Because AIs like Arimidex truly prevent estrogen function, whereas SERMs like Nolvadex are very specific in how and where they can block estrogen function, more bodybuilders are turning to AIs like Arimidex to meet their needs for a powerful anti-estrogen after using steroids. However, many of us continue to use Nolvadex and other SERMs, often in combination with AIs.
What’s the difference between Nolvadex and Arimidex, and do you need to use a SERM at all? It all comes down to how your body reacts to steroids, the severity of your steroid cycle, and the adverse effects that come with it.
Arimidex Vs Nolvadex
While Arimidex and AIs are likely to negatively influence your cholesterol by lowering HDL cholesterol – the good cholesterol type – and this is magnified when used with most anabolic steroids, Nolvadex and other SERMs do not.
In fact, Nolvadex has the potential to be beneficial to cholesterol, in contrast to Arimidex. This is a major reason why individuals prefer SERMs to AIs like Arimidex, especially during milder steroid cycles where an AI isn’t required.
However, Nolvadex has another significant advantage: it is particularly effective during post-cycle therapy to increase natural testosterone production after a steroid cycle has been suppressed.
While Arimidex and SERMs in general have some testosterone-stimulating effects, the way Arimidex suppresses estrogen levels to the point where there aren’t enough for normal functioning results in testosterone stimulation that is weak and infrequent.
As a result, Arimidex is rarely suggested for use during post-cycle therapy and is instead thought to be a medicine that is best utilized during a steroid cycle, where it outperforms Nolvadex in terms of performance and results. That isn’t to suggest that bodybuilders don’t use Arimidex during post-cycle therapy; many do, but only in combination with other pharmaceuticals to ensure that every conceivable angle is covered in order to aid in complete recovery arimidex bodybuilding from a powerful steroid cycle.
When people don’t want to use Arimidex during post-cycle therapy, they commonly utilize a combination of Clomid, Nolvadex, and hCG instead. The ultimate goal of post-cycle therapy is to increase testosterone not only for normal male function, but also to maintain muscular gains and reduce body fat, both of which suffer when testosterone levels are low.
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Arimidex Side Effects
As a women’s medicine, the majority of the adverse effects documented are related to Arimidex’s influence on the female body, namely how the large drop of estrogen causes most of these side effects.
Because estrogen is the principal female sex hormone, it is obvious that when Arimidex reduces estrogen levels to the extent it does, it will have a significant influence on females — yet when men use Arimidex, estrogen reduction is generally welcomed rather than a treated as a burden. Furthermore, when used as a breast cancer treatment, Arimidex is nearly always taken for far longer lengths of time than it is used by steroid users.
All of this isn’t to say that steroid users who take Arimidex won’t experience adverse effects, but they won’t be as widespread or severe. One of the main concerns is a possible decrease in bone mineral content (BMC), which might increase the risk of fractures and bone fragility, particularly in persons who lift large weights.
While most steroid users are unlikely to notice a loss in bone mineral content with Arimidex, some bone or joint pain may develop, which normally goes away once the medicine is stopped. This negative effect is much less of a concern for steroid users because many steroids actually increase BMC.
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The second most alarming Arimidex side effect is high cholesterol. Arimidex can exacerbate the effects of several types of anabolic steroids, which are known to have a negative impact on HDL cholesterol levels by reducing them (sometimes dramatically).
While a decrease in HDL is almost always reversible after taking steroids, it’s still necessary to eat a low-saturated-fat, high-cholesterol-friendly diet that includes foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Cardio exercise is also recommended to keep cholesterol levels as low as possible throughout this period. If you have a history of elevated cholesterol, using a SERM rather than an AI like Arimidex to manage on-cycle estrogen levels will help you avoid this problem.
Fatigue, headache, nausea, and hot flashes are among the less common Arimidex side effects, but these are virtually always only encountered in women who take the drug for a long time.
Nolvadex Side Effects
Most of the side effects associated with Nolvadex is related to women and is in the area of its use as a breast cancer treatment SERM. However, because male anabolic steroid users have used it for a long time, there is enough anecdotal evidence for us to say with certainty what side effects are common.
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Not only does the drug react differently in the female body, but when used as a cancer medication, it is used for a much longer period of time. As a result, when it comes to your use of Nolvadex as a PCT, these long-term side effects can be reduced to a bare minimum.
So, what are some of the most common side effects to be aware of when using Nolvadex, whether for post cycle therapy or while on a cycle?
Acne. This is thought to be the most likely Nolvadex side effect. This is because your testosterone levels will start to rise, and acne is a natural side effect of rising testosterone levels in some men; however, not all men are predisposed to acne, and if you aren’t, you won’t experience this side effect. Acne is usually mild and goes away once the medication is stopped.
Nausea or abdominal cramping. This is another side effect but the vast majority of men won’t experience it while taking Nolvadex.
Impaired cognitive function and hot flashes have been reported in women who use Nolvadex for cancer treatment. These side effects, however, are not known to be a risk factor for men who use this drug for bodybuilding or performance enhancement purposes.
The best way to reduce or eliminate the risk of long-term side effects when using Nolvadex is to keep the dosage at a reasonable level. Because there is no benefit to taking more Nolvadex than is recommended, adhering to the recommended dosage is critical for both results and health.
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Arimidex Vs Nolvadex for Post Cycle Therapy?
So, should you take Arimidex or Nolvadex for bodybuilding? The answer is complicated because it depends on a variety of factors, including your unique hormonal profile and the type of steroid cycle you’re using. However, in many cases, using both drugs together can be beneficial.
Because Arimidex and Nolvadex work in different ways, a combination of the two may be beneficial. Nolvadex and Arimidex both work by binding to estrogen receptors and inhibiting the aromatase enzyme. This means that combining the two drugs can provide a more comprehensive estrogen control strategy.
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Arimidex Advantages
- Arimidex is an effective aromatase inhibitor that can help to lower estrogen levels in the body. This could be advantageous for bodybuilders who want to avoid the negative effects of this hormone.
- Arimidex is also a powerful bodyfitfrance.com drug that works by blocking the aromatase enzyme. This makes it an excellent choice for bodybuilders who want to reduce estrogen levels in their bodies.
- Arimidex is a long-acting drug, which means it can suppress estrogen for the duration of your cycle. This can be advantageous for bodybuilders who want to achieve the best possible results.
Nolvadex Advantages
- Nolvadex is a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) that can help to lower estrogen levels in the body. This could be advantageous for bodybuilders who want to avoid the negative effects of this hormone.
- Because Nolvadex is a long-acting drug, it can provide estrogen suppression for the duration of your cycle. This can be advantageous for bodybuilders who want to achieve the best possible results.
- Nolvadex is a relatively inexpensive drug, making it a good choice for budget-conscious bodybuilders.
Bottomline
So, what’s the best drug to use for post cycle therapy? That’s a difficult question to answer because there are a number of factors to consider, including the type of cycle you’re using and your unique hormonal profile. However, the most important thing to remember is that it’s not one drug or another that’s going to be most effective for you. It’s a combination of drugs and the dosage that you take.
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Arimidex is an estrogen-blocking drug that is used to treat gynecomastia and edema caused by steroid use. Arimidex works by preventing testosterone from being converted to estrogen by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme. Nolvadex is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that binds to and inhibits the activation of estrogen receptors.
Arimidex and Nolvadex are two drugs that can be used for post-cycle therapy in general. It’s crucial to talk to your doctor before taking either drug to make sure it’s right for you.