The purpose of post-cycle therapy is to correct hormonal imbalance caused by the inhibition of endogenous androgen synthesis, restore the normal functioning of the endocrine glands, maintain the gained muscle mass and support the organs of the reproductive system that could suffer (or have suffered) from the side effects of the steroid course.
Post-cycle therapy or PCT (from the English. Post cycle therapy) is the process of restoring the body after taking potent drugs, prohormones. It is necessary after any course of anabolic steroids, especially if two or more drugs, hormonal drugs, were used.
At the end of the course, the so-called rollback occurs: physical mass decreases and strength indicators deteriorate, that is, the body tends to the previous state. Post-cycle therapy after steroids is aimed at minimizing this effect and at the same time restoring the normal functioning of the body.
The main tasks of the PCT:
- Stimulation of the natural synthesis of testosterone in the testicles
- Minimizing rollback by blocking catabolism and protecting muscle mass
- Support for the reproductive system, which is disrupted due to hormonal imbalance
Post cycle therapy: goals and means
Restoration of testosterone synthesis
The main task of post-course therapy is the restoration of endogenous testosterone synthesis in the gonads. After a course of steroids or prohormones in the blood of an athlete, the level of androgens decreases; exogenous hormones (steroids) are no longer supplied, and their own are not produced, because their synthesis is inhibited by the course. We cannot ignore the situation, we must take action!
Facilities. To restore androgen synthesis, natural testosterone boosters are mandatory included in PCT regimens:
- Testofen
- testex
- DAA (D-aspartic acid)
- Forskolin
To restore the endogenous synthesis of testosterone, pharmaceutical preparations from the group of antiestrogen can be used. But, since estrogen blockers have a lot of side effects, they should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor who has extensive experience in the field of sports pharmaceuticals.
Plant-derived testosterone boosters, unlike antiestrogen, are completely safe. They can be taken for a long time, in high dosages and without the supervision of a specialist.
Minimizing PCT rollback
The second task is to minimize rollback. What is the reason for the inevitable loss of muscle mass? The testosterone level after the course decreases or even drops to zero, and the cortisol concentration rises significantly. This is explained by the fact that testosterone and cortisol in our body are interconnected – the higher the testosterone level, the lower the cortisol concentration, and vice versa. This pair of hormones can be thought of as a pan balance – when one pan goes down, the other always goes up.
Facilities. To minimize muscle rollback in PCT, nutritional supplements and sports nutrition with anti-catabolic action are included:
- Whey isolate (Isolate Pro Whey)
- Casein (Casein Pro Complex)
- BCAA amino acids (BCAA 2:1:1, BCAA 8:1:1)
- Glutamine
Reproductive System Support
The third task of PCT is to protect the organs of the reproductive system, whose work is disrupted due to hormonal imbalance provoked by the intake of prohormones or steroids. The main blow is taken by the prostate, in which an excess of dihydrotestosterone provokes hyperplasia processes (benign growth).
Facilities. The PCT protocols necessarily include drugs that help normalize the function of the prostate gland.
- Saw Palmetto
- Prostate Support
- Cycle Support
Normalization of libido and potency
After the course, many athletes face difficulties in the intimate sphere. Sexual desire weakens or disappears, problems with potency begin. This is due to a drop in testosterone levels, which must be fought with the help of testosterone boosters. But boosters do not work immediately, and you don’t want to put off intimate life for “later”.
Facilities. To restore libido and potency in PCT, you should take food supplements that have aphrodisiac properties. Since many aphrodisiacs stimulate the synthesis of testosterone, their use after the cycle becomes doubly relevant. The following additives give a quick and pronounced effect: Means. To restore libido and potency in PCT, you should take food supplements that have aphrodisiac properties. Since many aphrodisiacs stimulate the synthesis of testosterone, their use after the cycle becomes doubly relevant. The following supplements give a quick and pronounced effect:
- Ashwagandha
- Tongkat Ali
- Yohimbine extract
When is PCT performed?
Post-cycle therapy is carried out after the use of anabolic steroids. It doesn’t matter what drugs were included in the course and what dosages were used – synthetic hormones always negatively affect the body, suppress testosterone synthesis and provoke hormonal disruptions. After the course, there is always a rollback, the only question is what percentage of muscle mass will be lost and what will be saved.
Important. PCT is performed after any steroid course. There are no “light courses” after which post-cycle therapy is not required!
Do I need to do PCT after taking SARMs or designer steroids (prohormones)? Although these drugs are considered less dangerous, post-cycle therapy is highly recommended and should be carried out in full. The exception is SARMs that do not affect the synthesis of sex hormones (Stenabol, Ibutamoren, Myostan).
After courses of peptides and growth hormone, there is no need for a full PCT protocol, since these drugs do not suppress the synthesis of endogenous sex hormones and do not affect the hormonal balance. It is enough to take supplements and sports nutrition that helps suppress catabolism and preserve muscle mass.