How to Run a Safe PCT After SARMs or Peptides (2025 Protocols)

🧠 What Is PCT — And Why You Can’t Skip It After SARMs

If you’ve just wrapped up a cycle of SARMs, you’re probably riding high on strength gains, better body comp, and enhanced recovery. But here’s the truth most people gloss over: even SARMs can suppress your natural testosterone levels — and skipping PCT can tank your results (and hormones) fast.

Post-cycle therapy (PCT) is what helps your body bounce back from hormonal suppression. It’s not just a formality — it’s a must-do if you want to keep your gains, restore natural T production, and avoid mood crashes, libido issues, or fatigue.

Peptides, on the other hand, are a mixed bag. Some (like MK-677 or CJC-1295) don’t touch your endocrine system, while others (like IGF-1 LR3 or Tesamorelin) might affect feedback loops. So PCT needs to be based on what you actually ran — not a generic template.

🔎 Do You Always Need PCT After SARMs or Peptides?

Here’s a quick rule of thumb:

Compound Type Suppressive? PCT Needed?
MK-2866 (Ostarine) Mildly suppressive Usually, yes
RAD-140 (Testolone) Strongly suppressive Absolutely yes
LGD-4033 Moderate Yes
YK-11 or S23 Highly suppressive Definitely
MK-677, Cardarine, BPC-157 Non-suppressive No PCT required
IGF-1 LR3, CJC-1295 Possibly suppressive Monitor labs; mild PCT if needed

If your SARM is on the stronger side (RAD, LGD, YK), skipping PCT is a fast way to crash your test levels and lose progress.

📈 Signs You Might Be Suppressed Post-Cycle

  • Low energy / fatigue

  • Loss of libido

  • Mood swings or irritability

  • Poor workout performance

  • Testicular shrinkage (in more extreme cases)

  • Bloodwork: low total/free testosterone, low LH/FSH

🧪 Bloodwork: The PCT Insurance Policy

Before you panic (or even before you start PCT), get your blood levels checked. A hormone panel can tell you exactly where you stand.

Key labs to check:

  • Total Testosterone

  • Free Testosterone

  • LH & FSH

  • Estradiol (E2)

  • SHBG

  • ALT/AST (liver health)

If your test is still in range, you may just need a mild restart. If it’s bottomed out, you’ll need a full PCT protocol — and time.

🔄 The 2025 PCT Protocol Breakdown

Here’s a no-nonsense guide to running PCT based on what you cycled:

🔹 Mild SARM Cycle (e.g., MK-2866, S4, ACP-105)

Goal: Gentle restart, minimal suppression

Duration: 3 weeks

PCT Plan:

  • Clomid (Clomiphene): 25 mg/day

  • Ashwagandha or Fadogia extract (optional)

  • Zinc + Vitamin D3

  • Sleep + training volume modulation

This is usually enough to reboot your axis after a light run. Bloodwork at week 4 is recommended.

🔹 Moderate Cycle (e.g., LGD-4033, 8-week RAD-140, YK-11 low dose)

Goal: Full restart, mild T suppression recovery

Duration: 4 weeks

PCT Plan:

  • Clomid: 50/50/25/25 mg (Week 1–4)

  • Tamoxifen (Nolvadex): Optional — 20 mg if estrogen rebound risk

  • N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) — for liver & antioxidant support

  • Tongkat Ali / natural T boosters — optional but helpful

Tip: You don’t need both Clomid and Nolva, but some prefer combining them at low doses.

🔹 Aggressive Cycle (e.g., RAD-140 + YK-11, high-dose S23)

Goal: Recover from shutdown

Duration: 4–6 weeks

PCT Plan:

  • Clomid: 50 mg/day for 2 weeks, then taper to 25 mg/day

  • Tamoxifen (Nolvadex): 20 mg/day (entire PCT)

  • HCGenerate / natural test booster (to support LH/FSH)

  • Liver + cholesterol support (TUDCA, omega-3s)

This is as close as you get to a mini steroid-level PCT without having run full-blown gear.

Warning: If bloodwork doesn’t bounce back after 6 weeks, consult a doctor. Long-term suppression isn’t common with SARMs, but it can happen.

🧬 What About Peptides?

Most peptides don’t require PCT, especially if they don’t interfere with androgen or gonadotropin production.

Peptide PCT Needed?
MK-677 ❌ No — non-suppressive
BPC-157 / TB-500 ❌ No — not hormonal
IGF-1 LR3 ⚠️ Maybe — mild HPTA interference in long cycles
CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin ❌ No — enhances GH without T suppression
Follistatin-344 ⚠️ Unknown — experimental compound with limited data

If you ran IGF-1 LR3 or PEG-MGF for more than 6 weeks and feel lethargic or “flat” after cycle, a short Clomid run (2 weeks) could help balance things out.

💡 PCT Success Tips

  1. Run your PCT for the full duration — don’t cut it short because you feel “fine” after a week.

  2. Avoid jumping back into a cycle immediately after PCT. Give your body a 6–8 week break minimum.

  3. Use your time off wisely: Eat well, train hard, sleep deeply, and monitor your metrics.

  4. No booze, no hard cardio marathons, no crash diets. Let your system stabilize.

🧠 Advanced: Natural PCT Support Stack

This isn’t a replacement for SERMs, but if you want to enhance your recovery — or bridge the gap between mild cycles:

  • Tongkat Ali (200–400 mg/day)

  • Fadogia Agrestis (300–600 mg/day)

  • Zinc (30–50 mg/day)

  • Vitamin D3 (5,000 IU/day)

  • Ashwagandha (500 mg 2x/day)

These can support mood, libido, and natural T production, especially after lighter cycles or as a SERM taper stack.

📊 Example PCT Timeline (Post 8-Week RAD-140 Cycle)

Week Action
1–2 Clomid 50 mg/day, NAC, natural boosters
3–4 Clomid 25 mg/day, add omega-3s, retest labs
5 Optional natural test support only
6 Begin reintroduction of regular training volume
8 Evaluate bloodwork for recovery markers

🧬 The Bottom Line

A well-run SARM or peptide cycle can deliver serious gains — but if you blow off your PCT, you’re setting yourself up to lose them all. Whether you ran a mild Ostarine solo cycle or stacked RAD with YK-11, your hormones deserve respect.

The good news? Most users bounce back quickly with a smart, dialed-in PCT, and many come out of it stronger than before — both hormonally and mentally.