What is a steroid cycle?
A steroid cycle is a periodic treatment with anabolic steroids. They should not be taken non-stop. Regular, long-term injection of large doses of hormones and steroids can be deadly dangerous, if you don’t control the amount. That’s why bodybuilders and athletes take steroids in cycles to mitigate the effects and completely cleanse the body of steroids. It is also advisable to take post-cycle therapy to neutralize the side effects in the form of mood swings that are often caused by anabolic steroids. Testosterone should be the first cycle for anyone who wants to start using steroids. Testosterone is also the most effective anabolic steroid, as well as one of the safest. With test 500 – 600 mg per week, if it is generally considered the best – the recommended dose.
Steroid cycle – the most important informations
Oral steroids themselves strongly suppress the natural production of testosterone, so they should be taken with testosterone as a base. Without testosterone as a base, you can suffer the negative effects of low testosterone levels.
- A 12-20 week testosterone cycle with a moderate caloric surplus is recommended to build as much fatless muscle mass as possible.
- 500mg of testosterone per week is a good dose for the first cycle – it provides good results with a relatively low risk of side effects.
- The observation of estrogen (E2) levels and adjust the dose of the aroma tase inhibitor is important to hold E2 in the optimal range.
- Post-cycle therapy (PCT), for example with using HCG, is recommended after a cycle to help regenerate the natural testosterone production.
HGH and steroid cycles for beginners
BUILDING PHASE
1-12 Weeks:
- Testosterone Cypionate or Testosterone Enanthate: 250 mg twice a week (Monday and Thursday)
- Deca Durabolin: 200 mg twice a week (Monday and Thursday)
1-4 Weeks:
- Dianabol: 30 mg every morning
- HGH: 2 IU, one injection daily
5th Week:
- HGH: 2.5 IU, one injection daily
6th Week:
- HGH: 3.0 IU, divided into two injections of 1.5 IU each
7th Week:
- HGH: 3.5 IU, divided into two injections of 1.75 IU each
8-12 Weeks:
- HGH: 4 IU, divided into two injections of 2 IU each daily
Note: You can continue using growth hormone in therapy after the cycle (PCT) for up to 6 months or longer.
DEFINITION PHASE
1-12 Weeks:
- Testosterone Propionate: 100 mg every other day
- Trenbolone Acetate: 75 mg every other day
6-12 Weeks:
- Winstrol: 50 mg every other day (oral form recommended to reduce the number of injections)
1-4 Weeks:
- HGH: 2 IU, one injection daily
5th Week:
- HGH: 2.5 IU, one injection daily
6th Week:
- HGH: 3.0 IU, divided into two injections of 1.5 IU each
7th Week:
- HGH: 3.5 IU, divided into two injections of 1.75 IU each
8-12 Weeks:
- HGH: 4 IU, divided into two injections of 2 IU each daily
Note: You can continue using growth hormone in therapy after the cycle (PCT) for up to 6 months or longer.
Post-cycle therapy (PCT)
After completing a 12-15-week cycle, you should start post-cycle therapy (PCT). For the first two weeks after the last injection, you won’t be taking any medication because during steroid therapy, the natural hormone production in the body is inhibited. When taking testosterone steroids, the body detects the excess of this hormone and stops producing it altogether. This leads to many side effects of steroids in humans, such as erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and gynecomastia.
Post cycle therapy involves supplementation with drugs that stimulate natural hormone production to avoid these side effects. PCT is also crucial for sustaining muscle mass gain, as a decrease in hormones can lead to a regression of gains.
Therefore, PCT serves two primary roles: it prevents the side effects of steroids and helps maintain the progress achieved during the cycle.
Drugs that assist with post-cycle therapy include: