Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)

PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) refers to the supportive drug treatment used after anabolic steroid use. PCT is a topic that confuses many steroid users due to widespread misunderstandings. Common questions include when to start PCT, which drugs to use, how long to use them, and what to consider during use.

The Purpose of PCT

When we supplement with anabolic steroids to increase our testosterone levels, our natural testosterone production is suppressed. Testosterone is the primary male hormone and is crucial for maintaining our health. For this reason, most people who supplement with anabolic steroids also include at least a minimum amount of testosterone in their cycle.

Testosterone is produced in the testes. In the presence of testosterone, the pituitary gland releases two gonadotropins: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These two hormones stimulate the testes to produce testosterone.

When we use anabolic steroids, the signal to the pituitary gland to release LH and FSH is reduced, leading to decreased testosterone production. If we supplement with testosterone, this suppression is minimal because we provide what the body needs from an external source. However, once steroid use ends, we face the problem of this suppression. This is why PCT is necessary: to stimulate natural testosterone production and prevent testosterone levels from dropping too low.

When PCT Is Not Necessary

If you are a long-term steroid user, meaning your cycle time exceeds your off-cycle time, using PCT may be counterproductive. For example, if someone finishes a cycle and starts PCT, then immediately begins another cycle or soon after PCT, this is unwise and harmful to the body. You are suppressing natural testosterone production, stimulating it with PCT, then suppressing it again, putting your body on a hormonal rollercoaster. This can cause significant damage. For such individuals, running low-level testosterone therapy between cycles is better. However, this is not recommended for most people. For long-term health, most steroid users need a considerable period after PCT before starting another cycle.

Another situation where PCT is unnecessary is for those with low testosterone. Low testosterone patients cannot naturally produce enough testosterone, which is why they need supplementation. If they run a steroid cycle during their treatment, they should continue their previous testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) once the cycle ends. Running a PCT program would only attempt to stimulate naturally low testosterone levels, which is pointless.

PCT Drugs

Many drugs can theoretically be used for PCT, but two main ones are most commonly used: Nolvadex (Tamoxifen) and Clomid (Clomiphene). These two drugs are known as Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs). Like other SERMs, Tamoxifen and Clomiphene stimulate the release of LH and FSH, increasing testosterone production. Most PCT protocols require only these two drugs.

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is sometimes used in PCT. In modern times, many men include low doses of HCG during their steroid cycles, usually a few times a week, at 250-350 IU per dose. HCG mimics LH, keeping the testes producing testosterone even during anabolic steroid use. However, it does not induce the production of LH. The role of HCG during the steroid cycle is primarily to make post-cycle recovery easier (theoretically).

HCG is also used during the cycle to prevent or at least reduce testicular atrophy caused by anabolic steroids. Testicular atrophy is not permanent and will gradually recover after stopping steroid use and resuming natural testosterone production.

When to Start PCT

Timing is crucial for PCT. If using short-ester steroids like testosterone propionate or trenbolone acetate, PCT should start three to four days after your last injection. For medium to long-ester steroids like testosterone enanthate or Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate), you should wait at least 14 days before starting PCT. If using a Nandrolone variant like Deca, it’s best to start PCT 21 days after your last injection.

If HCG is part of your PCT (though it is generally not recommended if already used during the cycle), for short-ester steroids, start HCG about three days after the last steroid injection, continuing for ten days. For long-ester steroids, start HCG about ten days after the last injection, also continuing for ten days. In both cases, start SERMs immediately after completing HCG.

SERM Protocol

• Weeks 1-2: Clomid 100mg daily, Tamoxifen 40mg daily

• Weeks 3-4: Clomid 50mg daily, Tamoxifen 20mg daily

• Optional Weeks 5-6: Tamoxifen 20mg daily

When to Start the Next Cycle

For health reasons, the general rule is to match cycle time with off-cycle time. If your cycle lasted 10 weeks and PCT lasted 4 weeks, wait 14 weeks before starting the next cycle. A common mistake is thinking you can start a new cycle as soon as testosterone levels are restored. This approach prevents your body from fully recovering to its normal state.

Medical Checkups (Blood Tests)

Getting a medical checkup after completing PCT is a good idea to see your body’s metrics. However, this is not the whole story. PCT artificially stimulates natural testosterone production through SERMs. It’s best to get another checkup a few months later to see how your metrics hold up.

Common Misconceptions

Testosterone levels take months to recover after a steroid cycle and PCT. A common misconception is that once PCT is complete and testosterone levels are up, everything is fine. True recovery means maintaining your metrics without any supplementation. If this isn’t the case, your recovery isn’t complete.

The Risks of Steroid Use

If you’re going to supplement with anabolic steroids, you need to understand the risks involved. One of the risks is permanently lowering your natural testosterone production, necessitating lifelong testosterone replacement therapy. Even the best PCT protocols can only minimize this risk, not eliminate it. If you cannot accept this risk, steroids are not for you.