What is 6-OXO:

6-OXO consists of a naturally occurring aromatase inhibitor (AI) that is devoid of any direct prohormonal effects (androgenic or estrogenic). It is what researchers refers to as a suicide inhibitor of aromatase. Specifically this means is it will irreversibly bind to the aromatase enzyme and permanently deactivate it. With prolonged use of 6-OXO the result is be a very substantial reduction in the creation of estrogen in the body, along with a coinciding up-regulation of natural (testicular) testosterone creation.

Why should I take 6-OXO:

Estrogen creates a variety of undesireable side effects: water retention, gynecomastia (bitch tits), testicular shutdown, and an overall soft look. So, to achieve and keep a solid, chisled look, estrogen levels must be kept in check. Furthermore, by blocking estrogen biosynthesis, 6-OXO stimulates the pituitary gland to boost LH and thereby increasing natural testosterone creation.

Who should take 6-OXO:

Any bodybuilder interested in achieving a solid, ripped physique. For those athletes who are coming off a prohormone/pro-steroid cycle, 6-OXO is the perfect product to get balance back in the hormonal environment.

For those familiar with prohormones and anabolics, the female hormone estrogen is certainly a familiar enemy. While many of us understand that estrogen is not always a hurtful and worthless substance to men (in the right amounts it is needed and beneficial), we still are aware that it must be kept in check or some pretty undesirable conditions may come about in the body.

When and how you should use 6-OXO:

So how do you useErgoPharm 6-OXO? If you are using it to fight estrogen during a cycle of aromatizable steroids then you should take it every day of your cycle, once daily (preferably with your dinner) at a dose of 200-600 mg. If you are using it to kick-start your natural testosterone production after a cycle of prosteroids (or just to boost your own natural production when clean) then you would also take 200-600mg of ErgoPharm 6-OXO once daily, for a period of 3-6 weeks.

*These statements about ErgoPharm 6-OXO have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. ErgoPharm 6-OXO is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

There are 3 types of estrogen control typically used during post cycle therapy. They are SERM’s
(Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators), AI’s (Aromatase Inhibitors) and ATD
(1, 4, 6-androstatriene-3, 17-dione). Each works by a different mechanism to decrease estrogen or
estrogen production. In addition to the estrogen control products there are also supplements that
help to increase testosterone production or provide other benefits during post cycle therapy.

SERM’s work by blocking estrogen from acting on the bodies tissues. There are three main SERM’s that
are used during post cycle therapy. These are tamoxifen citrate (Nolvadex), clomiphene citrate
(Clomid) and toremifene citrate. Click on each name in the table below for a more detailed
description.

AI’s lower estrogen by stopping the activity of the aromatase enzyme. Aromatase is responsible for
the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and androstenedione to estrone. There are 6 AI’s listed
below. They are 6-OXO, anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), exemestane (Aromasin), chrysin
and vitamin C. You can find out more about each by clicking on the name in the table below.

ATD is a recent introduction to estrogen control. It is thought to stop estrogen production in a
manner similar to steroidal AI’s such as exemestane. Brand name ATD’s are Rebound XT, Novedex XT,
Ultra H.O.T and Ultra H.O.T.ter.

In addition to estrogen control it is often good to include testosterone boosters in your post cycle
therapy. Many users commonly include the herbs tribulus, fenugreek and maca as part of their PCT
protocol. Another good addition is Activate by Designer Supplements which is used to free up bound
testosterone.

Finally, the addition of products like Lean Extreme or Retain are helpful in reducing cortisol levels.
Cortisol is often elevated after a cycle of anabolics and keeping it in check can help to maintain
your lean mass while minimizing fat storage.

Note: Clicking a link will cause a new browser window to open.

ATD is technically an aromatase inhibitor, but with some interesting properties that make it a very useful addition to our estrogen control arsenals.

There are two negative feedback loops that we try to correct through post cycle therapy. The first is elevated estrogen levels from aromatase activity act on the hypothalamus to decrease GnRH production. The second is that elevated androgen levels stimulate androgen receptors in the hypothalamus causing decreased GnRH production. Decreased GnRH leads to reduced LH and FSH production, both of which are directly involved in testosterone production.

Typical PCT with SERM’s and AI’s address the estrogen component of this negative feedback, but do nothing for androgenic stimulation of the hypothalamus. ATD addresses the androgenic feedback loop. ATD has 90% androgenic activity in muscle tissue but only 10% androgenic activity in the hypothalamus.

ATD works for androgen activity the same way that tamoxifen works for estrogen. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen in breast tissue, but has positive effects in other tissue such as liver and bone. ATD blocks androgens in the hypothalamus, but allows it to be active in other tissue.

Because of this dual action estrogen levels are lowered while testosterone levels begin to rise. This is because ATD tricks your hypothalamus into thinking testosterone levels are low so it produces more. ATD provides benefits far beyond simply controlling estrogen in your body. Through its control over the androgen negative feedback loop testosterone production is restarted much faster. And the faster you recover your natural testosterone production the easier it is to keep muscular gains.

In addition to ATD’s benefits for post cycle therapy studies have shown that employing ATD during AAS use maintains significant HPTA function. This means reduced testicular atrophy and faster post-cycle recovery. This is something that you simply can’t get from estrogen control alone.

ATD can also be used by the natural athlete to increase testosterone production. In studies increases of up to 400% in testosterone have been seen. This is equivalent to injecting 400-600mg per week of testosterone enanthate or cypionate. This means continued growth for the natural athlete without the problems and side effects usually associated with injecting testosterone.

While there should technically not be any difference between the ATD ptoducts I have personally seen the best results using Rebound XT by Designer Supplements. I believe it is also the most cost effective of the ATD products out there. Your mileage may vary.

I’ve found the following discussion on running SERM’s inverse to ATD’s which is both informative and by all accounts very effective. It has been posted on many forums and the credit for it goes to Dr. D. Thank you Dr. D!

“Discussion on running SERM inverse to ATD
Estrogen only “rebounds” based on the mechanism of suppression. SERM, for example, only masks estrogen expression by occupying receptors but estrogen production is left unchecked and actually increases as testosterone levels increase. AI’s like letro inhibit inducible enzymes and just like a leaky faucet, they body will eventually try to balance the equation with increased aromatase activity. Steroidal AI’s like Teslac, Exemestane, and ReboundXT will not result in ‘rebound’ phenomena because the inhibition is non-competitive and irreversible. They act as false substrates, so aromatase is still happy to act on them (instead of androstenedione) and the body keeps no record of an imbalance. There is no leaky faucet. In fact, after prolonged use, steroidal AI’s often produce a protracted anti-e benefit even after being discontinued. This is why I suggest an inverse taper with SERM and RXT for PCT with an abrupt stoppage of RXT at the end. As the SERM elevates androgen/estrogen production, the AI dose is increased to compensate while the SERM is phased out. It works quite well to use this approach and rebound is not encountered. Adding LX and/or DHEA also really makes for a killer PCT in this scheme.

This is a typical example of my PCT:

wk1: Clomid 150mg/d, RXT 25mg/d, DHEA 200mg/d, LX 75mg/d wk2: Clomid 100mg/d, RXT 25mg/d, DHEA 200mg/d, LX 50mg/d wk3: Nolva 60mg/d, RXT 50mg/d, DHEA 200mg/d, LX 25mg/d wk4: Nolva 40mg/d, RXT 50mg/d, DHEA 100mg/d wk5: Nolva 20mg/d, RXT 75mg/d, DHEA 100mg/d wk6: RXT 75mg/d, DHEA 100mg/d

Notice I phase the Clomid out and introduce the Nolva later. This helps prevent sides from developing from accumulation of estrogenic metabolites from the Clomid and also acts to minimize the use of Nolva, which is more liver toxic than Clomid. Rebound is very unlikely and estrogen biosynthesis will likely be significantly lowered for 3+ wks even after the end of this PCT. I do long ones, as you can see.”

Chrysin works as an aromatase inhibitor, basically it makes the aromatase enzyme inactive in the body. Since the aromatase enzyme is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to estrogen this has the effect of lowering estrogen levels and raising testosterone levels in the body.

European Olympic athletes report 1-3 grams of chrysin per day is a safe and effective dose.

Chrysin is an all natural supplement so it is great for those athletes who need to pass drug tests to participate in their sports. Or even for those who don’t want to go the route of chemical supplements. In combination with a natural test booster such as tribulus terrastris or something like Divanil (the active ingredient in ActivaTe by Designer Supplements) you get a great all natural stack that works to increase testosterone while decreasing estrogen. The end result is more lean muscle, less water retention and a harder more defined look to your muscles.

Arimidex works differently from SERM’s. Instead of blocking the receptors for estrogen it blocks the conversion of aromatizable steroids to estrogen. In this way it eliminates estrogen from the users body. In fact it often eliminates estrogen too well. If you are going to use Arimidex for longer than 1 week I recommend that you monitor your blood estrogen level to determine proper dosing. You don’t want to completely eliminate estrogen, just reduce it.

Exemestane will suppress estrogen as well as Letrozole, around 85% reduction. The difference is that with exemestane when you stop using it you will experience little if any estrogen rebound since it binds permanently to the aromatase enzyme. Once exemestane binds to the enzyme that particular enzyme will no longer function. This is not dangerous, because your body will create more aromatase enzyme.

Because exemestane is so effective in eliminating estrogen it is also extremely effective at avoiding the negative effects of estrogen when we’re on a cycle. This includes gynocomastia and excess water retention. Limiting the conversion of testosterone to estrogen by eliminating the aromatase enzyme can be beneficial in minimizing estrogen related side effects.

Because it is so effective at removing estrogen exemestane is also useful during post cycle therapy. If you want to keep the gains you made while on cycle you want to minimize the estrogen in your system as well as stimulating the HPTA to begin normal testosterone production. Exemestane not only increases testosterone and lowers estrogen, but it also increases levels of insulin-like growth Factor (IGF). It’s like a 1-2-3 punch for your PCT.

Exemestane is a steroidal AI. This makes it more useful during PCT because it has been known to cause some androgenic side effects like increased aggressiveness and a good hardening effect. Combined with the drying effect you get from an 85% reduction in estrogen it will keep you ripped and shredded while helping you maintain your hard won lean mass.

Another bonus is that exemestane isn’t too harsh on blood lipids (cholesterol), unlike some of the other AI’s like Letrozole.