Clomid info
Clomid is the
commonly referenced brand name for the drug clomiphene citrate.
It is not an anabolic steroid, but a prescription drug generally
prescribed to women as a fertility aid. This is due to the
fact that clomiphene citrate shows a pronounced ability
to stimulate ovulation. This is accomplished by blocking/minimizing
the effects of estrogen in the body. To be more specific
Clomid is chemically a synthetic estrogen with both agonist/antagonist
properties, and is very similar in structure and action
to Nolvadex. In certain target tissues it can block the
ability of estrogen to bind with its corresponding receptor.
Its clinical use is therefore to oppose the negative feedback
of estrogens on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis,
which enhances the release of LH and FSH. This of course
can help to induce ovulation.
For athletic
purposes, Clomid does not offer a tremendous benefit to
women. In men however, the elevation in both follicle stimulating
hormone and (primarily) luteinizing hormone will cause natural
testosterone production to increase. This effect is especially
beneficial to the athlete at the conclusion of a steroid
cycle when endogenous testosterone levels are depressed.
If endogenous testosterone levels are not brought beck to
normal, a dramatic loss in size and strength is likely to
occur once the anabolics have been removed. This is due
to the fact that without testosterone (or other androgens),
the catabolic hormone cortisol becomes the dominant force
affecting muscle protein synthesis (quickly bringing about
a catabolic metabolism). Often referred to as the post-steroid
crash, it can quickly eat up much of your newly acquired
muscle. Clomid can play a crucial role in preventing this
crash in athletic performance. As for women, the only real
use for Clomid is the possible management of endogenous
estrogen levels near contest time. This can increase fat
loss and muscularity, particularly in female trouble areas
such as this hips and thighs. Clomid however often produces
troubling side effects in women (discussed below), and is
likewise not in very high demand among this group of athletes.
Male users generally
find that a daily intake of 50-100 mg (1-2 tablets) over
a four to six week period will bring testosterone production
back to an acceptable level. A very common regime of dosing
is; 300 md/day 1, 100 mg/day for days 2-11, and 50 mg/day
for days 12-21. This raise in testosterone should occur
slowly but evenly throughout the period of intake. Since
an immediate boost in testosterone is often desirable, many
prefer to combine Clomid with HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
for the first week or two after the steroids have been removed.
The kick-start from HCG also helps to restore the normal
ability for the testes to respond to endogenous LH, which
may be hindered for some time after the cycle is ended due
to a prolonged state of inactivity. Once the HCG is stopped,
the user continues treatment with Clomid alone. HCG should
not be used for longer than two or three weeks though, as
the resulting increased testosterone and estrogen levels
may again initiate negative feedback inhibition at the hypothalamus.
When planning your ancillary drug program, it is also important
to remember that injectable steroids can stay active for
a long duration. Using ancillary drugs the first week after
a long acting injectable like Sustanon has been stopped
may prove to be wholly ineffective. Instead, the athlete
should wait for two to three weeks, to a point where androgen
levels will be diminishing. Here the body will be primed
and ready to restore testosterone production.
Clomid and HCG
are also occasionally used periodically during a steroid
cycle, in an effort to prevent natural testosterone levels
from diminishing. In many instances this practice can prove
difficult however, especially when using strong androgens
for longer periods of time. There is also no exact method
for using the two drugs in this manner. Some have experimented
by periodically administering small doses of HCG along with
one or two tablets of Clomid, perhaps for a few days at
a stretch followed by a longer break. An on/off schedule
would be implemented; for fear that this combination may
lose some effectiveness if used continuously for this purpose.
This method of intake may prove to be effective, although
it is really much more feasible to stimulate testosterone
production after the cycle than to try and maintain it for
the long duration during.
In addition
to helping with the post-cycle testosterone crash, this
drug can also help with elevated estrogen levels during
a steroid cycle. A high estrogen bevel puts an athlete in
serious risk of developing gynecomastia, which is an obvious
unwanted side effect. With the intake of Clomid, the athlete
can hopefully reduce his risk for developing gynecomastia.
The estrogen "blocking" properties of Clomid appear
to be slightly weaker than Nolvadex in comparison however,
which is why it is not usually thought of as an equal substitute
for estrogen maintenance. Of course both drugs have similar
actions in the body. and are relatively interchangeable
for this purpose. Clomid can likewise also be used as a
maintenance anti-es!rogen throughout the duration of steroid
intake with good confidence, just as is done with Nolvadex.
In most instances this will prove equally sufficient, the
drug effectively minimizing the activity of estrogen in
the body and warding off gyno and excess water/fat retention.
Unfortunately just as with Nolvadex this is not always the
case however, and many find it necessary to addition another
antiestrogenic drug. The most common adjunct is Proviron,
an oral DHT used to competitively lower aromatase activity
and raise the androgen to estrogen ratio. The Clomid/Nolvadex
and Proviron combination is extremely effective, although
we could alternately replace them both with a more specific
aromatase inhibitor such as Arimidex or Cytadren. While
stronger at combating estrogen in most cases, these drugs
are also typically much more costly.
As for toxicity
and side effects, Clomid is considered a very safe drug.
Bodybuilders seldom report any problems, but listed possible
side effects do include hot flashes, nausea, dizziness,
headaches and temporarily blurred vision. Such side effects
usually only appear in females however, as they feel the
effects of estrogen manipulation much more readily than
men. While female athletes can clearly gain some benefit
from this substance, estrogen manipulation is probably not
the most comfortable way to go about cutting up. Should
it still be used for such purposed and side effects do become
pronounced, the drug of course is to be discontinued and
(at least) a break taken from it.
Clomiphene citrate
is widely available on the black market in a variety of
brand names as well as generic tabs and liquid versions. |
