good stuff!
If i'm reading correctly, though, the bolded section on exemestane for pct seems to imply using it instead of a SERM, rather than in addition to a SERM. I believe this needs some clarification. As I understand it, in the above scenario, you would be relying on HCG to raise test, and then using the exemestane to block the conversion of that higher test to estro. Makes sense, right? But the major, major downside to this, is that HCG works by mimicking the effects of LH, stimulating the LH receptors on the Leydig cells, which in turn produce more testosterone. Unfortunately, this usage of HCG is actually overstimulating the LH receptors, and causes them to desensitize. Then, once you're back to producing your own natural LH, it won't do any good, as your LH receptors won't be listening. This is why if you do use HCG, it is recommended to use before the end of your cycle for a little kick start, and not during PCT, where your goal is to restore natural HTPA function.
So, backing up, you would NOT be able to use any AI, even one as awesome as exemestane, solo in place of a SERM to effectively raise test post-cycle while you are in a suppressed state. True, exemestane can raise test levels in normal, healthy individuals by blocking its conversion to estrogen. I mean, of course, right? If you're blocking the aromatization of test to estro, then the test that would have converted will remain as test, thus higher test. In addition, your body detects that estro levels are too low, and produces even more test with the goal of it aromatizing. But post-cycle, you are suppressed, and you do not have any test to aromatize. What good is blocking aromatization if you don't have any test to convert anyway? You're just wasting your AI then.
Now compare that to the mechanism of a SERM, which actually stimulates your own production of LH to tickle the Leydig cells, rather than doing it via an overkill exogenous source like HCG. Your Leydig cells in turn start secreting test, and as your test level climbs, it starts aromatizing. Luckily, even though you now have high estro, the SERM stops it from causing any damage. Then the best use of an AI is debatable, as I brought up in my earlier post. Do you use the AI to keep the estro in check throughout PCT? Do you just do a little bit of an AI hit at the end to knock estro down once you come off the SERM? Or, since the goal of PCT is to get back to your natural state, do you just let your body do its own thing and dispose of the excess estro after tapering the SERM, which it will, just a bit slower. I don't know!
Deep breath! So yea, this is actually some complex stuff, so please jump in if anything I thought I knew is wrong.