Effect on Cycle
Arimidex for Gynecomastia and Estrogen Control On-Cycle
Using Arimidex during a cycle is almost universal among steroid users as an estrogenic related side effects protection strategy. The main estrogenic side effects of aromatizing steroids are water retention (and possible high blood pressure), and gynecomastia. Arimidex is considered as extremely effective at inhibiting the aromatase enzyme which brings about these side effects in steroid users.
Because Arimidex stops the rise of estrogen levels at the most basic level, rather than selectively blocking some receptors like SERMs (Clomid, Nolvadex) do, most bodybuilders prefer Arimidex for its more powerful estrogen controlling ability and many no longer use SERMs, while some steroid users will use a combination of both SERMs and AIs like Arimidex.
As a bodybuilder using steroids, the two side effects you always want to avoid are water retention and gynecomastia (gyno). These are both caused by rising levels of estrogen as your natural testosterone is suppressed while taking steroids.
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Arimidex for Gyno
The more powerfully aromatizing the steroid or steroids you’re taking are, the more severe your estrogen related side effects will be when it comes to gyno and water retention. The initial symptoms of gyno include tenderness and swelling of the breast tissue, and this is an initial sign that gyno is taking hold as a result of your steroid cycle.
While advanced steroid users will know how to prevent this occurring through the proper use of Arimidex and other drugs, new steroid users can take some time to balance the right dosage of steroids with that of Arimidex.
It’s critically important that the symptoms of gyno are not left to progress to a stage where they are not reversible through any means besides invasive surgery.
Arimidex as an aromatase inhibitor makes it possible to avoid getting yourself into that situation, and therefore should be considered as just as an important part of your steroid cycle as the steroids themselves are.
Arimidex for Water Retention
Water retention is the other area where we need to be focused on estrogen control during a steroid cycle. Bloating caused by water retention is not only unsightly for your physique but can give you a false sense of achievement with your gains.
This quickly turns to disappointment once you realize the weight gained was mostly water rather than muscle. But even more serious is the issue of high blood pressure that can result from excess water retention – increasing the risk of stroke or heart attack.
It goes without saying then that controlling water retention as much as possible is vital not only for your results, but your health too.
Arimidex with its anti-estrogen functionality provides an important tool for steroid using bodybuilders to prevent or at least greatly minimize water retention during a steroid cycle.
ARIMIDEX FOR POST CYCLE THERAPHY(PCT)
Arimidex can stimulate natural testosterone production in men, and this can make it useful during Post cycle theraphy where the goal is to build up natural testosterone levels again after they’ve been strongly suppressed during a cycle.
Keep in mind that for most guys, Arimidex alone will not be strong enough as a testosterone stimulator to use alone in post cycle therapy, and some choose not to use it at all.
The main reason for not including Arimidex in post cycle therapy is because of its very powerful estrogen lowering effect which in some cases can cause levels of the hormone to drop too low to support proper body functioning.
While estrogen is not a prime hormone for males, some is still required and the use of Arimidex during post cycle therapy can inhibit this necessary function and therefore not provide the beneficial effects you really need during post cycle therapy.
This can come as some surprise to new steroid users who assume AIs, with their exceptionally powerful estrogen reduction ability, must be the best option for post cycle therapy as well but most users will choose to go the route of SERMs like Nolvadex, Clomid.
You can go ahead and combine these with HCG for maximum effect during post cycle therapy, where your core goals are stimulating natural testosterone function again and avoiding the horrendous symptoms of low testosterone, plus ensuring all or most of the gains made during your steroid cycle are maintained.
When it comes to these post cycle therapy goals, Arimidex is rarely the most ideal drug to include in the cycle despite its excellent and important usage during your steroid cycle itself.