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Also known as Drostanolone, it was first widely available in 1970 after being manufactured by Syntex.
However, this relatively late entry to the anabolic steroid market was somewhat delayed as the drug was originally produced by Syntex as far back as 1959, around the same time as Anadrol, but its release was held back.
Drostanolone was produced in a variety of formats by both Syntex and Lilly (to who a license was granted) but Masteron remains the most recognizable version.
Masteron is an anabolic steroid, more specifically a dihydrotestosterone, and was originally used to treat postmenopausal women for advanced breast cancer. This is because the drug has a very strong anti-estrogenic effect and when combined with Nolvadex, has been demonstrated as having a greater success rate than chemotherapy in women who have an inoperable breast cancer.
The bodybuilding community discovered the benefits of this drug too, with possible uses including hardening, cutting and as an aromatase inhibitor.
Although holding approval from the FDA in the US, Drostanolone is no longer produced as Masteron for pharmaceutical use, but it remains extremely popular still with bodybuilders. It can still be used to treat breast cancer but in practice is rarely used as other drugs are now on the market.
Can it be Taken on its Own?
It is possible to take this steroid on its own but many users feel that the properties are somewhat wasted in this case.
The gains made will be very slow and steady but will fall short of being impressive. Nevertheless, due to the relative absence of side effects and its lack of estrogenic action, it may be suitable for beginners who want a gentle introduction to using anabolic steroids.
Stacking Info
To get the most out of this steroid, most users take it as part of a stack, most commonly with drugs which have more of an estrogenic effect.
Masteron helps to counteract this and reduce unwanted effects such as water retention and bloating.
In addition, it has the ability to not simply add to the effect of another steroid but actually to cumulatively increase their efficacy. It manages this by its anti-estrogenic effect and its properties as an aromatase inhibitor (of sorts). With these two actions, plus its limited ability to block a certain degree of SBHG from binding to the other steroid, the net effect is much greater than simply adding the two together.
Anavar, Testosterone and Trenbolone are commonly stacked with this compound.
How it is Administered
Masteron is an injectable anabolic steroid which is normally taken either every day or every other day.
A much rarer form of it exists as well which only needs to be injected 2-3 times per week (see below).
Dosage Info
Masteron is available with two different esters: enanthate and propionate. The former is is a longer-acting ester while the latter is a short-acting ester.
Because enanthate is a much longer lasting ester, it doesn’t need to be taken so frequently, just once or twice per week. Propionate must be administered much more frequently, being injected either every day or every other day.
However, the frequency of administration isn’t the only factor to consider. Propionate acts much more quickly and also leaves the body more rapidly. This can be an advantage because it means the recovery is faster and detection time is shorter. Propionate is by far the most common form of the drug.
This is an unusual drug because there’s virtually no difference in the dosage range between beginners and advanced users. Because it wouldn’t usually be chosen as the lead anabolic steroid, the same dosage is appropriate for both beginners and advanced users.
400mg is typical for Masteron propionate dosage although higher doses can be taken, usually not more than 600mg. However, the consensus of expert opinion is that at doses higher than 400mg there’s no advantage and simply adds cost.
If the rarer enanthate version is taken, the larger ester compound means that the dosage needs to be adjusted upwards. Generally, an extra 100mg is suitable, making a total of 500mg per week.
Half-life Info
The propionate version has a half-life of three to four days and can be detected within the body during testing for up to three weeks.
For the rarer Masteron enanthate, the half-life is 8-10 days but the clearance rate can be as long as three months. For this reason, it’s not ideal for bodybuilders planning on taking part in competitions.
Positive Effects
With few side effects and potentially very potent results, Masteron is a popular anabolic steroid with the bodybuilding community.
It is known for producing magnificent cosmetic effects, giving muscles more definition and providing a lean, hard appearance. Muscle mass is also protected by this steroid, and water loss can also be significant.
The benefit of protecting muscle mass is that a Masteron cycle is also excellent at increasing strength, a huge benefit for bodybuilders prior to competition and other athletes, such as runners.
Masteron does still have a prescribed medical benefit in the treatment of breast cancer in women but is rarely now used, with more modern drugs preferred instead.
Potential Side Effects
Androgenic Effects
Despite not being considered as one of the harshest anabolic steroids, it nevertheless has an androgenic effect.
To put it into context, testosterone has a strength rating of 100, while by comparison, Masteron scores a much weaker 25-40. This means that there’s much less chance of suffering from unwanted androgenic effects but it is still possible, particularly in individuals who are sensitive.
Acne, greasy skin, excess hair growth and male pattern baldness are some of the effects that may be seen.
This steroid has no reaction with the 5-Alpha Reductase enzyme which means there’s no chance that it will become more androgenic, thereby providing a constant result.
Estrogenic effects
Because Masteron can sometimes be used as an aromatase inhibitor, it can be viewed as having an almost anti-estrogenic effect, binding to aromatase. In cases where another steroid in a stack produces a mildly estrogenic result, it may be sufficient to counteract the undesirable effects. However, for steroids which are strongly estrogenic, Masteron will not suffice as the sole agent.
Therefore, the typical estrogenic effects such as water retention, bloating and gynecomastia which can be a problem for some anabolic steroids are not a concern with this compound.
Cardiovascular
Anabolic steroids almost universally have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system and Masteron is no exception.
As a general rule, injectable steroids don’t have such an impact on the cardiovascular system because they are gentler on the liver, the latter being important for the processing of cholesterol. However, with this drug, the effects are actually more severe because of the anti-estrogenic effect.
Estrogen has an effect on cholesterol levels and where it falls to below normal levels, such as when Masteron is being taken, there is a negative impact on the cholesterol ratio. This means that the healthy HDL cholesterol can drop by as much as 25% which in turn can adversely affect the cardiovascular system.
Therefore, following a low-fat diet is particularly important when taking this steroid to minimize the impact of the steroid on the cholesterol ratio.
Hair Loss
Because this steroid has a low degree of androgenic side effects it means there is a chance that hair loss may be experienced.
Male pattern baldness is a side effect which can be experienced with Masteron but only in those who already carry the genetic trait. The steroid merely acts as an accelerant, speeding up the appearance of hair loss; it can not trigger this effect in individuals who do not have the gene.
Ceasing this drug will prevent future hair loss from being accelerated but it will not restore hair which has already been lost. Hair loss treatments may be effective, such as minoxidil.
Liver Toxicity
Hepatotoxicity is a problem for many types of anabolic steroid but this is not the case for this drug.
Masteron is not a C17 alpha alkylated anabolic steroid (which are notoriously hepatotoxic) but a dihydrotestosterone and as such, there are no recorded instances of liver complications.
Other Effects
Although it is widely recognized as being a mild type of anabolic steroid, the same impact on testosterone is seen. This means that for every cycle it’s essential to have appropriate PCT to return the body to normal limits as soon as possible.
Contraindications
Anabolic steroids should be used with extreme caution in every case but anyone with a history of the following should seek medical advice before taking masteron:
• Breast cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Angina
• Raised cholesterol
• Prostate cancer
This drug has not been proven to be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Is this Steroid Best Suited to Cutting, Bulking or Both?
Masteron is an anabolic steroid which is used for cutting cycles, or for individuals who are looking to get much harder muscles.
Not as effective in those who aren’t already in good shape, it’s generally not recommended for those whose body fat is above 10-13%.
Excellent for reducing the amount of water retention in the body, cutting fat and making muscles leaner and harder, the anabolic action of Masteron also protects against loss of mass. For this reason, it’s often used as a finishing agent towards the end of a cutting cycle or prior to a competition. If you don’t have sufficient muscle mass in the first place, the results of this steroid will be negligible.
It is possible to stack it with other steroids such as Dianabol during a bulking cycle to counteract the estrogenic effects and to develop muscles of a better quality. It is however not used for this purpose so frequently.
Is it Safe for Women to Use?
As a drug which was originally created to treat breast cancer in women, it’s not entirely surprising that Masteron has a much weaker androgenic response than some other anabolic steroids. However, it is still considered to be androgenic and caution should be exercised if the drug is taken by women.
When virilization occurs, excess hair growth may be noted along with enlargement of the clitoris, deepening of the voice, and a disrupted menstrual cycle. Stopping use of the drug immediately will reverse the effects but continued use may cause permanent changes to occur.
Although it isn’t an easy steroid for women to take, it’s possible at lower doses. 50-100mg per week is the dose range for female bodybuilders with many settling at the lower end of this bracket to try and avoid virilization. Any dose higher than 100mg is almost guaranteed to lead to virilization effects.
The maximum length of time this steroid should be taken by women is 4-6 weeks.
Type of PCT Needed After the End of the Cycle
Anabolic steroid use depresses the natural production of testosterone within the body so when the cycle has finished, a course of PCT is always recommended to help the body to return to normal as quickly as possible.
Nolvadex and Clomid are the two drugs of choice which will help to promote the production of testosterone during PCT. They do this not by directly increasing the amount of testosterone but by producing certain blocking actions which stimulates the brain into releasing certain hormones, which in turn cause the testes to release more testosterone.
This process helps the production of testosterone to return to normal as quickly as possible and to remedy any testes atrophy. HCG is sometimes taken as a treatment for testicular atrophy but this drug must be stopped at least a fortnight before PCT is due to begin.
Typical Cost to Buy
As a very approximate cost, it’s possible to buy Masteron for approximately $50-75 per 10 ml bottle. Each of these bottles typically is manufactured to a concentration of 100mgs/ml.
Sports that Use it
Masteron was extremely popular with athletes for a long time because it was undetectable in testing but this all changed during the 1990s. Development of new tests that can identify this steroid mean its use before and during sporting competitions is now much more limited.
Body fat must be at a relatively low level before the effects can be seen which means that it’s not suitable for all types of sports. It has been used extensively within running and in other sports where individuals must remain within a certain weight bracket.
Its most popular use is arguably within bodybuilding where Masteron is used to create a lean, hard appearance, lowering body fat while still protecting muscle mass.
Legality of Purchase and its Usage in the US
In the US, the possession of anabolic steroids is illegal as they are deemed to be a controlled substance. The penalties if caught in possession are harsh: depending on the history of the individual, a jail sentence of up to three years and a $5000 fine handed out. Any individual who has a history of drug offenses could find themselves facing up to 10 years in jail and a fine to be determined by the court.
For those who seek to distribute or sell the drug, the penalties are even harsher for both imprisonment and fines, with a possible penalty of up to $250,000.
The US law on androgenic anabolic steroids is much tougher than elsewhere in the world, including countries such as the UK and Canada where simple possession is not punished.
In other countries in the world, Masteron can be bought openly without any fear of consequences. However, it is not possible to then bring those legally purchased drugs back into the US.