The Importance of PCT: Best Supplements to Keep Your Gains After a Prohormone or SARM Cycle

If you're running a prohormone or SARM cycle, one of the most important parts of your regimen happens after the cycle ends — and that's Post Cycle Therapy (PCT). A PCT helps your body recover its natural hormone production, maintain muscle gains, and avoid side effects such as fatigue, mood swings, or low libido. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through why PCT is essential, what supplements to consider, and how to structure your off-cycle recovery.

What Is a PCT (Post Cycle Therapy)?

PCT is a post-cycle recovery protocol used after completing a prohormone or SARM cycle. During your cycle, your body receives external androgens, which often suppress natural testosterone production. When the cycle ends, testosterone levels can crash, leaving you feeling fatigued, moody, and potentially losing the hard-earned gains from your cycle. That’s where PCT comes in — helping to rebalance hormones, restore natural testosterone, and preserve muscle mass.

Why Is PCT Important?

Without a PCT:

• You may experience low energy levels
• Mood fluctuations can occur
• Muscle fullness may decrease
• Libido often drops significantly

Taking a well-formulated PCT ensures:

• A smoother transition off-cycle
• Faster hormonal recovery
• Better overall physical and mental well-being
• Retention of muscle gains

Recommended PCT Supplements

Several high-quality PCT supplements are available. Here are some top choices based on effectiveness and ingredient profile:

1. Anarchy Labs Hard Target

Hard Target is a comprehensive test booster and PCT. It’s powerful enough to use post-cycle but also versatile enough to be used on its own. Key ingredients include:

• Fadogia Agrestis Extract – a popular natural testosterone booster

• Tongkat Ali Extract (400mg) – supports libido and hormonal health.

• KSM-66 Ashwagandha – improves sleep and lowers cortisol

• Fenugreek Extract – a traditional testosterone-boosting herb

• PrimaVie Shilajit – supports energy and vitality.

• DIM – helps regulate estrogen levels

• Androsta-3,5-diene-7,17-dione (Arimistane) – an estrogen blocker

This option is especially suitable for individuals coming off a heavy 4-Andro cycle, Sustanon 250, or Equipoise. With its advanced formulation, it may cost slightly more than other options but delivers robust support.

2. Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Arimiplex

Arimiplex is one of the most popular and affordable PCT supplements designed to support the body after a prohormone cycle with a 6-prong approach that includes liver protection, cardiovascular support, prostate health, increased libido, estrogen blocking, and testosterone enhancement. Arimiplex features a targeted formula with ingredients such as milk thistle extract for liver support, saw palmetto extract for prostate health, and 125mg of fenugreek extract for testosterone support. Despite being slightly more budget-friendly than Hard Target, it still offers a powerful blend of ingredients, including Arimistane for estrogen regulation. This makes it a strong choice for users seeking a balanced and cost-effective PCT support following any prohormone cycle.

3. Innovative Labs HellRaiser

HellRaiser is another effective PCT option. It stands among the trusted post-cycle products used by many individuals to support hormonal recovery. Innovative Labs Hellraiser is a high-quality Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) supplement made with some of the best ingredients on the market, designed to help repair and stabilize the body after recent and past hormone cycles. After a prohormone cycle, hormone levels become unbalanced, which can lead to side effects like rising estrogen levels. To normalize these levels and boost testosterone, a post-cycle support supplement is needed. Hellraiser features ingredients like Fenugreek and Tribulus Terrestris to raise testosterone and lower estrogen, along with Milk Thistle and other components to support the liver and other important organs.

Estrogen Management in PCT

After your cycle ends, estrogen levels can rise. This is why many PCT supplements include Arimistane, an aromatase inhibitor that blocks excess estrogen. Elevated estrogen can lead to unwanted side effects like water retention, fatigue, and mood changes. Managing estrogen is essential for a smooth recovery and maintaining your results. Although Arimistane can be taken during a cycle, it is particularly helpful during the post-cycle phase to stabilize hormones.

What About SARMs?

While SARMs are not recommended, many individuals still choose to run cycles. In those cases, a potent PCT such as Hard Target is strongly recommended. SARMs can significantly suppress natural testosterone, so a strong recovery protocol is essential to rebalance hormone levels quickly.

When to Start a New Cycle

While it's technically possible to begin a new cycle immediately after completing a PCT, a more sustainable and body-conscious approach is to follow the “time on = time off” rule:

Example: If your cycle lasted 8 weeks, follow it with a 30-day PCT and then take another 30 days off before starting your next cycle.

During this off period, many athletes use natural muscle builders such as:

• Turkesterone
• Laxogenin

These help maintain strength, muscle mass, and endurance without affecting hormone levels.

Do TRT Users Need PCT?

If you are on Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), you generally do not need a PCT because your hormone levels are already being managed externally. However, some PCT supplements—particularly Arimiplex and Hard Target—offer additional wellness benefits, including:

• Prostate and cardiovascular support
• Hair loss support (e.g., pumpkin seed extract)
• Overall detoxification

While not essential, they may still be beneficial from a general health perspective.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Skip PCT

Whether you're running a 60-day prohormone cycle or experimenting with SARMs, Post Cycle Therapy is non-negotiable if you want to:

• Maintain your physique
• Avoid hormonal crashes
• Support libido and mental clarity
• Protect your long-term health

For the small additional cost, a proper PCT is one of the smartest ways to protect your investment in training, nutrition, and supplementation.

Shop Trusted PCT Products

All supplements mentioned in this article are available at My Supplement Store.

For questions about choosing the right PCT or planning your next cycle, feel free to call us at 1-877-505-1777.

Check out our YouTube video where we discuss the best PCT products to keep your gains: