Tamoxifen Citrate (the most popular brand/trade name is Nolvadex, among others) is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), therefore, an anti-estrogen. However, do not confuse it with Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) such as Arimidex (Anastrozole) or Aromasin (Exemestane) which are also anti-estrogens. The mechanism of actions of SERMs and AIs are completely different, although they both form up anti estrogens. Therefore, bodybuilders use SERMs like Nolvadex (tamoxifen) and AIs like Arimidex (Anastrozole) for different purposes.
While Nolvadex is a great anti-gynecomastia drug during the cycle of anabolic steroids and a medication for Post Cycle Therapy (PCT), AIs are meant to lower total estrogen levels. SERMs, on the other hand, do NOT lower serum estrogen levels.
The Selective part in the name of this type of drug is that it acts on certain parts of the body. Moreover, it doesn’t lower estrogen by binding to aromatase enzymes blocking the conversion of testosterone to estrogen as AIs do. It rather binds directly to specific estrogen receptors in specific tissues in the body. Mostly, it targets breast tissues, blocking the effects of estrogen. Also, it targets the pituitary gland, also blocking the effects of estrogen there. But there are other parts of the body in which Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) works by upregulating the effects of estrogen. For example, in the uterus. That’s why Nolvadex is offering the effects of both an agonist and an antagonist in specific parts of the body.
What is Nolvadex?
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Nolvadex is the most popular brand name (among others) of the chemical compound and generic name of Tamoxifen Citrate. Most commonly it is available in tablets of 20 mg strength. This is a prescription medication that doctors prescribe to women suffering from hormonally positive breast cancer. The type of breast cancer that needs estrogen to form and grow. Since Tamoxifen binds to estrogen receptors in breast tissues, it blocks the growth of cancer. There are various other uses in medical settings too, but breast cancer treatment is by far the most common one.
- But as I earlier mentioned, Nolvadex is a great drug for bodybuilders too, for those who use anabolic steroids. In one scenario it could help prevent or fight off gynecomastia caused by anabolic steroids and in another scenario it could boost the natural testosterone production during PCT plan.
Because of the way it works by binding to estrogen receptors in specific parts of the body, estrogen is unable to bind. Therefore, it reduces or might completely eliminate the effects of estrogen in those parts. Mainly in breast tissues. That’s how it deals with estrogen-positive breast cancer and with gynecomastia.
Moreover…
It’s important to understand though – Nolvadex (tamoxifen) is not going to directly reduce estrogen levels in the body. Again, it just binds to some specific estrogen receptors so that way, estrogen itself cannot bind there, as a result, estrogen is not going to be able to work in those parts of the body.
And then again, Nolvadex will block the estrogen effects on some parts of the body. But by binding to estrogen receptors in other parts of the body, it will actually enhance the effects of estrogen. For example, in the uterus and in the liver as well.
That’s actually beneficial for bodybuilders because when talking about estrogen activity in the liver – that’s beneficial. Enhanced effects of estrogen in the liver would have a positive impact on cholesterol health. That’s great because anabolic steroids have negative effects on cholesterol. It is a bonus effect of Nolvadex that steroid users welcome as they try to maintain healthy cholesterol values.
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) vs Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
These are two classes of drugs that are both known as anti-estrogens and are both very popular among bodybuilders and performance athletes who are using anabolic and androgenic steroids (AAS). Yet, they are different.
Among SERMs I can mention:
- Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate)
- Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)
Among AIs I can mention:
- Arimidex (Anastrozole)
- Aromasin (Exemestane)
- Femara (Letrozole)
Both are very effective and both classes of drugs come with their own beneficial effects. Mostly, when talking about reducing or preventing estrogen related side effects of anabolic steroids as well as their effects in the PCT plans. That’s why both are anti-estrogens. But the way they are dealing with estrogenic issues (mechanism of action) is completely different.
Mechanism of Action
They act differently in the body and they affect estrogen differently.
AIs is the class of drugs that reduce serum (overall) estrogen levels in the body. They do it by binding to aromatase enzymes and blocking the conversion of hormones into estrogen. SERMs, however, only target estrogen receptors of certain parts of the body, binding to them and blocking the estrogen activity in those parts. While enhancing estrogen activity in other parts.
- As a result, AIs are highly effective in controlling all high-estrogen related side effects considering that they reduce overall estrogen levels. However, SERMs like Nolvadex will only be effective at controlling gyno as they target breast tissue estrogen receptors. But they won’t be really helpful in dealing with other high-estrogen symptoms. In fact, only Nolvadex helps with gynecomastia because Clomid poorly binds to estrogen receptors in breast tissues not eliminating the risk of gyno.
Therefore, AIs are going to be useful to help with water retention that usually occurs when estrogen spikes because they lower estrogen. At the same time, SERMs are not lowering estrogen, therefore they are not going to benefit you for that side effect. Therefore, as long as you’re searching to deal with estrogen related issues, other than gynecomastia, you’re likely going to need AIs. SERMs will be helpful during the cycle (and in fact, only Nolvadex) for gynecomastia treatment. So, if you do not get any high estrogen related issues or they are very tolerable and the only one that concerns you is gyno, a SERM like Nolvadex can be everything that you need.
Additionally…
Yet, if you do not find that Nolvadex is offering the results that you need in terms of gyno (or again, getting other high estrogen symptoms), then you could add AI. That’s going to lower the overall estrogen and with the added bonus of better controlling all other estrogen side effects while both Nolvadex and AIs are dealing with gynecomastia.
Aromatase Inhibitors are inhibiting the aromatizing activity by binding to the aromatase enzymes. Therefore, those steroids that do aromatize will not convert into estrogen allowing users to continue using and experiencing the positive benefits without estrogenic side effects.
You may think that AIs are magic pills and why would you need Nolvadex when there’s AIs that can deal with all estrogenic issues? Because they come with their own downsides. While Nolvadex protects your cholesterol health, AIs can negatively impact cholesterol levels that are already negatively affected by the use of steroids. Moreover, AIs could lower estrogen too much leading to numerous other side effects. There are good reasons why bodybuilders prefer Nolvadex over AIs during the cycle of steroids. That’s why they keep AIs as a last resort option.
Nolvadex For Gynecomastia
Nolvadex for gynecomastia is working the exact same way as it works for treating hormonally positive breast cancer. It targets the breast tissues blocking estrogen activity. This is highly useful for preventing or dealing with already existing gynecomastia symptoms. That’s very helpful for bodybuilders who use anabolic steroids because a lot of them (such as testosterone, nandrolone, methandienone and others) convert into estrogen. A higher level of estrogen is causing gynecomastia.
Tamoxifen Citrate has been proven highly effective at reducing gyno because it deals with estrogenic activity in the breast tissues. Despite your body having higher levels of estrogen, gynecomastia can’t form or grow. That’s why on-cycle use of Nolvadex is going to protect you against male breast enlargement while you use aromatizable anabolic steroids. It is extremely effective, but remember that not everyone will have the same positive results simply because people react differently to different compounds.
For example, people who are very sensitive to aromatization using steroids that are powerfully aromatizing and/or using them in higher doses might find that Nolvadex is not enough.
Moreover, it’s important to understand that Nolvadex only blocks estrogen activity. There are 19-nor steroids such as Nandrolone and Trenbolone that will increase prolactin. That’s a hormone that also can cause gynecomastia if there’s an overflowing level in the body. If you experience gyno from high prolactin (while using Nandrolones and/or Trenbolone) rather than high estrogen, Nolvadex (tamoxifen) will not be effective. Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) will not be effective either. You will require Cabergoline that works for lowering prolactin levels.
Nolvadex for Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) is also a very common drug that people use for dealing with natural testosterone suppression that occurs from the use of anabolic steroids. Therefore, Nolvadex is a very popular PCT medication. It can stimulate the production of natural testosterone after the cycle of steroids and it’s a very important drug for such purposes.
Nolvadex is popular for its amazing ability to stimulate testosterone levels by blocking the effects of estrogen. More specifically, it blocks estrogen action at the pituitary gland. This is enabling the pituitary gland to release a greater amount of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) which is extremely important for producing testosterone.
LH is essential for testosterone production and Nolvadex does a great job in boosting its levels. Therefore, Tamoxifen is going to be perfect at helping you to avoid the symptoms of low testosterone.
- Most users will find that 4 weeks of Nolvadex use for PCT plan is going to be enough. However, longer or more powerful steroid cycles may often require longer PCT plans or may need to combine Nolvadex with other compounds such as Clomid and/or aromatase inhibitors and/or HCG.
The maximum Nolvadex dosage for PCT plan is 40 mg a day. Using higher dosage is not going to be helpful but it can rather be detrimental for your goals of boosting natural testosterone production. That’s because it may overstimulate your adrenal glands, producing more DHEA which converts into estrogen, thus hurting natural T production. Usually dosage is higher at the start of PCT and is getting lower toward the end of PCT plan when your body partially regains the ability to produce testosterone.
Nolvadex Dosage
The main and pretty much the only reason to use Nolvadex during the cycle of anabolic steroids is to protect or deal with an already existing male breast tissue enlargement – gynecomastia (gyno). While it could offer other benefits, using Nolvadex for other purposes during the cycle of steroids is not a good idea.
Nolvadex is a safer way to address gyno when you use aromatizable anabolic and androgenic steroids than AIs. But if you find that you need to deal with other high estrogen symptoms or Tamoxifen is not enough, you may still need AIs during the cycle of steroids.
It takes about 10-20 mg/day to protect you against gyno. In rare cases you may need 20-40 mg/day if you are sensitive and/or use very high doses of aromatizable steroids. The maximum dosage is 80 mg/day but that’s only in case you want to deal with already existing symptoms of gynecomastia. Commonly, alongside AIs.
Nolvadex PCT Dosage
Dosage of Nolvadex for PCT is usually the same as for gynecomastia. The most common dosages for both plans are 20-40 mg per day. This dosage is going to be enough to stimulate the release of natural testosterone after it was suppressed from the use of steroids.
The Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) usually is 4 to 8 weeks and very often, bodybuilders and other steroid users will stack it with other compounds. Most commonly with Clomid (Clomiphene citrate) or with an aromatase inhibitor (most commonly Aromasin) or even with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG).
You need to make sure that steroids are out of your system and you could start the PCT plan. Usually, it’s 4 weeks with Nolvadex at 40 mg/day for the first 2 weeks. Then 20 mg/day for the last 2 weeks. But you can adjust both the dosage and PCT length according to your response.
Nolvadex Side Effects
According to the list of Nolvadex side effects that you can find online, there are a lot of side effects. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand that the list is related to breast cancer treatment in women. Women are affected in different ways than men are (because they rely more on estrogen). Also, they generally may need higher dosage. And considering that they surely need longer cycles than men do – those side effects are mostly addressed to women who use Nolvadex for breast cancer treatment.
Steroid users running Nolvadex in lower doses for shorter periods are way less likely to suffer from side effects. Female body reacts very differently to this drug and they use it for much longer periods. Male steroid users only need it to deal with some estrogen side effects while on steroids. Due to this reason, it virtually eliminated the side effects of using Nolvadex in men. At least, as long as you do not abuse it.
Side effects can still occur. Mostly in those who use it in too high dosage and/or for too long periods. Or maybe those who have a natural low tolerance to this compound.
Possible Side Effects…
So, the main possible long term side effects that you should look out for when you’re using Nolvadex on cycle for gynecomastia treatment or during Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) to boost natural testosterone production are:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Stomach upset
- Hot flashes
- Acne – not particularly common in people who use it though. It is theoretically possible only because Tamoxifen increases testosterone production and this is what increases the chances of developing acne. Not everyone is predisposed to acne though. Plus, Nolvadex rarely boosts the levels so much so it could cause acne. Nolvadex actually balances out your hormones, which is often working the other way around and fights off acne!
Of course, the best way to reduce the risks of side effects is to avoid long term use and to keep Nolvadex dosage the lowest effective. Do not use doses higher than you need or in periods longer than you need.
Conclusion
Nolvadex is an extremely important tool in bodybuilding. It’s very popular among steroid users because, as explained above, it has a lot of benefits. Mainly, you may use it for 2 purposes. To treat gynecomastia during the cycle of anabolic steroids. Or as a part of Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) in order to boost natural testosterone production that was suppressed during the cycle.
Nolvadex (Tamoxifen) is very well tolerated for most people. It rarely causes side effects. And that’s actually pretty obvious considering that steroid users run this medication in order to deal with the side effects and negative aspects of steroids. You could use it to prevent or deal with gyno during the cycle without negatively affecting cholesterol. Or you could use it to boost natural Testosterone production after the cycle.
It’s pretty obvious that if you want to get the best results, you need the best quality Nolvadex.
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