I've never had gyno or anything even close to it...knock on wood. As was mentioned above some people will get it and some won't. Some people will go bald and some won't. Some people can put on copious amounts of mass and guys like me just get leaner and leaner, while getting stronger and stronger. I had a buddy who could lift and eat roast beef sandwhiches for a couple of weeks and look like he was running some serious gear (he wasn't). I will never be able to do that. Genetics are so incredibly important in the world of bodybuilding and this translates over to how our bodies react to different compounds.
For me, I like to preach taper, taper, taper. I do long tapers on my SERM's and AI's and even natty test boosters. Tapering allows the body to not only normalize but to stabilize as well. I have no problem runninng my nolva at 5mg for an extra couple of weeks if I feel the need to do so. Even with things like suicidal AI's, I will taper those things as well and I don't care what anybody has to say about it. Any type of hormonal agent introduces changes within our endocrine system. These changes also go far beyond what we think they do. For example, when (some) people take an AI, they tend to assume that they're only affecting estrogen/test levels and ratios. For me, I realize that agents we use on cycle and in PCT will affect so may different processes within the body. Levels of prolactin, SHBG, FSH, LH, cortisol levels, liver enzymes, thyroid hormones, dopamine levels, etc etc, all get thrown out of wack when we introduce foreign substances/hormones into our bodies, whether for short and especially extended periods of time. When we decide to end our PCT and suddenly stop taking 5 different compounds, we can expect that certain things are going to happen inside of us. The hope is that we have kept things within range of where they should be and that we have tapered off accordingly. Another thing to consider is that a lot of the problems people encounter in PCT are actually born during cycle but only come out to play during PCT or even after we are done with PCT. Knowing your body and how it reacts to various compounds is so very important. Especially before introducing so many new compounds to the mix.
I also believe in the approach of simplicity. More is definitely not better as far as I'm concerned. Learn what works for you and add compounds as you gain more experience. I see far too many people running upwards of 10 different compounds per cycle and then running everything under the sun in PCT. How is your body supposed to know how to deal with all of these compounds at the same time. Not to mention, how could you know what positives and negatives each substance is bringing about when you can't even keep track off all of the crap you're ingesting.
One final thought on PCT. I believe that far too many people assume that their cookie-cutter 4 week PCT of 50/50/25/25 or 20/20/10/10 along with a natty T booster and maybe an AI is just what the doctor ordered. It usually is but I guarantee you there are people out there that have not fully recovered from their steroid cycles but assume they have because, well, their bottle of Nolva is done. They way in which we react to PCT is no different than how we all react to various different compounds and how some of us get gyno at the first sniff of Test while others can run 500mg a week and never have the need of an AI. Some people will recover very quickly and some people may struggle for months with low libido and gyno and a whole host of negative sides, despite haveing run the "mandated" cookie-cutter PCT.
The body is certainly an incredible machine and usually seems to work itself out, inspite of what we do to it. I just think we should help it out by tapering off of the substances that we throw at it. Especially when we are taking multiple different things at the same time.
At the end of the day, messing with the genetic blueprint that the world has blessed us with by way of swallowing pills from a $40 bottle of "dietary supplement" is nothing more than a crapshoot for most of us, without years and years of experience. The best we can do is research, have all of the necessary/emergency supplements onboard, trust that our gear is legit and pray that the 'Lord' has blessed us with the ability to look like Arnold while never having to worry about boobies...unless of course they belong to the lady who is admiring our Arnold-like physique.
Ok, I'm done now. Oh ya - taper, taper taper and K.I.S.S.