During a steroid cycle, the most annoying thing is your estrogen level raising. To mitigate that, you must be considering taking Arimidex or Nolvadex. Apparently, they are used for the same reason. So, it’s easy to get confused about which to choose. 

So, Arimidex vs Nolvadex during cycle, which to take? 

Arimidex while taking on a cycle will lower your estrogen level. Additionally, it will prevent gynecomastia. On the other hand, Novaltex just blocks the estrogen. Though some prefer to take it during a cycle, it’s not recommended. It reacts with some steroids. It is more beneficial during PCT. 

Don’t just start taking them yet. There are other things such as dosage and limitations you should know about. So, read the whole article before deciding anything. 

Let’s dig in!

Arimidex Vs Nolvadex During Cycle: Quick Comparison

As a side effect of the anabolic steroid cycle, men sometimes can start to grow breasts. It happens because of estrogen levels. For preventing gynecomastia on cycle, AI can be necessary during the cycle. 

Two medications Arimidex and Nolvadex can come to your mind as AI. Let’s see them at a glance. 

Arimidex Vs Nolvadex During Cycle: Detailed Comparison

From the quick look above, there are quite a number of differences between Arimidex and Nolvadex. We will go into a detailed discussion for you to decide on the proper steroids. 

Arimidex During Cycle

Legally Arimidex is a medication for treating women’s breast cancer. But many bodybuilders prefer to take Arimidex on a cycle. Arimidex can efficiently lower your estrogen level. 

Arimidex fully suppresses the aromatase enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for estrogen production. By inhibiting this enzyme, Arimidex prevents the transformation of testosterone into estrogen. 

And as a result, it prevents gynecomastia. Which is the growth of breasts in the male body. 

Arimidex Dosage During Cycle

You have to start taking Arimidex after the 2nd week of the anabolic steroid cycle. And then take it for the rest of the cycle. Because in the first two weeks, the aromatase enzyme won’t start its functions yet. 

So, using Arimidex before that can lower your estrogen level below the requirement. The standard estrogen level in the male body is 10-82 pg/ml on average. 

You have to take only 0.5 mg of Arimidex twice a week. 

Nolvadex During Cycle

Novaldex works in a different way than Arimidex. It doesn’t entirely stop the estrogen growth in your body. It just blocks estrogen from going to specific sites of your body. It is only formulated to target the breast tissue receptors. And estrogen can not bind those receptors. 

This is how Nolvadex prevents gynecomastia. 

If you take Nolvadex on a steroid cycle, you may get some benefits. It includes increasing muscle strength and mass.  Additionally decrease in estrogen levels.

However, it is recommended not to take Nolvadex on steroid cycle. Because it can interfere with some other steroids taken on the cycle such as IGF-1. 

IGF-1 is one of the common steroids bodybuilders take during a cycle. It is important for stimulating growth hormone production in the body. But, when you use Nolvadex alongside taking IGF-1, you won’t get the benefit. Even a fewer amount of Nolvadex can mitigate the action of IGF-1. 

Rather, Novaldex is more beneficial while taken during PCT. You have to be extra careful during PCT. All your body’s hormones can restore with PCT to their natural level and function. 

Nolvadex during pct will help your breast tissues from swelling and pain. Also, it will reduce the other side effects of high estrogen.

Moreover, PCT prevents any residue of estrogenic pursuit from harming natural body hormone production. As a result,  the process of post-cycle recovery speeds up. 

Nolvadex Dosage During Cycle

If you decide to take Nolvadex during the cycle, follow the proper dosage. A standard dose of Novaldex during the cycle for men is10mg – 20mg per day. 

During steroid cycles, women can also use Nolvadex for tighter and slimmer bodies. But they have to take it in a very low dosage. Only 10 mg per day will; be sufficient. 

Nolvadex Dosage For PCT

In post-cycle therapy, you have to take 40 mg of Nolvadex per day. But it is only during the first half of the cycle. And for another half of the cycle, you have to lessen the dose to 20 mg/day. 

For example, if your PCT cycle is for 8 weeks.  Take 40 mg of Nolvadex per day for the first 4 weeks. And for another 4 weeks, take 20 mg per day. Make it 2 and 2 for a 4 weeks PCT cycle. 

Also, you have to be careful to not drink alcohol during PCT. 

Arimidex Side Effects During Cycle

FDA or The Food and Drug Administration only certified Arimidex for treating breast cancer. But many bodybuilders like to use it to decrease their estrogen level during the cycle. 

Taking this during the cycle has some serious side effects. Such as, 

• nausea and vomiting
• weakness
• joint pain
• hot flashes
• Weakness, etc. 

There may also be some allergic reactions to Arimidex. Such as, 

• swelling around the body
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• rashes
• rapid heart rate
• breast pain

Novaldex Side Effects During Cycle

There are many side effects of Nolvadex too. Some of them are:

• Interfering with other steroids during the cycle. 
• Decreases sex drives
• It can even make your brain dull
• Acne
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Causes hair loss

To deal with the hair loss, you can try these amazing products. 

How To Lower Estrogen Levels In Males During Cycle

Natural ways are always better if you wanna avoid the side effects. Here are some tips that will help you lower the estrogen level naturally. 

Eat Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, etc. These vegetables contain Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C), Sulforaphane, and other phytochemicals. These chemicals block the production of estrogen. 

Drink Less Caffeine

Caffeine can increase stress in the body. And stress causes estrogen imbalance. So, lowering your caffeine intake will help your body avoid estrogen imbalance. 

Eat Organic Meat

Mass-produced cattle are fed many steroids for their growth. They are sometimes high in estrogen. By intaking that meat, there is a chance to increase your estrogen level. So try to eat, grass-fed organic meat. 

Get Enough Sleep

Same as caffeine, lack of sleep increases the stress level in our bodies. Which as result, increases the estrogen level. So, get enough sleep during your cycle to avoid estrogen imbalance. 

Avoid Alcohol

In our body, there is a relationship between estrogen and progesterone. When one increases, the other decreases, and vice versa. Alcohol has proven to lower the progesterone level. Thus the estrogen level increases. So, by avoiding alcohol, you can keep the balance. 

Have Food That Lowers The Estrogen Level

There is food that can naturally lower the estrogen level. Such as sesame seeds, flaxseed, pomegranate, green tea, etc. 

Also, have food that is high in fiber. Because high fiber can bind the estrogen and pass them as waste materials. 

So, these are the tips you can follow to naturally lower the estrogen level. 

FAQs

Are Arimidex And Nolvadex The Same Thing?

Arimidex and Nolvadex are not the same things. Though they both are used for the almost same thing. They are from different drug classes. Arimidex effectively stops the estrogen from producing in your body. On the other hand, Nolvadex just blocks the estrogen from going to certain body parts. 

How Long Does Arimidex Take To Work?

Arimidex starts to work really quickly. It lowers the 70% of estrogen level almost within 24 hours. But with effect, the side effects also start quickly. You can feel hot flashes, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Although after a week or two, these side effects tend to go away. 

Why Do Bodybuilders Use Clomid?

Clomid works in the same way as Arimidex does. It helps lower the estrogen level of your body. As a result, the risk of gynecomastia is avoided. Although it is reportedly more effective than Arimidex. 

Final Word

So here goes the discussion about Arimidex vs Nolvadex during cycle. 

Both Arimidex and Nolvadex help lower the estrogen level during the cycle. But, after all the discussion, my suggestion would be to take Armidex during the cycle.  And keep Nolvadex for PCT. 

But the final decision will be yours. Best of luck and stay healthy.