All steroid users know the benefits that are received from using steroids. They help you to get big and to get strong. However, cycling on and off can cause a lot of problems, and therefore, open the door to many questions and potential problems. This article contains some information on post cycle therapy. You should do your own research on each topic, and be sure to consult your doctor before you start any legal post-cycle therapy routine.

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Why do we need PCT?
The cortisol levels in the body spike and your body loses a lot of water at the end of every cycle. Estrogen levels also spike. If you do not adjust your compounds, diet, training, and cardio, muscular weight achieved during the cycle will just about completely disappear. Depression, increased acne, and gynecomastia are also possible side effects of cycling if there is not an intervention.

PCT is PCT
PCT is the same every time no matter what compound you are using, or how long you use it for. There are adjustments are made for availability, as well as, size, but a family of the same two compounds, AIs and SERMs, are used every time.

Compounds
PCT contain one or two Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) and one Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). The levels and functions of them will change depending upon personal needs, and they will require added research based upon a persons needs and availability. AIs include Arimidex, Letro, Aromasin and Proviron in varying doses and times. SERMS include Clomiphene and Tamoxifen in differing doses and timing, which goes beyond f this introductory article and is based upon many factors.

Diet
When you are coming off a cycle, it is very important that you increase your calorie intake by 500 to 1000 per day. This might lead to an increase in body fat, but it is needed in order to keep the new muscle that was just added. Diet adjustments are something that is often overlooked, and the result of overlooking it can be the loss of a great deal of muscle.

Cardiovascular work
Cardiovascular work should be kept consistent by bodybuilders to make sure that body fat levels don't rise significantly. Keep your intensity at a maximum of 60 to 70%, and limit cardio sessions to no more than 3-4 per week, about 30 minutes each.

Training
It is usually realized fairly quickly during PCT that marathon training sessions are not the way to find success. Intensity should remain constant, even though there will be a drop-off in the weight that is used in workouts. If you decide to use less weight, you should consider using less rest time in between sets to make up for any loss of intensity. Overtraining can quickly become a huge concern.

Medical/Preventative
You should always get blood work done when you finish a cycle. There is a panel of liver value, testosterone levels, hemoglobin, and other listings that should be followed to ensure that you maintain good health while changing the body's natural levels.

Final Word
PCT is very important for bodybuilders who employ the use of steroids. Many bodybuilders stop cold turkey, causing them to lose all the gains they made on cycle. What is even worse is that they often end up smaller and weaker than they were when they started, and end up with terrible case of gynecomastia that can last forever. Make sure that you research post-cycle therapy and use it to make sure that you keep as much of that muscle you work hard for.