Robert Mathis NFL Suspension and Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)

By Leigh Penman
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Updated: May 20, 2014

By Leigh Penman

Clomid is not an anabolic steroid but a prescription drug dispensed to women as a fertility aid. It achieves this effect by stimulating ovulation, which is accomplished by blocking/minimizing the effects of estrogen in the body. It is this ability to block estrogen that leads to its use in post cycle therapy by bodybuilders.

Chemically speaking, Clomid is a synthetic estrogen with both agonist and antagonist properties. In certain target tissues it can block the ability of estrogen to bind with its corresponding receptor. By opposing the negative feedback of estrogens on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis it enhances the release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). This action leads to a triggering of ovulation in women.

Now at this point you may be asking what on earth a substance like this could do for male athletes. Well, the fact is that in men elevations in FSH and LH actually cause an increase in natural testosterone production. When used at the end of a steroid cycle (when natural testosterone levels are depressed) Clomid can actually prevent the dramatic loss of strength and size often experienced. This loss of strength and size is due to the fact that when testosterone levels fall, cortisol becomes the dominant hormone. Cortisol induces a catabolic state in which muscle is broken down and therefore it is extremely important that we prevent it becoming a dominant force in our post cycle metabolism.

In the case of female athletes, Clomid is sometimes used near contest time to manage endogenous estrogen levels thus leading to a reduction in body fat in ‘problem areas’ (e.g. hips, thighs). However, since women are more sensitive to estrogen manipulation it is not recommended.

DOSAGE

Male users find that 50-100mg/day for a period of four to six weeks is enough to restore natural testosterone production. Some prefer to start with 100mg, and after about ten days, reduce the dose to 50mg. Either way it should normalize testosterone levels within two weeks and should not be used for more than 4-6 weeks.

For an immediate boost in testosterone levels Clomid is often combined with HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) for the first 2 weeks. The HCG helps to restore the normal ability of the testes to respond to endogenous LH. HCG should be used for no more than 2-3 weeks in this respect and then Clomid should be continued alone for the remainder of the period of use.

It is also important to point out that when using a post cycle therapy such as Clomid one must take into account the long active life some steroids have in the system. Therefore a period of 2-3 weeks should elapse after ending use of most injectable drugs before instigating Clomid use. This allows androgen levels to diminish to a point where the body is primed to restore natural testosterone production.

SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects can include hot flashes, nausea, dizziness, headaches and temporary blurred vision. These effects are usually more pronounced in females who use this drug.

IMPORTANT NOTE

There has been a question regarding the use of Clomid during a cycle in order to reduce the formation of excess estrogen – which can lead to gynecomastia.

However, although Clomid has reportedly been used in this manner its estrogen blocking effects are considered to be weaker than Nolvadex so, with this in mind, it is probably best reserved for post cycle use.

N.B. Both Clomid and HCG (along with other estrogen management products) can be obtained from www.maximedicine.com.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com.