PCT (Post cycle therapy)

Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is a phase where a bodybuilder uses medications to restore endogenous (natural) testosterone production. Anabolic steroids disrupt the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis as the body detects excessively high levels of testosterone in the blood serum.

Therefore, the body signals the end of testosterone production in an attempt to maintain homeostasis by inhibiting GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone). This reduces the release of LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), two hormones critical for testosterone synthesis.

Thus, when a bodybuilder is off steroids and exogenous testosterone is removed, natural testosterone is often turned off.

This can lead to various psychological and physiological side effects such as:

• Feeling worse
• low libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Catabolism (loss of muscle mass)
• Decreased sperm count
• testicular atrophy

The severity of the above effects depends on the anabolic steroids used, dosages and duration of the course.

Low testosterone levels can persist for several weeks or months after a cycle, increasing the likelihood of addiction due to persistent severe withdrawal symptoms.

The goal of PCT is to drastically reduce this process, thereby speeding up the recovery of natural testosterone production. Bodybuilders typically use any or all of the following drugs:

• Clomid (clomiphene)
• Nolvadex (tamoxifen)
• hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)

PCT for women

Post-cycle therapy is often considered unnecessary for women, which may be due to less endogenous testosterone.

As with men, endogenous testosterone production also stops in women due to the body detecting an excess of this male hormone.

Testosterone remains the most important hormone in women; greatly affects their libido, well-being, energy and muscle mass.

With a decrease in testosterone levels, estrogen will also decrease significantly due to less aromatization (the conversion of testosterone to estrogen).

Dave Crossland has anecdotal evidence that women who use steroids experience:

• very low estrogen levels
• Bad mood
• decreased libido and depression after the course

Frequently Asked Questions about PAT

Is PCT necessary?

Post-cycle therapy is not necessary, as natural testosterone levels will recover over time.

PCT may be considered less important with mild AAS such as Anavar, with studies showing a modest reduction of only 45% at 20-40mg/day for 12 weeks.

How do I know if I need PCT?

The most accurate way to know if you need PCT is to check your testosterone levels.

However, if you have reasons for not wanting to see a doctor, you can often tell by the following signs:

• Depression
• low libido
• Testicular atrophy (reduction)

Does SARMs require a PCT?

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) suppress testosterone, so PCT is essential. However, the severity of testosterone decline determines the PCT protocol and how aggressive it should be.

As with steroids, some SARMs cause a greater decline in endogenous testosterone than others.

However, as a general rule, if one SARMs is taken, kept at a low to moderate dosage, and taken for 8 weeks or less, the reduction in testosterone can be moderate.

How many muscles will help maintain PCT?

Typically, PCT can help maintain 50 to 75% lean muscle mass gains per cycle.

Soft compounds such as Anavar or Primobolan may allow users to retain a large amount of muscle tissue due to less abrupt peaks in exogenous testosterone levels during a cycle (and therefore less endogenous shutdown).

Diet and supplements for PCT

Diet can also help increase testosterone levels and post-cycle anabolism.

Dr. George Tuliatos recommends eating a diet rich in meat and egg yolks, with cholesterol being the steroid hormone that synthesizes testosterone. Research has also found a link between higher HDL levels and higher testosterone levels in men.

Pros and cons of PCT

Pros:

• Increases testosterone production
• Improves well-being
• Increases energy
• Helps maintain lean muscle mass
• Increases the size of the testicles
• Increases libido and erection quality
• Improves fertility

Minuses:

• More spending (other than steroids)
• Some drugs have side effects (in sensitive athletes).