|
Price 24 tabs x 50 mg - $20
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 weefc period will bring testosterone
production back to an acceptable level. 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 •eplace 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. This substance can be expensive, often as high as
$2-$4 per 50 mg tab. Generics such as Clomiphene citrate by
Anfarm in Greece are frequently seen on the black market, and
can sell for a considerably lower price. In the U.S., Omifin
from Mexico appears to be most popular. Since there are no
counterfeits known to exist, Clomid is considered a safe buy on
the black market. Many athletes prefer to purchase this item
only from foreign mail-order sources, always shopping for the
lowest available tablet price.
|