Drostanolone
Masteron, chemically known as Drostanolone, is an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Initially developed to treat breast cancer in the 1960s, Masteron has significant anti-estrogenic properties, making it unique among AAS. In the realm of bodybuilding and athletics, it’s used for its muscle-hardening effects and its ability to improve lean muscle mass and strength with minimal water retention. Masteron is popular during cutting cycles for its ability to enhance the appearance of muscularity and vascularity. However, like all steroids, it comes with potential side effects, including those related to its androgenic properties, and its use is banned in most competitive sports under doping regulations.
Properties of Masteron
Masteron, also known as Drostanolone Propionate, is a type of steroid made from a hormone called DHT. It’s changed a little to make it last longer in the body and work better for building muscle. It’s mainly used in a form called Propionate, which needs to be taken more often, but there’s also a rarer form called Enanthate that doesn’t need to be used as much.
What makes Masteron special is that it doesn’t cause any estrogen-related side effects, which are common with many other steroids. In fact, it can even work like an anti-estrogen drug in the body. This was so effective that it was once used to treat breast cancer in women, especially when used with another drug called Nolvadex. Bodybuilders like it because it can help avoid the need for extra anti-estrogen medicines and makes muscles look harder, especially when preparing for a competition.
Even though Masteron doesn’t score high on muscle-building or strength measures compared to other steroids, it’s actually very powerful. It comes from DHT, which is much stronger in attaching to muscle-building receptors than regular testosterone. This helps users get a more defined look and can also help with fat loss. While it’s not the best choice for gaining a lot of muscle, it can help athletes get stronger without increasing their muscle size too much. It’s especially liked for helping speed up metabolism and promoting fat loss, making it a popular choice for those looking to improve their physical appearance and performance without bulking up too much.
Effects of Masteron
Masteron works best during a cutting cycle, meaning it helps the most when you’re trying to lose fat while keeping muscle. But, to really see its benefits, you need to be very lean already. It’s most often used by bodybuilders right before a competition when they’re already pretty lean and need to lose a little more fat and make their muscles look as defined as possible. Masteron helps with this and makes the muscles look harder because of its ability to act against estrogen effects in the body. If you’re not very lean (under 10% body fat), you might not notice much difference with Masteron. It can help you look a bit more toned and dry, but if you have more than 10% body fat, the effects won’t be very noticeable.
Masteron can also help athletes who want to get stronger without gaining weight. This can be especially useful if you’re trying to stay in a certain weight class for your sport. You might notice a moderate increase in strength and better muscle endurance, all without adding unwanted weight.
However, as a way to gain a lot of muscle (bulking), Masteron isn’t very effective. You might see some small muscle gains, similar to what you’d get from another steroid called Primobolan Depot, but only if you use a lot of it. Most other steroids are better for bulking up. Some people might want to use Masteron in their bulking phase to keep body fat low or for its anti-estrogen effects. But, controlling body fat should be manageable without it, and for controlling estrogen, Masteron isn’t strong enough to deal with the high estrogen levels that come with the steroids often used during bulking.
Side Effects of Masteron
Masteron, like other anabolic steroids, comes with a range of potential side effects. While it’s considered milder compared to some other steroids, users can still experience adverse effects, especially when used improperly or at high doses. Here are some common side effects associated with Masteron:
- Androgenic Side Effects: Despite its lower androgenic rating, Masteron can still cause androgenic side effects such as acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness, and body hair growth. Women may experience virilization effects, including deepened voice, body hair growth, and changes in menstrual cycles.
- Estrogenic Side Effects: Masteron is known for its anti-estrogenic properties, meaning it typically doesn’t cause estrogen-related side effects like gynecomastia (breast tissue growth in men) or water retention. However, it’s important to note that it won’t counteract all estrogenic effects, especially if used with other steroids that promote high estrogen levels.
- Cardiovascular Effects: Use of Masteron can impact cardiovascular health, potentially increasing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and decreasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels. This can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, especially if combined with a diet high in saturated fats and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Testosterone Suppression: Like all anabolic steroids, Masteron can suppress natural testosterone production in the body. This can lead to symptoms of testosterone deficiency after the cycle ends, unless properly managed with a post-cycle therapy (PCT) plan.
- Liver Toxicity: Compared to many oral steroids, Masteron (particularly in its injectable form) is less likely to cause significant liver damage. However, prolonged use or high doses can still stress the liver.
- Psychological Effects: Some users report experiencing changes in mood and libido. This can include increased aggression, irritability, or changes in sexual desire.
It’s crucial to approach the use of Masteron with caution and to consider the legal and health implications. Using steroids without medical supervision and for performance enhancement is not recommended due to the potential for serious side effects and long-term health risks.
Masteron Usage Guide:
For Men: The typical dose for men ranges from 300-400mg per week. This usually means getting a 100mg injection every other day for 6-8 weeks. This period doesn’t cover the entire steroid cycle but is the usual duration for using Masteron in a combination with other steroids. Some might opt to divide their doses into daily injections, but every other day is generally sufficient. If using Drostanolone Enanthate, which is rarer, 1-2 injections per week should be enough.
For Women in Cancer Treatment: The usual dosage for treating female breast cancer is 100mg three times a week for 8-12 weeks. This dosage might lead to virilization (development of male characteristics), which can be difficult to reverse but is considered a risk worth taking over cancer. For female athletes, a lower dose of 50mg per week for 4-6 weeks is advisable. Some might tolerate up to 100mg per week well, but going beyond these limits increases the risk of virilization.
Availability:
The original Masteron brand by Syntex is no longer produced. Any such product on the market is counterfeit. No US company manufactures Drostanolone now, and it’s scarce globally, though readily available on the black market. Brands like Mastabolin by Alpha Pharma, and others from underground labs, are commonly found. It’s crucial to research any supplier thoroughly before purchasing due to the risk of scams or substandard products. Masteron’s price has become more reasonable, once considered pricey.
Buying Masteron Online – advice
Purchasing Masteron online is the most straightforward and cost-effective method, but risks include scams and receiving diluted, fake, or contaminated products. It’s essential to vet suppliers carefully. Moreover, in the US, buying Masteron without a prescription is illegal, as anabolic androgenic steroids are classified as Schedule III controlled substances. Laws vary by country, but online purchases are generally frowned upon. For those seeking legal steroids without the risk of legal issues, it’s advised to consider legal alternatives or reputable sources that don’t require a prescription and ensure legal compliance.
Summary
In some circles that focus on performance enhancement, Masteron is often seen as a less powerful anabolic steroid, mainly because it doesn’t greatly increase muscle mass. Many people judge the effectiveness of steroids by their ability to promote muscle growth. Additionally, there’s a common oversight that for a steroid like Masteron to show its full benefits, one needs to be quite lean. This misunderstanding leads to undervaluing Masteron’s true potential. It’s important to recognize that gaining sheer muscle mass isn’t the only measure of a steroid’s value. Understanding when and how to use Masteron is key to unlocking its significant advantages. By appreciating its specific purposes and benefits, users will find Masteron to be an exceptionally useful steroid in their arsenal.