Anti Estrogens

Anti-estrogens work in a few basic ways. The first is to block the estrogen receptor itself. This is known as a second line inhibitor because estrogen is allowed to be produced, it is just blocked at the receptor. This occurs by the anti-estrogenic drug fitting into the estrogen receptor, and “taking its parking space”. When the original estrogen comes along, it can no longer fit into the receptor. Examples of second line inhibitor drugs would be clomid or nolvadex. Both of these drugs are actually estrogens, they are just so weak that they do not elicit any of the negative effects of the true estrogen, and thereby, block the negative estrogenic effects. These are also two of the most known drugs since the athletic usage of anabolic steroids began.

First line inhibitors are drugs such as arimidex and proviron. Although these two drugs are from different chemical classes, they are both first line inhibitors. Proviron is actually a steroid with zero direct anabolic activity. As we will soon describe, proviron has other benefits aside from its anti-estrogenic activity. It is used clinically to replace androgens in the male for the purpose of sex drive and virility. Arimidex is a drug which is a chemical antagonist. For the purpose of estrogen talk, we can consider first line inhibitors and chemical antagonists to be the same. What is meant by this, is, the estrogen is inhibited at site of production, not at the receptor. Both arimidex and proviron will bind to the aromatase enzyme and render it inactive. Without the aromatase enzyme the body cannot convert various anabolics into estrogen. Estrogen is essentially blocked at its root, where it is originally produced.

Nolvadex

Nolvadex is one of the most well known anti-estrogens. It is also one of the oldest and most popular medications for breast cancer victims, which is the text book clinical use for this drug. Nolvadex is actually a weak estrogen and will bind to the estrogen receptor. The receptor is then occupied and when the normal and stronger estrogen floats by the receptor, it has no where to “park”.

Clomid

As we’ve stated above, clomid is more effective at restoring natural testosterone production. Everything you read about these two drugs seems to offer the same info. I will afford you with something different. For anti-estrogen protection, nolvadex is probably a little stronger. Its chemical structure makes for a slightly more potent anti-estrogen. I have yet to see any quality literature which describes the affinity for either drug at the estrogen receptor. Clomid after all, is also a weak estrogen.

Arimidex

Arimidex is called a chemical inhibitor of estrogen. Actually, it is a chemical inhibitor of the enzyme aromatase. Arimidex has a high affinity (liking for) for the aromatase enzyme. As we’ve said before, it is aromatase that converts various drugs into their estrogenic metabolite that can bind to the estrogen receptor and bring about side effects. Arimidex is an effective anti-estrogen and had a great deal of popularity when physique athletes began to get a hold of it.

Proviron

Proviron or Pro-v is an interesting drug. Proviron is technically a steroid. Proviron has no anabolic activity though. Its clinical use is to replace androgen content in the male for men who are being treated for low sperm count and also low sex drive. For the purpose of fertility, pro-v is also combined with many other drugs. For our purposes, think of it as a dual drug for zilching out estrogen as well as offering some insurance against a loss of libido during your cycles. This is an awesome benefit. Personally I have used pro-v with a deca only cycle when trying to stay away from test (I am an androgen head), and pro-v did a noticeable job at keeping my sex drive up to where it usually is when I am on test. It was able to accomplish this great feat with only one, 50mg tab a day. I used IP’s little yellow tabs. Don’t know if you’ve seen them but they are great. To be truthful, I don’t really know if they are made anymore. Either way, 50mg of a legit pro-v per day will offer you great assurance in sustaining your libido. I realize that I speak of this often, but it is key to being able to enjoy your cycles and I find it is also closely related to appetite. This is completely anecdotal but when the sex drive is high, the appetite tends to be high, and you can grow much better with less anabolic steroids. I would trade a ravenous appetite any day over being on a ton of juice with no appetite when bulking and mass is the goal. It is the food after all, that allows the juice to work its magic.