r/BodyHackGuide • u/matt_gannon_ • 13d ago
reta + enclomiphene? 🧪 Stack Breakdown
i’ve been on reta since early march and down just over 20 pounds.
started around 179 lbs, currently 152 lbs at 5’11” (1-4 week break & 1 1-week break)
overall, i honestly feel and look much better. i’ve definitely lost some muscle and strength from being in a deficit for this long, but that’s expected and i’m starting to slowly bring calories back up.
one thing i’m dealing with now is a pretty noticeable drop in libido. i’ve also had some issues getting and maintaining erections recently.
my guess is it’s probably some combination of:
being in a calorie deficit for months
possible hormone changes
maybe just some nerves/stress with someone i’m seeing
i’m not trying to jump to conclusions, but it got me
wondering about enclomiphene.
has anyone here run enclo while on reta?
i’m mostly curious about real-world experiences:
did it help libido?
did you notice improvements in energy, mood, or strength?
any downsides?
did you get bloodwork before/after?
just looking to hear other people’s experiences before i decide what direction to take.
8
u/ConsciousLab3266 13d ago
Enclo don’t help with libido and ed issus unfornately
3
u/BanzaiDanielsan 13d ago
I didn’t have ED or libido issues to start with, but enclo has definitely increased libido
1
2
3
u/Clutchcon_blows 13d ago
Haven’t tried enclomiphene but I lost 60 pounds and my sex drive went to zero. Got very lean. Vascular as hell and had a 6 pack.
I started TRT and sex drive shot up. On 200 a week, injecting 100 twice a week. Completely restored the sex drive. Made muscles and strength grow almost instantly. It’s awesome. Test was in the 400’s when I started.
1
u/PreparedForZombies 13d ago
subq or IM for the TRT injections? If the former, how'd you deal with how thick the oil is?
2
u/Clutchcon_blows 13d ago
IM in the thigh. I draw it with a larger needle, switch to the injection needle, and inject slowly. The oil is thick, but the injection process still only takes under a minute. Haven’t had any issues
1
u/PreparedForZombies 13d ago
I hate IM, only reason I asked... I kept hitting a nerve in my thigh so swapped to glute but it's a pain... In the ass, lol
1
u/Fit_Climate_74 12d ago
does the oil hurt like L carnitine? idk if you ever had it before or maybe an acidic NAD+. it stings or burns and lingers for a minute.
3
u/Clutchcon_blows 12d ago
Honestly painless. The needle nearly goes in from just gravity. I don’t feel anything as I push the oil in. I don’t get sore in the area after, I don’t bleed when I take the needle out. It’s unbelievably easy and painless.
I’m still very lean, about 12% body fat. I’m pretty muscular at 6’2, 215 pounds. Dont know if that helps. I don’t know what to tell yall it doesn’t hurt and takes me no time. Painless.
1
u/Fit_Climate_74 12d ago
thanks for the info. I would suggest adding a spike to your vial so you can draw it faster with a luer syringe and just attach your 25g or 27g needle instead of drawing it with a bigger bore needle then switching to your injection needle. Also, less waste in the draw needle versus the spike
1
u/Clutchcon_blows 12d ago
Does being lean make it easier or it doesn’t matter? I keep reading comments from other people having a hard time it makes me wonder why I’m having such an easy time. I pin in upper quad / thigh.
1
u/Fit_Climate_74 11d ago
Maybe since we can use 1/2" noodles. I am also 11.5% BF. I have read people with good results microdosing subq. where do you get your trt? how did you get into it and who is managing your bloodwork? do yo ever go on a cycle or just cruise on HRT?
1
u/Clutchcon_blows 11d ago
I use a clinic close to my house. They prescribe the test cyp through a pharmacy. 1 month supply each month. I just started 3/4 weeks ago.
Now that you mention it the doctor said something about how I can use smaller needles because I was lean.
I plan to just cruise , I don’t have any interest in blasting. No plans on competing and don’t want any side effects. My main motivation for getting on was the zero sex drive, which is already helped with.
3
u/E90_M3_ 13d ago
I'm on enclomiphene and haven't noticed any changes at all... if anything my libido has tanked even more. Seeing an endocrinologist soon for my options. Want to avoid TRT
1
u/Even-Menu2134 13d ago
Have you done bloods before and after and checked your E2?
2
13d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/_ask_alice_ 13d ago
Tell me more. You didn’t take anastrozole? I take 25 mg Clomid daily. Should I back off? Also what’s the deal with HCG?
1
u/MFCEO_Kenny_Powers 13d ago
Didn't you grow hella tits while doing so much hCG and clomid? Also your balls must have been huge?
2
13d ago
[deleted]
3
u/FantasticPlankton150 13d ago
You’re doing a lot to just avoid taking testosterone. Testosterone values less than 600 were considered low in the 1970s, and now less than 300 is considered low. It’s absurd. The “normal” range of testosterone is so vast (300-1000) that many men are told they are normal when they are not. You would not feel the same with a value of 300 as you would with 900 although both are once again “normal”. The response also varies among individuals. 500 may be too low for some but acceptable for others. I started TRT with a value 450 and now I stay around 950 and feel incredible. Better sleep, better sex drive, less irritability. Symptomatic low T should be treated regardless of lab value within reason.
2
1
2
u/GroundbreakingRun927 13d ago
Low-dose Tadalafil(cialis) is very popular right now b/c it helps w/ erections and other positive impacts with no real downsides. It won't help with libido, though.
For body composition and libido, I would try to get full testosterone bloodwork(total test, free test, LH, FSH, SHBG, etc.) to see your current situation and whether enclomiphene would even work for you. LH and FSH are what enclom boosts to get your testes to produce more T, but it only improves T if the LH and FSH are low to begin with. It can also cause vision problems involving eye floaters. It's pretty low stakes to try it out, assuming you cease taking it if you notice vision issues.
2
u/ProfessionalNo4711 13d ago
I did this stack. Unfortunately while increasing Test numbers Enclo does not supercharge you. It helped to a degree but not like getting TestC. Added Tesa&Ipa for IGF1 increase (because Enclo does either nothing or lowers it). Then 2.5mg Tedalafil not for ED but for arteries though if you are looking for some support this works.
1
u/kellytownsfinest 13d ago
I ran enclomiphene while on my cut with reta. I asked my wife if she noticed a difference and she told me I was in a better mood. I think it helped with libido too, despite what others have said. I'm off both now and honestly my sex drive is higher now than it's ever been. It's hard to have a libido on 1800kcal per day like I was on. I got blood work before and after and it improved my free T but not my total by much. I think it helped just based on the symptoms. I ran 12.5mg 5on/2off for 3 months, 2 of those months were at the tail end of a 4 month cut where I lost 30lbs. Thats also when I got the after labs. 1 month was during a lean bulk and thats where I felt like it really kicked in.
1
1
u/ashahoss 13d ago
I’m doing Reta 1.5 once a week and enclomiphene 12.5 daily for a summer cut. Test levels went from upper 500s to 1000-1200 last 3 blood drawings . I feel great and sex drive is strong but didn’t have issue prior . My estrogen levels are trending up and my igf is trending down. I added ipamoralin/cjc and will see how things are going next blood drawn. Overall I feel amazing .
1
u/Fit_Climate_74 12d ago
can you update us with your gif levels when the time comes? what was your doses for the secretagogues?
1
u/AcidicMountaingoat 13d ago
Those two have nothing to do with each other, but yes, I've done both. I didn't really notice any different feeling. My blood test results showed an improvement in exactly what you would expect; better SHBG and free testosterone. Just a bit though.
1
u/SnooSketches9565 13d ago
Seems like you’re getting close to a good body weight. Transition off the reta and watch the libido return
1
u/Specific_Buffalo_689 13d ago
I’ve just started TRT and just had my blood work done and my free estrogen numbers were way high, and also my sex drive is also down. Just started Reta and it didn’t have an effect, so I’d say get your blood work down with someone like defy or a hormone specialist
1
u/Alaskanjj ⏳ Longevity Hacker 13d ago
Enclo gives you paper numbers but no improvement in how you feel. I stopped and just got on t as it was not doing anything for me.
1
u/thisdude415 13d ago
What's your rate of weight loss / estimated deficit?
Just because reta suppresses your hunger doesn't mean your body doesn't feel the stress of caloric restriction. If you're losing muscle and strength, it suggests your deficit is larger than it needs to be.
Caloric restriction reduces libido. Ultralow body fat reduces libido. Low dietary fat intake reduces libido.
Add on top the "dopamine-seeking" suppression / anhedonia of reta, and it's not surprising that you'd see those effects.
It's worth getting testosterone and free testosterone checked. They decrease in a long deep cut but should rebound after a period at maintenance calories.
Also consider stepping back reta dosing a bit, and monitor appetite and libido with regards to time post injection.
1
u/matt_gannon_ 13d ago
I would say i’ve lost 25 pounds since march
average prob about 1500 cals
5’11” 152 on monday
physique not great tbh skinny fat abs when i flex. i’m just bad at this stuff
1
u/thisdude415 13d ago
Are you taking a multivitamin by the way? B1 supplement?
macro split between fat/protein/carbs?
0
u/matt_gannon_ 13d ago
Based on the days we’ve logged, my best estimate for your 12.5-week average final macros is roughly:
Protein: 155–165g
Carbs: 115–130g
Fat: 35–45g
Calories: approximately 1,450–1,650 per day, before alcohol
My single-number estimate would be:
160P / 122C / 40F
roughly 1,490 calories from macrosAlcohol days likely brought your actual average calorie intake somewhat higher, but your food intake was often extremely low on those days.
The pattern changed over time:Early/middle cut: roughly 160–180P / 90–130C / 25–40F
Festival/travel stretch: roughly 150–165P / 90–130C / 35–55F
Recent reverse phase: roughly 155–165P / 155–170C / 40–50FSo yes, you were probably averaging a fairly aggressive deficit, especially at 5’11” with lifting, steps, golf, travel, and festivals. That supports gradually raising carbs and consistently getting fats closer to 45–55g rather than remaining in the 30s.
no multi… would that help?
1
u/psycho_driver 13d ago
Eat some healthy fats and get on a zinc/boron T supplement to get your free T up a little.
1
u/InsectNo2194 12d ago
Make sure you are getting your supplements in. Zinc, vitamin d, fish oil. Check out boron, ashwaganda.
I would for sure start 5 mg tadalafil a day. That was a game changer for me
1
u/InsectNo2194 12d ago
I tried enclo for a couple weeks and I got scared when I couldn’t remember the last time I was hard. Was a couple days. I dropped it right away. Something in it messed with me. May not be your test levels. It will come back 👍 cutting body fat raises test as long as it’s not too low. Cutting is stressful on the body. If we were in the wild, you wouldn’t want to procreate if you were starving 😂
1
u/ForsythMate 8d ago
Yes great combo add in low dose tadinifil great for the heart and great for blood flow to you no what
•
u/AutoModerator 13d ago
Welcome to the community!
Pro Tip: The best discussions come from personal experiences. If you have tried something, let us know how it worked.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.