Unlike Proviron, which is an anti-aromatic, Nolvadex acts as an estrogen antagonist by preventing estrogen receptors from binding to estrogen receptors (SERMs).
Nolvadex is most often used during PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) in combination with Clomid , for example by restarting the production of Testosterone in the testicles.
Nolvadex: History
In the late 1950s, pharmaceutical companies were actively searching for a new class of anti-estrogen compounds in hopes of developing a contraceptive morning-after pill.
Arthur L Walpole was an endocrinologist leading a research team at ICI Pharmaceuticals.
It was there, in 1966, that Dora Richardson, a member of this team of researchers, first synthesized Tamoxifen, then known as ICI-46, 474.
Walpole and his colleagues filed a British patent covering this compound in 1962, but patent protection on this compound was repeatedly denied in the United States.
Tamoxifen was eventually given marketing approval as a fertility treatment, but it was not shown to be useful for human contraception.
Nolvadex: Clinical Studies
The first of these clinical studies took place at Christie’s Hospital in Manchester in 1971, and showed convincing results in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.
The further development of Tamoxifen will be bolstered by a second clinical study led by Professor Harold W.C. Ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Ward’s study provides convincing results for the drug on use with higher doses.
In 1973, following this second study and the importance of the results that emerged, Walpole was able to convince ICI Pharmaceuticals of the importance that Tamoxifen could have on the market for treatments for advanced breast cancer.
Finally, the long-awaited approval of the patent in the United States followed in 1977.
But Tamoxifen competed against other hormonal agents in a relatively small market and was not, at this stage, clinically or financially remarkable compared to the competition.
It was in 1980, and the publication of the first study demonstrating that Tamoxifen given in addition to chemotherapy, that it considerably improved the survival of patients with early breast cancer.
However, the beneficial effects of Tamoxifen on estrogen receptors are not yet known.
It is following its “mild” profile in terms of side effects that many clinical trials will be pursued.
It was not until 1998 that a very serious report from the University of Oxford definitively demonstrated that Tamoxifen had saved lives, both in early and advanced breast cancer care.
To date, Tamoxifen is used for the treatment of many disorders.
In addition to its use as part of a steroid cure , which we will see in detail below, Tamoxifen is used to counter precocious puberty (a syndrome known as McCune-Albright syndrome).
Nolvadex and anabolic steroids
When used as a supportive cure during a steroid cycle, Tamoxifen could not be more effective. It prevents aromatization of the steroid and will warn you of the most restrictive of side effects, gynecomastia.
During a steroid cycle, Nolvadex is used by bodybuilders who are sensitive to estrogen buildup.
The accumulation of estrogen can lead to many problems, the first of which is the appearance of gynecomastia (growth of breast tissue in men) and subcutaneous fat and water retention.[/vc_column_text]
These problems will confront you with what is called a phenomenon of feminization.
At the top of the list of symptoms is gynecomastia.
This disorder results in the appearance of female breasts in male users.
And although this problem may lead to some mockery from your comrades, it should be taken seriously.
The symptoms are easily identifiable:
Development and tenderness of the breasts, lump under the nipple, sore breasts and, in the most severe cases, skin ulceration of the chest or blood discharge from the nipple.
Consult your doctor because the most severe symptoms can be an indicator of probable breast cancer.
For the most severe cases, reconstructive surgery may be necessary.
It is therefore important to be vigilant, especially when you know that this can be avoided in a simple and non-binding way by following supportive medication.
Gynecomastia results from a dysregulation of your hormones, an excess of estrogen caused by the aromatization of your steroids.
The degree of this aromatization depends on several factors.
- Products used
- Assays
- Protections
First of all, some anabolic steroids are subject to minor aromatization, while others have predispositions to aromatization.
So-called “light” steroids like Winstrol will not have the same tendency to aromatize as a so-called “strong” steroid like Dianabol.
In addition, it goes without saying that not respecting the dosages will expose you to this phenomenon even more.
More than that, it is to start a steroid course without thinking about the support cure.
This is compared to playing tightrope without a safety net.
And that’s where Nolvadex comes in.
It works effectively by blocking estrogen receptors, preventing the latter two from binding.
It is important to clarify the difference between Nolvadex and Proviron.
Because if these two products are used together, it is due to their complementarities.
Nolvadex does not prevent the aromatization of the steroid unlike Proviron but will take the place of estrogen at the level of the receptors thus acting as a most powerful shield.
We should also add the ability of this product to increase the natural production of Testosterone.
Its direct influence on the hypothalamus by promoting the release of HGH (human growth hormone) from the pituitary gland, which stimulates the production of testosterone in the testes.
This advantage is most interesting when you know that taking anabolic steroids reduces this natural production of Testosterone.
I would tend to place in the positive effects that Nolvadex has no or has very few negative side effects, but we will see this in the next chapter.
Negative effects of Nolvadex
The negative effects of using Nolvadex as part of a supportive course during a steroid cycle are minimal.
Adherence to the recommended dosage of 20 mg/day will generally not cause any adverse effects.
In very rare cases, nausea or hot flashes have been observed, but this remains a very small percentage.
Tons of little tricks to fight nausea if you are confronted with it, exist.
Take a sugary drink, such as a still soft drink kept at room temperature. This remedy is known to calm nausea.
Or ginger , which is one of the oldest and possibly the most effective anti-nausea remedies of all. Make an infusion: first peel a piece of rhizome, then chop or grate the equivalent of a heaping teaspoon. Steep for 10 minutes in 1 cup of boiling water, covered. You can take the infusion hot or slightly chilled. If you don’t have fresh ginger, swallow a few gingersnaps or bite into a piece of candied ginger.
Peppermint follows closely behind ginger in its effectiveness in calming the lining of the stomach. You can use store-bought sachets or the loose plant to prepare an infusion. Take a hot cup whenever you feel nauseous.
Prepare a syrup with half a cup of refined sugar and a quarter cup of water. Heat them in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Let cool to room temperature and take one or two teaspoons as needed.
However, for women users, a disruption of the menstrual cycle can occur.
Women using contraception should also be careful.
A side effect (desired or not) may appear 9 months later.
Indeed, Nolvadex being an anti-estrogen, it is logical that if you use the contraceptive pill, the estrogen contained in the pill will be fought by Nolvadex, which could, in the event of unprotected sex, lead to pregnancy.
The recommended dosage is 20 mg per day but some users with predispositions to gynecomastia or users who are on very large steroid courses can review the dosage to 30 mg or even 40 mg per day.
When Nolvadex is used in the medical field, which is therefore a completely different use and dosage than as a support cure for a steroid cycle, side effects have been observed such as a decrease in libido.
As Nolvadex in the medical environment is mainly used to fight breast cancer with high dosages, it is normal that these side effects mainly concern women.