Posted 2023-04-24
Recovery from a course of steroids
To use steroids and then recover from the use of steroids, athletes must pay attention to both aspects of the process. Without proper recovery, the gains made during steroid use will quickly disappear. Neglecting the rules of safe withdrawal from anabolic cycles can also have negative effects on health. While no therapy can fully prevent a decrease in mass after a steroid cycle, PCT helps minimize the losses. Its goal is not to maintain muscle volume at the achieved level but to prevent natural breakdowns, restore hormonal balance, and support the body's recovery.
What causes weight loss after an anabolic course?
A healthy man produces about 5mg of testosterone per day, but taking steroids can increase that level by 20 times, leading to rapid muscle growth and better athletic performance. However, after stopping steroid use, the body is left without external support and natural testosterone levels may also be low. The purpose of PCT is to restore reproductive function and slow down catabolic processes, thus preserving muscle mass. The amount of muscle lost after stopping steroid use depends on the dosage and duration of use. The higher the dosage and longer the use, the more significant the loss. Recovery after prolonged steroid use may take up to six months, but it is essential to undergo PCT to minimize the impact of stopping steroid use.
What to do after a course of steroids?
The primary aim of PCT is to recover one's own testosterone production, ideally increasing its level after a steroid course. It is also necessary to normalize the ratio between two key hormones, testosterone and estradiol, aiming for a ratio of approximately 200-300 to 1. Additional goals of PCT include reducing cortisol levels to maintain steroid results, restoring spermatogenesis, maintaining libido, and normalizing all body systems. To successfully exit the course with minimal losses, measures to maintain muscle mass and correct the hormonal background should be taken comprehensively. After discontinuing the steroid course, it is important to stop physical activity for the first two weeks of PCT, then gradually reintroduce training with a load of 50-70%, avoiding working to failure. Continuing with high-intensity training during PCT can disrupt the treatment course, leading to muscle breakdown and unsuccessful recovery due to the body's high catabolism and lack of testosterone. Therefore, it is essential to avoid excessive fatigue by allowing adequate recovery time.
When do I start recovering from anabolic steroids?
Experts recommend that athletes should not start PCT immediately after stopping steroid injections as it can be risky. Instead, it is advised to wait until testosterone levels fall below 12 nmol/L after steroid withdrawal and then begin therapy. However, drugs that aim to block the production of prolactin and estradiol are an exception and are usually taken before or during the post-cycle therapy period. These medications are recommended to be combined with an anabolic course or taken immediately after it, especially when using steroids with high androgenic activity. There are two ways to determine when to begin recovery therapy: special tests or based on approximate data on the period of decay of substances. The first option involves doing a biochemical blood test to show the state of the liver after taking steroids and measuring hormone levels, while the second option requires knowledge of sports pharmacology to roughly determine the time to start post-course therapy based on the amount of steroid used and its breakdown. It is important to follow the instructions of specialists for reliable test results.
Testosterone recovery after a course of steroids
The primary objective of SCT is to boost the production of testosterone, which is commonly known as the "male hormone." This is achieved by administering certain SERMs, such as Anastrozole, which blocks estrogen and increases the production of endogenous testosterone, while minimizing side effects during therapy. Dostinex is another SERM that targets excessive prolactin levels, which can cause unwanted effects such as gynecomastia, potency problems, and weight gain. Clomiphene citrate, Clomid, and Tamoxifen are two other SERMs that promote rapid testosterone growth and prevent symptoms of testosterone deficiency. However, Tamoxifen should not be used after Trenbolone or Nandrolone courses due to their high risk of progestin activity. Some people mistakenly use hCG (gonadotropin) during SCT to boost testosterone production, but it is unnecessary. Gonadotropin is best used during and after anabolic drug cycles, just before SCT. Its recommended use after steroid withdrawal is five injections of 1000 IU, alternating every other day, to stimulate the gonads and aid recovery.
Additional remedies for recovery from steroids
The use of supplements can help restore and maintain hormonal balance in the body during post-cycle therapy (PCT). Zinc is an essential supplement for recovery and support of the sexual system, as its levels decrease after steroid withdrawal. L-arginine, an important amino acid, regulates sexual activity, increases testosterone and potency, and stimulates spermatogenesis. The recommended daily dose is 30-50 mg. L-arginine also aids in athletic performance and should be taken regularly at an optimal dosage of 6-10 grams per day. Spermatone is a pharmacy product that contains Zinc, L-Carnitine, and Vitamin E, which helps to restore male fertility. It should be taken for 2-3 months after PCT withdrawal and can be combined with post-course therapy. Vitamins, such as D, E, and B groups, are important for muscle tissue growth and repair, testosterone production, and metabolic processes, and can also help normalize the emotional background. D-Aspartic Acid and Eurycoma Longifolia can increase LH levels and stimulate the production of the "male hormone" while complementing the work of SERMs. Fortej and Spemann are plant analogues of Proviron that stimulate spermatogenesis and increase metabolic rates. To combat cortisol, which reduces muscle volume, anti-catabolic drugs such as androgens, insulin, growth factors, HGH Frag 176-191, Clenbuterol, Glutamine, and DSIP are recommended. These medications may have a side effect of lipolysis, an increase in fatty tissue, but can help preserve muscle definition.
Recovery of the liver after a course of steroids
Taking any medication, including anabolics, can put additional strain on the digestive gland, the liver. In order to ensure that the liver is able to perform its many functions effectively, it is important to support it with a healthy diet, especially during the recovery period after a steroid cycle. The key to this is to minimize the consumption of fatty, fried, floury, smoked and spicy foods, and maximize the intake of greens, vegetables, fruits and cereals. Pumpkin, avocado, olive oil, root vegetables, and citrus fruits are particularly beneficial for the liver. Other foods that can help in cleansing the body include green tea, nuts, cabbage, berries and apples. For extra support during recovery from steroids, one can take special liver-protective supplements such as Carsil, Heptral, Ursofalk or Essenciale Forte. The optimal course for these supplements is three months, but in most cases they are not necessary as the liver is capable of self-cleansing and self-healing. If there is mild stagnation of bile, dandelion decoction, milk thistle powder, and special herbal blends can be helpful. It is also important to increase the daily intake of clean water.
Additional recommendations for recovery from anabolic steroids
During the period of post-course therapy it is necessary to approximate your way of life to the classical scheme of organism recovery as much as possible: Eat right. Exclude fast food, trans-fats, smoked meats, fried foods, sodas, alcohol. Add fatty lard, fattening meat, fatty fish, wholemeal porridge, fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds to your diet. Pay special attention to foods containing zinc, vitamins E, D, B group. Get a good night's sleep. At least 9 hours. Foods containing magnesium will help to normalize sleep: bananas, fatty fish, brown rice, cashew nuts, spinach, figs, avocado, oatmeal, red beans. Evening walks in the fresh air, which contribute to a full night's rest, are also effective. Reduce physical activity, which should be reduced in quantity and lower in duration. It is optimal to reduce the number of classes in the gym to 2-3 per week lasting no more than 30-40 minutes. Then the load should be increased taking into account how you feel, gradually returning to the usual level. Emphasis should be placed on basic exercises, the best system is "Ful-Badie". Do a lot of walking. Long walks in nature contribute to the activation of blood flow in the groin area, psychological relief, deep sleep. But it is recommended to avoid aerobics. In case of undesirable consequences in the form of a rise in blood pressure, loss of strength, an increase in "bad" cholesterol, etc., you should act in accordance with the symptoms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the use of steroids can have significant effects on an athlete's performance, but it is crucial to pay attention to the recovery process after steroid use to prevent muscle loss and negative health impacts. Post-cycle therapy (PCT) aims to restore hormonal balance, prevent natural breakdowns, and support the body's recovery. To successfully exit a steroid course with minimal losses, athletes must take comprehensive measures to maintain muscle mass and correct the hormonal background. Recovery after prolonged steroid use may take up to six months, but with PCT, it is possible to minimize the impact of stopping steroid use. It is important to follow the instructions of specialists to ensure reliable test results and to consult with them when using additional remedies to support recovery. With proper attention to the recovery process, athletes can achieve long-lasting gains and prevent negative health effects.Customers interested in starting or finishing the course of steroids can rest assured that they can purchase everything they need in our store. We sell only genuine products sourced directly for manufacturers such as Hilma Biocare and Somatrop Lab, which you can verify on their website. If you have any questions or require assistance with purchasing the necessary items to start and complete the steroid course, our customer service team is always ready to help. Please don't hesitate to contact us for any inquiries or concerns you may have. Our team of experts is available to provide you with personalized assistance and guidance to ensure a successful and safe course. You can reach us through our website, email, or telegram, and we'll be more than happy to assist you. Moreover, we are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to expand our selection of products by incorporating offerings from Beligas and Euro-Pharmacies in the upcoming days, and our team is thrilled about this prospect.
