Clomid Vs Nolvadex: What Are The Differences?

In this article let’s compare Clomid vs Nolvadex so that we know what are the differences between both of them.

Also, we will talk a little bit about PCT (Post Cycle Therapy).

Clomid VS Nolvadex

We will discuss why Clomid and Nolvadex are important and also why PCT is so important. So, let’s start…

Unfortunately, very few bodybuilders pay attention to PCT, but the fact is that it is extremely important and should not be ignored.

Ignoring PCT can cause health problems and steroid related side effects.

Everybody knows that steroids are dangerous and they can cause health problems but bodybuilders and other people use them.

Even though they cause side effects but still steroids are highly effective in transforming your body rapidly.

They help in bulking up or cutting down basically improving overall appearance.

The important thing is to use steroids correctly. So, you only get the benefits and reduce your risk of getting side effects.

Now let’s discuss Clomid vs Nolvadex because these are the drugs that are used during PCT.

What is Clomid?

We will discuss it in detail so, let’s start by knowing what Clomid is.

Clomid or Clomiphene Citrate is a type of a receptor.

To be precise, it is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator, commonly it is known by the short version SERM.

Please take notice; it is SERM and not SARM.

SERMs are usually used in steroid world for shady practices.

It is used for reducing the risk and danger of side effects caused by the over-use of anabolic-androgenic steroid or AAS.

However, big bodybuilders did not use Clomid initially for the purpose of reducing their chances of getting gynaecomastia or man-boobs.

The fact is that Clomid was initially created for women. It was like a fertility drug.

In females, it helps to induce ovulation.

Basically, Clomid increases the amount of FSH or Follicle Stimulating Hormone in the body.

»» Also Read About Phil Heath Steroids

Also, it increases the amount of LH or luteinizing hormone. These are the hormones that are responsible for regulating menstrual cycle in women.

So, you must be thinking why and how a drug that was specifically made for women who were trying to get pregnant, ended up getting used by bodybuilders.

The main purpose of Clomid is to help women balance their hormone levels so that they can get pregnant.

However, when men take it, it helps in increasing the production of testosterone in their body.

The reason is that regardless who takes it, it increases FSH and LH in the body. That is why bodybuilders started using it.

You already know that Clomid is a SERM, so it gives anti-estrogen effects.

Men who are worried about the side effects of increased estrogen levels in their body use Clomid.

When you use steroids, you are vulnerable to get estrogen related side effects.

Due to the existing presence of testosterone in your body, while bodybuilding, if you use steroids, it can get converted into estrogen and cause side effects.

In this situation, Clomid helps in preventing the conversion into estrogen. Hence, reducing your chances of getting estrogen related side effects.

What is Nolvadex?

Now, let’s discuss in detail what Nolvadex is.

Nolvadex is also known as Tamoxifen Citrate. It is also a type of SERM.

When combined together Nolvadex and Clomid are like pepper and salt. They complete each other.

Usually, they are both used as a part of PCT cycle.

Similar to Clomid, Nolvadex was also initially created for women.

The purpose was to treat breast cancer in women and also infertility.

Both Nolvadex and Clomid work differently.

Nolvadex helps in stimulating the production of gonadotropins¹ with the presence of hypophysis.

Gonadotropins are hormones that are released by the pituitary gland.

It is responsible for the increase of sex hormones in the body. This results in stimulating the production of sperm in men and ova in women.

FSH or Follicle Stimulating Hormone and LH or Luteinizing Hormones are the main Gonadotropins.

This means when you have more gonadotropins in your body, your FSH and LH levels increase.

So, Nolvadex helps in reducing estrogen related side effects in your body.

Therefore, if you compare both Nolvadex and Clomid, you will notice that they both serve the same purpose in the body.

For a bodybuilder, getting rid of this excess estrogen is extremely important, otherwise they can easily get side effects.

Why is PCT Important After Steroid Cycle?

Now, we know that both Clomid and Nolvadex are important for reducing the activity of estrogen in your body.

So, let’s discuss why is PCT important after a steroid cycle?

Everybody knows that steroids play a crucial role in bodybuilding, but when you use anabolic steroids, it can cause dangerous side effects.

Basically, steroids change your entire genetic structure so that you can gain huge muscle mass.

Imagine it this way, you go to a car dealer and buy just a regular family car.

After you bring it home, you do extreme modifications in it like switch its engine with a v12 turbo engine and change almost everything else as well.

Now, the problem is that the car is not designed in a way that it can handle all that type of power.

It is just extreme for it. So, initially it will handle it but at one point the car will give up.

Hormones are responsible for building your body, so any modifications in the hormones will affect your body. Steroids do that modification.

Now, you do not want your car to breakdown so, you decide to revert back all the modifications that you made in the car and get it back to its initial state.

This is the purpose of PCT.

When you use steroids you modify your body, PCT reverts back the modification so that do not get side effects.

PCT is like the reset button. It is to protect your body from potential harm.

With the help of PCT, your hormones and organs can again start working normally. Hence, you do not suffer the side effects caused by using AAS.

Clomid vs Nolvadex – Side Effects of Steroids

You know that PCT is essential if you are using steroids but are steroids really as dangerous as they are believed?

To be very honest, Yes. Steroids are dangerous.

If you use steroids then you will surely get big and buffed, and it might give some health benefits too.

However, in the long-run side effects will come.

Do remember, steroids are really powerful. They are capable of giving extreme effects.

If steroids are used with a prescription, then it’s perfectly fine.

If you use steroids in moderation, then also it’s perfectly fine.

However, if you do steroid abuse or you do not do PCT then you are risking your health.

Here are some common side effects of steroids:

1. Gynaecomastia or Gyno

Gynaecomastia is commonly known as man-boobs. It is a condition where a man develops breasts, just like a woman.

Bodybuilders, obviously want to avoid getting this condition.

Gynaecomastia does not mean that a man would become a woman.

It just means that excess fat will start depositing around the nipples, making them bigger and puffy. So, it looks like the man has boobs.

The worst thing about Gyno is that it does not go away, no matter how much you workout or do push-ups and bench presses.

The problem is that it happens because of hormonal imbalance or hormone therapy or steroids that is why Gynaecomastia doe snot go away with exercise.

If you want to treat gyno, then there is only one way and that is surgery.

Gynaecomastia can only be treated with surgery.

The doctor will surgically cut open a small section of the chest and remove the excess fat accumulated around the nipples. After that he will stitch back the area.

There is high possibility that you might get a scar after the surgery.

Clomid and Nolvadex are effective in reducing the chances of getting gyno.

2. Acne

Another estrogen related side effect is acne.

When you finish your steroid cycle and you do not run a PCT, then you can get acne because of the excess estrogen present in your system.

The problem is that it will not be just a mild acne breakout, it will be severe.

So, if you are already prone to getting acne, blemishes and redness in your skin then it can get worse.

Acne is obviously not life-threatening but it can definitely make you lose your self-confidence and you might feel insecure about your overall appearance.

Its such an irony; you do bodybuilding to improve your appearance but get acne and become insecure about your appearance.

Both Clomid and Nolvadex are effective for reducing your chances of getting acne after you complete your steroid cycle.

3. Stay Buffed For Longer

PCT has one more benefit that is easily overlooked.

Usually PCT is considered as a way to overcome the negative side effects of steroids.

The fact is that PCT helps in maintaining your gains for a longer period of time. So, you can stay buffed for longer.

When you are on a steroid cycle, your main aim is to build muscle mass, burn fat and look amazing.

Steroids give you temporary gains. When you stop using them, all the muscle mass that you have gained tends to go away.

In that situation, if you follow your diet and training diligently, then you can slow down the process of losing muscle mass. That way your gains can stay a bit longer.

However, if you slack off then your gains will go away rapidly.

We have already mentioned earlier in this article that PCT helps in increasing the production of testosterone naturally in your body.

Testosterone is a hormone (androgenic hormone) that is naturally present in both men and women.

However, it is more dominant in men in comparison to women. That is why it is called the male hormone.

Testosterone has anabolic properties. It helps in building muscles and burning fat.

When you have more testosterone in your body, you can build more muscles and get ripped easily.

Now let’s talk about the side effects of Clomid and Nolvadex

Clomid Side Effects

While we are comparing Clomid vs Nolvadex, how can we forget discussing the possible side effects of these two.

As you know that Clomid helps in reducing the risk of steroid related side effects but unfortunately, it can also some side effects.

The fact is that these side effects are very mild and negligible so, men don’t even pay attention to them.

However, if you are consuming extremely high doses, then the side effects might be severe. So, consume within limits (25 mg to 100 mg).

Here are some of the side effects of Clomid that men experience – higher libido, harder and better erections and feeling more happy.

Side effects in women – increased energy levels.

If you take high doses of Clomid then you might get mood swings and feel irritated.

Nolvadex Side Effects

Nolvadex is also like Clomid, this means it also causes side effects.

However, the side effects depend on the amount of dose you take.

Due to this reason, people usually do not consume more than 40 mg of Nolvadex in a day.

If you consume high doses of Nolvadex then you can feel irritated and get mood swings.

Another thing is that if you consume high doses of Nolvadex with steroids like Deca-Durabolin then your progestin receptors can also upregulate.

So, you can get side effects related to progestin. These include gynaecomastia and water retention.

If taken in moderation, it can prevent these side effects, whereas, if you take high doses then it can cause these side effects.

Clomid vs Nolvadex – What Are The Differences?

Now, we have explained both these drugs in details, but which is better?

The truth is none of these two are good, it varies from person to person.

Between Clomid vs Nolvadex, which one you should choose depends on your steroid stack, your cycle, your doses and the duration that you are running your cycles.

For example – There are some types of steroid cycles that only need Clomid for PCT, while some only need Nolvadex.

However, most people prefer combining both these drugs together and customize their dosage according to their body’s requirement while running a PCT. This works the best.

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