Best PCT (Post Cycle Therapy): Complete Guide for Every Cycle Scenario

Post cycle therapy (PCT) is a crucial step for anyone who has completed a cycle of anabolic androgenic steroids, prohormones, or selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). The goal of post cycle therapy is to help restore the body’s natural testosterone production, hormone levels, and overall endocrine balance after the suppression caused by performance enhancing drugs. Without an effective cycle therapy plan, users may experience low libido, fat gain, mood swings, and a decline in muscle gains that were achieved during the cycle.

The best PCT protocol varies depending on the compounds used, the length of the cycle, and the individual’s response to steroid use or other performance enhancing drug regimens. This guide covers the best PCT strategies for four common scenarios, including steroid cycles, testosterone cycles, prohormones, and performance enhancing drugs like RAD 140. We’ll focus on evidence-backed compounds such as Enclomiphene Citrate, Arimistane, TUDCA, 6-OXO tablets, and combination approaches like Arimistane and Enclomiphene to ensure optimal recovery, support natural hormone balance, and restore hormonal balance effectively.

Best PCT Cycle After Steroids

Finishing an anabolic steroid or anabolic androgenic steroid cycle often leaves the body in a hormonally suppressed state. These compounds can significantly inhibit the body’s ability to produce endogenous testosterone, leading to low testosterone levels, elevated estrogen levels, and symptoms like water retention, mood swings, and reduced training intensity.

A post cycle therapy PCT for a steroid cycle should prioritize restarting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis to resume natural hormone production. Clomiphene citrate has been a traditional choice for post cycle therapy, but recent evidence suggests Enclomiphene Citrate—a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)—may be even more effective in stimulating luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, both critical for testosterone production in the context of selective estrogen receptor modulators .

For users coming off anabolic steroid use, pairing Enclomiphene Citrate with Arimistane provides a two-pronged approach: stimulating the testes while also working to block estrogen receptors and control estrogen levels. This helps reduce the negative effects of elevated estrogen levels, such as fat gain and water retention.

Additionally, liver health should not be overlooked, especially if the cycle involved oral anabolic steroids. Incorporating TUDCA and other pct supplements supports liver protection and helps maintain overall health during recovery.

A sample pct protocol for a steroid-based cycle therapy may look like this:

• Enclomiphene Citrate: 12.5–25 mg daily for several weeks
• Arimistane: 25–50 mg daily to manage hormonal balance
• TUDCA: 250–500 mg daily for liver protection

This combination helps support natural testosterone production, manage estrogen receptors, and promote optimal health after the last dose of the cycle.

Best PCT For Testosterone Cycle

Even a testosterone-only cycle, whether short or long, can lead to significant suppression of natural testosterone levels. While the compound itself is bioidentical, exogenous testosterone sends feedback to the pituitary gland to reduce the production of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, resulting in suppressed endogenous testosterone output.

For a post cycle therapy protocol after a testosterone cycle, the focus should be on quickly restoring testosterone levels to normal levels to preserve lean muscle, improve energy levels, and maintain peak performance.

Here, Enclomiphene Citrate remains the top choice for reactivating the HPG axis. Studies on male patients and male patients actively recovering from anabolic androgenic steroid use show that clomid works, but Enclomiphene may yield fewer adverse effects like blurred vision compared to traditional clomiphene citrate.

Combining Arimistane with Enclomiphene in a pct protocol not only stimulates natural testosterone but also controls estrogen levels, reducing the risk of mood swings and fat gain. TUDCA may not always be essential unless oral compounds or hepatotoxic prescription drugs were part of the cycle during anabolic androgenic steroid use .

Recommended post cycle therapy supplements for a testosterone cycle:

• Enclomiphene Citrate: 12.5–25 mg daily for 4–6 weeks
• Arimistane: 25 mg every other day to maintain hormonal balance
• Optional: TUDCA for liver protection if other prescribed medications were used alongside testosterone

Following this cycle therapy helps maintain muscle gains, strength gains, and supports muscle recovery while avoiding a sudden drop in testosterone levels.

Best PCT For Prohormones

Prohormones are precursors to active anabolic steroids and are known for their ability to deliver substantial strength gains and muscle gains in a short period. However, they also cause a notable suppression of natural hormone production, sometimes as severe as that from anabolic steroid use.

When finishing a first cycle or a more advanced run with prohormones, users should be aware that these compounds often increase estrogen levels while suppressing testosterone production. This makes it critical to start post cycle therapy immediately after the last dose.

A post cycle therapy PCT for prohormones should ideally include both Arimistane and Enclomiphene Citrate. Arimistane is particularly effective here as a selective estrogen receptor modulator because it works to lower elevated estrogen levels, while Enclomiphene boosts natural testosterone output.

Because many prohormones are liver-toxic, liver protection is essential. TUDCA should be a staple in this pct protocol to maintain physical health and optimal health during recovery.

Example cycle therapy plan for prohormones:

• Enclomiphene Citrate: 12.5 mg daily for several weeks
• Arimistane: 25–50 mg daily to restore hormonal balance
• TUDCA: 500 mg daily for liver protection

This approach minimizes the negative effects of prohormones, supports natural hormone balance, and safeguards overall health for fitness enthusiasts seeking peak performance in future cycles.

Best PCT For RAD 140

RAD 140, also known as Testolone, is one of the most potent selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). While it is not an anabolic steroid, RAD 140 is still a performance enhancing drug that can suppress testosterone production and disrupt hormonal balance. Many fitness enthusiasts underestimate the need for post cycle therapy after RAD 140, which can lead to low libido, fat gain, and reduced training intensity.

A pct protocol after RAD 140 should focus on restoring natural testosterone levels while avoiding unnecessary prescription drugs. Because RAD 140 does not aromatize into estrogen, Arimistane is not always essential unless estrogen rebound is suspected. The primary focus should be on Enclomiphene Citrate to stimulate luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, reigniting endogenous testosterone output.

If the RAD 140 cycle included other performance enhancing drugs or hepatotoxic compounds, TUDCA is recommended for liver protection.

A streamlined post cycle therapy protocol for RAD 140:

• Enclomiphene Citrate: 12.5–25 mg daily for 4–6 weeks
• Optional: TUDCA for liver protection if needed
• Lifestyle focus on lowering stress levels, improving sleep, and supporting recovery to ensure natural hormone production stabilizes

This method helps maintain lean muscle, prevent fat gain, and encourage full hormonal restoration for peak performance in subsequent training blocks.

Conclusion

Whether you are coming off a steroid cycle, a testosterone regimen, prohormones, or selective androgen receptor modulators like RAD 140, choosing the right post cycle therapy is essential for harm reduction, maintaining overall health, and ensuring long-term peak performance.

Across all scenarios, Enclomiphene Citrate stands out as the most effective option for reactivating natural testosterone production. Arimistane plays a valuable role in controlling estrogen levels and maintaining hormonal balance, while TUDCA provides critical liver protection for those who have used hepatotoxic compounds.

A carefully planned cycle therapy not only protects muscle gains and strength gains, but also safeguards physical health and optimal health for the long run. Always consult a healthcare professional before beginning any pct protocol, and remember that post cycle therapy is not just about preserving results—it’s about restoring the body’s ability to thrive naturally after the use of performance enhancing drugs.