Thoughts on tapering

I have been doing some research on my next cycle. My previous cycle was very successfull, about 2 years ago, up till a serious arm break cut it short. I did my PCT as originally planned using vanila flavoured SERM (tamoxifen) and HCG. which worked pretty well all things considered.

I am toying with the idea of using a test taper on my next cycle as opposed to regular PCT, keeping some kessar and clomihexal on hand for in case. Is there anyone here who has tried it and if so how successfull was it?

So......... i am assuming no-one has used a taper before. For those unfamiliar with the practice, it is a protocol whereby low dosage test (preferably TestEn) is maintained post cycle and gradually tapered off (Hence Test Taper), "holding you over" till natural test production resumes. I am attaching some info off another site forum from someone who pretty much pioneered the idea.

From T-Nation.com, steroid forums:

This is the protocol:

Following the cycle use a 4-6 week waiting period also refered to as 'stasis period' by somebody.

4 weeks if you are using esters such as propinate.

esters such as cypionate and enanthate are in the middle - 4-6 week waiting period - your decision as it is a tough call. I prefer more weeks then less.

6 week waiting period for esters such as decanoate -i.e. deca.

During the waiting period you should taper off any aromatase inhibitors you are using - basically get rid of all drugs in your system besides testosterone.

Once the waiting period is over, then gradually reduce the dose weekly for 6 weeks untill you are off.

I preffer injecting enanthate twice per week as my ester of choice. But you can use propinate or sustenon as well, just devide it into 3 doses per week.

Once the taper starts, that is around the time you would start using a serm if you are going to use one.

You can taper without a serm and still be successfull doing so.

the research showed no hpta suppression while using a serm and low dose testosterone - 100mg per week

It also showed no hpta suppression with no serm use while using 25mg of testosterone enanthate per week.

So as i said it is possible to taper with our without a serm successfully.

If you are using HCG during the cycle to maintain testicular size and function - you must stop HCG at the end of your cycle and by hcg free throughout the waiting period.


So to put it all together using testosterone enanthatate dose split into biweekly injections:

Cycle ends, stop hcg if using,

start Waiting peroid:

Week 1-6 or 1-4: Test E 100mg per week
Taper off Arimidex or femara fully by week 3

Taper phase:

week 1-6

mg/ week: 80mg / 60mg/ 50mg/ 40mg/ 30 mg/ 20mg.

Start your Serm (nolva or clomid) at the begining of the taper if you choose to do so.


If you decide to use Masteron,

Then you use 50mg Test E, and 50mg Masteron E per week or masteron prop, with test prop for the waiting period, and keep the ratio the same as you taper down as well (1:1, with the starting totol mg amount 100mg).

No Serm use is needed and i have found libido to be even better when using this mix.

the masteron acts as an anti E, and the DHT enhances libido. The masteron itself at that amount does not subtract from hpta function more than it adds libido enhance ment, and estrogen control.

The masteron is the only drug that i have found to fit the bill perfectly for this purpose, but you can try aromasis as well, but I don't think it would have the same positive effects on libido.

As for using other drugs during your pct that may enhance workouts and maintain size...

there are a wide variety of supplements out there that have no negative effect on the hpta.

As for other drugs, some options would be:

IGF, MGF, HGH....

Clenbutoral,

and Insulin which I highly do not recommend.

The smarter guys out there: What are your thoughts on this?

i think if u are in a stick and cant get hold of a pct then go for this option but in my opinion why taper at all if you have got the PCT in hand...if u gonna spend the money on gear u might as well spend money on getting your pct sorted out same time...

Cost and avaialibilty is not the motivator for trying this. Success (reported) from using this protocol is my primary draw card. The specific site I came across which has users on the forum punting this, all trying it report success, doing more research i found that even William Llewellyn(author Anabolics 200x) has started acknowledging the merits of this protocol. With reg PCT, even done perfectly, you inveriably have a test dive. With tapering you NEVER have low test, supplementing natural test externally till natural production has resumed. Holding on to gains and maintaining intensity in your workouts is very much attainable using the taper protocol.

I will be using this on my next cycle starting end November, I will definately be reporting back on it. I was hoping someone on the site, with more experience under the belt, might have tried this and could compare the results and percieved test levels at the end.

With HCG, your hormonal cycle is already on the go BEFORE you end your AAS cycle. Kessar and Clomid take effect quickly so the time without test should be minimal, if not zero.
Thats how i understood it.
Where am i going wrong?

BTW - that avatar is extremely distracting! i keep going back to it!

Doctari,

I hope you read this. Please could you give your opinion on this protocol. Have you any experoence in this regard? You are obviously well educated and I would like to know if you see any merits in this. I am about to use the taper on my current cycle ending mid feb.

Any Ideas?

Personally, I will not use this, as I'm usually preparing for competitions. I have designed a cycle which I go through three phases over a 9 week period, using peptides, AAS and PCT - thus, I do not have time for tapering-off regimes. There should be no reason for this regime not to work, as your body will eventually have its HPTA kick in. This method, in my opinion, is basically very similar to the "bridging" concept being used during PCT courses, where ultra-low doses of oral AAS's are used. Remember that post AAS courses, you body, being healthy, will normally "bounce back" hormonally, time-wise depending on what you used at what doses for how long.