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Exemestane
is a steroidal Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) that is most commonly known
as Aromasin. In fact, the Aromasin brand name is the only
pharmaceutical grade brand of the Exemestane AI due to the tight
patent Upjohn has maintained on the product. While tightly controlled
by the pharmaceutical giant, Aromasin is available in numerous
countries around the globe.
Aromasin
was first released on the U.S. market in 2000 after shortly gaining
FDA approval a few months prior in 1999. The primary purpose of use
as with most AI’s would be to combat breast cancer in
post-menopausal women. Shortly after, the AI would begin to gain a
lot of popularity among anabolic steroid users for its ability to
protect against estrogenic related side effects. This action is very
similar to the older and more popular AI’s in Arimidex
(Anastrozole) and Femara (Letrozole). It would also gain a fair
amount of popularity in Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) plans among steroid
users. It was not the first AI to gain such popularity but would
prove to be a little more advantageous for this purpose than most
AI’s.
Aromasin
Functions & Traits:
Aromasin
is officially classified as a steroidal suicide Aromatase Inhibitor,
and carries the ability to inhibit the aromatase enzyme, which is
responsible for the production or conversion of testosterone to
estrogen. Aromasin has the ability to block aromatization, which in
turn inhibits the production of estrogen, and thereby lowers the
body’s serum estrogen levels. This will prove useful to breast
cancer patients as breast cancer often feeds off the estrogen
hormone. It will also prove useful to the anabolic steroid user.
Many
anabolic steroids have the ability to increase estrogen levels due to
the aromatase process, specifically the conversion of testosterone to
estrogen. This can lead to gynecomastia and water retention. Excess
water retention can also promote high blood pressure when it becomes
severe. Steroids that do not carry a strong estrogenic nature can
also cause these effects, most notably gynecomastia if they carry a
progestin nature. A prime example would be Nandrolone, which while it
aromatizes only does so at 20% the rate of testosterone. However, it
also carries a strong progestin nature, and progesterone has been
well noted for carrying the ability to stimulate the estrogenic
mechanism in the mammary tissue. By administering Aromasin during the
use of anabolic steroids, this will inhibit the aromatase process,
lower estrogen levels and protect the individual from estrogenic side
effects. How effective is Aromasin? The product claims on average to
have the ability to lower serum estrogen levels by 85%.
Aromasin
also has the ability to stimulate natural testosterone production,
which is precisely why some will include it during their PCT. Like
Arimidex and Letrozole, Aromasin will stimulate the pituitary to
release more Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating
Hormone (FSH), two hormones essential to natural testosterone
production. While the other common AI’s share this trait, Aromasin
has been shown to carry a slight androgenic effect, as well as the
ability to increase the production of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1
(IGF-1). This is a trait no other AI can claim to carry. By using
Aromasin during PCT, the individual receives the desired testosterone
boost necessary for recovery, but with the IGF-1 increase also
creates a stronger anabolic atmosphere. This is deemed useful by some
steroid users as it could potentially give them the ability to
protect their lean tissue all the more during use. However, when we
look at the direct effects of Aromasin as it pertains to PCT, we will
find PCT use is normally not recommended despite these positive
effects.
Effects
of Aromasin:
In
a therapeutic setting, by blocking the aromatase enzyme, Aromasin
actively prohibits the cancer from feeding off the hormone necessary
to its survival. It has been proven highly effective for this
purpose, but only after the use of the Selective Estrogen Receptor
Modulator (SERM) Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) has failed. While
effective, it is also not as commonly used as Arimidex for this
purpose as Arimidex largely maintains itself as the primary AI in
breast cancer treatment not only among post-menopausal women but in a
host of breast cancer scenarios.
Then
we have Aromasin as an anti-estrogen for the anabolic steroid user.
By understanding its functions and traits you should already
understand the effects of Aromasin in this regard. Excess estrogen
levels can promote gynecomastia and water retention and possibly high
blood pressure as a secondary issue. However, keep in mind such
effects are not possible with all anabolic steroids, primarily it
must carry an estrogenic nature, it must be able to aromatize to lead
to such effects or carry a progesterone nature. Testosterone is the
primary aromatizing steroid, but testosterone derived steroids like
Dianabol can also promote strong estrogenic action. Then we have the
Boldenone (Equipoise) hormone, and while it only aromatizes at 50%
the rate of testosterone, this is still enough to cause an estrogen
buildup in some. Finally, we’re left with 19-nortestosterone
(19-nor) anabolic steroids. 19-nor compounds will primarily include
all forms of Nandrolone and Trenbolone. As discussed Nandrolone
aromatizes at 20% the rate of testosterone, but it also carries a
very strong progestin nature. This can promote a fair amount of
estrogenic activity in many men. As for Trenbolone, it does not
aromatize at all, but its moderately strong progestin nature can make
gynecomastia a possibility depending on the individual’s
sensitivity. When use is coupled with an aromatizing steroid, this
will greatly enhance the odds of gynecomastia. Regardless of the
steroid in question, Aromasin can offer protection from the
estrogenic effects.
An
important note: Aromasin will have no affect on dihydrotestosterone
(DHT) derived anabolic steroids as they do not convert to estrogen.
Such steroids cannot lead to gynecomastia or excess water retention;
it is impossible. The exception would be Anadrol (Oxymetholone),
while a DHT derivative, it carries with it a strong estrogenic
nature. However, while estrogenic action is present, the hormone does
not aromatize, meaning there is no aromatization for Aromasin to
inhibit. The use of an AI will not affect the estrogenicity of
Anadrol. For protection from such a steroid, the individual will need
to inhibit activation of the estrogenic mechanism, and this will make
SERM’s the first line of defense.
The
final effects of Aromasin surround its use in a PCT plan. Due to the
use of anabolic steroids natural testosterone production is
suppressed. The rate of suppression will be dependent on the steroids
being used, and to a degree, the total doses, but natural production
will be suppressed nonetheless. Most male steroid users are advised
to include exogenous testosterone in all their cycles in order to
ensure they have enough testosterone to meet their body’s needs.
This won’t be an issue for most men as testosterone is normally a
base steroid in a cycle. If it is not used as a base steroid the
individual should ensure he administers the minimal amount necessary
to combat suppression.
Once
the cycle of steroids is over, while exogenous testosterone protected
the individual while on cycle, at the end of the cycle natural
production is still suppressed. Natural production will begin again
once all the exogenous hormones have cleared the system, but
returning to your prior levels pre-cycle will take a lot of time. In
fact, it could potentially take up to a year assuming no other
anabolic steroids were used during this period. By implementing a PCT
plan, we stimulate natural testosterone production, cut down on the
total recovery time and ensure we have enough testosterone for proper
bodily functions. This does not bring our total levels back to their
previous naturally high state, but it speeds up the recovery and
ensures we do not spend a lot of time in a low testosterone state.
Not only is a low testosterone condition extremely unhealthy and
bothersome due to a host of possible symptoms, it can see the lean
tissue gained on cycle destroyed. During a phase of low testosterone,
it is easy for cortisol to become dominant in the body, which will
destroy muscle tissue and promote fat gain.
Due
to the need for a strong PCT and Aromasin carrying extremely strong
natural testosterone stimulating properties, this makes it very
appealing for this purpose. Due to the slight androgenic nature and
moderately decent promotion of IGF-1 this makes it even more
appealing. However, we must consider the primary purpose of Aromasin,
which is as an anti-estrogen. High levels of estrogen can be
problematic, but the hormone is still necessary to our body’s
health. It is important in maintaining a proper immune system, as
well as in the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels. Then
consider the PCT, which in part is primarily designed to stimulate
natural testosterone production, but the overall primary point is to
normalize the body. We cannot normalize with low estrogen levels. For
a proper PCT that not only stimulates testosterone production but
promotes overall normalization, SERM’s should always be your first
choice.
Side
Effects of Aromasin:
The
possible side effects of Aromasin are very similar to the primary
AI’s in Arimidex and Letrozole. Many who use the AI often report
fatigue and weakness, but this is often not an issue for the anabolic
steroid user. The exception would be the steroid user who is in the
middle of a harsh cutting cycle, such as in preparation for a
bodybuilding contest. Many bodybuilders often report strong lethargy
during this period, which isn’t surprising due to the intense diet
and often incredible amount of cardio. However, it’s often
amplified by the use of an AI like Aromasin. Overall, the primary
possible side effects of Aromasin include:
- Weakness or Fatigue
- Headaches
- Hot Flashes
- High Blood Pressure
- Joint Pain
- Depression (rare)
- Nausea and/or Vomiting (rare)