Clomid (Clomiphine Citrate)
Complete info about Clomid (Clomiphine Citrate)
Clomid is a drug given to women for use as a fertility aid. It is a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) which acts by actually binding to the estrogen receptor and thereby blocking estrogen from doing the same. Clearly, this is advantageous when it binds to breast tissue, and prevents estrogen from binding there to cause gynecomastia (although it is not nearly as effective as Nolvadex for this purpose). It also opposes the negative feedback loop that the body has with regards to estrogen and the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular-axis), and this in turn stimulates LH (leutenizing hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). LH and FSH, in turn stimulate the release of testosterone. Clearly this is advantageous to bodybuilders and athletes coming off of a cycle, and beginning their post cycle therapy. What we have in Clomid is essentially a drug that acts as a preventative measure against gynecomastia, as well as a drug that acts to raise endogenous (natural) testosterone levels. Usually, it is compared with another SERM, Nolvadex, for those reasons.
Clomid, however, is much weaker than Nolvadex in a mg for mg comparison, with roughly 150mgs of Clomid being equal to 20mgs of Nolvadex (1). It should be noted, however, that 150mgs of clomid will still raise testosterone levels to approximately 150% of baseline value (1). You don't have to use 150mgs, however; my research shows that doses as low as 50mgs will show improvements and elevations in testosterone levels (4). In fact, my original post cycle therapy regime (as suggested by Dan Duchaine in the original Underground Steroid Handbook) was 100mgs per day for a week and 50mgs/day for a week. In the late 90's, when most anabolic steroid users didn't even know how to use Clomid, it was considered a "state of the art" PCT. I suspect that Duchaine originally introduced this compound to the steroid using community.
Clomid, just like Nolvadex, is very safe for long term treatment of lowered testosterone levels (2), with some studies showing its safety and efficacy for up to four months. And post cycle, when steroid users are suffering form lowered testosterone levels, Clomid is most effective.
When you run Clomid for about 3 weeks post cycle, at 100-150mgs, you can experience emotional side effects due to the excess amount of circulating estrogen in your body. All of that extra estrogen tends to make you moody.
A problem rises during a very aggressive Clomid PCT routine. When taking pretty high doses (150mgs/day) of clomid for an extended time (over a month) you can experience vision issues. Upon further investigation optic neuropathy (a fancy way of saying "vision problems") was actually very common with Clomid use (5)(6).
Clomid has fallen out of favor as late for post cycle routines, but if you aren't prone to vision problems or emotional issues, then it is just as good as Nolvadex for raising testosterone when appropriate doses are used. 150mgs/day for ten days is highly recommended, and decreasing the dose by 50mgs every ten days until you're finished at day 30. Many of the bodybuilders and athletes have used it in a similar fashion and found that it restores their testosterone levels to normal.
This drug is widely available from many research supply companies, generally in liquid form, as well as from most underground labs, which produce their own version in capsules.
References
- Fertil Steril. 1978 Mar;29(3):320-7.
- Int J Impot Res. 2003 Jun;15(3):156-65.
- Understanding sex biases in immunity: effects of estrogen on the differentiation and function of antigen-presenting cells. Immunol Res. 2005;31(2):91-106.
- The effects of normal aging on the response of the pituitary-gonadal axis to chronic clomiphene administration in men. J Androl 1991 Jul-Aug;12(4):258-63
- Optic neuropathy associated with clomiphene citrate therapy. Fertil Steril. 1994 Feb;61(2):390-1
- Visual disturbance secondary to clomiphene citrate. Arch Ophthalmol. 1995 Apr;113(4):482-4
