Everything you need to know about Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)

You've decided to start a strength training program, load up on calories, and even start an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) cycle. But have you considered the implications of using AAS?

Many beginners fail to understand that using anabolic steroids, especially those derived from testosterone, can actually suppress natural testosterone production and cause imbalances in your body's hormone levels, as well as causing side effects of varying severity.

However, you can minimize the side effects of AAS, restore normalcy to your endogenous testosterone production, and maintain natural hormonal functions by developing and implementing a well-structured post-cycle therapy (PCT) plan.

The problem is that not many people know about PCT, and many of those who do know about it aren’t even sure what it entails and how to go about it. But don’t worry, because this article is meant to be a guide to help you understand what PCT is, including what it entails, when you should start the protocol, how long it should last, and the pharmaceutical drugs commonly used during PCT.

What is Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)?

Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is a plan that every anabolic steroid user must prepare and implement after their steroid cycle. Steroid use can flood your body with exogenous testosterone, which can lead to the suppression of your natural testosterone production.

As a general rule, anabolic steroids should be used in cycles to avoid the development of tolerance to the performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) included in the cycle. Additionally, using steroids in cycles rather than indiscriminately will give the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPTA) sufficient time to stimulate endogenous testosterone production.

The hypothetic-pituitary-gonadal axis is responsible for regulating your body's natural hormone production, and after your steroid cycle, the hypothetic-pituitary-gonadal axis system will gradually restore your endogenous testosterone production to normal.

However, the synthetic exogenous hormones produced by AAS use can disrupt your body's hormonal balance and your HPTA system needs a boost to help regulate your endogenous hormonal functions.

PCT is a protocol designed to help stimulate your body's natural production of testosterone and normalize your overall hormonal functions.
Steroid use, even in cycles, can cause side effects, the severity of which depends on several factors, including dosage, frequency of administration, and duration of use of the anabolic steroids.

Male users may experience feminization side effects due to the increase in estrogen hormone caused by the aromatization of exogenous testosterone in the body. Some of these feminization side effects include water retention, loss of libido, and gynecomastia.

As for female steroid users, they are exposed to masculinizing side effects such as breast atrophy, a deeper voice and hair loss, among other side effects.

Other side effects such as acne, fatigue, droid rage, anxiety and depression can also be experienced by steroid users aside from suppressing natural testosterone levels and increasing estrogen levels.

But with a PCT protocol, you will not only restore your body's natural testosterone production, but also improve your overall health by mitigating the possible side effects that can result from your use of anabolic steroids during a cycle.

When to start post cycle therapy after a steroid cycle?

Now that you know what PCT is and why you need this protocol, it is also important to know when you should start PCT after your steroid cycle. It is normally advisable to wait about a week before starting a PCT protocol.

You should start your PCT after the steroids you used during a cycle have been eliminated from your body. To do this, it is essential to know the half-life of steroids. Half-life is basically the time it takes for a steroid to be eliminated from a person's body system.

This is why it is essential that you establish a PCT plan before beginning your steroid cycle, as this plan would take into account the half-life of the steroids you intend to use during your cycle in order to provide an accurate timeline for when to begin your PCT protocol.

When does a PCT protocol end?

Typically your post cycle therapy lasts between 4 and 6 weeks from the time the steroids you used during a cycle have been completely eliminated from your body or the half-life of the steroids has been reached.

However, in some circumstances it may be necessary to run a PCT cycle for longer than 6 weeks. It is important to note that slow release anabolic steroids tend to stay in the body much longer than fast release steroids.

It is therefore necessary for you to know the half-life of each steroid in your stack, in order to know which steroids are fast release and which are slow release esters, which will help you plan your post cycle therapy.
What medications are part of a typical post cycle therapy?

Treatment plan?

Medications recommended as part of a post cycle therapy protocol may vary from person to person depending on individual needs.

While there are estrogen blockers and testosterone boosters that can easily be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy, these products may not be enough for someone on an anabolic steroid cycle.

However, there are prescription PCT medications known as Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) that are common in most post cycle therapy plans and the two most recommended SERMs are:

#1. Clomiphene

Also known as the brand name “ Clomid", this SERM targets estrogen receptors in the pituitary and hypothalamus, stimulating the release of follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) which are both vital for your sexual health and fertility, as these hormones are responsible for increasing your libido and sperm count.

#2. Tamoxifen

Also known by the brand name “Nolvadex”. This SERM will help to significantly reduce your overall estrogen levels while protecting your body from an estrogen flood that can lead to estrogen related side effects as well as other health issues, such as cardiovascular problems and prostate disease.

Other considerations during PCT

#1. Beware of PCT catabolism

Post-cycle catabolism is the breakdown of your body's tissues, including skeletal muscle tissue, during your PCT.

The last thing you want as a bodybuilder is to go through a steroid cycle and make gains in muscle mass only to have those gains wiped out due to catabolism from post cycle therapy.

To avoid post cycle therapy catabolism, you should consider using supplements like acetyl-l-carnitine and phosphatidylserine with your SERM choice.

These supplements help to reduce your overall cortisol hormone levels, which is important because the cortisol (stress) hormone is known to be responsible for post-cycle catabolism.

Besides breaking down your muscle tissue, catabolism can also promote increased body fat.

#2. Training during the PCT

You will do a lot to preserve your strength and muscle gains during the PCT by maintaining a consistent training schedule. All you need to be aware of is the level of intensity you put into your training.

Don't overtrain or overexert yourself with high intensity interval training during your PCT, you can keep your training intensity and volume low to medium.

#3. Rest and recovery are essential

Rest and recovery are essential during the aftercare period because your body naturally recovers faster during the rest period. Rest is also important to stay healthy.

#4. Good nutrition is essential

A good, clean, balanced diet is essential to your health and how quickly your body recovers during the post-cycle therapy period.

Eating foods rich in fiber and protein as well as micronutrients will speed up your recovery.

#5. Stay hydrated

You need to stay hydrated at all times, but especially during your PCT cycle. Drink water to stay hydrated and avoid alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, sodas, and other drinks that can be detrimental to your overall health.

Conclusion

There are a lot of things that go into bodybuilding, and if you want to supplement your bodybuilding program with the use of anabolic steroids, you must also be prepared to develop a post cycle therapy plan that would be best suited to combat the possible side effects that come from your steroid cycle while boosting your overall physical and mental health.

As a beginner, you should always seek the help of a qualified medical expert and bodybuilder who would be willing to guide you throughout your journey by ensuring that your training, nutrition, steroid cycle, and post cycle therapy plan are correct.

If you are interested in getting started with bodybuilding and steroid use, you can get free coaching from the professionals at 2GetMass today.