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Testosterone was the first anabolic steroid to be produced in the 1930s and it was to pave the way for a whole new generation of drugs which would change both medicine and sporting ability forever.
Although the majority of anabolic steroids were originally created for medicinal use, their value to sports and recreation was quickly identified. The Soviet and German sports teams were among the first to utilize the benefits, although this information was not admitted publicly at the time.
For the next three decades following the discovery, the use of anabolic steroids rocketed. This steroid was created in 1960 in an injectable form, followed two years later by an oral compound.
Rather unusually, it was not developed for therapeutic use but instead solely for the benefit of the bodybuilding community, and its use has continued to this day.
Shortly after the release of Primobolan, Schering bought the rights to the drug and it never returned to the US as before. Nevertheless, the FDA kept it on their list of approved drugs so doctors were able to continue prescribing it and could legally import it for use.
During the 1970s, this steroid was heavily in demand from the bodybuilding community with its reputation enhanced by claims that it was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s favorite steroid. Whether this claim is slightly exaggerated is not proven, but there is some evidence to suggest that the body-building giant was a fan of this surprisingly gentle anabolic steroid.
Anabolic steroids were greatly restricted for use by the FDA and by 1990 had become a controlled substance in the US. Nevertheless, this drug remains available on prescription for the treatment of muscle wasting diseases, sarcopenia and osteoporosis.
It can also be used to counteract the side effects of long-term intake of corticosteroids. Its safety record is unparalleled in the market, so much so that it has also been used to treat underweight children and premature babies.
Can it be Taken on its Own?
It has a reputation for being a somewhat weak anabolic steroid, and therefore not worthy of use on its own.
Although use within a stack is arguably more common, significant advantages can still be enjoyed when it’s taken solo.
This steroid won’t pack on gains quickly but if you are committed to eating a high protein diet, you will experience steady and sustainable lean gains.
This compound was deliberately designed to be more anabolic than androgenic and this means that the majority of the gains in muscle come from the circulation and retention of nitrogen. In order to achieve the maximum amount of muscle growth, there must be a plentiful supply available of nitrogen available and this only comes from ingesting large amounts of protein.
Therefore, for those committed to eating a high-quality diet, the gains of a solo primo cycle can be very substantial.
Stacking Info
A typical Primobolan cutting cycle could include other anabolic steroids such as Winstrol or trenbolone to achieve extra hardness and density to the muscles.
For bulking, testosterone, adding Dianabol or Anadrol will bring a much greater growth in muscle mass but there may be estrogenic effects, not from the Primobolan but from the others in the stack.
Although primo has its own performance-enhancing qualities, one of the biggest benefits it brings to a stack is the ability to boost the potency. The efficacy of other anabolic steroids will be hugely enhanced by the presence of primo within a stack.
How it is Administered
Primobolan is available in both oral and depo forms, providing users with the different options for administration.
Although injections are a prime way to get anabolic steroids into the system, one of the problems with Primobolan is severe pain following this route of administration. This is particularly the case with pharmaceutical grade primo because it generally is only available in vials of 100mg per ml. Getting sufficient quantities of the drug into the body, therefore, means a number of extremely painful injections every week.
One way around this is to opt for black market suppliers instead where 200-300mg per ml vials are available which are also cut with different oils in a bid to reduce the pain experienced by users.
The injectable form of Primobolan is an enanthate while the oral form is Primobolan acetate.
Dosage Info
It’s possible to experience some slow and steady gains with Primobolan, even at a lower dosage of around 100-200mg per week. This is ideal for those who are sensitive to the effects of anabolic steroids and cannot tolerate a higher dose.
However, a more common dose range is between 600-800mg per week at which excellent results can be achieved. At the higher dose, the risk of side effects increases which is why some bodybuilders prefer to take a lower dose within a stack.
Half-life Info
The half-life of Primobolan enanthate is approximately 4-5 days which is why for best results it should be taken twice weekly to maintain serum concentration levels.
Positive Effects
Primobolan is a popular choice for inclusion within an anabolic steroid stack and despite its reputation for being “weak” and its relatively high cost, demand for the drug is still high.
One reason for this is that the results are very predictable; this is because it doesn’t metabolize into dihydrotestosterone within the body, unlike some other types of anabolic steroid. Primo also lacks any aromatization action which means there is no risk of estrogenic effects.
Other beneficial actions include the ability to block fat as well as ensuring more protein reaches the muscles. The outcome of all of these combined actions is a slow and steady gain in strength and lean mass.
It’s therefore not difficult to see why Primobolan is still as sought after today as when it was first released into the market over 50 years ago.
Potential Side Effects
Anabolic steroids are notorious for the number of side effects which can be produced, particularly when the drug is taken at the dosage required for performance enhancement. Primobolan is one of the few which produces minimal side effects and for this has earned a reputation as being one of the gentlest steroid drugs available.
Androgenic Effects
Although it is generally considered to be one of the milder anabolic steroids, there is still the potential for androgenic side effects to occur with Primobolan.
These could include:
• Oily skin
• Acne
• Excessive growth of bodily hair
• Hair loss (see more below)
Because the androgenic effect is weaker than in other types of anabolic steroid, generally the only individuals who are likely to experience side effects are those who are sensitive.
Estrogenic Effects
Primobolan is based on the methenolone hormone which is non-aromatizing which means that no estrogenic effects are produced, regardless of the dose taken.
Water retention and gynecomastia which are a problem for so many other anabolic steroids are not a side effect of this steroid.
Cardiovascular
As there are no estrogenic effects with this steroid, blood pressure is not normally a concern. There is, however, an adverse reaction to the production of cholesterol within the body.
Primobolan can cause HDL cholesterol to fall and also cause LDL cholesterol to rise, creating a negative change in the total ratio.
This doesn’t mean that the steroid should not be taken but extreme care should be exercised in both diet and lifestyle, and regular cholesterol checks should be undertaken.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is one area which is of significant concern with the use of this steroid. Only men who already have the male pattern baldness gene will be affected; those without the gene will not experience hair loss regardless of how high the dosage is.
For those with the gene, Primobolan has a strong link with rapidly accelerating hair loss. This can’t be reversed with cessation of the drug, although further accelerated hair loss can be prevented.
Other anabolic steroids can successfully control hair loss with the simultaneous use of Finasteride, but this will not work with this compound because it does not interact with the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme.
Liver Toxicity
There is currently no evidence that Primobolan causes any kind of hepatotoxicity. There is not presently absolute proof that there are no ill effects to the liver, but the general consensus is that it will not cause hepatotoxicity of any kind.
Other Effects
The rate of testosterone suppression is far less than with other types of anabolic steroid but when taken at the doses required for performance enhancement, it is inevitable that the body’s own production of testosterone will be seriously affected. This can cause temporary atrophy in the testicles; this symptom will be entirely reversible once PCT has finished and natural production of testosterone has recommenced.
Contraindications
Anabolic steroids, in general, can be harsh on the body, even those with a reputation for being gentler, such as Primobolan.
Anyone who develops significant side effects which can’t be controlled should stop taking the steroid, and any individual with a history of any of the following should first seek advice from a physician before intake:
• Prostate tumors of any kind
• Breast cancer
• Anti-coagulant medication
• Severe hepatic disease
• Severe renal disease
• Heart failure
In addition, it has not been proven to be safe for women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding.
Is this Steroid Best Suited to Cutting, Bulking or Both?
When used on its own, Primobolan is rarely used solely for the purposes of bulking. Although mass can be added, particularly when a protein-rich diet is being followed, the cost of doing so would be astronomical. It can, however, be used in a bulking stack to add lean gains and to enhance the potency of the other anabolic steroids.
Primo is extremely effective within a cutting cycle, helping to prevent muscle atrophy and maintaining mass even when the diet is restricted. The additional action of helping to block the creation of future fat cells is of extra use to bodybuilders trying to create a lean and ripped physique.
Is it Safe for Women to Use?
Although Primobolan is considered to be a very gentle anabolic steroid, there is still the potential for a strong androgenic response. For this reason, women who choose to take it must dose carefully in order to avoid unwanted side effects.
If the dose is too high or the individual is sensitive, virilization can occur. If this is the case, the drug should be stopped immediately to prevent permanent damage.
The typical dose range for women is in the region of 25-50mg per day. An alternative would be to lower the dose of primo and stack it with another female-friendly steroid such as Anavar.
Each cycle should last no longer than 6 weeks’ maximum.
Type of PCT Needed After the End of the Cycle
It doesn’t have such a radical effect on testosterone as many other anabolic steroids, but will still suppress the production. PCT is still essential but it should be far easier to return the body to its natural state.
Therefore, PCT following Primobolan only needs to include Clomid or Nolvadex; there’s no need to also take HCG.
Typical Cost to Buy
It is possible to buy Primobolan but surprisingly for a drug which is so popular, it’s not easily found.
Pharmaceutical grade cannot readily be sourced in the US, although it is possible to buy online from other countries. Primobolan acetate is virtually impossible to find, even from under-ground sources. For this reason, buying this steroid often means purchasing it in enanthate form.
Despite its wide appeal, it is not a cheap drug and costs typically start from $15-20 for a single 1ml vial of 100mg strength.
Sports that Use it
As well as being used as in the bodybuilding community, Primobolan has also found popularity within other sports.
Its ability to steadily build strength without bulk along with a comparative lack of side effects has made this an attractive performance-enhancing drug. A number of different sports have reported illegal use from competitors, including the high profile case of Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez.
Legality of Purchase and its Usage in the US
In the US, anabolic steroids of all kinds are classified as a Schedule III controlled substance which means they can only be used with a prescription from a physician for therapeutic use.
US law dictates that the supply, shipping or even possession of this drug is an offense which could be punishable by both a heavy fine and a jail sentence.
Other countries in the world such as the UK and Canada take a more lenient approach to the possession of anabolic steroids for personal use, and this steroid can be bought openly in many other nations globally.
Even if Primobolan is purchased legally elsewhere, it cannot be brought back to the US without breaking the law.
To continue reading about anabolics you can find more info here.