Benefits from aromatase inhibitor while on TRT
Many people fail to realize how testosterone is such a crucial hormone in the human body. This hormone regulates things like sex drive, the building and maintaining of muscle mass, the distribution of body fat, as well as assisting with mental aspects. As people age, testosterone levels begin to decline, and while there are natural ways to boost testosterone, sometimes testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the best option to treat this condition. However, the drastic increase in testosterone can also cause the body to increase its estrogen levels as well, which can cause some nasty side effects. That being said, aromatase inhibitors, commonly referred to as “estrogen blockers”, are more commonly being prescribed alongside testosterone replacement therapy.
Let’s take a look at the hormones and how they affect the human body, as well as aromatase inhibitors and what they do for you.
Overview of Hormones
Testosterone
As stated above, testosterone is a crucial hormone when it comes to muscle building, fat distribution, cognitive function, and sex drive. When testosterone declines, you may notice you are holding more fat or retaining more water in some areas (particularly around the hips) your mood may be decreased, you are not gaining or maintaining as much muscle, and so on. The effects of low testosterone are less than ideal.
Estrogen
Estrogen, or estradiol, is often referred to as the “feminine hormone”, as it regulates feminine traits, as well as the female reproductive organs, and is overall responsible for developing female sexual characteristics.
When estrogen gets too high, especially in a man, this can cause libido issues, difficulty maintaining or gaining muscle, acne, and even mental issues such as depression. No man wants to deal with those side effects.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Now, when someone has low testosterone, a lot of times they will first turn to testosterone boosters that typically contain herbs and minerals to naturally boost testosterone. They also will try to switch up their diet and exercise regimens in an attempt to boost testosterone naturally. However, naturally boosting testosterone does not always work, and as a result testosterone replacement therapy is becoming more common amongst individuals. Not to mention, there has been more research that has become available in favor of this treatment.
Testosterone replacement therapy involves the injection of exogenous testosterone with the goal of boosting the body’s testosterone levels. This is not like a testosterone booster that boosts the body’s natural levels, TRT quite literally replaces the body’s natural ability to makes its own testosterone.
Aromatase Inhibitors With Testosterone Replacement Therapy
When you are raising the body’s testosterone levels, the estrogen will also rise to match it and stay balanced, this is a naturally occurring response. This is also a common effect that can be found with substances like anabolic steroids, where you are skyrocketing your testosterone levels and your body needs the estrogen to match. While higher estrogen is common with steroids, it can also be a side effect of TRT usage, being that you are raising the body’s testosterone levels in exponential amounts, even if you are on a lower dose. The increase in estrogen levels at this degree can lead to very unwanted side effects such as gynecomastia (the development of female breast tissue), acne, and the typical side effects associated with high estrogen levels.
A 2021 study took place to check the impact of aromatase inhibitors on estrogen levels in men using testosterone replacement therapy. The men who were chosen were on TRT and had been experiencing high levels of estrogen, and they were given anastrozole, commonly referred to as arimidex. The study had concluded that anastrozole remained a good treatment option for men on TRT with elevated estrogen levels.
Personal Experiences With Aromatase Inhibitors and TRT
At the age of 23 years old, I had been prescribed testosterone replacement therapy. It may seem young to be prescribed this treatment, but I had been competing in bodybuilding from a young age, and due to the illegal usage of performance enhancing drugs, my testosterone levels were left permanently depleted, and my body struggled to make more. This prompted my doctor to prescribe me just under 200mg of testosterone a week to maintain healthy levels, whereas the “beginner” bodybuilding cycle is 500mg of testosterone a week. However, my estrogen levels were also around 50 pg/mL, which is very high for a man. This also prompted my doctor to prescribe me anastrozole alongside my TRT.
I will say that have used testosterone without an aromatase inhibitor, and experienced unfortunate side effects. These side effects I experienced on testosterone without an aromatase inhibitor included water retention, acne, mood changes, and increased body fat, so when I was on anabolics, I just looked like a chubby kid going through puberty. However, now that I am fortunate enough to be prescribed anastrozole alongside my testosterone, I no longer experience any of those things.
Even though I may benefit from these substances due to my past decisions, it certainly is not for everyone.
Natural Aromatase Inhibitors
Now, anastrozole is not a substance that is readily available, nor is it safe or legal to get without a prescription. That being said, there are natural alternatives. The only issue is not every natural alternative is as effective as they say, and hormone regulation is not something that you want to take a risk with.
Aromatest
Whether you’re a natural athlete or an enhanced athlete, if you want to get the best results and build hard dense muscle, you should understand a process known as aromatization, and how to gain control of it.
AROMATEST from MuscleMeds is a potent and natural aromatase inhibitor that is aimed at boosting your testosterone as well as blocking your estrogen. AROMATEST contains ingredients such as OctaPren, a proprietary prenyl flavonoid extract of Xanthohumol (XN) and 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), formulated in a super-bioavailable lipophilic delivery system. AROMATEST reduces the conversion of testosterone to estrogen by binding to and disabling the aromatase enzyme. Thereby, helping to naturally increase testosterone levels and lower estrogen for enhanced muscle building and male performance.
It is a supplement that can be used for natural, or enhanced athletes. If you are natural and looking to increase testosterone and inhibit estrogen, then you can use AROMATEST. But, if you are not natural, or if you are on TRT, and experiencing higher estradiol levels than you would like, AROMATEST is something that can help out.
Ingredients
AROMATEST is formulated with a proprietary prenylflavonoid extract of Xanthohumol (XN) and 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), and research shows that these two natural compounds are the most powerful aromatase inhibitors available. Further improving the potency and efficacy of these compounds, AROMATEST uses a super-bioavailable lipophilic delivery system making it truly stand about above other aromatase inhibitors.
As far as other ingredietns, AROMATEST includes polyglycerol esters of fatty acids and hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose (vegetable capsule material).
Servings and Price
AROMATEST contains 500mg of OctraPren per serving, and each serving size is one gel capsule, which you can take in the morning with your breakfast.
When looking at the price of this supplement, keep in mind that you are getting a testosterone booster mixed in with an all natural, yet still potent aromatase inhibitor. That being said, it is basically a two-in-one product, and with 30 servings, you will pay $59.99!
Many other aromatase inhibitors are that price on their own, and testosterone boosters are not cheap either, so essentially you are getting both together for a great price.
Check out our individual review for AROMATEST!
Aromatase Inhibitors FAQs
Do I need an aromatase inhibitor with TRT?
While in many cases an aromatase inhibitor paired with TRT is ideal, this will depend largely on what your bloodwork says, so it is best to consult with your physician to see where you are at and what your body needs.
Is AROMATEST safe to use with TRT?
Yes, AROMATEST is a natural aromatase inhibitor that can be paired with TRT without any issues.
Is AROMATEST effective?
When it comes to your estrogen levels, you do not want to mess around. A lot of times, aromatase inhibitors will not be prescribed alongside TRT even though you may have higher estrogen levels, so finding an over the counter alternative is the next best thing. AROMATEST is a great option that will truly keep your hormones balanced while using TRT.
Wrap Up
Overall, aromatase inhibitors with TRT is something that is not talked about enough. Testosterone replacement therapy is becoming more common, and it can certainly raise your body’s estrogen levels, so you want to keep that under control to avoid nasty side effects. While an aromatase inhibitor may not be the easiest or cheapest thing to get, products like AROMATEST save the day and keep your estrogen under control while on TRT.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more insight into bodybuilder’s training and diet!