SARMS
Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are synthetic compounds designed to selectively activate androgen receptors in certain tissues, such as muscle and bone, while minimizing activity in others like the prostate. They are commonly used outside of medical settings for muscle growth, performance enhancement, or body recomposition, despite not being approved for these purposes. SARMs are typically taken orally and are marketed as alternatives to anabolic steroids, though their selectivity and safety profiles in humans are not well established. Regulatory agencies have issued warnings due to concerns about hormonal suppression, cardiovascular risk, and unknown long-term effects.
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This page summarizes anecdotal reports and community observations, not medical evidence. Reports may be incomplete, biased or inaccurate and are not medical advice or recommendations. “Risk” here refers to how frequently severe or prolonged symptom worsening is reported, not to proven causation or population-wide probability. Individual responses vary widely, and absence of issues in some users does not rule out significant reactions in others.
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Within PFS/PSSD/PAS communities, SARMs are discussed in relation to their potential interactions with androgen receptor signaling pathways and HPG axis function. SARMs ("Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators") are synthetic compounds designed to activate the androgen receptor (AR) with the goal of being more "selective" than traditional anabolic steroids. SARMs directly manipulate androgen receptor signaling and endocrine feedback loops. SARMs can also suppress the HPG axis (lowering natural testosterone), which can create hormonal swings during use and especially after stopping. These mechanisms may interact with pathways involving androgen receptor signaling, HPG axis function, or endocrine feedback that are often discussed in relation to PFS / PSSD / PAS.
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Reports of Flares/Crashes/ Unpredictable Outcomes (for PFS/PSSD/PAS):
Among individuals who already have PFS/PSSD/PAS, SARMs are often discussed as risky because they can produce large hormonal shifts (suppression during use and rebound dynamics after stopping) and directly alter androgen receptor signaling. Community reports include accounts of symptom flares/crashes, sometimes described as prolonged—especially around discontinuation or post-cycle recovery attempts. The unregulated supply chain adds a second layer of unpredictability: when products are mislabeled or contaminated, it becomes difficult to control exposure or attribute reactions to a specific compound.
For individuals without these conditions, SARMs are still associated with endocrine suppression and other adverse effects, and product quality concerns remain a major issue. Given the variability described in anecdotes and the inability to reliably verify contents and dose, many readers with PFS/PSSD/PAS consider SARMS as carrying moderate risk.
Evidence basis: Pharmacology of AR modulators and HPG-axis suppression; concerns about unregulated product mislabeling; anecdotal reports (online forums, self-reports); no controlled studies examining PFS/PSSD/PAS-specific outcomes.
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Public comments reflect individual experiences and opinions. They are not medical advice and may not be accurate or representative.