
Clomid is a drug of the class
known as
Selective Estrogen Receptor
Modulators (typically called a “
SERM”
in steroid jargon). Its original
use was as a fertility aid given to women, and later to men also. If we
really want to understand what
Clomid
does, we need to take a look at
the actual type of drug it is: Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator.
This means that it selectively acts in tissues as either an estrogen
agonist or antagonist, depending on the tissue. In breast
tissue, and other areas like the pituitary, it acts by binding to the
estrogen receptor and hence blocking estrogen from doing the same. This
is where it is known as an estrogen antagonist. In other tissues, like
the liver, it may act as an estrogen agonist, and actually mimic some
of the positive effects of estrogen on these tissues.
This is actually advantageous when it binds to estrogen receptors
located in the breast tissue, as it prevents estrogen from binding
there, which can ultimately cause gynocomastia (development of breast
tissue in males). It’s not a particularly strong antagonist in breast
tissue, however, and most people wouldn’t use it to prevent gyno except
for under the most extreme circumstances (i.e. a very low dose cycle,
or if there was nothing else on hand). I have used it on what could be
considered lower dose cycles, and found it to be decent for maintaining
testicle size as well as for preventing gyno to a small degree. When I
was using moderate to high doses, even high doses of
Clomid
weren’t
enough to do this. Clomid also opposes the negative feedback loop that
the body relies on in terms of estrogen related inhibition of the
HPTA
(Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis).
[1]
It likely does this by
acting as an estrogen antagonist in certain tissues. This effect in
turn stimulates both
LH
(Leutenizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle
Stimulating Hormone), which then stimulates the release of
testosterone. For this reason, we typically see Clomid used in Post
Cycle Therapy routines. Personally, I’m a fan of another SERM
(
Nolvadex)
in this regard. For reference purposes, 150mgs of Clomid
will elevate testosterone levels to approximately 150% of initial
baseline value
[1].
You don’t have to use 150mgs, however; In my
research, I’ve found that doses as low as 50mgs will show improvements
and elevations in
testosterone
levels [2].
Clomid is actually a very safe drug, even when used for long periods of
time in the clinical treatment of lowered
testosterone
levels
[2].
I’ve seen it used for up to four months in studies, with no
adverse effects- and certainly this is much longer than most people
would be running a PCT for.
On a personal note, I found that I saw “floaters” when I ran very high
doses of Clomid for too long. Research shows that optic neuropathy (the
technical name for what I was experiencing) is not uncommon with
Clomid
usage.
[3][4]