A PCT (post-cycle therapy) is a SERM protocol used to bring natural testosterone back to baseline after being suppressed/shut down from a SARM or steroid cycle.
This article is a comprehensive guide to doing one after a SARM cycle based on the best and most widely used PCT practices.
You will learn:
- What are SERMs
- (When) Do You Need PCT for SARMs
- Best PCT for: Mildly, Moderately, Highly Suppressive SARMs
What are SERMs?
SERM = Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator
SERMs have a variety of uses in the real world, some are used for treating breast cancer or osteoporosis, but in bodybuilding, we use them as a PCT because they’re extremely effective at increasing Testosterone levels.
They work by stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which then stimulate the gonads (testicles in males and ovaries in females) to produce reproduction hormones.
Do You Need PCT for SARMs
Whether you need to do a PCT for SARMs depends on the level of suppression the SARM you are using causes. But in general, you will have to do a PCT for most SARMs.
For example:
After an average Ostarine cycle most people recover quite well and are back to their baseline testosterone levels within 4 weeks without the need for a PCT.
The same thing can happen with other mild SARMs like Andarine (S4) or ACP-105. Some users can even get away without doing a PCT after RAD-140 or LGD-4033 at low doses.
In short:
Mandatory PCT and Test Base | PCT if feeling side effects of suppression and if bloodwork shows low LH FSH and Testosterone - optional test base |
|---|---|
LGD 3303 | RAD 140 |
S 23 | LGD 4033 |
YK11 | Ostarine |
asd | Andarine |
ACP-105 |
For Mildly & Moderately Suppressive SARMs
The compounds that are known to be more mild or even moderate at testosterone suppression are a bit tricky to deal with when doing a PCT. The best way to determine if you need to run a PCT is by doing bloodwork, regardless of how you feel or how confident you are about your ability to recover naturally.
The table below applies to the following compounds:
- Ostarine
- Andarine
- ACP 105
- Testolone
- Ligandrol
Bloodwork | Symptoms of Suppression | PCT |
|---|---|---|
Total Testosterone & LH within reference range (even if close to bottom) | No | No |
Total Testosterone & LH within reference range (even if close to bottom) | Yes | Yes |
Total Testosterone & LH below reference range | - | Yes |
Can't Do Bloodwork (For Whatever Reason) | No | Optional |
Can't Do Bloodwork (For Whatever Reason) | Yes | Yes |
If total Testosterone and LH are within the reference range (no matter how close to the bottom), then you’re probably good to go. However, if you feel symptoms of suppression spite being in the normal range of the markers, run a PCT to get rid of the symptoms faster.
If getting bloodwork is not an option for you, you could still skip doing post-cycle therapy if you feel good and experience no sexual issues or other low testosterone symptoms. Nevertheless, I still advise that you run one so it doesn’t weigh on you.
And if you feel suppressed you should absolutely do your post-cycle therapy.
For Highly Suppressive SARMs
SARMs like:
- LGD-3033
- S-23
- YK-11
will always require post-cycle therapy. And since they are also strong enough to completely shut you down, you’ll also be doing a testosterone base.
If you use Enclomiphene as a testosterone base and you feel good/bloodwork shows LH and Testosterone within the reference ranges only then can you get away with a 2-week post-cycle therapy.
If not you will have to go through the full 4 weeks of PCT, although it is very rare.
If something else is used as a test base you will have to do a full 4-week PCT with a SERM.
NOTE: You must PCT if stacking multiple SARMs.
Best PCT for SARMs
Now that you know whether you need to run a PCT or not you are ready to plan your post-cycle therapy.
A PCT for a SARM cycle requires only one SERM (sometimes two for more hardcore cycles). You don’t need any supplements or other drugs. Although some can help increase the efficacy of the PCT.
There are 5 SERM choices and any one of them can be used as a PCT depending on the SARM/SARMs you are running.
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
Tamoxifen/Nolvadex is a strong SERM that can increase testosterone levels by stimulating LH and FSH release. It has been sucessfully used as a PCT thousands of times and is able to completely reverse testosterone suppression after a suppressive SARM cycle.
Clomiphene (Clomid)
Clomiphene is extremely effective at boosting Total Testosterone and Free Testosterone levels. In fact, it is often prescribed as an alternative to testosterone injections in men with hypogonadism. Clomiphene is reportedly more effective than Tamoxifen at increasing Testosterone levels, and it is also more effective at improving fertility. It has been a staple of PCT protocols for decades.
Enclomiphene (Adroxal):
Enclomiphene is the best SERM to use as a PCT after a SARM cycle, as it is the strongest of the SERMs and very well tolerated.
Enclomiphene is the only SERM that is being seriously studied as a treatment for hypogonadism. It is remarkably effective at increasing testosterone levels, and more and more anecdotal data is coming out confirming that it is an outstanding PCT option as well as an excellent test base for SARM cycles.
It is so effective that it can (and very often does) increase testosterone levels even beyond the reference range, which can help you build even more muscle and keep what you’ve gained during your SARM cycle. You’ll also feel incredible.
NOTE: The previously mentioned SERM “Clomid” consists of two isomers: Zuclomiphene and Enclomiphene. Zuclomiphene causes moodiness, whereas Enclomiphene causes a boost in testosterone.
Toremifene (Fareston)
Toremifene can increase testosterone by stimulating the release of LH and FSH. Anecdotal information shows Toremifene is not as strong as Tamoxifen or Clomiphene, but it is strong enough to restore Testosterone levels after a mildly or moderately suppressive SARM cycle.
Raloxifene (Evista)
Raloxifene is somewhat effective at boosting Testosterone, but it isn’t strong enough to be used as a PCT. It could work as a PCT after a mildly/moderately suppressive cycle, but you are better off saving it for fighting gynecomastia.
How to PCT
All of the SERMs are administered orally. And by the book, you should take them in the morning. But as long as you are consistent with it, timing doesn’t really matter.
Start taking a SERM the first day after your cycle, and take it for 2, 3, or 4 weeks depending on the suppression level of your cycle.
For Mildly Suppressive SARMs
For mildly suppressive SARMs (Ostarine, Andarine, ACP-105, AC-262 536) any of the SERMs can work could work as a PCT. Though ideally Enclomiphene, Tamoxifen, and Toremifene.
Pick one:
WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
TAMOXIFEN | 10mg/day | 10mg/day | 5mg/day |
ENCLOMIPHENE | 6.25mg/day | 6.25mg/day | 3.125mg/day |
TOREMIFENE | 30mg/day | 30mg/day | 15mg/day |
CLOMIPHENE | 25mg/day | 25mg/day | 12.5mg/day |
RALOXIFENE | 30mg/day | 30mg/day | 15mg/day |
Clomiphene and Raloxifene will work, but I would avoid them as you would feel way better on any of the other ones.
Enclomiphene can even raise your testosterone levels above the reference range and help you build muscle even after the cycle. Not to mention that you’ll feel amazing.
For Moderately Suppressive SARMs
For moderately suppressive SARMs (RAD-140 or LGD-4033) you will still be using only one SERM, but at a higher dose and for a longer period of time.
Any one of the SERMs will work, although I would avoid Raloxifene over any of the others.
The best options are Tamoxifen or Enclomiphene. Toremifene could still work although you will feel way better on the other two. Clomiphene could also work but if you have access to Enclomiphene I see no reason to use it.
Pick one:
WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TAMOXIFEN | 20mg/day | 20mg/day | 20mg/day | 10mg/day |
ENCLOMIPHENE
| 12.5mg/day | 12.5mg/day | 12.5mg/day | 6.25mg/day |
TOREMIFENE | 30mg/day | 30mg/day | 30mg/day | 15mg/day |
CLOMIPHENE | 50mg/day | 50mg/day | 50mg/day | 25mg/day |
RALOXIFENE | 60mg/day | 60mg/day | 60mg/day | 30mg/day |
For Highly Suppressive SARMs
For highly suppressive SARMs (LGD-3303, S-23, YK-11) you will need to run two SERMs. Although there is enough anecdotal evidence that just using Enclomiphene can also work, but only if it was also used as a testosterone base as well (on cycle to mitigate the suppression).
These kinds of cycles are usually followed by a Tamoxifen + Clomiphene PCT, but you can replace the Clomiphene with Enclomiphene.
Enclomiphene + Raloxifene or Toremifene combos may work, but I wouldn’t go with them since the better alternative exists. Avoid any other combination.
Pick one:
WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TAMOXIFEN | 20mg/day | 20mg/day | 20mg/day | 10mg/day |
ENCLOMIPHENE | 12.5mg/day | 12.5mg/cay | 12.5mg/day | 6.25mg/day |
WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TAMOXIFEN | 20mg/day | 20mg/day | 20mg/day | 10mg/day |
CLOMIPHENE | 50mg/day | 50mg/cay | 50mg/day | 25mg/day |
WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RALOXIFENE | 60mg/day | 60mg/day | 60mg/day | 30mg/day |
ENCLOMIPHENE | 12.5mg/day | 12.5mg/cay | 12.5mg/day | 6.25mg/day |
WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TOREMIFENE | 30mg/day | 30mg/day | 30mg/day | 15mg/day |
ENCLOMIPHENE | 12.5mg/day | 12.5mg/cay | 12.5mg/day | 6.25mg/day |
Conclusion
The first and most important thing is to have a SERM at your disposal even before you start your cycle, no matter how confident you are in your ability to naturally recover your testosterone levels.
Always do bloodwork, at the very least once per cycle, ideally twice. Once before and once after your cycle. This is the only way to accurately determine whether you need to PCT or not.
Finally, you know know how to effectively do a PCT after ANY SARM cycle based on the most effective and established PCT practices. Bookmarks this page and refer to the dosing tables when needed.
Happy cycling.
