Ask Dr. MIchael Scally – Q: What would post cycle therapy (PCT) be like for female steroid users and for what reasons? A: In the case of pre-menopausal females, tapering the anabolic steroids would be the best treatment. Steroid administration, like males, causes the HPGA to shutdown. However, stopping the AAS will produce menopausal like symptoms, therefore tapering until menses returns is best.
Is Dianabol a Good Choice for a Steroid Bridge?
Question: Is Dianabol a good anabolic for a “steroid bridge” since it’s not really suppressive of natural testosterone production? Answer: Dianabol adversely affects the HPTA. There is a lot of commentary, both in posts and websites, that dianabol does not adversely affect the HPTA. It is difficult, more like impossible, to find support for this […]
What Can Bodybuilders Learn from a Doctor Without Real World Experience?
Q: “Doctors have developed the reputation in the athletic world for not knowing anything about the real world application of steroids.The reason is that bodybuilders and steroid users with real world experience, and I believe published scientific studies as well, know that muscular gains are dose dependent. “The more steroids used, the greater the results […]
Should I Inject HCG Intramuscularly or Subcutaneously?
Q: I have heard some people say to inject HCG intramuscularly and some say subcutaneously. Which one is it? A: One should always inject hCG subcutaneously. The simplest reason is the comfort of the injection; less trauma to tissues; and decreased risk of infection. Subcutaneous versus intramuscular are equally effective. As far as the kinetics […]
Do Antidepressants Lower Testosterone Levels?
Q: Is it true that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Paxil decrease Testosterone? A: No. I do not know of any evidence that Paxil or for that matter antidepressants decrease serum testosterone levels. The antidepressants as a class do affect sexual function. Epidemiological studies indicate that sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction in particular are […]
Definition of Androgen Deficiency and the Role of SHBG
Q: Why do we need SHBG? What would happen if we lowered SHBG too much? Can lowering SHBG be used as a form of Testosterone Replacement Therapy? A: Total Testosterone (TT), BT and DHEA-S decreased with age; 0.2, 0.7 and 1.2%/year respectively. SHBG showed an increase with age of 1.1%/year. Clinically if an individual is […]
Can I Avoid Polycythemia while on TRT?
Q: Is there any way to avoid Polycythemia when doing TRT? I know that injections are more prone to causing this. I recently switched from shots and am currently doing 25mg T cream and 100iu HCG every day, but I am still getting elevated hematocrit and RBC. It looks like I might need to do […]
Why Use Both Clomid and Nolvadex Together for PCT?
Q: I have read that Clomid and Novadex are very similar products. Is this true? If so why would you need to take both? A: The administration of antiestrogens is a common treatment because anti-estrogens interfere with the normal negative feedback of sex steroids at hypothalamic and pituitary levels in order to increase endogenous gonadotropin-releasing […]
How Do I Use HCG with Steroids?
Q: What’s the logic behind all the different timing and dosing of HCG ?? We hear taking it every day, every other day, every 3rd, 4th, or 5th day. What about the dosing ? I hear to take it easy to prevent desensitizing the testes. With this you hear anywhere from 100 units to 250 […]
Is Steroid-Induced Heart Enlargement Dangerous?
Dear Dr. Scally, Can you help me understand the relationship between anabolic steroids and the enlargement of the heart and the relative risks arising from the steroid-induced increase in heart size? I am concern because several studies have shown that left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) occurs in individuals that use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). LVH in athletes is […]