Active substance: tamoxifen citrate
Tradenames: Tamoxifen, Nolvadex
Nolvadex it is one of the most accessible antiestrogens in the eorld. It is a SERM, selective estrogen receptor modulator, and has both estrogen agonist and antagonist characteristics. In other words, it can act like a estrogen in some tissues and block the action of estrogen in others. As a anti-estrogen is strong in breast tissue so is used to treat breast cancer in women. Sometimes it is even used as a preventive method by women with a history of family breast cancer.
Bodybuilders and athletes use tamoxifen citrate to counteract estrogenic side effects that can be caused by the use of certain anabolic and androgenic steroids.
The main cause of concern among bodybuilders and athletes is gynecomastia, female breast development in men. The first signs of gynecomastia are small swellings under the nipples; if left to evolve can turn into solid tissue of considerable size, which can only be removed by surgery.
Another undesirable effect of estrogen is water retention, which leads to muscle coverage and loff of muscle definition. Also, the accumulation of fat may occur. To prevent these side effects Nolvadex is used during a steroid cycle with steroids that aromatize lightly (turn into estrogen). If muscle definition is a priority then stronger aromatase inhibitors must be used, such as Arimidex.
Another ability of tamoxifen is to help increase FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). It does this by blocking the negative feedback caused by estrogen in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The action is similar to Clomid and cyclofenil.
That is why tamoxifen is used at the end of a steroid cycle to return testosterone production to normal, in the post cycle therapy.
In the liver, Nolvadex acts like a estrogen, which is good because it helps regulate serum cholesterol, promoting good cholesterol (HDL) and reducing the bad one (LDL). So it is preferable to use Nolvadex during a steroid cycle to prevent gynecomastia, the stronger aromatase inhibitors, such as Aromasin, tend to lower the good cholesterol and raise the bad one. But if high doses of steroids are used tamoxifen can only improve serum cholesterol by a few percentage points, and can not totally prevent adverse cardiovascular effects.
Some athletes say it somewhat diminishes the effects of anabolic steroid. This is possible because antiestrogens reduce the secretion of IGF-1.
If a steroid aromatise easily the optimal effect is achieved by a combination of Nolvadex with Proviron. A daily dose of 10-30 mg of Nolvadex and 25-30 mg of Proviron is very effective against estrogen.
A certain amount of estrogen is needed in the body, and totaly blocking it can lead to side effects such as decreased libido, depression and bad mood. Side effects that may occur with tamoxifen are gastrointestinal dysfunction, dizziness, rash and changes in liver enzyme levels.
Nolvadex is taken when needed, in order not to interfere with the anabolic effect of steroids. Some people do not need antiestrogens during a steroid cycle, even if the steroids aromatise easily; others are more sensitive and feel the negative effects of estrogen when using Deca-durabolin or Equipoise (steroids that are known to have low estrogenic activity). There are many factors that cause these side effects, such as age and a high percentage of body fat (adipose tissue is one of the main places aromatise accours).
Tamoxifen is found in all countries under different names. It is also very common on the black market.
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