Is S-23 really a male contraceptive?

Yes in preclinical. Jones 2009 documented in rat complete spermatogenesis suppression at 1-3 mg/kg/d × 10 weeks with full reversibility on cessation. Mechanism: suppression of HPG axis and LH/FSH, which leads to arrest of testicular spermatogenesis. GTx had positioned S-23 as a male contraceptive candidate before abandoning clinical development. In the recreational user, this effect translates to marked testicular atrophy and functional infertility during the cycle, reversible with clean PCT.

What realistic gains with S-23?

User reports at 15-20 mg/d × 6 weeks: +4 to +7 kg of raw lean mass, dry profile without retention. Strength up +10-15%. Net gains retained at 3 months post-PCT: +3 to +5 kg attributable to S-23. More potent in anabolic effect than LGD-4033 or ostarine, comparable to RAD-140 at equivalent dose. But incomparably less documented safety profile.

Reinforced compared to classic SARMs. Start 3-4 days after last intake. Scheme: hCG 1500 IU EOD × 10 days to restart atrophied testicles (marked contraceptive effect), then clomid 50/50/25/25 mg + nolvadex 40/20/20/20 mg × 6 weeks. T total, LH, FSH panel at W6 post-PCT. If T < 250 ng/dL at W6, extend 4 additional weeks and consider endocrinology consultation. Typical recovery 8-12 weeks post-PCT.

Does S-23 cause cutaneous androgenic effects?

Yes, more than other SARMs. Its tissue selectivity is less clear than LGD-4033 or ostarine, and its high affinity to the muscular androgen receptor also translates to activation of cutaneous receptors in some users: dorso-facial acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to androgenetic alopecia. Mitigation: topical minoxidil for hair, benzoyl peroxide for acne. No effective pharmaco-protection for hair loss.

How long before spermatogenesis returns after S-23?

Variable, typically 4-12 months for complete return to baseline fertility. Jones 2009 in rat documents complete but slow reversibility (3-6 months post-stop). In humans, user reports suggest a similar window (measurable sperm count at 3 months post-PCT, normalization at 6-12 months). For users concerned with fertility, hCG as bridge can accelerate recovery.

Is S-23 suitable for women?

Strictly no. SARM with marked androgenic profile, near-total HPG suppression, lower tissue selectivity — high and unpredictable virilization risk in women. No reason to consider S-23 when ostarine 5-10 mg/d × 6-8 weeks offers a much milder and better documented alternative. If looking for SARMs for women: ostarine or anavar remain the standards.

Effect of S-23 on libido and sexual function?

Variable and often negative mid-cycle effect. S-23 suppresses endogenous testosterone but its functional androgenic coverage is imperfect (muscular selectivity at the expense of cerebral receptors and sexual function). Many users report marked libido drop and erectile dysfunction from W2-W3. Possible compensation by moderate testosterone base (200 mg/week) or proviron 50 mg/d in parallel to cover androgenic role. Libido recovery after PCT typically 4-8 weeks.

How much gains with LGD-4033 vs S-23?

At equivalent time (6-8 weeks): LGD-4033 10 mg/d ≈ +3-5 kg lean mass retained. S-23 20 mg/d ≈ +4-6 kg, slightly 'harder' visual profile (cutaneous androgenic effects). The efficacy differential (+1-2 kg) does not justify the additional risk (deep suppression, poorly characterized profile, underground market). For maximum gain with acceptable safety, LGD-4033 + moderate testosterone base remains better ratio.

S-23 vs LGD-4033: complete comparison (potent SARMs, suppression, profile)

Q: Does S-23 cause cutaneous androgenic effects?

Yes, more than other SARMs. Its tissue selectivity is less clear than LGD-4033 or ostarine, and its high affinity to the muscular androgen receptor also translates to activation of cutaneous receptors in some users: dorso-facial acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to androgenetic alopecia. Mitigation: topical minoxidil for hair, benzoyl peroxide for acne. No effective pharmaco-protection for hair loss.

Q: How long before spermatogenesis returns after S-23?

Variable, typically 4-12 months for complete return to baseline fertility. Jones 2009 in rat documents complete but slow reversibility (3-6 months post-stop). In humans, user reports suggest a similar window (measurable sperm count at 3 months post-PCT, normalization at 6-12 months). For users concerned with fertility, hCG as bridge can accelerate recovery.

Q: Is S-23 suitable for women?

Strictly no. SARM with marked androgenic profile, near-total HPG suppression, lower tissue selectivity — high and unpredictable virilization risk in women. No reason to consider S-23 when ostarine 5-10 mg/d × 6-8 weeks offers a much milder and better documented alternative. If looking for SARMs for women: ostarine or anavar remain the standards.

Q: Effect of S-23 on libido and sexual function?

Variable and often negative mid-cycle effect. S-23 suppresses endogenous testosterone but its functional androgenic coverage is imperfect (muscular selectivity at the expense of cerebral receptors and sexual function). Many users report marked libido drop and erectile dysfunction from W2-W3. Possible compensation by moderate testosterone base (200 mg/week) or proviron 50 mg/d in parallel to cover androgenic role. Libido recovery after PCT typically 4-8 weeks.

Q: How much gains with LGD-4033 vs S-23?

At equivalent time (6-8 weeks): LGD-4033 10 mg/d ≈ +3-5 kg lean mass retained. S-23 20 mg/d ≈ +4-6 kg, slightly 'harder' visual profile (cutaneous androgenic effects). The efficacy differential (+1-2 kg) does not justify the additional risk (deep suppression, poorly characterized profile, underground market). For maximum gain with acceptable safety, LGD-4033 + moderate testosterone base remains better ratio.

S-23 vs LGD-4033: complete comparison (potent SARMs, suppression, profile)

Critère	s-23	lgd-4033
Class	Non-steroidal SARM	Non-steroidal SARM
Muscular selectivity	Moderate (androgenic effects)	Strong
Half-life	~12 h	~24-36 h
Contraceptive effect	Marked (Jones 2009)	Modest
HPG axis suppression	Near-total	Moderate to strong
Typical dose	10-30 mg/d	5-10 mg/d
Human studies	Virtually nonexistent	Phase 1 (Basaria 2013)
Aromatization	No	No

Quand choisir s-23

S-23 is an experimental SARM initially developed by GTx as a male contraceptive (Jones 2009: preclinical rat study demonstrating complete spermatogenesis suppression reversible after a few months). Choose it (with extreme caution) for: (1) a very advanced SARM cycle in user having already done several clean SARM cycles, (2) a more marked anabolic effect than LGD-4033 or ostarine, (3) a more 'androgen-like' SARM experience with visual hardness and moderate cutaneous effects, (4) a competitor accepting risks for maximum effect. Pharmacological profile (Solomon 2019, Bhasin 2009): non-steroidal SARM with high affinity to androgen receptor, less clear muscular selectivity than LGD-4033 (possible cutaneous androgenic effects: acne, hair loss in predisposed). Major drawbacks to anticipate (Pope 2014, Endocrine Society): near-total HPG suppression even at moderate dose (20 mg/d suppresses as effectively as supraphysiological testosterone per user reports), virtually nonexistent human corpus (no published human clinical study to date due to lack of pursued clinical development), very variable underground market purity, poorly characterized cardiovascular and hepatic risk. Typical dose in practice 10-30 mg/d × 4-8 weeks maximum, single daily intake. Mandatory robust PCT clomid + nolvadex 6 weeks with hCG initial bridge. Not suited for beginners, women, or users wanting a predictable safety profile.

Quand choisir lgd-4033

LGD-4033 (ligandrol) is the best studied SARM in humans: Basaria 2013 (phase 1, 76 subjects, 1 mg/d × 21 days) demonstrated +1.2 kg of dose-dependent lean mass with acceptable tolerance profile. Choose it for: (1) a first SARM cycle oriented toward lean mass, (2) a 'bridge' cycle between AAS cycles to maintain gains with moderate HPG suppression, (3) an oral alternative to injectable AAS, (4) a SARM experience with available human data. Pharmacological profile (Solomon 2019, Bhasin 2009): non-steroidal, proven muscular selectivity, no aromatization, no 5α-reduction. Drawbacks to anticipate (Pope 2014): moderate to strong dose-dependent HPG suppression (50-70% at 10 mg/d), PCT required, possible ALT/AST elevations (5-15%), slightly degraded lipid profile, incomplete androgenic coverage (possible libido drop). Typical dose 5-10 mg/d × 6-8 weeks, single morning intake. PCT nolvadex 20 mg/d × 4 weeks. Not suited for women (virilization possible) nor adolescents. LGD-4033 remains the reference SARM for starting the class.

Combinaison ?

The S-23 + LGD-4033 combo stacks two SARMs with strong anabolic potential and maximum HPG axis suppression. Theoretical scheme: S-23 15 mg/d + LGD-4033 5 mg/d × 6 weeks, robust post-cycle PCT. No human scientific base for this specific combination; user reports suggest faster gains but more difficult HPG recovery. Cumulated suppression risk: typical recovery 8-12 weeks vs 4-6 weeks for LGD-4033 alone, with marked testicular atrophy and prolonged libido drop. Strict monitoring: T total and free, LH, FSH, ALT, AST, GGT, bilirubin, complete lipids, CBC at W0/W4/W8 then every 2 weeks during PCT until recovery confirmation. Robust PCT: hCG 1500 IU EOD × 10 days (useful because deep suppression and marked testicular atrophy) then clomid 50/50/25/25 mg + nolvadex 40/20/20/20 mg × 6 weeks. Complete panel at W8 post-PCT. Minimum 16-week break before any new SARM cycle, with return to normal baseline parameters confirmed. Reserved for very experienced users (5+ clean SARM cycles) accepting a poorly characterized risk. Sample 6-week experimental timeline: W0 baseline complete panel + testicular volume measurement (palpation reference), W1 start both compounds, W2 first ALT/AST + BP + libido subjective check, W3 mid-cycle full panel including T total, W4 ALT/AST + lipids + testicular volume recheck (S-23 contraceptive effect), W6 last dose, W6-W7 hCG bridge 1500 IU EOD, W8 SERM PCT start, W14 PCT end, W18 post-PCT recovery panel including T total, LH, FSH, sperm count if fertility concern. Long testicular recovery: plan for 8-12 weeks of post-cycle reduced libido and fertility (S-23 effect), warn partner if family planning relevant. Sample baseline panel must include CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel, lipids with apoB, ALT/AST, T total, free T, LH, FSH, E2, sperm analysis if fertility relevant, and resting BP averaged over three days. Testicular volume measurement (palpation reference or ultrasound) baseline is useful given S-23 marked contraceptive effect and the need to track recovery trajectory.

FAQ

Is S-23 really a male contraceptive?: Yes in preclinical. Jones 2009 documented in rat complete spermatogenesis suppression at 1-3 mg/kg/d × 10 weeks with full reversibility on cessation. Mechanism: suppression of HPG axis and LH/FSH, which leads to arrest of testicular spermatogenesis. GTx had positioned S-23 as a male contraceptive candidate before abandoning clinical development. In the recreational user, this effect translates to marked testicular atrophy and functional infertility during the cycle, reversible with clean PCT.
What realistic gains with S-23?: User reports at 15-20 mg/d × 6 weeks: +4 to +7 kg of raw lean mass, dry profile without retention. Strength up +10-15%. Net gains retained at 3 months post-PCT: +3 to +5 kg attributable to S-23. More potent in anabolic effect than LGD-4033 or ostarine, comparable to RAD-140 at equivalent dose. But incomparably less documented safety profile.
What PCT after S-23?: Reinforced compared to classic SARMs. Start 3-4 days after last intake. Scheme: hCG 1500 IU EOD × 10 days to restart atrophied testicles (marked contraceptive effect), then clomid 50/50/25/25 mg + nolvadex 40/20/20/20 mg × 6 weeks. T total, LH, FSH panel at W6 post-PCT. If T < 250 ng/dL at W6, extend 4 additional weeks and consider endocrinology consultation. Typical recovery 8-12 weeks post-PCT.
Does S-23 cause cutaneous androgenic effects?: Yes, more than other SARMs. Its tissue selectivity is less clear than LGD-4033 or ostarine, and its high affinity to the muscular androgen receptor also translates to activation of cutaneous receptors in some users: dorso-facial acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to androgenetic alopecia. Mitigation: topical minoxidil for hair, benzoyl peroxide for acne. No effective pharmaco-protection for hair loss.
How long before spermatogenesis returns after S-23?: Variable, typically 4-12 months for complete return to baseline fertility. Jones 2009 in rat documents complete but slow reversibility (3-6 months post-stop). In humans, user reports suggest a similar window (measurable sperm count at 3 months post-PCT, normalization at 6-12 months). For users concerned with fertility, hCG as bridge can accelerate recovery.
Is S-23 suitable for women?: Strictly no. SARM with marked androgenic profile, near-total HPG suppression, lower tissue selectivity — high and unpredictable virilization risk in women. No reason to consider S-23 when ostarine 5-10 mg/d × 6-8 weeks offers a much milder and better documented alternative. If looking for SARMs for women: ostarine or anavar remain the standards.
Effect of S-23 on libido and sexual function?: Variable and often negative mid-cycle effect. S-23 suppresses endogenous testosterone but its functional androgenic coverage is imperfect (muscular selectivity at the expense of cerebral receptors and sexual function). Many users report marked libido drop and erectile dysfunction from W2-W3. Possible compensation by moderate testosterone base (200 mg/week) or proviron 50 mg/d in parallel to cover androgenic role. Libido recovery after PCT typically 4-8 weeks.
How much gains with LGD-4033 vs S-23?: At equivalent time (6-8 weeks): LGD-4033 10 mg/d ≈ +3-5 kg lean mass retained. S-23 20 mg/d ≈ +4-6 kg, slightly 'harder' visual profile (cutaneous androgenic effects). The efficacy differential (+1-2 kg) does not justify the additional risk (deep suppression, poorly characterized profile, underground market). For maximum gain with acceptable safety, LGD-4033 + moderate testosterone base remains better ratio.

S-23 vs LGD-4033: complete comparison (potent SARMs, suppression, profile)

Critère	s-23	lgd-4033
Class	Non-steroidal SARM	Non-steroidal SARM
Muscular selectivity	Moderate (androgenic effects)	Strong
Half-life	~12 h	~24-36 h
Contraceptive effect	Marked (Jones 2009)	Modest
HPG axis suppression	Near-total	Moderate to strong
Typical dose	10-30 mg/d	5-10 mg/d
Human studies	Virtually nonexistent	Phase 1 (Basaria 2013)
Aromatization	No	No

Quand choisir s-23

Quand choisir lgd-4033

Combinaison ?

FAQ

Is S-23 really a male contraceptive?: Yes in preclinical. Jones 2009 documented in rat complete spermatogenesis suppression at 1-3 mg/kg/d × 10 weeks with full reversibility on cessation. Mechanism: suppression of HPG axis and LH/FSH, which leads to arrest of testicular spermatogenesis. GTx had positioned S-23 as a male contraceptive candidate before abandoning clinical development. In the recreational user, this effect translates to marked testicular atrophy and functional infertility during the cycle, reversible with clean PCT.
What realistic gains with S-23?: User reports at 15-20 mg/d × 6 weeks: +4 to +7 kg of raw lean mass, dry profile without retention. Strength up +10-15%. Net gains retained at 3 months post-PCT: +3 to +5 kg attributable to S-23. More potent in anabolic effect than LGD-4033 or ostarine, comparable to RAD-140 at equivalent dose. But incomparably less documented safety profile.
What PCT after S-23?: Reinforced compared to classic SARMs. Start 3-4 days after last intake. Scheme: hCG 1500 IU EOD × 10 days to restart atrophied testicles (marked contraceptive effect), then clomid 50/50/25/25 mg + nolvadex 40/20/20/20 mg × 6 weeks. T total, LH, FSH panel at W6 post-PCT. If T < 250 ng/dL at W6, extend 4 additional weeks and consider endocrinology consultation. Typical recovery 8-12 weeks post-PCT.
Does S-23 cause cutaneous androgenic effects?: Yes, more than other SARMs. Its tissue selectivity is less clear than LGD-4033 or ostarine, and its high affinity to the muscular androgen receptor also translates to activation of cutaneous receptors in some users: dorso-facial acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to androgenetic alopecia. Mitigation: topical minoxidil for hair, benzoyl peroxide for acne. No effective pharmaco-protection for hair loss.
How long before spermatogenesis returns after S-23?: Variable, typically 4-12 months for complete return to baseline fertility. Jones 2009 in rat documents complete but slow reversibility (3-6 months post-stop). In humans, user reports suggest a similar window (measurable sperm count at 3 months post-PCT, normalization at 6-12 months). For users concerned with fertility, hCG as bridge can accelerate recovery.
Is S-23 suitable for women?: Strictly no. SARM with marked androgenic profile, near-total HPG suppression, lower tissue selectivity — high and unpredictable virilization risk in women. No reason to consider S-23 when ostarine 5-10 mg/d × 6-8 weeks offers a much milder and better documented alternative. If looking for SARMs for women: ostarine or anavar remain the standards.
Effect of S-23 on libido and sexual function?: Variable and often negative mid-cycle effect. S-23 suppresses endogenous testosterone but its functional androgenic coverage is imperfect (muscular selectivity at the expense of cerebral receptors and sexual function). Many users report marked libido drop and erectile dysfunction from W2-W3. Possible compensation by moderate testosterone base (200 mg/week) or proviron 50 mg/d in parallel to cover androgenic role. Libido recovery after PCT typically 4-8 weeks.
How much gains with LGD-4033 vs S-23?: At equivalent time (6-8 weeks): LGD-4033 10 mg/d ≈ +3-5 kg lean mass retained. S-23 20 mg/d ≈ +4-6 kg, slightly 'harder' visual profile (cutaneous androgenic effects). The efficacy differential (+1-2 kg) does not justify the additional risk (deep suppression, poorly characterized profile, underground market). For maximum gain with acceptable safety, LGD-4033 + moderate testosterone base remains better ratio.