Clomiphene (Clomid)
Mixed estrogen receptor modulator composed of two geometric isomers: enclomiphene (trans, ~62%) and zuclomiphene (cis, ~38%). Enclomiphene drives the anti-estrogenic activity at the hypothalamus, increasing GnRH and gonadotropin release. Zuclomiphene is a weak estrogen agonist with a much longer half-life, accumulating during extended use and potentially causing estrogenic side effects.
Three tiers ordered by aggressiveness. Tier chips on every OPTIMIZE intervention let you filter the catalog by your evidence tolerance.
- total-testosterone
- free-testosterone
- estradiol
- lh
- fsh
- shbg
- lipid-panel
- igf-1
- liver-disease
- undiagnosed-uterine-bleeding
- ovarian-cysts
- visual-disturbances-history
- PMID:15476432Clomiphene citrate effects on testosterone/estrogen ratio in male hypogonadism — J Sex Med, 2004
- PMID:25264335Clomiphene citrate and testosterone gel replacement therapy for male hypogonadism — J Sex Med, 2014
- PMID:26323089Clomiphene citrate and enclomiphene for late onset hypogonadism — J Urol, 2015
- PMID:29506718A review of clomiphene citrate for the treatment of male hypogonadism — Ther Adv Urol, 2018
Clomiphene is a blunt instrument. The two-isomer problem is real — enclomiphene does the work you want, zuclomiphene accumulates and causes the side effects you do not. Visual disturbances, emotional volatility, estrogenic rebound. Every negative PCT experience someone attributes to clomid is almost certainly zuclomiphene accumulation. The drug works for HPTA restart. It just brings baggage. Understanding the isomer pharmacokinetics is the difference between a clean PCT and a miserable one.
This is not medical advice
Discuss with a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any compound. This page documents what the research literature describes — it is not a prescription.
See Clomiphene (Clomid) in a protocol matched to you