Testosterone Suppression: Prohormones vs SARMs

Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role in building muscles, keeping your energy levels up, and helping with overall health. Many athletes and fitness fans use supplements like Prohormones and SARMs to get stronger and bigger. However, these supplements can stop your body from making its own testosterone, a process called testosterone suppression.

This article will help you understand how Prohormones and SARMs affect your testosterone levels, how they are different, and what you need to do after using them to get your body back to normal. We’ll also explain how important Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is for staying healthy.

Key Takeaways:

• Prohormones tend to lower testosterone more than SARMs.
• SARMs are often seen as a safer choice for those who want to avoid major hormone problems.
• PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) is very important to help bring your testosterone levels back to normal.
• Understanding how to manage testosterone suppression will help you stay healthy.

What is Testosterone Suppression?

What is Testosterone and Why is it Important?

Testosterone is a hormone that helps your body in many ways:

• It helps you build muscles and stay strong.
• It supports your libido (your interest in sex).
• It helps you feel energetic and affects your mood.
• It keeps your bones strong and is important for overall health.

What Causes Testosterone Suppression?

When you use Prohormones or SARMs, it can confuse your body. Your body starts to think there is already enough testosterone, so it stops making its own. This is called testosterone suppression.

Your body uses a system called the HPG axis to keep hormone levels balanced. When the HPG axis notices high testosterone levels from outside sources, it stops producing natural testosterone to try and keep things balanced.

How Does Suppression Affect Your Body?

When testosterone levels are low, it can cause:

• Muscle Loss: Your muscles can get smaller or weaker without enough testosterone.
• Mood Changes: You might feel sad, anxious, or have mood swings.
• Low Energy: You could feel more tired and have less motivation.
• Low Libido: You may feel less interested in sex, and it might affect sexual health.

What Are Prohormones?

Definition of Prohormones

Prohormones are supplements that turn into hormones after you take them. They act like steroids and are used to build muscle, get stronger, and improve performance. Once, they were easier to buy, but now they are more controlled because they can have strong side effects.

Common Types of Prohormones

• Androstenedione: Turns into testosterone but also raises estrogen, which can lead to potential side effects.
• Superdrol: A powerful prohormone that helps build muscle quickly but has high risks, like liver damage.
• 1-Andro and 4-Andro: Popular prohormones for gaining muscle.

How Do Prohormones Work?

Prohormones convert into active hormones in your body, which then work to build muscle.

Benefits and Risks

Benefits:

• Fast Muscle Growth: Helps you get bigger muscles quickly.
• Strength Gains: Makes you feel stronger.

Risks:

• Testosterone Suppression: Shuts down your body’s natural testosterone production.
• Liver Damage: Prohormones can be toxic to the liver.
• Estrogen Increase: Some prohormones can turn into estrogen, which can lead to gyno (man boobs) and other problems.

What Are SARMs?

What Are SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators)?

SARMs are a type of supplement that helps build muscle and strengthen bones without as many side effects. They are more targeted compared to steroids or prohormones, which makes them a popular choice.

Popular SARMs

• Ostarine (MK-2866): Helps keep muscle while losing fat, with fewer side effects. It’s often used during cutting cycles.
• Ligandrol (LGD-4033): Known for helping build muscle fast, but can cause some testosterone suppression.
• RAD-140 (Testolone): Very powerful; it can help you gain a lot of strength but comes with a higher chance of suppression.
• YK-11: Helps block myostatin, which limits how big your muscles can grow.

How Do SARMs Work?

SARMs bind to muscle and bone receptors, which helps these areas grow without affecting other parts of the body as much.

Benefits and Risks

Benefits:

• Build Lean Muscle: You can build muscle without gaining extra fat.
• Lower Risk of Organ Problems: SARMs are generally easier on your liver and other organs.

Risks:

• Testosterone Suppression: SARMs still lower natural testosterone, especially stronger ones like RAD-140.
• Other Side Effects: Some SARMs can affect vision (like S4) and hormonal balance.

Which is Worse for Suppression: Prohormones or SARMs?

Severity of Testosterone Suppression

Compound Type	Testosterone Suppression Potential	Estrogen Conversion
Prohormones	High	Significant
SARMs	Mild to Moderate	Minimal

Why Suppression Happens and How Bad It Can Be

• Dosage Matters: The more you take, the worse the suppression can be.
• Length of Time: Longer cycles can lead to more serious suppression.
• Personal Differences: How your body reacts can depend on your age, health, and natural hormone levels.

Estrogen Problems

• Prohormones: These can aromatize (turn into estrogen), causing issues like gynecomastia (man boobs).
• SARMs: SARMs usually do not turn into estrogen, but they can still indirectly cause an increase in estrogen by lowering testosterone.

What is Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)?

Why is PCT Important?

Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is a way to help your body recover after using Prohormones or SARMs. When you stop using these substances, your body needs help to start producing testosterone again. PCT helps you get back to normal faster, reduces side effects, and keeps you feeling good.

Without proper PCT, testosterone levels can stay low for a long time, causing issues like low energy, muscle loss, and mood swings.

What Does PCT Include?

• SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators): Medicines like Clomid and Nolvadex help start testosterone production again.
• Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs): Help keep estrogen levels in check so you don’t have issues like gyno.

PCT for Prohormones and SARMs

• Prohormones: Usually need stronger PCT because of their high suppression potential.
• SARMs: Some SARMs like Ostarine may only need light PCT, while stronger ones like RAD-140 need a full PCT. Learn more about post cycle therapy for Prohormones and SARMs.

Natural Alternatives for PCT

• Natural Testosterone Boosters: Supplements like Ashwagandha and D-Aspartic Acid can help boost testosterone.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Eating well, exercising, and reducing stress also help boost testosterone naturally.

Managing Side Effects of Testosterone Suppression

Short-Term vs Long-Term Problems

• Short-Term: You may feel tired, have less interest in activities, or lose strength.
• Long-Term: If testosterone stays low, it can lead to bone problems like osteoporosis and heart issues.

Signs That You Need PCT

• Feeling Tired: Constant fatigue even after rest.
• Low Mood or Anxiety: Feeling sad, anxious, or unmotivated.
• Less Muscle or Increased Fat: Noticing muscles shrinking or gaining unwanted fat.

How to Reduce the Risk of Suppression

• Lower Doses: Taking smaller amounts can reduce side effects.
• Shorter Cycles: Limiting the time you use SARMs or Prohormones helps lower risks. More details are available in this guide on cycle length.
• Support Supplements: Use supplements like Milk Thistle for liver health and CoQ10 for heart health.

Long-Term Effects on Health

Impact on Fertility

Suppression can affect your fertility by lowering sperm count. It can take a while for fertility to come back if suppression is severe.

Impact on Heart Health

Both Prohormones and SARMs can affect cholesterol levels and blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues. It’s important to monitor your health and use supplements that can help maintain healthy levels.

Bone Health

Low testosterone can cause bones to become weak, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Weight training and maintaining testosterone levels can help protect your bones.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Are Prohormones and SARMs Legal?

• Prohormones: These are often treated like anabolic steroids and are banned in many countries due to their potent effects and potential health risks.
• SARMs: SARMs are in a legal grey area; they are banned in most competitive sports but can sometimes be bought online. Read more about the legal status of Prohormones and SARMs.

Buying Safe Products

Make sure to buy from trusted sellers and look for third-party testing to avoid fake or harmful products.

Sports and Banned Substances

Both Prohormones and SARMs are banned in most sports. If you’re competing, using these substances can get you disqualified.

FAQ

What is testosterone suppression and how does it affect me?

Testosterone suppression is when your body stops making its own testosterone because you are using Prohormones or SARMs. This can cause low energy, muscle loss, and other health problems.

Are SARMs safer than Prohormones?

SARMs are generally less suppressive than Prohormones, which means they are often safer for keeping your natural hormones balanced. However, strong SARMs can still cause suppression.

What are the signs that I need PCT?

If you feel tired, unmotivated, have low libido, or notice muscle loss, you probably need PCT to help your body recover.

Can I avoid suppression by using lower doses?

Lower doses can reduce the risk, but it doesn’t completely stop testosterone suppression. You should still be careful and consider PCT.

Do all SARMs require PCT?

Not all SARMs need PCT. Mild SARMs like Ostarine may not need it, while more potent SARMs like RAD-140 will require a proper PCT to help restore natural hormone balance and avoid long-term suppression.

How can I boost testosterone naturally after a cycle?

Natural testosterone boosters like Ashwagandha, healthy foods rich in zinc, exercise, and good sleep can help.

Are there SARMs that don’t suppress testosterone?

Most SARMs will cause some suppression, but Ostarine is one of the milder ones. It still depends on the dose and cycle length.

How does long-term suppression affect health?

Long-term suppression can cause issues with fertility, bone strength, and heart health. Proper PCT and care are needed to avoid these long-term problems.