthesized in large quantities by a woman's placenta during pregnancy. Having fulfilled its purpose, it leaves the body unchanged through urine. It is from it, after purification and extraction, that the gonadotropin hormone used in a course of steroids is obtained. The drug is used to treat many pathologies associated with delays in the development of puberty and disorders during pregnancy.

What does this look like in an example?

Testosterone can be a long or short drug. If we are talking about a long course, then, for example, PCT after a course of enanthate (testosterone) should be started after 2 weeks (PPR = 7 days). If started earlier, enanthate will still echo for 3 weeks.

The GGY arc will be untenable. Using PPR as an example: an athlete received 1000 mg of testosterone enanthate (PPR = 7 days). This means that after a week there will be 500 mg left in the body, after the second week - 250 mg, after 3 weeks - 125 mg, after a month - 62.5 mg.

To start PCT, you need a dose of testosterone in the blood of 100 mg, this is where the calculation will come from.

The significance of the calculation is that at higher doses the start of PCT will be delayed for a longer period. Therefore, it is more reliable and convenient to carry out calculations on short courses. By the same principle, taking into account the previously administered dose, we can assume the start of PCT after a course of propionate.

To facilitate calculations, special tables have been created separately for injected anabolics and tablets with indications of the PPR for each drug. Using the table, you can calculate the onset of PCT after any steroid.

To facilitate calculations, special tables, etc., have been created. steroid calculators. For example, in the PCT Calculator, the parameters required for the request are indicated (usually 5), and the program will provide a complete calculation of the amount of the substance in the body by day and offer specific days for the start of PCT.

If there was a long course on long-lasting anabolic steroids, for the last 3-4 weeks you need to switch to short courses of esters. For example, there was a course of testosterone cypionate (800 mg/week) for 10 weeks, after which they switched to 4 weeks of testosterone propionate (100 mg/day). PCT after a course of testosterone propionate begins then 2 days after the last injection.

Restoring the hormonal system and maintaining muscle mass

1. Testosterone boosters - such as ecdysterone (at a dosage of 100-300 mg/day) and D-aspartic acid (3-4 grams per day). They will help the body quickly restore the secretion of testosterone and generally feel better.

2. Growth hormone – has anti-catabolic activity. Dosage - 10 units per day, it is recommended to divide the daily dose into 2-3 doses. It also enhances the effect of AAS, burns fat, restores joints and ligaments.

3. Sports nutrition - especially protein supplements and BCAAs (3-5 times a day, 10g). They have an anti-catabolic effect.

General concepts about the most popular drugs

Despite the fact that the choice of steroid drugs is simply huge, the following are most often used:

• "Methane" (Danabol, tablets);
• “Testosterone” (its esters: enanthate, decanoate, sustanon, propionate in ampoules);
• "Deca" (nandrolondecanoate - a powerful anabolic in injections, formerly "Retabolil");
• Boldenone (similar to Deca, but requires a larger dose);
• "Winstrol" and "Stanazolol" (powerful AC, tablets and injections);
• “Trenbolone” (injections, more often for experienced professionals).

“Methane”, “Testosterone” and “Deca” (“Nandrolone”) were basic for a dozen years before this.

After taking Turinabol

Many athletes do not consider a course of PCT necessary after taking Turinabol, since it does not aromatize. It is still recommended to get tested and decide on therapy based on estrogen levels. After all, each person’s body can react differently to this drug. If the level of estrogen is not normal or the course of taking Turinabol was long, more than 8 weeks, then taking Clomiphene and Tamoxifen is necessary. It would also be a good idea to follow the recommendations after taking methane.

Average frequent patterns

Some specialists may prescribe PCT in the form of Tamoxifen directly during the course, towards the end of a long drug, because different esters are used and feminization may develop.

Average application diagram for general presentation:

• “Testosterone propionate” - PCT after a course of “Testosterone propionate” begins from the 7th week, if the dosage is 100 mg every other day or 50 mg daily. Course – 6-8 weeks.
• “Methane” – course 6-8 weeks, dose – 30-40 mg/day. PCT after the Methane course begins in the 7th week and continues in the 8th week with Tamoxifen 20 mg in the morning.
• "Sustanon" - the course lasts on average 6-8 weeks. After this period, they switch to short broadcasts for 3 weeks, and then start PCT. The effect of “Sustanon” appears and occurs with 300 mg per week and increases to 2000 mg. For beginners - stop at 1000 mg. In any case, PCT after a course of Sustanon begins 21 days after o - injections of 200-500 mg per week for 8-10 weeks, and PCT after a course of enanthate begins 2-3 weeks after completion. During the course you need to take aromatase inhibitors or Gonadotropin, Proviron to reduce estrogen in the blood and increase your testosterone.
• Combined course of “Deca” + “Methane” + testosterone: 200-800 mg of “Deca” per week, 10-50 mg of “Methane” daily and 200-400 mg of “test”, respectively.
• PCT after the Deca course: for long courses over 8 weeks, start from the 4-5th week of the course in the form of Gonadotropin, 500 units. 2 times a week, you can use Bromocriptine 1.25 mg twice a day, starting from the 2nd week of the course and ending 2-3 weeks after.
• "Bromocriptine" can be replaced with the modern analogue "Cybergoline" 0.5 tablets (0.25 mg) every 4 days during and after the course. All this is selected by specialists in sports medicine and pharmacology.

Letrozole

Letrozole – protects against estrogen and helps activate human testosterone. You need to take 0.5 mg of the drug every two days. As a result, studies have shown that this will help increase your personal testosterone levels by 50%. Then the dosage is increased to 2.5 mg, which is about one tablet.

Letrozole tablets

When is the right time to take it?

Here you are provided with only two regimens. It is allowed during a course of anabolic steroids if the athlete experiences “aromatization.” It happens that the human body does not convert testosterone correctly. It converts it into estrodiol.

Post-cycle therapy: medications

Most often, 3 drugs are prescribed: Proviron, Tamoxifen, Gonadotropin.

"Tamoxifen" is an anti-estrogen, used when side effects of AS occur. He is able to deal with the consequences, Proviron is not suitable for this. It can only be used for prevention.

Proviron blocks aromatization, i.e., the transition of anabolic steroids to estrogens. It is used already during the course, preventing side effects from occurring.

“Gonadotropin” stimulates the functioning of the testicles during their a- or hypotrophy. It is better to start it in the middle of the course. A week before the end of taking Gonadotropin, antiestrogens can be prescribed. They are divided into aromatase inhibitors and estrogen receptor blockers. The latest most important PCT drugs. These representatives are also quite popular and in demand: Letrozole, Anastrozole, Clomiphene, Clomed, Dostinex.

Dostinex is more effective when combined with Deca. Tamoxifen and Clomiphene are not prescribed in a course with Trenbolone, Deca and Anadrol - they do not combine.

PCT also includes the use of dietary supplements - testosterone boosters. They contain only natural plant substances and vitamins. They help restore hormonal levels well, but they only work for the duration of use, there is no accumulating effect. Their effect ceases after discontinuation of use. They are prescribed after the steroids wear off and continue for 2-3 weeks with a gradual reduction in the dose. Their effect is manifested in the fact that they increase the production of their own testosterone by the testicles.

The most famous among boosters is “Tribulusterrestris”, containing the Tribulus terrestris plant. Its effectiveness has already been scientifically proven. Tribulus is taken for at least 4 weeks.

PCT is very well complemented by cortisol blockers, which also accumulates in the blood above normal. These blockers are also additives; they suppress catabolism and prevent muscle tissue from breaking down.

These include:

• protein;
• glutamine;
• insulin;
• growth hormone and clenbuterol;
• BCAA amino acids;
• vitamin C.

They are also prescribed after steroid withdrawal and are taken for 3-4 weeks. For any PCT, hepatoprotectors are also used to improve good cholesterol and reduce hepatotoxic anabolic steroids. Among them are “Karsil”, “LIV-52”, “Essentiale”, milk thistle, “Hofitol”.

Clomid side effects

Its action may adversely affect vision. This drug has a toxic effect on the liver, but it is less than that of Tamoxifen. Also, athletes who use Clomiphene may experience side effects such as headache, dizziness, insomnia, drowsiness, digestive system upset, nausea and vomiting.

In most cases, all side effects disappear after stopping its use. It should be noted that consuming Clomiphene citrate increases the risk of blood clots. In order to minimize this risk, during the period of use of the drug it is necessary to increase the amount of water consumed per day by at least 1 liter.

Andrew

Welcome to IronSet, a blog about sports and healthy trends. Andrey is a writer and sports consultant who contributes to our blog.