Letrozole (Femara) PCT – Uses, Side Effects, and More

Letrozole (Femara) is a reversible aromatase inhibitor noted as the most potent nonsteroidal AI. It is one of the three most commonly used aromatase inhibitors by steroid users to control side effects related to estrogen as a result of the use of aromatizing steroids (the other two common AIs being Arimidex – nonsteroidal and Aromasin – steroidal).

If you thought all aromatase inhibitors were created equal, Letrozole would have you thinking again! Yes, all AIs work similarly in their primary action, but no other AI is like Letrozole. Letrozole is a drug that will appeal to users of the most popular aromatizing steroids such as Testosterone, Dianabol, and countless others where the development of water retention, high blood pressure, and gynecomastia are serious concerns.

So, what is it that makes Letrozole so feared in the bodybuilding world? Should you be using this AI one at all? And how does it compare to our other aromatase inhibitor options? I’m here to reveal everything about Letrozole relevant to us as bodybuilders. Buckle up and dive in!

Medical disclaimer: The following guide is based on personal experience and does NOT promote the illegal use of steroids (PEDs). Consult a healthcare professional before using PEDs.

What is Letrozole?

Letrozole is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI). Femara is the most well-known brand name under which Letrozole is sold worldwide. Out of all the AIs, this would have to be the least used among steroid-using bodybuilders to control estrogenic side effects. It’s an AI with a reputation for being unpleasant to use for us guys – and for some good reasons.

Like most of the AIs we look at for use alongside anabolic steroids, Letrozole was also developed for the medical treatment of breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

The reason it is only used in women of such an age is due to its powerful estrogen-blocking ability, which would have serious health implications for pre-menopausal women. Still, for male steroid users in particular, it is this trait that makes AIs like Letrozole so appealing as we aim to combat the adverse effects of estrogen when using aromatizing steroids.

Letrozole can lower your overall estrogen levels because it blocks the aromatase enzyme. This is in contrast to the other popular category of estrogen control drugs for steroid users, SERMs, which only target very specific areas of the body.

Letrozole combats a wider range of estrogenic side effects caused by steroids, with the two main ones being gynecomastia and water retention. This will also help prevent the high blood pressure that can come along when excess water retention is not addressed.

A Quick Look at Letrozole

• Other Names: Letrozole (generic), Femara, others.
• Primary Use: Breast cancer treatment. Rarely used in PCT due to extreme estrogen suppression. Occasionally misused on-cycle for severe estrogen control.
• Administration: Oral form (tablets). Typical Dosage: 0.5-2.5 mg/week (extreme cases only). Half-life: ~48 hours.
• Cycle Length: On-cycle: Only for extreme estrogen control (e.g., heavy testosterone cycles or prolactin-related gyno with Trenbolone). Dosage: 0.25-0.5 mg twice weekly (monitored via bloodwork). Never use solo: Always pair with testosterone to avoid total estrogen depletion.
• Benefits: Restore natural testosterone via LH/FSH stimulation (SERMs like Clomid/Nolvadex are better), crashes estrogen to near-zero levels, which hinders recovery (estrogen is necessary for hormonal balance, bone health, and libido).
• Side Effects: Severe joint pain and stiffness, bone density loss (osteoporosis risk); fatigue, mood swings, and depression; skyrocketed LDL cholesterol, crashed HDL; liver toxicity (with prolonged high doses), adrenal insufficiency (rare but possible).

Note: Letrozole is one of the strongest AIs available and not suitable for PCT. Its extreme estrogen suppression can derail recovery and cause long-term health issues. For post-cycle therapy, prioritize SERMs and milder AIs like Aromasin. Misuse of Letrozole can lead to irreversible hormonal and metabolic damage.

History and Overview

Like most AIs, Letrozole’s primary purpose is to be used as a medical treatment for breast cancer in postmenopausal women following traditional cancer treatments like radiation or after a 5-year treatment of Nolvadex.

This AI didn’t get medical approval from the FDA until 1996, despite being developed in the 1980s. The only FDA approval it currently has is for breast cancer treatment. But like many medicines, Letrozole is also sometimes prescribed off-label for other conditions, including:

• Gynecomastia in males
• Female infertility
• Endometriosis

With studies finding that Letrozole is the only aromatase inhibitor with the ability to be more effective when used as a pre-surgical early breast cancer treatment (even more so than Nolvadex), some countries have approved Letro for this specific use^[1]. This fact gives us a good idea of how powerful Letrozole is compared to other AIs.

Mechanism of Action

Letrozole decreases the level of estrogen in the body. In terms of its medical use, this is critical in halting the growth and spread of breast cancer tumors, which can be stimulated by estrogen. As a non-steroidal AI, it has some benefits over older types of aromatase inhibitors because its actions won’t affect other hormones like:

• Cortisol
• Thyroxine
• Aldosterone

At its core, Letrozole’s most important mechanism of action is to act as an inhibitor to stop androgens from being converted into estrogen. It does this by binding (reversibly) to the aromatase enzyme. This makes it what’s known as a “non-suicidal AI.” And it’s this action that appeals to any male using anabolic steroids, which are capable of aromatizing.

Effects of Letrozole (Benefits) for Men

Letrozole’s benefits for men will revolve around estrogen control. Suppose you’re using aromatizing steroids (like testosterone) at higher doses. In that case, you’re likely going to suffer from problems of high estrogen, and these are both physical AND mental side effects.

Men will see a notable improvement in both physical and mental health when they get their estrogen under control with careful use of Letrozole. Here are the main benefits of using this AI:

Estrogen control

Letrozole will reduce the entire circulating levels of estrogen in the body, unlike SERM drugs, which will target specific receptors and are most useful for controlling gyno – Letrozole will also be powerful for controlling water retention, which is the other main adverse effect of steroid use that we all want to avoid.

When using Letrozole, you can expect your estrogen levels to be reduced considerably, as this is currently the most powerful AI we can access. It could result in your estrogen dropping too low at times (yes, this can be an issue for men as we do require a small amount of estrogen for normal functioning). But during a steroid cycle, your main aim with an AI is to reduce, minimize, and ultimately prevent the estrogenic side effects that are almost certain to come about when using steroids that aromatize.

Additional benefits to this estrogen-controlling power of Letrozole: because it prevents water retention, your physique will take on a much harder, drier, and ripped appearance because you’re not holding on to water. This can make Letrozole particularly useful for competitive bodybuilders who want to eliminate as much fluid retention as possible, and Letrozole is the best AI to help with this goal.

Gynecomastia control

Reversing gyno is the number one reason you will want to use Letrozole. You might have tried and failed with one or more other anti-gyno ancillaries with no success. Letrozole is such a powerful AI and so effective at controlling estrogen that some steroid users have reported being able to reverse the effects of gyno when using this drug successfully.

Even so, it is always preferable to try and prevent gyno from rearing its head at all rather than depending on any drug to reverse it because while some people might have luck with this when using Letrozole, others will find that more advanced gyno is still not reversible without surgery. Letro is not likely to reverse your gynecomastia if you’ve been suffering the symptoms for years. It’s primarily useful for immediate gyno control once you start noticing those early signs of:

• Nipple tingling
• Puffiness
• Developing a small lump

Letrozole should be started if these signs appear and stopped once you’ve successfully reversed the gyno symptoms.

Mental and sexual health

Although not talked about as much as gyno, if you’ve let your estrogen get too high, you’re at high risk of severe libido issues, erectile dysfunction, and poor mood, including depression and brain fog. Simply rebalancing your estrogen can have you feeling like a different person – but you’ll need to get your Letro dosage on point to prevent an estrogen crash.

What are Aromatase Inhibitors (AI)?

Aromatase inhibitors are one of the two classes of drugs that are the most critical ancillaries for anabolic steroid users (the other being SERMs). However, AIs were not developed for the benefit or use of male bodybuilders.

These are essentially anti-estrogen drugs that have been developed as a medication for female breast cancer sufferers – importantly, AIs are for women who are post-menopause because the activity of an AI is to reduce estrogen levels drastically. As post-menopausal women no longer produce estrogen from the ovaries, AIs are typically only utilized in these older women.

The most essential things to know about aromatase inhibitors as they relate to our needs are:

• AIs block the enzyme aromatase, which prevents the aromatization (conversion) of androgens (testosterone) into estrogen
• AIs can help prevent and/or reverse estrogenic AAS side effects, including gynecomastia and water retention
• Some AIs can stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone to promote testosterone production.

AIs are possibly the safest and most well-researched drugs that we can ever use as gear users, thanks to the extensive amount of clinical study they’ve undergone over decades.

And the good news?

A little goes a long way with an AI. You generally only need a low dose and use it briefly to get what you need. However, one common newbie assumption that must be put to rest is this: Every AI differs from the next. They are not created equal, and you will tolerate some MUCH better than others. Some AIs are also better at addressing specific estrogenic symptoms than others. Letrozole is one AI considered the toughest to use and least tolerable for anyone.

Letrozole for PCT

Even though Letrozole has been shown to increase follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in female patients, this is not an AI we would typically want to use for post-cycle therapy. There’s only one AI that I’d consider for PCT, and that’s Aromasin – otherwise, SERMs will always give you the best results.

Letro may have some ability to raise testosterone levels, mainly through its ability to reduce estrogen. Both luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone are increased by Letrozole, which is essential to testosterone production.

So, while a reduction of estrogen is important for bringing about a rise in testosterone levels, this is a fine balance in men, and reducing estrogen too low can have the opposite effect, with testosterone not able to increase to a normal level if estrogen is suppressed too powerfully, which Letrozole can do.

For this reason, many will choose not to make use of this drug during post-cycle therapy at all in favor of using a SERM like Nolvadex. However, suppose you find that Letrozole is preferable for you for post-cycle therapy use. In that case, a low dose similar to or lower than that stated above during your steroid cycle is the only way to reduce the risk of very low estrogen occurring.

Making use of Letrozole alongside Nolvadex, which is a staple in PCT for most men, results in both drugs, making the other less effective. Combining these drugs is not recommended for PCT. Therefore, most people will opt to use the better PCT option in the SERM Nolvadex while enjoying the benefits that Letrozole can provide during the steroid cycle only.

Doses

Medical use of Letrozole for women usually is 2.5mg per day. This would be at the high end of the dosage spectrum for us men using Letro on-cycle. As I want to clarify, Letrozole is an extreme AI in terms of its adverse effects.

What does this mean?

It means firstly taking a low dosage, and I mean low – you want to evaluate your response to this AI in the first few days. Also, you won’t necessarily need to take a higher dose because it’s often very effective at a minimal dosage for gyno reversal. Here’s what I recommend:

Letrozole dosage on-cycle

Letrozole is going to be a very harsh ancillary to use on-cycle. Rarely would anyone want to use it as the primary anti-estrogenic because of its potency. Instead, Letrozole is best utilized specifically for gyno reversal.

A very low dose can still crush your estrogen levels and have you feeling horrendous! But if you’re not able to control your gyno symptoms with other more tolerable AIs and/or SERMs, then I recommend this: A VERY LOW dose of Letro, at least to start with.

• Many guys will start as low as 0.5mg or even just 0.25mg daily. This dosage can be all you need to reverse early gyno.
• 1.25mg per day can be enough to get rid of more advanced gynecomastia symptoms.
• 2.5mg will kill gyno in its tracks if 1.25mg isn’t enough for you, but at that point, you’re looking at maximum estrogen suppression, and you’ll undoubtedly feel terrible.

Making the mistake of taking too much Letrozole during steroid use will have no benefit and bring about negative effects, like fatigue. So, it’s critical to maintain a sensible dose. Letrozole also needs to be tapered down in dosage as you come off it so you don’t suffer an estrogen rebound.

Letrozole dosage for PCT

Of all the AIs, I would put Letrozole as the most unsuitable for PCT use. Simply using Letrozole for on-cycle anti-estrogen purposes can be taxing enough, and this is typically shorter-lived than a PCT cycle that needs to run for several weeks.

Although Letrozole has been shown to increase LH and FSH potentially, this AI is unlikely to be effective at giving you any beneficial testosterone-stimulating effects during PCT, and a SERM (or even Aromasin) is an infinitely better option. If you insist on using Letrozole for PCT, consider it for the first one to two weeks only at a low dose of under 1mg every three days and accompany its use with a SERM for another 2-4 weeks.

Female Letrozole dosage

Increased estrogen levels are not anywhere near as great a concern for female steroid users as it is for males. The main reason females use AI like Letrozole would be to mitigate water retention, especially for competitive bodybuilders or physique athletes, where this is most important.

Letrozole is not recommended as a first choice for females due to its potency in reducing estrogen so much, hence why it is not used medically by females who have not gone through menopause. Females determined to use this AI are advised to take a dose of 0.5mg every other day and gauge the results and effects.

Dosing schedule, half-life, and PCT length

Letrozole’s half-life is anywhere from 2 to 4 days^[2]. I prefer to take it once every three days. Most guys would only want to take Letrozole daily when a lot of gear is being taken; otherwise, every 2-3 days is adequate.

As it would be highly unusual (and not recommended) to use Letrozole for PCT, I can only say that if you DO decide to include this AI in your PCT cycle, then limit its use to two weeks at the most, followed by Nolvadex.

Proper administration and timing

If you’ve bought Letrozole in tablet form (pharmaceutical grade or from an underground lab), it’s a simple once-daily administration. The official medical guidelines state that it can be taken with or without food – but it should be taken at the same time each day so you’re able to maintain consistent levels of the drug in your system.

Buying pharma-grade Letro makes it easy to pop a simple tablet as needed every two or three days. Liquid research chemical Letro is best taken under the tongue for proper absorption or as your supplier directs.

Letrozole vs. Other PCT Options

Letrozole isn’t an AI you’ll want to use for PCT. As you know, this AI is more than capable of destroying your estrogen levels (almost completely to 100%), and that’s not what we need during PCT – you want your estrogen to be at a healthy level and in balance with the natural testosterone you need to recover after using steroids.

Regarding gyno control and reversal, we have plenty of other options to consider alongside Letrozole. How do they stack up, and when would you choose Letrozole over other AIs or SERMs?

Letrozole vs. Clomid

Clomid is a SERM, which is a very different type of drug from Letro (an AI). A common misunderstanding is that Clomid will reduce your estrogen levels. SERMs do not reduce total estrogen! Instead, Clomid will bind to specific estrogen receptors while leaving your circulating estrogen untouched.

Regarding our usage of Clomid and Letrozole, they are like chalk and cheese: Clomid is one of the best PCT compounds to restore testosterone function. Letrozole, on the other hand? I would strongly advise against using it for PCT. However, Letrozole can be exceptional at zapping gynecomastia quickly.

Clomid is not a great on-cycle ancillary and won’t be your first choice for controlling estrogenic side effects. Still, unlike Clomid, Letrozole can and will crush your estrogen to dangerously low levels. In short? These are two very different ancillaries for different purposes: Clomid for PCT and Letro for gyno control.

Letrozole vs. Arimidex

Of all the AIs, Arimidex is closest to Letrozole in terms of its mechanisms of action as they’re both nonsteroidal AIs. This means they both bind reversibly to the aromatase enzyme. Despite this, Letrozole is still a more potent AI than Arimidex, and almost everyone will find it less tolerable to use than the more popular Arimidex.

I would very rarely choose to use Letro over Arimidex! Arimidex is excellent at reducing water retention. Although Letro should also reduce fluid retention, we don’t use it for this purpose because it would require use over most of your cycle. And as we know, Letrozole is far too harsh to be running for weeks on end.

It’s well known that Letrozole reduces estrogen more strongly than Arimidex^[3], making Letro the more difficult AI to use. The risk of crushing your estrogen is that much higher compared to using Arimidex.

While both of these AIs can help stimulate natural testosterone production, neither is considered by most guys to be the right choice for PCT when used alone; in fact, many people won’t use a powerful AI like Arimidex or Letrozole during PCT at all, and instead go for a SERM drug with Nolvadex being a popular choice, alongside Clomid and often hCG as well.

The main reason is that Arimidex is very good at lowering estrogen, and Letrozole is even better. They are so powerful at this task that they can result in estrogen levels that are too low even for the male body.

This causes complications in the hormonal balance and will hurt your natural testosterone recovery; males still need a small amount of estrogen to keep things in balance, and since PCT is all about getting your natural hormone function back to normal, continuing with a high estrogen suppression drug like Letrozole or Arimidex after the steroid cycle can make this difficult, if not impossible.

Another issue when considering the use of Letrozole during PCT is that when it is combined with the staple PCT drug of choice for most people, Nolvadex, a negative interaction occurs where the concentrations of drugs counteract each other. This is also an issue when Arimidex is combined with Nolvadex.

This is another reason why combining either of these AIs with a SERM during PCT is not advisable at all – and since a SERM is essential for PCT, it will take priority over either Letrozole or Arimidex. Both of these AIs offer far more advantages when their use is limited to during your steroid cycle, where you can greatly benefit from their powerful anti-estrogen effects during that time.

Letrozole vs. Aromasin

Aromasin is the only AI reasonable for PCT because it can effectively stimulate LH and FSH (although you’ll still need to use Nolvadex with it). On the other hand, would you want to use Letrozole for PCT? I would say no: Letro isn’t suitable for PCT use.

So what about gyno – is Aromasin or Letrozole better? Aromasin is an all-round anti-estrogen that helps with gyno and water retention, and it’s a much more tolerable drug to take than Letro. I would only ever use Letrozole over Aromasin if I badly need it to get rid of worsening gyno because I know it’s going to destroy my estrogen levels if I’m not extremely careful with the dosage.

Letrozole Side Effects in Men

There are a few significant differences in how female medical patients take Letrozole and how we will use it for our on-cycle needs. Most importantly, when it comes to side effects, women will often be prescribed Letrozole for several years. In comparison, we will typically use Letrozole only for a matter of days!

Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean we get away with zero side effects with this AI because it is VERY powerful, and that’s a good reason to limit its use to only when you need it. Virtually all the side effect risks relate to estrogen deficiency as a result of Letro’s potent anti-estrogenic effects.

As with all types of drugs, the effects that each experience will vary, and that means some people will be able to use Letrozole without a single side effect, while others might have one or more adverse reactions to the drug. The good news is that you have a good selection of other drugs available if Letrozole proves problematic for you.

The profile of possible side effects is comparable for Letrozole to that of the similar AI Arimidex. Fatigue, muscle aches, diarrhea, constipation, and chest pain are noted as specific side effects that Letrozole can experience, but this usually applies to women using it long-term as a cancer medication.

Most male steroid users who make use of Letrozole tolerate it well when it’s used at the recommended dosages. Many men will experience no noticeable side effects at all. Taking excessive doses of Letrozole provides an obvious increased risk of serious side effects. Here are the side effects that you could potentially experience when taking Letrozole:

Loss of libido and sexual function

Possibly the most complained about adverse effect of Letro is the way it can kill your libido and do so quickly and fully. It’s also played havoc with sexual function in a lot of men, resulting in complete erectile dysfunction in the worst cases. This is a direct result of you nuking your estrogen levels and possibly taking too high of a dose of Letrozole.

If ED and loss of libido are distressing you and you still want to keep using Letro, then you’ll want to get at least bloodwork done to check your estrogen levels to rule out any other causes.

Tiredness

Extreme fatigue can develop if you’ve crushed your estrogen on Letro. At the more extreme end are guys who feel the need to nap all day long. This is a clear sign that you either must taper off Letro and stop using it or drop the dosage in half. Your estrogen will need to be within normal range to prevent debilitating fatigue.

Joint pain

Estrogen plays a vital role in bone and joint health, so once again, once your levels drop drastically (and Letro can drop estrogen levels by 90% or more), your bone strength reduces due to decreased bone mineral density. On the upside, some of the AAS we use will increase bone mineral density, which can help offset this adverse Letrozole effect.

It’s well known that osteoporosis is a risk factor for long-term use of Letrozole. We shouldn’t have to worry about any permanent damage to the bones or joints when using Letro short term, and your pain should disappear once you’ve stopped taking Letrozole and your estrogen levels have bounced back to within the normal range.

Cardiovascular

Letrozole can increase both cholesterol and blood pressure. Studies on female patients found a significant increase in total cholesterol levels and LDL when measured after two months and again at four months^[4].

Again, while an increase in cholesterol is always unwanted for those of us using steroids that already hurt cholesterol (and blood pressure), short-term use is unlikely to result in permanent health concerns.

Estrogen has a beneficial effect on cholesterol, so once again, we want to maintain an effective dose of Letrozole as low as possible to minimize or eliminate this possible cholesterol-related side effect.

With numerous clinical trials involving female breast cancer patients, other side effects that were reported include mostly temporary issues like:

• Hot flashes
• Excess sweating
• Nausea
• Headaches

Rebound of estrogen

Unlike some other types of AIs, which are known as suicide or non-reversible aromatase inhibitors such as Aromasin, Letrozole is a non-suicidal AI. Therefore, once you stop using it, it’s possible to get a “rebound” in estrogen levels: the sudden halt of the drug’s estrogen reduction effect brings about a bounce in estrogen levels.

For this reason, it is important to lower your dose of Letrozole slowly rather than stop it abruptly. Some people will choose to take a SERM like Nolvadex to provide extra protection during the end of a Letrozole dosage period and mitigate the effects of a possible estrogen rebound at this time.

Where to Buy Letrozole?

We often turn to Letrozole as a desperate last attempt to eliminate gynecomastia symptoms. But what if you can’t find any? What if it takes weeks to arrive? If you don’t already have a reliable source for Letrozole, then this is what I do: My answer is to go straight for the research chemical suppliers if you need Letro ASAP.

Availability of Letrozole

Letrozole is a very commonly prescribed prescription drug in the US and many other countries, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to buy without a prescription.

• Black market sellers are one option, but many are less inclined to advertise their prescription medications for sale thanks to the legal issues other suppliers have faced.
• Underground labs won’t stock Letrozole as commonly as the more popular AIs, but you will find some suppliers with Letro in tablet form.

So where does that leave us?

Research chemical suppliers provide us with a reliable option, even if a little inconvenience is that you’ll usually buy Letrozole in liquid form from these sources rather than tablets. For most of us, the research chemical path is the quickest and most reliable way to get Letrozole, and if you have a reputable supplier, then quality should not be an issue.

Is Letrozole legal?

In most major countries, it is only legal to purchase and use Letrozole if you have a legitimate doctor’s prescription. And with Letrozole only being prescribed for breast cancer treatment (and occasionally off-label for gynecomastia and infertility), the chances of you obtaining a prescription are probably very low.

Buying on the black market (which typically means unauthorized imports), Letrozole is technically illegal. However, it will be the importer and supplier of black market Letrozole who will have the attention of authorities. Wherever you’ve managed to get your Letrozole from, you’re unlucky to face any legal complications if you possess a small amount without a prescription.

There is an exception: Research chemical Letrozole (typically sold in liquid vials) is currently legal to sell and buy – technically for research purposes only. Still, for those looking for the most legal way of getting Letrozole without a prescription, research chemicals are the way to go.

Typical pricing

Femara tablets are available throughout most of the world, and if you can find this brand, you’re getting the best possible quality of Letrozole, but it will also be the most expensive. Generic pharmaceutical Letrozole is also available, and as long as they’re legitimate generics, the quality should be just as good as genuine Femara and at a lower cost. Compared to some other AIs that we use, Letro is one of the more affordable products.

• Some online pharmacies (prescription required) sell 30 tablets of 2.5mg at a little over $100.
• Peptide and SARMs suppliers (usually research chemical suppliers) provide 30ml vials of 2.5mg/ml for under $40.

Remember: We use very low quantities of Letrozole, and even a single 30-tablet box will likely last you over several cycles.

Letrozole FAQs

Does Letrozole cause fatigue?

Taking Letrozole at too high a dosage will cause a noticeable onset of fatigue and a general lack of energy, which no athlete or bodybuilder wants to experience. This is one reason why it’s essential to stick to the lowest possible dose that still gives you the intended benefits without causing this or other side effects that will seriously hamper your performance and results and outweigh any benefit that Letrozole can provide you.

Can you drink alcohol while taking Letrozole?

Drinking alcohol while taking steroids (and even when not) is not something any serious bodybuilder or athlete wants to do as alcohol is a well-known performance decreaser, health hazard, liver stressor, and so many more negative things. Alcohol and medications are never a wise mix either, with interactions between the two being very possible.

When it comes to Letrozole, drinking alcohol alongside the use of the drug is known to increase the risk of headaches and nausea as both substances individually can cause these effects; when combined, these issues can become more pronounced.

Which is better, Clomid or Letrozole?

Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is another drug often used by steroid users. Unlike Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, Clomid is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Both drugs are very effective, but they work differently, so one can not be said to be better than the other.

If you want an AI, Letrozole is possibly the best at controlling estrogen symptoms while you’re on a steroid cycle, while Clomid is a standard choice for PCT use. Letrozole effectively lowers overall estrogen, so it is excellent for water retention control and gyno, while Clomid specifically targets breast tissue.

For PCT usage, Clomid is considered a better choice because it does not suppress overall estrogen levels the way that Letrozole does, which provides a better hormonal balance for restoring your normal testosterone production after a steroid cycle. By comparison, Letrozole is generally considered too powerful as an estrogen-reduction drug to be a good choice for PCT.

Does Letrozole cause hair loss?

Some women who have used Letrozole for breast cancer treatment have experienced thinning of the hair – this is an expected effect on women whose estrogen levels have been drastically reduced by the drug. This is not known to be an issue for male steroid users who take Letrozole, and hair loss is a much larger concern with the steroids themselves, of which some can stimulate male pattern baldness because of an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as an androgenic side effect of steroid use.

What is the best time of day to take Letrozole?

There is no guide as to when steroid users should take Letrozole. For medical purposes, it is taken once a day, either morning or night. Whichever time you choose to take your daily dose, it should be taken at a regular time each day or every other day, depending on your preferred dose. So, you are maintaining a balanced level of the drug in your system for maximum estrogen control.

Letrozole has a half-life of two days, and many steroid users will find that taking it every second day is best not only for results but also to reduce possible side effects (especially fatigue) from this powerful aromatase inhibitor.

Does Letrozole increase cholesterol?

Most aromatase inhibitor drugs will pose some risk to cholesterol health, particularly lowering good cholesterol levels while raising bad cholesterol. This is partly because of the lowering of estrogen – a hormone that plays a role in maintaining cholesterol health. Taking too high of a dose of Letrozole brings about the highest risk of this happening, but most steroid users will only be using it at very low doses and for short periods.

Studies on the impacts of Letrozole on cholesterol have not been conclusive overall. One study found that cholesterol levels did rise after women used Letrozole for six months but returned to normal when the drug was stopped. Another study showed that women who had been on Letrozole for several years did not show any effects at all on cholesterol.

Final Thoughts

Letrozole is possibly the most powerful aromatase inhibitor for preventing gyno, and this should be your ultimate goal: to stop the condition from starting to develop at all while you’re using steroids. Prevention is better than cure when it comes to gyno, but if you do find that you’re starting to get those early signs, then Letrozole has sometimes stopped them and reversed them.

Fully developed gyno can’t be reversed by Letrozole or any other drug (only surgery), but it is a very effective AI overall for gyno and other estrogen-related effects. No known studies are proving how effective Letrozole might be at reversing or improving gyno, unlike the SERM Nolvadex, which has been shown in studies to deliver very positive improvements to men with gyno.

Letrozole is a last resort option for me for estrogen/gyno control. This is not an AI you want to jump on to “just in case.” And anyone who uses it (or even is just thinking about using it) should already know this: You SHOULD expect to feel like crap on Letro. It’s the trade-off for getting rid of gyno, but it’s up to you if you think it’s worth it.

Guys so distressed by gynecomastia and not seeing results from other AIs will turn to Letrozole in desperation. There’s nothing wrong with doing that – as long as you know what you’re getting into with this amazingly powerful AI.

— Furious Joe