Nolvadex is the trade name for the drug Tamoxifen Citrate, which was first manufactured by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). Later, ICI was purchased by AstraZeneca, which is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Currently, tamoxifen is on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines because of its many different uses. Although on paper it might seem like it could be considered an aromatase inhibitor (AI), it's actually a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator).

Use in bodybuilding

In the late 80's, steroid guru Dan Duchaine speculated that nolvadex could be used to help with gynecomastia (bitch tits). Since that time, it has become popular as anti-gynecomastia treatment and for on-cycle use in guys who are gyno prone.

When gyno prone anabolic steroid users run aromatising compounds, such as testosterone or dianabol, they convert to estrogen. This can lead to puffy nipples, bloating, blood pressure, erectile dysfunction (ED) and other estrogen related sides. Nolvadex can prevent some estrogen-related side effects from occurring, and it can halt the growth of gynecomastia. However, in my opinion, using an AI is much more effective for overall estrogen control.

In practice, tamoxifen is best used to help boost LH and total testosterone. This will help you recover from a cycle, which makes it a popular choice for post cycle therapy (PCT). A clomiphene, tamoxifen combination is one of the best recovery options for most PCT regiments.

How it works for post cycle therapy (PCT)

When a user runs anabolic steroids, the pituitary realizes it's getting too much hormone, so it goes dormant. This sends your LH to near zero (0) and the body no longer produces its own testosterone; in simple terms, your natural testosterone production shuts down. So, when you come off a cycle its important to run a PCT (post cycle therapy) to help recover the bodys HPTA.

Tamoxifen does not mimic the LH in the body, rather it stimulates the hypophysis to release more gonadotropins. Gonadotropins are protein hormones that are secreted by gonadotrope cells of the pituitary gland and stimulate faster and higher release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). When this happens, the rise in LH will spike up the total testosterone levels allowing a smooth post cycle therapy (PCT). As a result, this will help you minimize any losses in muscle gains until your own body is able to recover.

Interestingly, tamoxifen works just like clomiphene, by stopping estrogen from going into the pituitary, which manipulates it into producing LH. In turn, it then signal the leydig cells to produce testosterone. Many users of nolvadex have run blood work showing LH levels rise from 0 to over 10iu, which is above the normal referenced range for an adult male. As a result of this, your testosterone levels go up.

It is important to remember these testosterone spikes are temporary while on the drug. Once you come off, levels will normalize and, with the foreign hormones out of your body, the users HPTA will be able to recover on its own.