Nolvadex 101

Nolvadex is a selective estrogen receptor module (SERM). It prevents estrogen from binding to receptors, specifically in the breast tissue.

This DOES NOT MEAN that estrogen levels do not still become elevated in the body from certain steroids, specifically estrogenic compounds that cause gynecomastia and water retention.

What About Tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen is the same thing as Nolvadex. Tamoxifen is the trade name. Nolvadex is the compound name.

Many liquid forms or Nolvadex go by the name “Tamoxifen Citrate” rather than “liquid Nolvadex.”

How to Choose the Best PCT/Estrogen Control Compound

Sometimes it’s hard to know if you need a SERM such as Nolvadex or if you need an Aromatase Inhibitor.

Nolvadex simply keeps estrogen at bay but does not prevent the formation of the estrogen from occurring.

This is where much of the confusion comes when choosing between a Selective Estrogen Receptor Module (SERM) or an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI).

Some of my suggestions on proactive forms of estrogen suppression and post cycle recovery may seem contradictory. What you need to understand is that what I would suggest to someone is based off of two things:

  1. What compounds they’re using
  2. How much they’re using

For example, most men using 25-50 mg/day of Dbol will find that Nolvadex is enough to keep side effects such as gynecomastia away. A small percentage of users would probably need something stronger such as an aromatase inhibitor.

Why Is Nolvadex a Popular PCT/Recovery Product?

There are many studies that show Nolvadex to be inferior to aromatase inhibitors DURING CYCLE and at suppression of estrogen, BUT SUPERIOR in stimulating the HPTA axis and restoring testicular function/natural testosterone production.

This is why you’ll occasionally see post cycle therapy protocols with BOTH Nolvadex as well as an AI (aromatase inhibitor such as Arimadex, Aromasyn, Arimistane).

Nolvadex is in the picture to speed up recovery while the AI is in the equation to knock any estrogen formation down and keep estrogen from circulating throughout the body.

What’s the Best Nolvadex Dosage?

A standard dosage of Nolvadex with most moderate cycles would be something like 10mg per day. If someone was using a cycle or testosterone and Dianabol then 10 mg per day is almost always enough to suffice.

HOWEVER, is Nolvadex the best product to use in this case? Not really.

My Personal Thoughts on Nolvadex

The most common questions I get asked on the site pertain to anti-estrogens, aromatase inhibitors and post cycle therapy.

I thought it’d be easiest to break down these ancillary compounds individually into easy to read articles and help clear some of the confusion when it comes to these products.

Nolvadex has it’s place for guys who cannot get their hands on HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) or an AI, but it’s simply not as good as AI’s are nowadays.

Nolva is kind of an outdated compound and there are a host of newer and more effective products that keep water retention down and prevent gyno.

Nolvadex a dinosaur product that I’d only use if I couldn’t acquire anything else (like a good aromatase inhibitor).

What’s better than Nolvadex (and legal)?

When it comes to estrogen suppression, there’s a legal alternative to Nolvadex that I feel is better. It’s an aromatase inhibitor called Arimistane.

What is an Aromatase Inhibitor?

An aromatase inhibitor is an ancillary product that prevents the formation of estrogen to begin with.

SERMs vs AIs

What you need to know;

  • a SERM (selective estrogen receptor module) will prevent estrogen binding (Nolvadex is a SERM)
  • an aromatase inhibitor will prevent estrogen

What’s the best AI (Aromatase Inhibitor)?

I use Arimistane and it definitely works!

Arimistane is a newer synthetic version of Arimadex. It does does everything that an AI such as Arimadex or Aromasyn does while on cycle and during recovery.

Arimistane is good for keeping water weight down as well and giving your muscles a harder look during cycle and during recovery.

Even guys who are not using steroids may have elevated estrogen levels. It’s even more common if your body-fat levels are higher than average!

You can even use Arimistane as standalone product for elevating testosterone levels and decreasing estrogen levels.

Arimistane vs Arimadex

Arimistane is so effective that I don’t even bother using Arimadex anymore alongside my testosterone replacement therapy.

Although I’m prescribed Arimadex by my Dr., my insurance won’t pay for it and the cost of it is absolutely ridiculous!

I simply use JUST ENOUGH Arimistane to keep my estrogen in check (usually only 3-4 pills per week) and the bloodwork I get doesn’t lie.

Arimistane straight up kicks ass and it can be used during a cycle as well as recovery from a cycle.

Arimistane Dosage

The dosage really all depends on how much of what you are using.

A common dosing protocol is simply:

  • 1 capsule per day DURING cycle, and
  • 3 capsules per day DURING recovery (after your cycle of steroids or SARMs is discontinued)

WHAT IF I WERE TO STILL USE NOLVADEX ON CYCLE AND FOR RECOVERY?

Here is a Sample Steroid Cycle That Includes Nolvadex for Recovery.

Weeks 1 – 12: 500 mg/week of Testosterone Cypionate, 10 mg/day of Nolvadex

Weeks 1 – 6: 25 mg/day of Dianabol (discontinue after 6 weeks and run test out until 12 weeks, continue on Nolvadex at 10 mg/day, if sex drive goes down then drop to 10 mg every other day)

POST CYCLE THERAPY (PCT)

Continue on Nolvadex as you normally would upon ending the cycle (10 mg/day, if you dropped back to 10 mg every other day then resume 10 mg everyday at this point).

Do this two weeks after your last testosterone injection:

  • Increase Nolvadex to 30 mg/day for one week
  • Then 20 mg/day the following week
  • Then 10 mg/day for the last week

CLOMID – begin Clomid 2 weeks after your last testosterone injection and use 50 mg/day for 20 days.

HCG – HCG is always a better option to help restore HPTA function (hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis) but not everyone has access to HCG. If you can acquire HCG then in that case I would use 2,500 iu per week, and substitute Arimistane for the Nolvadex.

In this case the HCG is superior to Nolva in helping restore HPTA, therefore I would ditch the Nolvadex and use Arimistane alongside HCG.

Wrapping It All Up On Nolvadex

Honestly speaking Nolva is just an outdated addition to a cycle or post cycle recovery stack.

If I was given the choice to either suppress circulating levels of estrogen with a SERM like Nolvadex or to prevent estrogen to begin with using an AI…

I would choose to prevent estrogen in the first place and use an AI.

I’m not saying that Nolvadex isn’t enough to keep things at bay for most guys and moderate cycles, but it’s not the best choice!

PCT HARD!- JD

Straight from the Underground ebook

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68 thoughts on “Nolvadex 101”

  1. Any experience with raloxifene? Thought about checking out to reduce some gyno. I have an allergy to anesthesia (could die) so surgery is something I have to use as a last resort.

    Reply
    • This is one area I do not have experience in, I’m sorry but I only speak about what I know of, good luck to you-JD

      Reply
    • You are doing amazing work! Thanks for sharing your wonderful posts. This is how I run my PCT for my 4 weeks 👍. Both Clomid and Nolvadex are beneficial in there own ways for pct. Clomid 100/100/50/50mg, Nolva 40/40/20/20mg.
      So happy I could get Clomid and Nolva whenever I wanted. I just search in Google for “GETPCT365” ❤️. Just found they have Letro, Raloxifene and Arimidex. Has anyone used them for PCT?

      Reply
  2. I’ve been using arimistane for quite sometime during my TRT cruise and also full-on blast cycles. I always look dry and hard with it no matter what compounds I’m using. I’ve had no issues with gyno or even the beginnings of it in any way.
    Also, from what I’ve researched, arimistane is considered a class 1 inhibitor. This means it permanently binds with the aromatase enzyme and doesn’t release it even when discontinued. Arimidex is a class 2 inhibitor and doesn’t permanently bind with the enzyme and can cause a rebound effect when stopped. Correct me if I’m wrong.

    Reply
    • Let me look into that one more. But Arimistane is badass, like I’ve said before I have replaced my arimadex with it and it’s super effective

      Reply
          • Thanks, how long should it take for test to turn into estrogen? Before that I was taking creatine , ashwaganda, ginger root , protein and pre workout dust x . Sorry for all the questions, and thank you

          • Im on 500mg of test cyp a week with 50mg of anavar a day. I am not experiencing any gyro but I am having erectile dysfunction problems. I have Nolvadex and clomid on hand but no AI. I think this is a sign that my estrogen levels are very high. do you recommend I get my hands on arimidex, arimistane, or HCG?

          • Adex is best of you can get it. I would begin 20mg nolvadex daily in the meantime until you get adex, then switch to 1mg daily adex x 1 week straight, then .5mg daily the following week. .5 3x per week is the dose you would want to go to after things are under control, at least till labs. Once labs are in range then .5 twice per week would suffice, or maybe none at all. Very person specific that one. Protocol I’m giving you is just to get it down quickly

    • I wouldn’t say serious results by any means, it can help stimulate leutinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, but to run it solo is sort of pointless. It’s purpose is to prevent estrogen binding at male breast tissue sites, if you’re not running a cycle I just don’t see much point to it. An AI (aromatase inhibitor) on the other hand is effective when ran solo. It lowers estrogen and can raise testosterone, this is what Red PCT does which is why I recommend using it even solo at 1-2 caps per day

      Reply
    • I don’t understand the question. You should be complimenting other things such as prohormones with nolvadex, not complimenting nolvadex with other things

      Reply
  3. Hey John Doe, great articles!
    Here’s my problem, I was on a test e and deca cycle 600/wk each. My mentor suggest hcg and nolvadex 20mg/day for pct for 40 days, After about 4 weeks I had a difficult time getting and maintaining erections and zero sex drive, And I just realized I’m getting perky bitch tits so I stopped my pct at 4 1/2 weeks. My estrogen levels must be elevated. What would you recommend? Maybe start an AI? My natural test levels are also on the low side.

    Reply
    • HCG can cause estrogen elevation during use, nolvadex will keep estrogen from binding but will not prevent formation of it. My advice at this point would be to use letrozole to try and bring it down. Also, deca can cause prolactin elevation and an AI will not counter this, you need a prolactin antagonist such as cabergoline. So there are 2 issues at hand here and you need to pinpoint which one it is. Is it elevated estrogen or elevated prolactin? So my best advice would be to attack both. I would use letro at 2.5mg per day for 10 days and cabergoline at .25mg 2-3x weekly for 10 days. At that point there SHOULD BE SOME IMPROVEMENT. Once it’s knocked down you want to continue on letro and caber but at a less aggressive dose, say .25mg caber 1-2x/wk and 1.5mg letro twice weekly. Once it’s down and STAYS DOWN you can discontinue the ancillary drugs. I wish I could say exactly the issue for you, but it’s going to be 1 of the 2 and without bloodwork all I can do is provide a failsafe protocol to combat both until it subsides -JD

      Reply
    • Yea, it can cause you to crash your estrogen levels. When estrogen is too low it’s not good for you. No use at all to use both during a cycle, stick to adex exclusively. However, both can be used for PCT since nolva stimulates hpta axis better than adex, but adex will keep estrogen from converting where nolvadex just keeps it from binding to breast tissue receptors

      Reply
  4. Hi what would you recommend as a good pct for a first time user i get conflicted on what to use thinking just clomid would work fine is there any need for another

    Reply
  5. Hi John,

    I’m 34, first cycle.. 9 weeks of Cyp at 250mg pw, going well, I’m 3 weeks in….

    Want to add Var from week 4, for remainding 5 weeks at 40mg ed.

    Re PCT – Does the below sound like a plan..

    Been advised to take 36 days after last Cyp injection before starting PCT of Clomid/Nolva for 3 weeks. My question is the time frame I’ve been advised to wait of 36 days before starting my PCT, is this good advice?…

    Want to do this properly hence why I’m asking you.

    Thanks bro!

    Reply
  6. I was on my 5th week of dbol/ test prop/ deca/ equipoise cycle abs sustained a horrible auto injury where I won’t be able to workout my legs for 8 weeks. I’ve decided to just stop the cycle and go back on when Health is 100%. Question? Is a PCT even needed for such a short cycle? I only took dbol for the first 4 weeks. I have Nova on hand but was wondering if just a natural testosterone booster would be equally as efficient, being that I am only into my 5th week and stopping. May info would be appreciated.

    Reply
  7. Hi john im a few days in a cycle of 500mg test enathate 250mg monday and thursday and 40mg dianabol a day im on my fourth day would you advise starting nolvadex now? And how long should i run it for etc? Is it 10mg nolva everyday? How long can you run nolvadex for? Also what is best for coming off a cycle clomid?

    Reply
    • 10mg daily starting now would be good. Run it throughout the dbol, 1 week after dbol and still into test I would drop to 10mg every other day unless you absolutely need to use it daily, but keep to daily during dbol. Clomid is fine, if you can run some HCG eith it at 1250iu twice a wk x 2 wks even better (5,000 iu in 2 wks) best of luck -JD

      Reply
  8. Hi, using test prop only 300-350mg a week, this is my first cycle.
    I’m just paranoid of gyno, I’m currently taking nolvadex 10mg every day (arimadex and AI are not available here).
    Should I keep Nolva at 10 or increase it to 20mg everyday just to be extra safe.
    Thank you

    Reply
  9. Hey John
    What are the starting signs of gyno? What does it feel like when it starts to develop(sensation)?
    Currently on a test only cycle (300-350mg) per week

    Reply
  10. Can nolva be used on cycle for chest fat and gyno ? (Dosages and duration ??) I’m on 500 boldi and 500 sus , with one pill of Xtane every day .. Coz I have a major chest fat and gyno issue .. age 34 years

    Reply
      • Thank you so much, I have a concern so I was cycle rad/Lgd/laxogenin for 6 I was taking letrozol at 40mg however I have an issue with gyno not as bad But have had gyno problems for a minute thought omfat around my nipple so I took Nova on cycle at 40 mg with just rad 140 at 15mg for my last week ……And now for my pct am taking nova at 40 mg but it seems like gyno getting worse how do I stop this can I take just 20mg nova how do I get back on track from rebound

        Reply
        • it sounds like your nolvadex is fake. I don’t understand how it was even worse while using nolvadex. Go back on letro and schedule a surgery to get rid of the tissue and glands altogether, you won’t get rid of it permanently by just taking an AI or SERM

          Reply
  11. Hi, read an article of yours recently on running Arimistane solo, to reduce Estrogen and Cortisol and simultaneously increase test. Could you remind me of your recommended protocol (dose, split, duration, taper on/off etc)

    Reply
  12. I got some liquid nolvadex since I am horrible at swallowing tablets! How many ml should I take everyday and for how long? I am doing an 8 wk cycle of test! Thanks

    Reply
    • Very individual specific, but 10/day is a good place to start, permitting you are doing something like 500/wk test

      Reply
  13. On 500 mg of test c nipples were sore now I have some lumps, I have aromasin 12.5 and I have nolva 20 . What do I take to reverse this? And during the rest of cycle?

    Reply
  14. 4 days ago I started aromasin 12.5 once a day and nolva 20 every 12 hours. What should I be doing? I have soreness and a bit of lumps , on 500 of test c

    Reply
    • Bump the aromasin to 25mg daily for a week and see if that doesn’t help. On the nolva I feel 20mg every 12 hrs is a lot, the adex should handle the issue on its own. Maybe include the 20mg nolva once daily x 1 week and then lower to 10/day

      Reply
  15. Thank you so much.when problem goes away, While on 500 a week would aromasin 12.5 every other day be enough or too much?

    Reply
  16. Hey John Doe,
    I’m currently running about 700-750mg Test Cyp weekly,getting ready to switch over to something like 500mg Sustanon/200mg Deca weekly. I’ve been running the test for awhile,12 weeks at least. I think I’m beginning to see slight gyno. I can get Adex,Nolvadex,Aromasin,Clomid,Letrozole,and Cabergolin…..which of those would you recommend as best to begin running going forward to avoid any gyno issues? Thanks man,you’re doing good things here.

    Reply
    • Arimadex. Sustanon is a bad choice if you are gyno prone (the longer esters in there aromatize easier). In the future keep test 500mg or less, take an AI the entire cycle. Thanks for following – JD

      Reply
  17. Hi JD at the moment im running 1000mg test a week, its a mixture also running 50mg anadrol per day. I have run A-bombs at 100mg a day before but the gyno was VERY bad, fixed it with adex 1mg a day and nolva up to 50mg a day. Now im running a lower dose but how will I keep estrogen at bay…. if heard adex doesn’t work for Androl gyno but nolva does. So how much nolva should i run during cyle? What do you recomend?

    Reply
  18. I’m on 50mg of dianobol a day what’s the best pct and do I take it during the cycle or after I’ve finished the cycle also would I need arimidex. Cheers

    Reply
  19. Hi john im currently on my first cycle, started yesterday with 250mg test enathate and 20 mg oxandrolone, will be raising +10mg of oxa every week until i hit 40 mg for 8 weeks test will remain the same for 10 weeeks, i user 20mg of nolva yesterday should i use instead 10mg daily for the entire 10 weeks of the cycle, then use 30/20/10 for the 3 upcoming weeks? How can i improve my pct? Thanks a lot

    Reply
    • 10/day should be enough, 20/day is probably overkill on just 250mg/wk of test e, the anavar doesn’t aromatize so that’s not an issue. For PCT your plan is fine, I would try to get some HCG if I could but it’s not a dealbreaker or anything, thanks for following -JD

      Reply
  20. Hi mate I’ve got back on a cycle recently, running test p and tren a 3ml a week along side 4iu a day of hgh I had surgery last year to get gyno removed and never had any problems till this cycle started getting the sore nipple on right side and can feel a bit of gyno running nolva alongside it and 1 letro a week was advised to take the nolva only on the days I jab so Monday Wednesday Friday any advice

    Reply
    • if its prolactin gyno (which most likely is using tren) then those AI’s aren’t going to do much, you need to use cabergoline or pramipixole

      Reply
  21. Hi John doe bodybuilder
    Questions I’m about to start my next cycle of test and npp with anavar at the end I currently take Adex on Cruise at .5 a week. I have nolvadex, adex and cabergoline. 25 on deck i was thinking .5 adex eod n 10mg nolvadex 3x a wk with caber .25 every 7days

    Reply

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