Clomid is not an anabolic/androgenic steroid. Since it is a
synthetic estrogen it belongs, however, to the group of sex
hormones. In school medicine
Clomid is normally used to trigger
ovulation.
Clomid, by setting in motion the process of releasing
hormones, stimulates the release of gonadotropin and triggers
ovulation in women with anovulatory cycles and who are sterile
because of this. Although this is actually a drug destined for women
its effect on men is undisputed. The manufacturer of Dyneric, the
Merrell Dow Pharma GmbH, writes in its package insert for the German
version of
Clomid: "Dyneric causes an improved activity between
mid-brain, pituitary gland, and ovaries." What however is not
mentioned is that Dyneric also improves the activity between
mid-brain (hypothalamus), pituitary gland thypophysis), and testes
in men.
Clomid has a strong influence on the hypothalamohypophysial
testicular axis. It stimulates the hypophysis to release more
gonadotropin so that a faster and higher release of FSH (follicle
stimulating hormone) aud LH (luteinizing hormone) occurs. This
results in an elevated endogenous (body own testosterone level.
Clomid is especially effective when the body own testosterone
production, due to the intake of anabolic/androgenic steroids, is
suppressed. In most cases
Clomid can normalize the testosterone
level and the spermatogenesis (sperm development) within 10-14 days.
For this reason
Clomid is primarily taken after steroids are
discontinued. At this time it is extremely important to bring the
testosterone production to a normal level as quickly as possible so
that the loss of strength and muscle mass is minimized. Even better
results can be achieved if
Clomid is combined with
HCG or when
Clomid is used after the intake of
HCG. The difference between
Clomid and
HCG lies in the fact that
Clomid has a direct influence
on the hypothalamus and the hypophysis, thus regenerating the entire
regulating cycle while
HCG imitates the effect of the luteinizing
hormone (LH) which stimulates the Ledigs cells fo produce more
testosterone. Since
HCG, unlike
Clomid, leads to a distinctly
elevated plasmatestosterone level within a few hours, many athletes
first take
HCG and then
Clomid (see also
HCG).
Paradoxically, although
Clomid is a synthetic estrogen it also works
as an anti-estrogen. The reason is that
Clomid has only a very low
estrogenic effect and thus the stronger estrogens which, for example
form during the aromatization of steroids, are blocked at the
receptors. These would include those that develop during the
aromatizing of steroids. This does not prevent the steroids from
aromatizing but the increased estrogen is mostly deactivated since
it cannot attach to the receptors. The increased water retention and
the possible signs of feminization can thus be reduced or even
completely avoided. Since the antiestrogenic effect of Clomid is
lower than those found in
Proviron,
Nolvadex, and Teslac it is
mainly taken as a testosterone stimulant. From the German book
Doping By Brigitte Berendonk the reader can learn that
Clomid is not
only used in bodybuilding: "During the 1980s
Clomiphene (table 2)
has been used, a medication that promotes the production of the body
own stimulating hormone, gonadotropin, which in turn increases the
testosterone level. It is, for example, administered to women
as a so-called anti-estrogen to trigger ovulation ("ovulation
stimulator").
Clomiphene (usually the Hungarian compound
Clostilbegyt) was used by rowers (resp. Prof. Dr. Herbert Gurtler)
and weightlifters (Dr Lathan; p. 187) since the late 1970s.
Increasingly, it was used in other sports disciplines as well,
including track and field athletics. Riedel, at the time, happily
made the handwritten entry in his notebook: "Substance that is not
an anabolic: generally traceable but is not a doping substance." The
dosages were horrendous. I found entries of up to l5 times 100mg
daily and the report that the positive effect lasts up to 20 days
after the last tablet is taken. And it was already assured since
1982 that the increased testosterone production after doping with
Clomiphene did not reveal traits of the T/E quotient (testosterone/epitestosterone
quotient, the author) during doping tests.
Side effects of
Clomid are very rare if reasonable dosages are
taken. Possible side effects are climacteric hot flashes and
occasional visual disturbances which can manifest themselves in
blurred vision, giving flickering or flashing. Should visual
disturbances occur, the manufacturer recommends discontinuing
Clomid
treatment. Inadequate liver functions cannot be excluded; however,
they are very unlikely in women enlargement of the ovaries and
abdominal pain can occur since
Clomid stimulates the ovaries. When
taking
Clomid multiple pregnancies are possible as well. As for the
dosage, 50-100 mg/per day (1-2 tablets) seems to be sufficient. The
tablets are usually taken with fluids after meals. If several
tablets are taken it is recommended that they be administered in
equal doses distributed throughout the day. The duration of intake
should not exceed 10 to 14 days. Most athletes begin with 100 mg/day
taking one 50mg tablet every morning and evening after meals. After
the fifth day the dosage is often reduced to only one 50mg tablet
per day. It is normally not necessary to take the compound for more
than 10 days in order to increase the endogenus testosterone
production. Since
Clomid should not be taken for a prolonged time
its application as an anti-estrogen must be excluded because, for
that purpose, it would have to be taken for several weeks.
Clomid is
relatively expensive. A package with 10 tablets costs approx. $35 -
45 on the black market. Fortunately, since the intake is only for a
brief time, the financial burden usually becomes acceptable. The
foreign compounds such as the Spanish Omifin are considerably
cheaper and cost less than $2 per tablet.
