Clomid (Clomifene, Clomiphene)

Description

A pharmacological drug that almost every bodybuilder depends on is steroids. Though steroid does give the results that bodybuilders desire, it also comes with its own share of side effects, and to balance the side-effects most bodybuilders depends on Clomid. Before we find out what is Clomid, let us get to have a brief understanding of what happens in the body of bodybuilders when they take steroids.
What happens in a bodybuilder’s body?

When steroid substances are used by men, their natural production of male hormones is reduced. The longer they depend on steroids and heavier the dose the more it affects their hormonal balance. The level of testosterone keeps getting lower and the level of female hormones (estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin) keeps increasing. This results in the growth of female breasts in men, also known as gynecomastia, and it even causes fluid retention in their bodies. This hormonal imbalance can be normalized with the help of antiestrogens, and the safest, most popular, and most effective antiestrogen is Clomiphene (Clomid). No matter what type of steroid a bodybuilder is using and for how long, Clomid is commonly suggested to them to get desired results.

What is Clomid?

Clomid is a strong antiestrogen and has an effect similar to Tamoxifen. Clomid started getting popular right from the 1970s as a drug to treat infertility in women, and in fact, even today it is used for this purpose. In case of bodybuilding, Clomid helps those athletes who have been using anabolic steroids and want to get rid of the side effects (that of conversion of steroids to female sex hormone) and desire to stimulate the natural internal testosterone production after completing their course of steroids. This medicine binds to those brain receptors that are responsible for producing sex hormones. If the male hormone levels are timely restored, it helps avoid loss of strength and muscle mass and improves the overall appearance of an athlete, and this is why Clomid for bodybuilding is so popular.
How does Clomid work on bodybuilders?

The popularity of Clomiphene for bodybuilding is nothing new. It has been very popular amongst not only bodybuilders but weightlifter and athletes as well because of its great positive effects, including:

An increase in testosterone levels
An increase in hormones that supports follicle formation
Better production of GnRH

After completing their steroid therapy, what athletes generally do is to start taking supplements so that their hormones get balanced. What they do not understand is that once their body experiences a strong hormonal imbalance and their sex hormone levels are highly reduced, taking any dietary supplements will not prove to be of any use. Clomid can prove to be of great help in such a situation. It affects the levels of LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), directly. LH and FSH are known to affect the production of testosterone. Clomiphene, which is the main ingredient of Clomid gets attached to the estrogen receptors and controls their activity. Right after 2-3 days of taking Clomid, you will start noticing positive effects like:

The amount of FSH and LH reaches its maximum.
The testosterone levels are raised significantly.
The male hormone indicators get back to their ideal state.
High values of FSH and LH come back to their proper level.

The duration of recovery will vary from individual to individual. Basically, however, you can expect your body to recover after about 14 days. In some cases, the duration can go as high as 90 days. No matter what the situation, Clomid can certainly help bodybuilders improve their physical performance and overall appearance.
How well can Clomid help in restoring testosterone – Scientific Backed Evidences

As per certain scientific studies, Clomiphene can indeed help raise the testosterone levels in men. In a certain study, men, within the age group of 18 and 55 took Clomiphene for 2 weeks. The result was a 2-fold increase in their testosterone levels (in most cases). In some participants, however, after about a month a drop in testosterone levels was noticed.
Clomid for bodybuilding

In another study, 125 men, who had decreased sexual desire and low testosterone levels (lower than 400 ng/dl) took Clomid for about 3 months. It showed an increase in testosterone levels by nearly 2-fold. No changes in cholesterol levels were noticed and nor did any of these participants experience any side effects. Even the long-term effects of Clomid (used by men with low testosterone levels) have been tested by scientists. Initially, the testosterone levels (on an average) were 228 ng/dl. After one year of regular Clomid usage, it increased to 612 ng/ dl. After two years, it was 562 ng/ dl, and after three years it still was high (582 ng/dl). Bone density increased considerably and no side effects were reported. So, Clomid does work and that too without producing side effects as such.
How should you use Clomid for bodybuilding?

How do you bring your sex hormone levels to their normal rate by using Clomiphene? This perhaps is the question now running in your mind. So, let us discover the answer without delay.

You should ideally not use Clomid when you are also taking steroids. Complete your steroid therapy first, and then begin using Clomiphene.

Your recovery stage depends greatly on what kind of steroids you have used. You should wait until the substances have reached at least their half-life and does not influence your hormonal balance actively anymore. This process usually will take anywhere from a week to 10 days. Now, you can start with your treatment and according to experts you should start with the maximum safe dosage, and gradually you need to keep reducing it. The longer your course of steroids was, the higher will be the time required for hormonal rehabilitation.
You can follow this scheme for Clomid administration

Extra-heavy does period – Take 150mg of the medication for 3 days, then 100 mg for 12 days, followed by 50 mg for 15 days, and then 25 mg for another 15 days.
After heavy dose period – In this stage, you need to take Clomid 100 mg for 15 days, followed by 50 mg for 15 days, and then 25 mg for 15 days.
Average dose – In this case, you need to take 50mg for 30 days and then 25 mg for 15 days.

Next, you can follow the light dose course and then a very light dose course. Remember, this is a suggested dosage, but you should ideally talk to a specialist before starting any Clomid course.