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Nolvadex
Nolvadex This remedy is somewhat different from others since it
is not an anabolic /androgenic steroid. For male and female
bodybuilders, however, it is a very useful and recommended
compound which is confirmed by its widespread use and mostly
positive results. Nolvadex belongs to the group of sex hormones
and is a so-called antiestrogen. The normal application of
Nolvadex is in the treatment of certain forms of breast cancer
in female patients. With Nolvadex it is possible to reverse an
existing growth process of deceased tissue and prevent further
growth. The growth of certain tissues is stimulated by the
body's own estrogen hormone. This is especially true for the
breast glands in men and women since the body has a large number
of estrogen receptors at these glands which can bond with the
estrogens present in the blood. If the body's own estrogen level
is unusually high an undesired growth of breast glands occurs.
However, in healthy women and particularly in men this is not
the case. Despite this, it is mostly male bodybuilders who use
Nolvadex, and fewer women. At first sight this seems somewhat
inconceivable but when taking a closer look, the reasons are
clear. Bodybuilders who take Nolvadex also use anabolic steroids
at the same time. Since most steroids aromatize more or less
strongly, i.e. part of the substance is converted into
estrogens, male bodybuilders can experience a significant
elevation in the normally very low estrogen level. This can lead
to feminization symptoms such as gynecomastia (growth of breast
glands), increased fat deposits and higher water retention.
The antiestrogen Nolvadex works against this by blocking the
estrogen receptors of the effected body tissue, thereby
inhibiting a bonding of estrogens and receptor. It is, however,
important to understand that Nolvadex does not prevent the
aromatization but only acts as an estrogen antagonist. This
means that it does not prevent testosterone and its synthetic
derivatives (steroids) from converting into estrogens but only
fights with them in a sort of "competition''for the estrogen
receptors. This characteristic has the disadvantage that after
the discontinuance of Nolvadex a "rebound effect" can occur
which means that the suddendly freed estrogen receptors are now
able to absorb the estrogen present in the blood. For this
reason the combined intake of Proviron is suggested. Nolvadex is
also useful during a diet since it helps in the burning of fat.
Although Nolvadex has no direct fatburning effect its
antiestrogenic effect contributes to keeping the estrogen level
as low as possible. Nolvadex should especially be taken together
with the strong androgenic steroids Dianabol (D-bol) and
Anadrol, and the various testosterone compounds. Athletes who
have a tendency to retain water and who have a mammary
dysfunction should take Nolvadex as a prevention during every
steroid intake. Since Nolvadex is very effective in most cases
it is no wonder that several athletes can take Anadrol and
Dianabol (D-bol) until the day of a competition, and in
combination with a diruretic still appear totally ripped in the
limelight. Those who already have a low body fat content will
achieve a visibly improved muscle hardness with Nolvadex.
Several bodybuilders like to use Nolvadex at the end of a
steroid cycle since it increases the body s own testosterone
production which will be discussed in more detail in the
following-to counteract the side effects caused by the
estrogens. These can occur after the discontinuance of steroids
when the androgen level in relationship to the estrogen
concentration is too low and estrogen becomes the dominant
hormone. A very rare but all the more serious problem of
Nolvadex is that, in some cases it does not lower the estrogen
level but can increase it.
Another disadvantage is that it can weaken the anabolic effect
of, some steroids. The reason is that Nolvadex, as we know,
reduces the estrogen level. The fact is, however, that certain
steroids especially the various testosterone compounds-can only
achieve their full effect if the estrogen level is sufficiently
high. Those who are used to the intake of larger amounts of
various steroids do not have to worry about this. Athletes
however, who predominantly use mild steroids such as Primobolan
Depot, Winstrol, Anavar, and Deca Durabolin should carefully
consider whether or not they should take Nolvadex since, due to
the compound's already moderate anabolic cffect, an additional
loss af effect could take place, leading to unsatisfying
results.
A rarely observed but welcome characteristic of Nolvadex is that
it has a direct influence on the hypothalamus and thus, by an
increased release of gonadotropine, it stimulates the
testosterone production in the testes. This does not result in a
tremendous but still a measurable increase of the body's own
testosterone. This effect, however, is not sufficient to
significantly increase the testosterone production reduced by
anabolic /androgenic steroids.
The side effects of Nolvadex are usually low in dosages of up to
30 mg/day. In rare cases nausea, vomiting, hot flashes,
numbness, and blurred vision can occur. In women irregular
menstrual cycles can occur which manifest themselves in weaker
menstrual bleeding or even complete missing of a period. Women
should also be careful not to get pregnant while taking
Nolvadex. It is important for female athletes that Nolvadex and
the "pill" not be taken together since the antiestrogen Nolvadex
and the estrogen-containing pill negatively countereffect each
other.The normal daily dosage taken by athletes corresponds more
or less to the dosage indications of the manufacturer and is
10-30 mg/day. To prevent estrogenic side effects normally 10
mg/day are sufficient, a dosage which also Keeps low the risk of
reducing the effect of simultaneously-taken steroids. Often it
is sufficient if the athlete begins this preventive intake of
Nolvadex only three to four weeks after the intake of anabolics.
Athletes who have tendencies toward gynecomastia, strong water
retention, and increased fat deposits with steroids such as
Dianabol (D-bol), Testoviron Depot, Anadrol, and Deca Durabolin
usually take 20-30 mg/day. The combined application of Nolvadex
20-30 mg/day and Proviron 25-50 mg/day in these cases leads to
excellent results. The same is true for athletes who are in
competition, and for women. Women, however should do without the
intake of Proviron or at least reduce the dose to one 25 mg
tablet per day. Unfortunately, in most cases, a very pronounced
gynecomastia ("bitch tits") cannot be reduced by taking Nolvadex
so that often surgery is required, surgery which is not paid for
by health insurance. First signs of a possible gynecomastia are
light pain when touching the nipples. The tablets are usuall
taken 1-2x daily, swallowed whole without chewing, with some
liquid during meals.
Nolvadex unfortunately is a very expensive compound. Some
examples: In Germany one hundred 20 mg tablets cost $ l92 (Red
List 1995). Since the generic compounds (see list of various
trade names) usually at a lower price- are of the same quality
than the trade name Nolvadex, athletes often prefer generics.
The less expensive tamoxifen-citrate compound in Germany is
Tamoxasta by Astamedica Company. One hundred 20 mg tablets, in
comparison, cost $ 107 (Red List 1995). In Spain the prices are
fixed by the government and it makes no difference whether it is
an original Nolvadex or a generic compound. One hundred 20 mg
tablets cost approx. $60 in Spain. In Greece the same quantity
costs about $85. The athlete should look for the 20 mg version
since, from its price, it is the most economical. On the black
market mostly the foreign Nolvadex can be found costing about $2
- 3 per 20 mg tablet. Original Nolvadex tablets can be easily
identified since, on the front, ICI (name of the manufacturer)
is stamped and, on the back, the name "Nolvadex". Most of the
time the tablet strength is also imprinted. Ten tablets are
included in an unusually large push-through strip. The American
Nolvadex can rarely be found on the black market. In the U.S.
original Nolvadex is packaged by the manufacturer, ICI Pharma,
in small, white plastic boxes with a child-proof screw cap. So
far there are no fakes of Nolvadex and its generic products.
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