Is It Safe To Use Clomid For PCT? (From An Endocrinologist)

Yes, it’s relatively safe to use Clomid after a steroid cycle. Even though it’s safe for the most part, its use and misuse have some side effects.

During a steroid cycle, your body naturally dials down its natural testosterone-producing functions because it receives testosterone from an external source.

After the cycle, your body no longer has an external testosterone source, so it struggles to produce testosterone naturally [1].

That’s where drugs like Clomid come in.

It’s supposed to work as a testosterone booster, primarily by acting as an estrogen blocker. It allows post-steroid-cycle bodybuilders to regain their body’s testosterone-producing abilities.

What is Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)?

Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that has anti-estrogen effects [2].

It was originally used for treating fertility issues in women who didn't ovulate normally.

It's also a popular alternative to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men with hypogonadism.

That’s because Clomid increases the output of the pituitary gland’s luteinizing hormone (LH) and ​​FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), both of which encourage an increase in testosterone [3].

Although Clomid isn’t strictly considered a performance enhancement drug (PED), athletes who haven’t been on anabolic steroids use it to enhance their athletic performance.

Clomid has many testosterone-boosting benefits, which we’ll cover in the following section.

Like most estrogen blockers, Clomid can stimulate your body's testosterone production by binding to your brain’s estrogen receptors and preventing estrogen from binding to those receptors [4].

Clomid also interacts with the pituitary gland and prevents it from interacting with estrogen.

When estrogen interacts with your pituitary gland, follicle-stimulating hormone and less luteinizing hormone are produced, leading to testosterone suppression [5].

With the decrease in estrogen, your body will be encouraged to produce testosterone.

In low doses, Clomid can effectively increase your levels of serum testosterone and positively affect the testosterone-estrogen ratio in men with low t-levels [6].

One study found that the daily administration of 150 mg of Clomid raised endogenous testosterone levels (production of testosterone within the body) by 150% [7].

Effective Post-Cycle Therapy

Clomid’s endogenous testosterone-boosting abilities make it an ideal PCT drug.

Post-cycle therapy refers to the period when bodybuilders go off anabolic androgenic steroids (to prevent any major side effects) before getting on the next cycle.

During this time, they experience a significant drop in testosterone levels due to the following:

1. The cessation of their endogenous testosterone source (gonads)
2. The absence of exogenous testosterone (steroids)

I’ve noticed athletes who don’t go through PCT after steroid cycles are more likely to experience higher estrogen levels. The lack of testosterone makes them prone to many unpleasant symptoms, such as gynecomastia.

Clomid helps bodybuilders with muscle retention after a cycle by encouraging the body to produce testosterone naturally.

“Clomid and Nolvadex are SERMs (selective oestrogen receptor modulators) — not to be confused with SARMs — which regulate post-cycle oestrogen production and block the negative effects that it has on the body.”

- Dr. Chia Tan, MD, TRT Specialist

One of the most common symptoms of anabolic steroids is gynecomastia (aka man boobs) [8].

While this symptom isn’t life-threatening, it can cause psychological and emotional distress, especially if you're part of a sport that demands aesthetics.

Gynecomastia develops when your body’s testosterone is flushed out to make way for exogenous testosterone from steroids.

As your body’s own testosterone breaks down, estradiol (a form of estrogen) is created, which results in female secondary characteristics [9].

High estrogen levels can increase breast tissue in men, whereas testosterone is known to prevent its formation [10].

Clomid may cure gynecomastia by preventing the formation of more estrogen and stimulating testosterone production [11].

Better Mood and Higher Libido

Most symptoms after a steroid cycle are due to lowered testosterone levels. Low T-levels are associated with symptoms like mood swings, depression, and lower libido [12].

Many of these symptoms tend to occur after a cycle because your body's natural T-levels are low and exogenous testosterone is nowhere in the picture.

Because Clomid can stimulate the body’s testosterone-producing ability, it can ultimately prevent symptoms associated with low T-levels.

While this isn’t a benefit fully experienced by bodybuilders who take steroids, athletes can benefit from Clomid’s testosterone-boosting abilities.

Apart from bodybuilding, Clomid is used by athletes in mixed martial arts, cycling, powerlifting, and other sports. It’s most commonly used by males [13].

Since Clomid boosts T-levels, which are associated with increased muscle mass and strength, it’s no surprise that athletes who take it perform better.

Muscle Retention in Male and Female Bodybuilders

Male and female bodybuilders who take anabolic steroids experience a drastic increase in muscle mass due to high exogenous testosterone levels.

Clomid does not have the same t-boosting ability because it encourages your body to produce testosterone, which is significantly lesser than what bodybuilders take.

However, Clomid’s ability to create more testosterone helps bodybuilders at least retain their muscle mass when they’re off a steroid cycle.