Bodybuilders who take anabolic steroids to try to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance can experience a range of symptoms. In some cases, males might start to grow breasts due to an increase in estrogen levels. Arimidex lowers estrogen levels and can prevent breast growth in males. However, the drug also has side effects of its own. In this article, we discuss what Arimidex does, why bodybuilders might use it, and the possible side effects.

How it may work for bodybuilding

Arimidex is the brand name for anastrozole. Doctors may prescribe the drug to postmenopausal women with certain types of breast cancer.

Arimidex stops aromatase from working in the body. Aromatase is an enzyme that makes estrogen from steroid hormones, including testosterone. By doing this, it lowers the amount of estrogen in the body.

People who use anabolic steroids for bodybuilding can experience a range of side effects.

These drugs disrupt hormone production in the body and may increase estrogen. Higher levels of estrogen can cause males to develop gynecomastia, which is the enlargement of the breast glands.

By reducing estrogen levels, Arimidex could prevent gynecomastia in males taking anabolic steroids.

Arimidex comes as a small tablet for oral use only. The tablets are usually 1 milligram in size.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved Arimidex for use in cancer treatment. There are no formal guidelines for its use in bodybuilding.

The FDA guidelines for breast cancer suggest a typical dosage of one tablet per day, but a doctor may prescribe a different dosage, depending on the case.

Taking Arimidex for bodybuilding is not recommended. Many of the side effects of anabolic steroids usually go away after a person stops using them. Estrogen levels should return to normal, and gynecomastia should reduce.