What's The Difference Between SERMS and Aromatize Inhibitors?

Everyone knows that estrogen, the primary female hormone, is responsible for all of the secondary sex characteristics in women, such as breasts and ovulation. In men and women, estrogen is produced in the adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries. When a man or woman experiences a drop in their natural production of testosterone or an increase in estrogen from outside sources (e.g., excess body fat, exogenous anabolic usage, rapid weight gain, rapid weight loss, stress, adrenal / cortisol fatigue, along with hundreds of other variables). It can have negative consequences on their physical health, libido, lean tissue gain, mental health, energy levels, and a whole laundry list of other possible negative outcomes. An imbalance of testosterone to estrogen has been linked to everything from acne to cancer. This is why most men and women who are bodybuilders or frequently work out usually take some sort of anti-estrogen drug to remain healthy and prevent any negative side effects.

In the world of bodybuilding, there are two main types of drugs used to help decrease estrogen: SERMs and AIs. Both of these drugs work by helping to block the effects of estrogen in the body. However, they do so in different ways. SERMs work by binding to estrogen receptors, preventing the hormone from binding and having an effect. AIs, on the other hand, work by inhibiting the enzyme that synthesizes estrogen. So, what's the difference between the two? Well, SERMs are typically considered to be safer and more effective. They are also better at preventing the side effects of estrogen, such as gyno (enlargement of breast tissue in males). However, they can sometimes cause hot flashes and other side effects. AIs, on the other hand, are more likely to cause joint pain and other side effects. They are also not as effective at preventing estrogen side effects. However, they are often used in conjunction with SERMs to help increase their effectiveness. So, which is better? It really depends on the individual.

There's a big difference between SERMs and AIs in the bodybuilding world. SERMs are anti-estrogen drugs that are used to treat female hormone-related conditions like gyno. AIs, on the other hand, are used to suppress estrogen production in the body. This is important for bodybuilders because estrogen can lead to unwanted side effects like water retention and fat gain. AIs are also used to treat male pattern baldness. So if you're a bodybuilder, you need to be aware of the difference between these two types of drugs.

What is an anti-estrogen?

An anti-estrogen is any type of drug or compound that blocks or inhibits estrogen from being absorbed by the body. Different anti-estrogen compounds work in different ways, but their main purpose is to stop estrogen from binding to the estrogen receptors in your body, thereby reducing the amount of estrogen that is available to create side effects. The most common anti-estrogen compounds include selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), aromatase inhibitors (AIs), selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), and estrogen receptor blockers (ERBs).

SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators)

SERMs are a type of anti-estrogen that can either stimulate or inhibit the estrogen receptors in your body. These drugs work by "selectively binding" to the estrogen receptors in your body. As a result, they can reduce the amount of estrogen that is available, while also stimulating the testosterone receptors. The three most common SERMs used in bodybuilding include clomiphene, tamoxifen, and toremifene, which are often referred to as Clomid, Nolvadex, and Femara, respectively. While SERMs can be helpful for some men and women, others respond better to aromatase inhibitors (AIs) or selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs).

AI's (Aromatase Inhibitors)

AI's are a type of anti-estrogen that blocks the production of estrogen in your body by blocking the aromatase enzyme. This is important because estrogen is usually produced in your body from testosterone. Hence, blocking the aromatase enzyme can reduce the amount of estrogen in your body, which can help you to maintain a more balanced hormone level. The three most common AIs used in bodybuilding include anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, which are often referred to as Arimidex, Femara, and Aromasin. AIs are more effective at reducing estrogen than SERMs, which is why they are often used by people who want the most effective results.

When Should Females Use an Anti-Estrogen?

If you are a woman with an extremely high amount of estrogen in your blood, you may want to consider using an anti-estrogen. If you are lucky enough to have high levels of testosterone and low levels of estrogen, you can skip this section. If your estrogen levels are high, though, you may want to consider reducing them by taking an anti-estrogen. You may have high estrogen levels if you have a large amount of body fat, have recently experienced a drop in testosterone, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you take birth control pills. High estrogen levels can lead to many unwanted symptoms, such as irregular or missed periods, breast tenderness and enlargement, acne, mood swings, and weight gain. If you experience any of these symptoms, you may want to speak with your doctor about taking an anti-estrogen.

What Are The Different Types of Anti Estrogens & SERMS

- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) Ex. Clomiphene, Nolvadex, Tamoxifen - Aromatase Inhibitors (AI's) Ex. Anastrozole, Letrozole, Exemestane - Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders (SERDs) - Selective Estrogen Receptor Blockers (ERBs)

What Are The Side Effects From Anti Estrogen for Men & Woman

As with everything in life, there are both advantages and disadvantages to taking anti-estrogen supplements. The advantages of taking anti-estrogen supplements include: Improved testosterone levels Improved libido reduced estrogen levels (which can lead to a healthier body) The disadvantages of taking anti-estrogen supplements include: Reduced testosterone levels, difficulty achieving muscle growth, increased cholesterol, difficulty with fat loss, Increased risk of losing your sex drive and libido if you tank your estrogen.

Bottom line: Which is better? SERM Or AI? The main difference between SERMs and AI's is their effectiveness. AI's are more effective than SERMs at reducing estrogen levels in the body. That being said, they are also more potent, which means that they are more likely to cause side effects. So, if you want a product that will help you to achieve your fitness goals without causing a lot of unwanted side effects, you should consider taking a SERM instead of an AI.  If you're a man, you should probably use an AI to prevent estrogen related side effects like gyno. If you're a woman, you should use a SERM to prevent estrogen related side effects like endometriosis.

Key Takeaway

As you can see, SERMs and AIs are very different types of anti-estrogen products. While both types of products can help you to minimize the amount of estrogen in your body, they do so in very different ways. If you are experiencing high levels of estrogen in your body, you may want to speak with your doctor about taking an anti-estrogen product.