Nolvadex – Tamcosifen is a popular and highly effective selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) often referred to as an antiestrogen. However, while being an antagonist, it is also an agonist in that it actually acts as an estrogen in certain parts of the body and as an antiestrogen in others. As one of the oldest SERMs on the market that is still regularly used in medicine, although Nolvadex is also used by anabolic steroid users, it is not an anabolic steroid. This is an important note as some are often confused by its use during steroid cycles. Nolvadex is just a SERM.
Nolvadex, officially known as tamoxifen citrate, was first developed in 1961 by ICI, now AstraZeneca, under the trade name Nolvadex. SERM was developed for the treatment of breast cancer, especially hormone-dependent breast cancer. However, it has also been used effectively in the prevention of breast cancer. In addition, we have users of anabolic steroids, and Nolvadex has long been found to have a place among such people. Nolva, as it is commonly known, can be used as an anti-estrogen during an anabolic steroid cycle to prevent estrogen-related side effects. It is also used as part of a post cycle therapy (PCT) recovery plan, which is its most common and beneficial point of use for steroid users.
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Functions and features of Nolvadex – Tamcosifen
Tamoxifen Citrate is a SERM with both estrogen agonist and antagonist properties. As an antiestrogen, Nolvadex works by binding to estrogen receptors instead of estrogen. This binding prevents the hormone estrogen from acting in certain parts of the body, which is why it is beneficial for breast cancer patients. Many forms of breast cancer are actually fueled by estrogen when it attaches to receptors in the breast. By preventing the attachment of such receptors, it also protects anabolic steroid users from gynecomastia, which can be caused by aromatizing anabolic steroids such as testosterone, dianabol, and to a certain extent nandrolone and boldenone.
Although Nolvadex is primarily considered an antiestrogen, it also has the ability to act like an estrogen, especially in the liver. This provides an advantage as estrogenic activity in the liver is associated with healthier cholesterol levels. For the steroid user, this can be extremely beneficial, as many anabolic steroids tend to have a negative effect on cholesterol. More on this later when we look at the direct action of Nolvadex.
Although Nolvadex is primarily an antiestrogen, it also has strong testosterone stimulating properties. Nolvadex has the ability to block the negative feedback induced by estrogen in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. As a result, it stimulates an increased release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. Both LH and FSH are required for the natural production of testosterone. Without LH and FSH, with an even stronger focus on LH, there is no natural testosterone production.
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Effects of Nolvadex – Tamcosifen
For a patient with breast cancer, the action of Nolvadex is very simple. By blocking the connection of the hormone estrogen, the cancer cannot feed on the hormone it needs to survive. While effective, it is not always the only connection used, or even the first one. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are often used early on because they have the ability to lower serum estrogen levels. Over time, there will be a transition from AI to a SERM like Nolvadex. As a preventive measure, those with a strong family history of breast cancer can prevent it by using Nolvadex at an early stage.
For anabolic steroid users, the main effect of Nolvadex on the course is to prevent gynecomastia. Nolvadex does not appear to have a strong effect on preventing the other major estrogenic effect associated with water retention, but it can often be controlled in other ways. As far as gyno protection goes, this might be enough for many men and should be your first choice if it can do the job. If not, you will need an AI such as Arimidex (Anastrozole) or Femara (Letrozole). However, AIs can negatively affect cholesterol. AIs alone do not seem to have a strong negative effect, but when combined with flavoring steroids, this effect seems to be annoying. Cholesterol can be controlled with AI, but if it can do its job, a SERM like Nolvadex should be your first choice. As an added bonus
The final effect of Nolvadex is the most valuable for the user of anabolic steroids. The use of anabolic steroids suppresses the natural production of testosterone. The rate of suppression will depend on the steroids used, but in most cases it will be significant. Once anabolic steroid use comes to an end, provided the individual has not suffered from a previous low testosterone condition and has not damaged their hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPTA) due to improper practice, natural testosterone production will begin again. This natural production will start on its own, however there is a problem. Once you are out of a cycle, your natural testosterone levels will be extremely low and although production will resume, they will remain low for a very long time. It will take months and months for the body to fully restore its former high natural testosterone levels. In fact, it can take up to a year or more depending on the severity of the cycle and the person’s general predispositions. This means that a person will be in a state of low testosterone levels for quite some time, which can be accompanied by many unpleasant symptoms. This condition can include all of the symptoms associated with low testosterone levels. In addition, with low testosterone levels, a person may well lose a lot of the muscle tissue gained from steroid use, as cortisol becomes the dominant hormone in the body. This means that a person will be in a state of low testosterone levels for quite some time, which can be accompanied by many unpleasant symptoms. This condition can include all of the symptoms associated with low testosterone levels. In addition, with low testosterone levels, a person may well lose a lot of the muscle tissue gained from steroid use, as cortisol becomes the dominant hormone in the body. This means that a person will be in a state of low testosterone levels for quite some time, which can be accompanied by many unpleasant symptoms. This condition can include all of the symptoms associated with low testosterone levels. In addition, with low testosterone levels, a person may well lose a lot of the muscle tissue gained from steroid use, as cortisol becomes the dominant hormone in the body.
There are many performance-enhancing athletes who scoff at the FCT plans, and it’s time to drop them. If you are only going to stop for a short period of time, say 4-6 weeks, or are on a low dose of testosterone between full cycles, then there is no logical reason for a PCT plan. Such scenarios are very common in avid bodybuilding circles, but are unrealistic for most anabolic steroid users. Most steroid users will take a fair amount of cycle breaks and in the name of health and well being, this is the best approach. If this is the case, then there is no logical reason to opt out of PCT, and we can guarantee that those who use it will be much better off.
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Side effects of Nolvadex – Tamcosifen
There are possible side effects of Nolvadex, but we will find that it is a very well tolerated SERM for most men and women. However, side effects are possible, but, as a rule, they occur very rarely. Most men will not have a first problem. The side effects of Nolvadex will be slightly more common in women, but even then they are not as common. Possible side effects from using Nolvadex include:
- vaginal itching, bleeding, discharge, or discomfort;
- stomach upset;
- headaches.
The above are the most common side effects of Nolvadex. Other possible side effects of Nolvadex, although less common than those listed above, include:
- rash;
- decrease in the number of leukocytes;
- endometrial changes;
- elevated triglycerides;
- pulmonary embolism.
When it comes to Nolvadex side effects, that’s all there is to it. Sure, some of these effects don’t seem all that pleasant, but again, most Nolvadex side effects are pretty rare. In conclusion, pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should not take Nolvadex for any reason. Such use could potentially be very harmful to the developing child.
Several SERMs are available, the most common being Nolvadex and Clomid, but of all the SERMs, Nolvadex may well be the most beneficial. This is undoubtedly beneficial for breast cancer patients and you can guarantee that many of them are very grateful for it. As far as performance is concerned, a person should not expect any real performance improvement. Sure, it can stimulate natural testosterone production, but using it here will just help you get back to normal, nothing more. However, those who include Nolvadex in PCT, compared to those who do not or who do not do PCT entirely, you will find that a Nolvadex user protects their muscle tissue to a great extent. A Nolvadex user will retain much more muscle tissue and strength. And then we’re left with cycle protection, and while it’s not the strongest protector when we consider cardiovascular benefits, it’s one of the most valuable. Many anabolic steroid users regularly worry about water retention, small pimples and things of a visual nature, but protecting our cardiovascular health is really the most important factor.