1. Introduction

During a cycle, exogenous AAS suppress natural Testosterone production. If this suppression is not addressed after the cycle ends, your natural Testosterone levels will be incredibly low and it will take a long time for them to recover on their own.

In that state, you would struggle with low energy, mood, and libido, muscle loss and fat gain, sleep disruption, depression, brain fog and even suppressed fertility.

In order to prevent that situation, bodybuilders have to choose one of the following post-cycle routes:

Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)

A process aimed at reactivating natural Testosterone production and restoring normal hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis function.

Cruising

Remaining on a low, stable Testosterone dose (usually TRT range) to maintain strong Testosterone levels while allowing one’s health to recover.

Which path you follow depends on your long-term goals and the compounds you used during a cycle.

Beginners who are not 100% ready to commit to the enhanced bodybuilding lifestyle in the medium to long-term will typically opt for PCT, since it offers an easier way out if they ever decide to stop running cycles.

More advanced or committed users will almost always opt for cruising, because it allows them to make more progress without having to deal with the hormonal ups-and-downs that come with doing multiple PCTs per year.

Cruising also allows advanced bodybuilders to use compounds like Nandrolone and Trenbolone, which are infamous for causing long-term HPG axis suppression that renders PCTs useless.

2. How to Run a Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)

PCT is employed to restart natural Testosterone production and restore fertility, mood, and hormonal balance after discontinuing AAS.

Approach

• Timing: Begins when short esters clear the bloodstream (usually a few days after the last injection) or when long esters metabolize (typically 2–3 weeks after the last injection).
• Goals: Stimulate LH and FSH release, prevent estrogen rebound, and stabilize overall hormone levels.
• Monitoring: Labs are checked 2–4 weeks after completion to confirm recovery.

Key Components

• SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators): Agents such as Tamoxifen, Clomiphene or Enclomiphene are used to trigger pituitary signaling.
• hCG or Gonadotropin Support: Included at the start of PCT to maintain testicular responsiveness.

Standard PCT Protocol

Upon completing a cycle, we need to start a PCT. Taking Testosterone Cypionate or Testosterone Enanthate as examples, we should wait for them to clear out of our system (which typically takes up to 3 weeks) before starting with the SERMs.

While waiting for these 3 weeks to go by, we will use HCG to start stimulating testicular function. The standard dose for HCG during this period is 250 to 500iu every other day. Using an AI may still be necessary if we used one during the cycle.

Once the 3 weeks are up, we will discontinue the HCG and start using the SERMs. The two most commonly used SERMs are Tamoxifen and Clomiphene, which will be used for 4 weeks:

• Tamoxifen: 20 mg/day for 3 weeks, then 10 mg/day for 1 week.
• Clomiphene: 25 mg/day for 3 weeks, then 12.5 mg/day for 1 week.

If using Enclomiphene instead of Clomiphene, use half the dose (12.5mg a day for 3 weeks, then 6.25mg for 1 week).

Once the PCT has been completed, wait 2 to 4 weeks before getting bloodwork done to get a good idea of whether you managed to recover completely or not.

3. How to “Cruise”

For long-term TRT patients or competitive athletes who do not wish to fully discontinue exogenous hormone use, cruising maintains physiologic Testosterone levels while minimizing systemic stress, allowing them to let their health recover before running another cycle (also known as “blast” in this context).

Approach

• Transition from higher “blast” doses to a TRT range, typically 150–200 mg of Testosterone weekly.
• Continue with routine labs every 8–12 weeks to ensure hematocrit, estradiol, and lipid values remain within target range.
• Use blood-pressure control, lipid support, and aromatase management as needed.

Cruising is not simply “staying on gear”, it’s a closely-monitored maintenance phase designed to keep hormone levels stable and side effects minimal.

4. Monitoring and Adjustments

2–4 weeks after a PCT or after 6–8 weeks of cruising, you should test:

• Hormone panels (Testosterone, Estradiol, LH/FSH)
• Blood pressure
• Hematocrit and RBC count
• Liver and lipid function
• Mental health and libido

If the results are favorable, you will be able to start planning another cycle/blast and start it a few weeks later. If the results are concerning, you will have to adjust your protocol, diet and/or lifestyle until you are healthy enough to start again.