A blast is when you combine the use of testosterone injections with PH.
The purpose of the cruise is to keep the gains you have made before stopping test administration while also helping your body recover so that it can continue at a normal pace without Sustanon or testosterone in its system. When someone stops administering testosterone, their body will no longer produce any naturally until they can restore testosterone to normal levels again. To help ensure this does not happen before then, frequent “cruises” are sometimes recommended by health care professionals who specialize in the treatment of hypogonadism – that is, if one plans on staying on cycle for an extended period (i.e., months). The purpose of the cruise is to keep the gains you have made before stopping test administration while also helping your body recover so that it can continue at a normal pace without Sustanon or testosterone in its system. When someone stops administering testosterone, their body will no longer produce any naturally until they can restore testosterone to normal levels again. To help ensure this does not happen before then, frequent “cruises” are sometimes recommended by health care professionals who specialize in the treatment of hypogonadism – that is, if one plans on staying on cycle for an extended period (i.e., months).
The idea behind a cruise is very simple: once a certain level of total serum testosterone has been reached within the endocrine system – either by injecting or transdermally – the subsequent release of LH and FSH (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone) is temporarily turned off. When this happens, the testicles do not receive any direct signal to produce their supply of testosterone. Without any stimulation, they begin to atrophy over time gradually. But only to about half the size, they would normally be expected to shrink, thanks to the presence of exogenous testosterone in one’s system! This allows them ample time for restoration before anabolics are allowed to be discontinued; it enables one’s adrenals (small hormone-producing glands located near your kidneys) to compensate for the lost endogenous production of testosterone after your cycle.
A cruise can help maintain some gains after your cycle.
When medical treatments include the administration of supplemental exogenous hormones, suppression may occur in levels of total serum testosterone. However, during the first ten days following discontinuation, there is usually a dramatic rebound effect associated with endogenous testicular-stimulating hormones (LH and FSH), causing T-levels to skyrocket upwards of 50% compared to baseline. This “supercompensation” effect comes at a cost, though; this surge can temporarily put added stress on already stressed Leydig cells. Most notably, this results in shrinkage, which is generally only temporary since they are now forced back into an active state by LH/FSH super-compensation.
What happens if you attempt an aggressive AAS/GH/Insulin cycle?
The use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) like Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin during the post-cycle phase can help prevent this atrophic rebound effect by blocking the conversion of excess testosterone into estrogen. Whether you choose to use an AI could depend upon how important it is for you to maintain your physique after your cycle ends. If it’s not that vital, then maybe just a low dose of Nolvadex should suffice. Still, if maintaining muscle mass and strength are significant components in your overall goal, you should probably opt for something stronger – perhaps Arimidex. An AI will only block the aromatase enzyme. It won’t have any effect on your HPTA, however. Once you discontinue AIs, estrogen can rebound and eventually over-take testosterone production once again – causing the same type of suppression that it did before your cycle.
This is why guys recommend taking HCG/Clomid after an AI cycle to ensure no testicular failure happens on some forums.
What happens if you don’t take post-cycle therapy?
Suppose you do not choose to use an aromatase inhibitor. In that case, there are a few other methods that could also help avoid your body from becoming suppressed during this critical post-cycle period: SERMs like Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) work by binding directly to the estrogen receptors in your breast tissue which would block estrogen from binding to those receptors and initiating the production of certain proteins that signal to your pituitary gland down in your brain that it needs more LH/FSH. In this case, Nolvadex should be used for a minimum of 4-5 weeks at a dosage of 40mg per day – but not much longer than 12 weeks, or else you risk damaging your HPTA.
Aromatase enzyme inhibition is achieved by using anastrozole (Arimidex) or letrozole (Femara). The suppression effect on LH synthesis can last as long as three months due to the unique properties of these drugs; their long half-life makes them very effective at preventing a rebound effect after a cycle ends.
The last method is using HCG/Clomid, which has been reported to help improve recovery and restore normal HPTA function after long-term AAS use. It may have some negative side effects if used for too long, though.
Whatever you choose to do, always remember that it’s extremely important as a patient to monitor yourself closely for any signs of hypogonadism throughout the post-cycle phase because this condition could make it difficult for you to maintain your gains – not only would you be looking flat but if your LH/FSH no longer functions properly, then your body won’t even be able to produce testosterone on its own. In addition, recovery from testicular atrophy can take up to one year after the end of your cycle, depending on how much damage was done. Failure to address this could leave you looking flat and feeling weak for a very long time.
As for what you should do during the cycle itself
Take Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) like Arimidex or Letrozole with anabolic steroids – people who are prone to experiencing gynecomastia are particularly recommended to take these drugs as they lower estrogen levels significantly, preventing water retention. This is why some guys prefer getting hold of AI’s instead of SERMs because they don’t have to worry about anti-estrogenic side effects that may affect performance in the gym.
These testosterone pills contain not only testosterone-boosting ingredients but also feature aromatase inhibitors that help prevent testosterone from turning into estrogen. This makes it possible to take high dosages of the primary anabolic hormone without experiencing the feminizing effects that come with too much estrogen in your body.
Control estrogenic side effects – many people who suffer from gyno find their condition only gets worse when using steroids, especially if they’re prone to water retention. Water retention can cause even more strain on your liver and increase the risk of developing a fatty liver over time. Steroids like Dianabol can already tax your liver quite a bit because it’s not a c17 alpha alkylated oral steroid, but if you add in a lot of fat into your diet while taking Nolvadex as well, you could make things a lot worse.
In any case, the best way to prevent bloating is to drink lots of water, take 200-400mg of magnesium citrate per day, and eat more fiber. Suppose you’re going to take an aromatase inhibitor. In that case, it’s even more important that you avoid xenoestrogens – for this reason, I recommend reading XenoEstrogen: The Hidden Threat In Our Everyday Lives by Stephen Harrod Buhner.
Take liver detox supplements – some steroid users report feeling a little depressed after their cycle ends which is perfectly normal because their bodies have been deprived of testosterone for so long. There are plenty of supplements available on the market designed to help restore testosterone levels and detoxify your liver, the best of which is probably Superdrol Power PCT.
It can be bought as a stand-alone product (without taking steroids) and has been designed to help guys maintain their gains during PCT while protecting themselves against estrogenic side effects like gyno. What’s more, it also contains ingredients that will prevent your testosterone from turning into estrogen during your cycle and make sure you don’t develop a fatty liver after dosing large amounts of anabolic steroids.
Take natural supplements – Testicular atrophy is just one of the many side effects that you might experience when using steroids for prolonged periods – it’s also extremely important to take antioxidants and anti-estrogens post cycle and during your cycle. In addition to liver detox supplements, you’ll also want to take zinc, Vitamin E, and selenium, as these will help with natural testosterone production after post-cycle therapy.
You won’t have any side effects from taking these products because they’re 100% natural – I recommend reading Natural Anabolics by William Llewellyn for a more detailed list of the best supplements to take both pre and post-workout.
Take a break from using steroids – if you don’t want to experience testicular atrophy, the only way around it is to take a prolonged PCT when you finish your cycle. This means that instead of going straight back onto another steroid cycle, you should allow your body sufficient time to recuperate and restore natural testosterone production.
Bear in mind that if you decide to take a break from using steroids, you should keep training with weights and eating clean because these things will help speed up the recovery process. You won’t maintain your gains during this time, but it can help minimize muscle loss and stop your detraining.
If you’re concerned about testicular atrophy, then the best advice I can give is to talk with your doctor about taking Nolvadex throughout your cycle instead of just post cycle – many steroid users believe that only taking it post cycle it’s not effective for staving off gyno, but research has shown otherwise.
I hope this article has successfully answered your question. However, if you’re not a medical professional, I’d suggest getting an opinion from your doctor before taking any steroids, as they might have different ideas on the subject.
*note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not meant to be used as medical advice.
Like all supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional before using this product – especially if you have or suspect having cardiovascular problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, or any other problem with blood clotting such as hemophilia or long-term liver disease, kidney disease, etc. ask a doctor before use if you are taking erectile dysfunction medication – including PDE-5 inhibitors like Eregra (You may have heard of Viagra – which is just one brand name for Eregra).
Erection of the penis occurs when nitric oxide is released and binds with the guanylate-cyclase enzyme. This binding results in increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate (CMP), which relaxes smooth muscles within the corpus cavernosal, leading to the expansion of the lacunar spaces and, ultimately, an erection. PDE5 Inhibitors inhibit this process by preventing the binding of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5, allowing CMP to build up in your system and maintain a strong erection.