Is Enclomiphene a Steroid?

When people talk about steroids and bodybuilding, they’re mainly referring to anabolic steroids, which are synthetic versions of testosterone. Enclomiphene citrate is not a steroid, despite its potential to boost testosterone levels in men with low T, which may increase lean muscle maintenance and athletic performance.

As a non-steroidal selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), enclomiphene stimulates your body to produce more testosterone, which may enhance muscle growth, aid fat loss, and support healthy energy levels.

Below, we’ll explain how enclomiphene affects your hormone levels, explore evidence of its ability to support bodybuilders, and share side effects you should know about.

Enclomiphene is a non-steroidal selective estrogen receptor modulator, or a SERM. Formerly in development under the brand names Androxal^® and EnCyzix^®, enclomiphene (now available as a compounded medication) is sometimes prescribed to boost testosterone production and reduce symptoms associated with secondary hypogonadism, a form of low testosterone caused by faulty signaling from the brain to the testes.

Enclomiphene is one of two ingredients in clomiphene citrate (Clomid^®), a SERM medication FDA-approved for treating female infertility that’s sometimes used off-label to treat low testosterone and infertility in men. Enclomiphene is not FDA-approved and might be available through compounding pharmacies with a valid prescription or by enrolling in a clinical trial. 

Unlike exogenous testosterone, clomiphene and enclomiphene do not replace your body’s natural testosterone. Instead, they help your body replenish its supply.

Like clomiphene, enclomiphene blocks estrogen signals in the brain. This prompts the body to raise luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Increasing LH and FSH then sends signals to the testes to produce more testosterone.

A crucial difference between enclomiphene and clomiphene is that clomiphene includes zuclomiphene. While enclomiphene is an estrogen receptor antagonist (it blocks estrogen), zuclomiphene is an estrogen receptor agonist (it increases estrogen).

Zuclomiphene’s estrogen-increasing effects are thought to contribute to some of clomiphene’s side effects, including mood swings, gynecomastia (breast growth), and hot flashes. In studies comparing the safety and efficacy of enclomiphene and clomiphene, enclomiphene had lower rates of side effects and was less likely to cause low energy, which can be helpful for those with goals to improve their physique through exercise.

Testosterone is essential for supporting lean muscle mass, strength, bone density, and healthy fat distribution in men.

Research shows that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can enhance bone mineral density and increase muscle mass in men with low T. 

Enclomiphene’s ability to support muscle growth and strength boils down to its ability to boost low testosterone levels. Studies show that testosterone enhances muscle protein synthesis, even during calorie deficits, which helps promote greater muscle growth once normal calorie intake resumes.

It’s important to note that clomiphene, enclomiphene, and TRT may be prescribed to treat medically diagnosed low testosterone and related conditions. When used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, these treatments are not considered performance-enhancing drugs. Misuse or use beyond prescribed doses—such as in attempts to boost athletic performance or muscle mass—can lead to serious health risks and adverse effects. 

Most of the evidence we have to understand enclomiphene’s effects comes from research on clomiphene, which contains enclomiphene.

For instance, in a 2018 study on the effects of clomiphene on obesity-associated low T, participants gained lean muscle mass over 12 weeks on clomiphene. In addition to improved body composition, the men taking clomiphene also experienced better erection quality.

Another study that compared clomiphene to TRT in men with low T found both therapies improved testosterone levels and sports ability. 

 To summarize: Enclomiphene and clomiphene aren’t “performance-enhancing” products, though they could potentially improve your performance if your T levels happen to be lacking. 

Why Take Enclomiphene Over Clomiphene?

We’ve already mentioned that clomiphene is associated with more adverse effects in men, such as mood swings, breast enlargement, hot flashes, and low energy.

But if you’re still wondering how enclomiphene measures up to clomiphene, here’s what you should know: Some researchers have suggested that most of the beneficial effects of clomiphene are due to enclomiphene, and that zuclomiphene contributes little to the intended outcomes of the medication.

Also, zuclomiphene has a longer half-life (40-plus hours) than enclomiphene (eight hours). This means zuclomiphene remains in the body longer than enclomiphene, leading to more estrogen sticking around and a higher risk of associated side effects.

All that said, your healthcare provider should help you determine the best option for you based on factors like your health status, medical history, and treatment goals.

Enclomiphene can help you reap the benefits of having normal testosterone levels, if you suffer from low T. If you’re struggling with male hypogonadism, enclomiphene may provide relief from symptoms like erectile dysfunction (ED), low sex drive, fatigue, weakness, loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, mood changes, and smaller testicular volume.

Another potential benefit of treating hypogonadism with enclomiphene is that it raises LH and FSH levels while maintaining sperm count. In other words, its effects on testosterone production don’t come at the cost of fertility.

Side effects of enclomiphene may include:

• Headaches

• Nausea

• Hot flashes

• Muscle spasms

• Aggression

• Blurred vision

• Increase in estradiol, a form of estrogen

In clinical trials, enclomiphene users also had a higher risk of blood clots, cardiac disorders, eye disorders, increased red blood cell counts, and psychiatric disorders compared to placebo users, though these complications were rare.

How Do Enclomiphene Side Effects Compare to TRT Side Effects?

Enclomiphene and TRT work differently in the body, so it makes sense that their potential side effects differ. Enclomiphene may come with fewer side effects compared to TRT in some studies, particularly with regard to fertility and hormonal suppression, though head-to-head comparisons are limited.

Unlike enclomiphene, TRT suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, leading to lower FSH and LH levels, which can impair your body’s natural production of testosterone and sperm and lead to infertility. In addition to low sperm count, some of the known side effects of TRT include enlarged prostate, breast growth and tenderness, worsened obstructive sleep apnea, acne, fluid retention, and an increase in red blood cells.

These side effects become even more pronounced when testosterone is used purely for performance enhancement, commonly referred to as steroids in this context. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, steroid use that spikes testosterone levels into supraphysiological ranges can cause severe, long-lasting, and potentially irreversible damage to your body. Abusing steroids can lead to early heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, liver tumors, and psychiatric issues. Steroids are also linked to erectile dysfunction. 

There’s no medical literature suggesting that enclomiphene can (or should) be used in men with normal testosterone levels for performance enhancement. Men with normal testosterone who take enclomiphene may see an increase in their total testosterone levels, but usually not beyond what is still considered a “normal” range.

If you and your healthcare provider suspect you have low testosterone, there are a number of options to consider.

In addition to treatments prescribed by a healthcare provider like clomiphene, enclomiphene, and TRT, some natural ways to support testosterone production and overall well-being include:

• Exercise regularly and add resistance training to your routine

• Manage your stress levels

• Don’t skimp on sleep

• Follow a nutritious, well-rounded diet of testosterone-friendly foods

• Lose weight if necessary

• Close nutritional gaps, but be wary of “magical” testosterone boosters

• Cut back on alcohol

• Stop smoking

Enclomiphene is emerging as a promising option for healthcare providers for treating low testosterone in some men. Here’s what we know:

• Enclomiphene isn’t a “steroid.” Enclomiphene is a non-steroidal selective estrogen receptor modulator that may help ease the symptoms of low testosterone by blocking estrogen, prompting the testes to make more testosterone. It works differently from TRT, which delivers a synthetic form of testosterone and can hamper the body’s natural testosterone production.

• Enclomiphene seems to have fewer side effects than TRT. Unlike TRT, enclomiphene does not suppress sperm production and has not been strongly associated with cardiovascular risks. However, long-term safety data are limited. It’s also important to distinguish between medically supervised TRT and the misuse of anabolic steroids, which can elevate testosterone to unhealthy levels and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Enclomiphene is still being studied. Research so far shows that enclomiphene can increase testosterone levels in men with hypogonadism, supporting healthy muscle growth, energy levels, and sexual function. However, it is not an FDA-approved medication, and more clinical studies need to be done to fully understand its long-term safety and efficacy. 

Contact a healthcare provider to see if enclomiphene is right for you. Need help in treating common symptoms of low T, like erectile dysfunction or low libido? Get medical advice today.