Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex) Structure

 

Nolvadex is a popular and powerfully effective Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) that is often referred to as an anti-estrogen. However, while being an antagonist it is also an agonist as it will actually act as estrogen in certain parts of the body while acting as an anti-estrogen in other areas. As one of the oldest SERM’s on the market that is still regularly used medicinally, while Nolvadex is also used by anabolic steroid users. This is an important note as some are often confused by its use in steroid cycles. Nolvadex is simply a SERM.

 

Nolvadex, as it’s commonly known, can be used as an anti-estrogen during an anabolic steroid cycle in order to prevent estrogenic related side effects. It is also used as part of a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) recovery plan, which is its most common and beneficial point of use for the steroid user.

 

Tamoxifen Citrate is a SERM with both estrogen agonist and antagonist properties. As an anti-estrogen, Nolvadex functions by binding to the estrogen receptors in the place of estrogen. This binding prevents the estrogen hormone from performing its action in certain parts of the body, which is precisely why it’s beneficial to breast cancer patients. By preventing the attachment in such receptors, this also protects anabolic steroid users from gynecomastia, which can be caused by anabolic steroids that aromatize such as Testosterone, Dianabol, and Nandrolone and Boldenone to a degree.

 

While primarily viewed as an anti-estrogen, Nolvadex also has the ability to act as estrogen, specifically in the liver. This presents a benefit as estrogenic activity in the liver has been linked to healthier cholesterol levels. For the steroid user, this can be extremely beneficial as many anabolic steroids tend to have an adverse effect on cholesterol. More on this when we look at the direct effects of Nolvadex later on.

 

Although primarily an anti-estrogen, Nolvadex also possess strong testosterone stimulating characteristics. Nolvadex has the ability to block the negative feedback that is brought on by estrogen at the hypothalamus and pituitary. As a result, this stimulates an enhanced release by the pituitary of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Both LH and FSH are essential to natural testosterone production. Without LH and FSH, with an even stronger emphasis on LH, there is no natural testosterone production.

 

For the anabolic steroid user, the primary effect of Nolvadex on cycle is in the prevention of gynecomastia. As for gynecomastia protection, this can be enough for many men and should be your first choice if it can get the job done. If not, you will need an AI like Arimidex (Anastrozole) or Femara (Letrozole). However, AI’s can have a negative effect on cholesterol. Alone AI’s do not appear to have a strong, negative effect, but when coupled with an aromatizing steroid this effect appears to be exasperated. Cholesterol can be controlled with the use of an AI, but if it can get the job done a SERM like Nolvadex should be your first choice. As an added bonus, remember this SERM will have a positive impact on your cholesterol levels.

 

The final effect of Nolvadex represents the most valuable one for the anabolic steroid user. The use of anabolic steroids will suppress natural testosterone production. The rate of suppression will be dependent on the steroid(s) being used, but in most cases, it will be significant. Once the use of anabolic steroids comes to an end, assuming the individual did not suffer from a prior low testosterone condition and did not damage his Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA) through improper practices, natural testosterone production will begin again. This natural production will begin on its own, however, there is a problem. Once you come off cycle your natural testosterone levels will be extremely low and while production will begin again they will remain low for a very long time. This means the individual will be in a state of low testosterone for quite some time, and that can come with a host of bothersome symptoms. This condition can include all the symptoms associated with low testosterone. Further, with testosterone levels low, the individual may very well lose a lot of muscle tissue gained through steroid use as cortisol becomes the dominant hormone in the body.

 

Due to the low testosterone issues, most men are encouraged to implement a PCT plan that includes Nolvadex post anabolic steroid use. Solid PCT plans often contain Nolvadex as well as the SERM Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) and the powerful peptide hormone HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). By implementing this PCT plan, you will greatly stimulate natural testosterone production, speed up the recovery process and greatly protect your physique. Once the PCT plan comes to an end, contrary to popular belief your testosterone levels will not be resting at their normal high level state. Total recovery will still take some time. However, a PCT plan that includes Nolvadex will ensure you have enough testosterone for proper bodily function while your levels continue to naturally rise.

 

There are possible side effects of Nolvadex use, but we will find this is a very well-tolerated SERM for most men and women. However, there are possible side effects but they are generally very rare. Most men will not have the first problem. The side effects of Nolvadex will be a little more common in women but even then they are not all that common. The possible side effects of Nolvadex use include:

Hot Flashes

Upset Stomach

Headaches

The above are the most common side effects of Nolvadex. Other possible side effects of Nolvadex although less common than above include:

Decreased White Blood Cell Count

Endometrial Changes

Increased Triglyceride Levels

Pulmonary Embolism

When it comes to the side effects of Nolvadex that really is all there is to it. Undoubtedly some of those effects do not sound all that pleasant, but again, most of the side effects of Nolvadex are fairly rare. 

 

For the purpose of estrogenic side effect protection during anabolic steroid use, 10-20mg per day is common. If 20mg per day does not protect you from gynecomastia you will need an AI(Arimidex). If you cannot control water retention with this dose you may also need to consider an AI, but with a sound diet that is not overabundant in calories, especially carbohydrates, water retention should be controlled. Many performance athletes often inaccurately blame the steroids for their tremendous water retention, when in truth a lot of the time they’re eating more than they need. Overeating will cause you to hold water, add in aromatizing steroids and this will be worse. Control your diet and control estrogen through SERM’s and most should be fine. If an AI is needed and in heavy cycles and contest cycles they normally are, controlling cholesterol will become even more important.

 

For the purpose of PCT, standard Nolvadex doses will normally begin at 40mg per day. The dose will normally hold at 40mg per day for a couple weeks, reduce to 20mg per day for a couple weeks and then finish with an optional week or two at 10mg per day. How your cycle ends will determine when you begin your Nolvadex therapy. If HCG is included, this will also affect the timing.

 

 

Tamoxifen Citrate, most common known as Nolvadex is one of the most popular SERM’s any performance enhancer will ever use and as such Nolvadex PCT use remains the most common purpose. Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is a very important part of the anabolic steroid plan as this is the period after use is discontinued that allows the body to normalize; an important factor in maintaining good health as well as protecting gains made while on cycle. A plan based on a Nolvadex PCT can readily and efficiently produce the desired end very thoroughly and make ones experience not only more enjoyable but more effective as well.

 

In most cases a good Nolvadex PCT plan will run for approximately 4 weeks; in some cases 5-6 weeks may be needed but 4 weeks is a good general rule of thumb. Most will find a dosing of 40mg per day to be an efficient starting point with a tapering down as the week’s progress and then discontinuing altogether. The basic Nolvadex PCT plan should be as follows:

Week1: 40mg every day

Week2: 40mg every day

Week3: 20mg every day

Week4: 20mg every day

In some cases, generally referring to those who have cycled for a far extended period of time with high doses an additional week of 40mg per day may be warranted as well as an added week of 20mg per day. In either case this will provide the adequate stimulation of testosterone production the individual needs as Tamoxifen Citrate actively by its nature stimulates and promotes the release of the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) thereby stimulating natural testosterone production.

 

While this will not be necessary for many PCT plans for quite a few it can be highly advised. Cycles that extend into the 12 week duration and beyond are often benefited by the following plan, especially those that include very suppressive anabolic steroids. For this super-sized version we are simply adding Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) into the equation thereby promoting a more efficient recovery. With this plan the same Nolvadex PCT plan listed above will be used, the only change will be the introduction of hCG ten days prior to Nolvadex therapy. A steady daily dose of hCG at 1,000iu per day is often a very effective dosing when applied every day for ten days before the Nolvadex PCT portion of the plan is implemented.

 

The steroid laws of the U.S. are some of the harshest the world over. There are countries that carry laws that are similarly strict but there are numerous that are far more lenient. China and some other countries are heavens for anabolic steroids and other performence-enhancing products. It is imperative you understand the law as it pertains to where you live before you buy any anabolic steroids. Due to the steroid laws of the U.S. and other parts of the world, if you are looking for high quality anabolics or SARMs you are encouraged to visit www.ultrapandaroids.com, which has 3 warehouses located in USA, Hong Kong, and Italy. Ultrapandaroids.com can legally provide you high quality anabolics without a prescription. 

 

There are several SERM’s available, Nolvadex and Clomid being the most common but of all SERM’s. Nolvadex may very well be the most beneficial. In a performance capacity, the individual should not expect any type of true performance boost. Granted, it can stimulate natural testosterone production, but it’s use here will simply be aiding in bringing you back to normal, nothing more. However, those who include Nolvadex in the PCT versus those who don’t or who forgo PCT altogether, you will find the Nolvadex user greatly protects his lean tissue. The Nolvadex user will maintain far more muscle tissue and strength. And then we’re left with on cycle protection, and while it’s not the strongest protectant, when we consider the cardiovascular benefit it is one of the most valuable. Many anabolic steroid users regularly worry about water retention, a little acne and things of a visual nature, but protecting our cardiovascular health is truly the most important factor.

 

 

 

Nolvadex is capable of stimulating testosterone levels by stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary, which is a hormone that’s required for testosterone production. So indirectly, Nolvadex can play a role in testosterone production but when it is being used in conjunction with powerful anabolic-androgenic steroids that have very strong testosterone suppressing characteristics, the mild effect of Nolvadex is not going to override the way steroids suppress your testosterone and therefore this is not the intended use of Nolvadex during a cycle; but this luteinizing hormone stimulating function is certainly beneficial during your use of Nolvadex for post cycle therapy. 

As a SERM, Nolvadex blocks estrogen very selectively at specific sites in the body. It is not a blocker of circulating estrogen throughout the entire body. Instead it only targets the breast tissue (where it was specifically formulated to do so for the purpose of fighting breast cancer) and here it targets receptors and physically blocks those receptors so estrogen can not bind to them – and this is when the estrogen can’t act out its normal function in the case of either feeding breast cancer cells or for men using steroids, it stops the growth or enlargement of breast tissue so you don’t develop gynecomastia while on cycle.

 

I’d go with 0.5mg/eod Arimidex or 10mg per day Nolvadex. If any symptoms of gyno appear, discontinue the cycle and use 1mg/day Arimidex (or 2.5mg/day Letrozole) until symptoms subside. Use this rule with any cycle if you get symptoms of gyno. Early symptoms of gyno will be sensitive or itchy nipples, or a small lump under the nipple.

 

 

Prevention is better than treatment when it comes to gyno so taking a proactive approach rather than waiting for any symptoms of breast growth to happen is critical. For mild cases of gyno, most men can eliminate it by proper exercise and diet.

 

Nolvadex is effective during a cycle because of the raised estrogen levels caused by steroids and decreased testosterone levels as a result of aromatization; but taking Nolvadex when your T levels are back to normal and when you don’t have increased estrogen activity is unlikely to do anything for existing gyno; instead the focus should be on serious working out and waiting for the gyno to decrease on its own.

 

 

This is a reaction that is not really known to affect men taking Nolvadex as a steroid user mainly because the period of time that the drug is being taken are close to the length of time that it’s used to treat breast cancer.

 

One of the noted side effects of Nolvadex for women using it for breast cancer is changes to some mental processes like memory and concentration. But this has shown to only affect females taking the drug over long periods of time for medical purposes, so brain fog and other brain related side effects are not known to affect anabolic steroid users who take Nolvadex.

 

There are two things that Nolvadex does for bodybuilders that makes it so valued: it helps to reduce or prevent male breast enlargement while you’re using steroids that cause this condition, and it works during post cycle therapy to get your normal testosterone function back on track so you can avoid the distressing symptoms of low testosterone. 

 

Edema or fluid retention is a commonly listed side effect for the drug when it’s used for medical purposes but there is no evidence that this happens with steroid users who make use of this drug.

 

Nolvadex will help normalizing your endogenous testosterone production, so yes it will help. However if you are that worried about your balls shrinking during cycle you could use HCG to reverse those adverse effects.

 

Often used alongside Clomid, Nolvadex is a female breast cancer treatment drug that suppresses estrogen which helps get your testosterone levels back where they need to be. Side effects risk with Nolvadex is minimal compared to Clomid which makes it a popular option and most steroid users will use it for PCT for about 4-8 weeks.