
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Post-cycle therapy
Introduction
Post-cycle therapy (PCT) is a drug/diet regimen used by anabolic steroid users to counteract and minimize post-steroid hypogonadism. The goal is to restore normal endogenous sex hormone production (typically testosterone) after steroid use is discontinued, thereby preserving the muscle and strength gains made during steroid use and minimizing side effects such as decreased libido and depression. Due to the harsh nature of some anabolic steroids on the liver (particularly oral, methylated steroids), PCT is also used to help cleanse the liver and ultimately prepare it for handling another cycle.
Drugs used
Drugs used
- HCG
- Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)
- Clomid, also a SERM
- 4-androstene-3,6,17-trione, an aromatase inhibitor which is an anti-estrogen
