None of the content provided within this e-book is to be
deemed legal or medical advice in any way, shape or form. All
decisions are yours alone and I am not responsible for your
actions.
This e-book is for educational purposes only. Do not take
supplements or drugs without the supervision or direction of a
qualified medical professional.
Before deciding to take Anabolic Steroids, we suggest you do
your own research regarding the legality and dangers of using
them alongside reading these opinions (not to be deemed
medical advice).
DISTRIBUTION
Use, distribution or disclosure by others is prohibited. This
product is not to be re-sold at any time.
RIGHTS RESERVED
The materials contained in this product are protected by
applicable copyright and trademark law. ENHANCEDINFO is
the author and owner of this product.
DO NOT TAKE STEROIDS OR ANY OTHER SUPPLEMENT WITHOUT
THE APPROVAL AND SUPERVISION OF YOUR DOCTOR.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 4
TESTOSTERONE & ITS DERIVATIVES ..................................................... 14
TESTOSTERONE ........................................................................... 16
DIANABOL (METHANDIENONE) .................................................... 39
TURINABOL (CHLORODEHYDROMETHYLTESTOSTERONE) ........ 53
HALOTESTIN (FLUOXYMESTERONE) ............................................ 64
EQUIPOISE (BOLDENONE) ........................................................... 77
DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE & ITS DERIVATIVES ..................................... 90
DHT (DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE) .................................................. 92
PROVIRON (MESTEROLONE) ...................................................... 100
MASTERON (DROSTANOLONE) ................................................. 113
WINSTROL (STANOZOLOL) ........................................................ 125
ANAVAR (OXANDROLONE)......................................................... 135
PRIMOBOLAN (METHENOLONE) ................................................ 146
ANADROL (OXYMETHOLONE) .................................................... 157
SUPERDROL (METHASTERONE) ................................................. 168
NANDROLONE & ITS DERIVATIVES................................................... 178
NANDROLONE (DECA DURABOLIN / NPP) .................................. 180
TRENBOLONE ............................................................................. 194
TRESTOLONE (MENT) ................................................................. 212
GETTING BLOODWORK DONE .......................................................... 223
HOW TO GET BLOODWORK DONE ............................................. 224
HORMONAL PANEL .................................................................... 225
LIPID PANEL ................................................................................ 226
METABOLIC PANEL..................................................................... 227
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT........................................................ 228
OTHER MARKERS ....................................................................... 229
2
ON-CYCLE THERAPY – SIDE-EFFECT MITIGATION .............................. 230
CARDIOVASCULAR SIDE-EFFECTS ............................................ 233
ORGAN SIDE-EFFECTS ............................................................... 242
ESTROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS ...................................................... 250
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS ..................................................... 265
PROGESTOGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS .............................................. 276
CONNECTIVE & MUSCLE TISSUE SIDE-EFFECTS........................ 282
DRUG-SPECIFIC SIDE-EFFECTS.................................................. 286
OTHER SIDE-EFFECTS ................................................................ 294
TESTOSTERONE BASE .................................................................... 297
WHAT IS A TESTOSTERONE BASE? ............................................ 298
ALTERNATIVE TESTOSTERONE BASES ...................................... 300
POST-CYCLE THERAPY .................................................................. 310
PCT EXPLAINED .......................................................................... 311
BLASTING & CRUISING ............................................................... 314
SERMS ........................................................................................ 316
HCG FOR FERTILITY & PCT ......................................................... 331
TRANSITIONING FROM THE CYCLE TO PCT ............................... 333
IDEAL PCT PROTOCOL ............................................................... 336
HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS DURING PCT ........................................ 339
AAS FOR FEMALES ........................................................................ 340
HOW TO INJECT AAS ..................................................................... 348
CYCLE EXAMPLES .......................................................................... 363
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .................................................... 385
FINAL NOTES & SOURCES .............................................................. 398
3
Thank you for buying this e-book. I hope that the information
within these pages will provide you with a better
understanding of the pros & cons of Anabolic Androgenic
Steroids so that you can be better prepared if you decide to
use them.
w
WHAT ARE ANABOLIC ANDROGENIC STEROIDS?
n
te
rit
by
To understand what Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are,
we must first understand what Testosterone is.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Testosterone is the main sex hormone and androgen in
males. From a developmental point of view, Testosterone is
necessary for the development of healthy male reproductive
organs, the growtg body hair, the promotion of muscle mass
and strengthening of bones. Testosterone also regulates
behavior, mood and well-being, as well as sex drive, sexual
function, voice tone and other masculine features.
Testosterone converts (aromatizes) into Estrogen through the
aromatase
enzyme
and
converts
(reduces)
into
Dihydrotestosterone through the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme.
Both Estrogen and DHT are necessary for optimal sexual
function and mood, but they are different in that Estrogen
plays a key role in protecting the heart, the brain and bones,
whereas Dihydrotestosterone is crucial for the development of
4
male reproductive tissues, the growth of body hair, and
optimal mood thanks to its antidepressant, anxiolytic effects.
In other words, Testosterone (and by extension, DHT and
Estrogen) is extremely important for us men to function
optimally, which explains why Testosterone was the first AAS
hormone to be synthesized and used as a drug for therapeutic
purposes, starting in the 1930s.
w
Over the decades, scientists modified the Testosterone,
Dihydrotestosterone and Nandrolone (another Testosterone
derivative) molecules with the goal of developing new AAS
that would be more effective and safer than Testosterone at
treating hypogonadism, muscle loss, osteoporosis and other
conditions.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This relentless pursuit of perfection gave birth to a wide
variety of AAS with the same overall function, but significant
differences between each other. Unsurprisingly, AAS were
also adopted for veterinary use, mainly to maximize the lean
tissue of cattle.
Despite being developed for medical and veterinary use, AAS
were rapidly adopted by the Olympic Committees of many
different countries, who put their athletes on these drugs with
hopes of improving their performance and giving their country
an advantage in the Olympics. The use of AAS in sports
eventually led to the development of new, performancefocused compounds that never found their way into the
medical and veterinary fields.
Shortly thereafter, the advent of professional bodybuilding
further popularized AAS as performance-enhancing drugs
5
due to their muscle-building properties and their dramatic
effect on strength and performance.
Bodybuilding proved that AAS could be used to take the
human physique to the next level, allowing athletes to reach a
shape, size and conditioning that had been unimaginable up
until that point. It was after the surge in popularity of
bodybuilding that AAS became widely used by the public, and
the rest is history.
w
Now that we understand the origin and general history of
Anabolic Androgenic Steroids, we can easily define these
drugs as synthetic analogues and derivatives of Testosterone
that support muscle and bone mass, improve performance,
and promote sexual & mental well-being.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
DIFFERENT TYPES OF STEROIDS
The term “steroid” refers to the molecular structure of both
classes of drugs, which always has four rings in the following
configuration:
This structure is referred to as “steroidal”, so any molecule
that has it can be described as a “steroid”. In other words,
Anabolic Androgenic Steroids are only one of many classes of
steroids: Estradiol is a steroid, cholesterol is a steroid, vitamin
D3 is a steroid, etc…
6
Making a distinction between AAS and other types of steroids
is important, because a lot of medical information websites
use the term “steroid” to describe hundreds of drugs that
have almost nothing in common.
w
Besides AAS, the most commonly used steroids are
Corticosteroids. These are steroidal hormones that regulate
the stress response, inflammation, immunity and other
physiological processes. Unlike AAS, Corticosteroids are
catabolic, meaning that cause muscle loss rather than muscle
growth. Keep this in mind when researching AAS online, since
many scientific papers will use the term “steroids” to describe
Corticosteroids, often leading to confusion.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
THE HPG AXIS
Before you read this e-book and do AAS, you need to
understand what the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad Axis
(HPG Axis) is and how using AAS affects it.
The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that controls the
endogenous production of multiple hormones, including
Testosterone. The hypothalamus secretes a hormone known
as GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone), which tells the
pituitary gland (also found in the brain) to release LH
(Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle-Stimulating
Hormone).
These two hormones, “travel” to the testicles (gonads) where
they stimulate the production of sperm (in the case of FSH)
and the production of Testosterone (in the case of LH).
7
When exogenous androgens such as AAS or SARMs are
introduced, the brain realizes that it does not need to keep
producing endogenous androgens (Testosterone), so it shuts
down the HPG Axis to stop the entire process.
This process can be reversed by doing what is known as a
Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT).
INJECTABLE VS ORAL AAS
w
For the most part, AAS are either injectable or oral. Injectable
AAS are administered intramuscularly (although they can be
administered subcutaneously as well) and they tend to be less
toxic to the organs than oral AAS. Injectables are less
convenient than orals, they are painful and they require more
preparation, but they are essential to any serious bodybuilder
who wants to enhance his physique with AAS.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Oral AAS tend to be very liver toxic because they are
methylated. In their basic form, AAS are not sufficiently
bioavailable when used orally because the liver breaks them
down and prevents them from being absorbed. Methylation
(also known as C17-alpha-alkylation) is the process by which
an AAS is made suitable for oral use, and it consists in adding
an alkyl group at the C17-alpha position of its chemical
structure.
In simple terms, one could say that methylation “forces” the
liver to absorb orally administered AAS. Methylation simplifies
the process of using certain AAS, but it results in liver toxicity,
which can be dangerous.
8
ANABOLIC : ANDROGENIC RATIO
As the name indicates, Anabolic Androgenic Steroids have
Anabolic (muscle-building) and Androgenic (masculinizing)
properties.
The anabolic : androgenic ratio is used to assess how
anabolic and androgenic an AAS is compared to
Testosterone, which has a ratio of 100:100.
w
This ratio is calculated by comparing the effects of an AAS on
the ventral prostate (VP) and the levator ani muscle (LA). The
greater the weight of the VP, the more androgenic an AAS is,
and the greater the weight of the LA, the more anabolic it is.
n
te
rit
by
These are the anabolic : androgenic ratios of the AAS I cover
in this e-book:
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
TESTOSTERONE = 100:100
DIANABOL = 90-120:40-60
TURINABOL = 100: - (androgenic ratio unknown)
HALOTESTIN = 1900:850
EQUIPOISE = 100:50
DHT = 60-220:30-260
PROVIRON = 150:40
MASTERON = 60-130:25-40
WINSTROL = 320 : 30
ANAVAR = 320-630 : 24
9
PRIMOBOLAN = 88:44-57
ANADROL = 320:45
NANDROLONE = 125:37
TRENBOLONE = 500:500
TRESTOLONE = 2300:650
You should never rely on these ratios to assess how anabolic
and androgenic an AAS truly is, because they were calculated
by using castrated rats as reference, and they rarely reflect
the true effects of an AAS in the real world.
w
For example, Mesterolone (Proviron) has a ratio of 150:40.
This means that, on paper, Proviron is 50% more anabolic
than Testosterone, and only 40% as androgenic. However,
everyone knows that Proviron is way more androgenic and
less anabolic than an equivalent dose of Testosterone in the
real world, so Proviron’s ratio is not representative of reality
whatsoever.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This discrepancy between theory and reality applies to the
majority of AAS and their anabolic : androgenic ratios, so
worry about the real-world applications of AAS instead of
worrying about their effects “on paper”.
10
ABOUT THIS E-BOOK
This e-book was written with one goal in mind: To provide you
with all the information you need to know to have good results
without destroying your health and your quality of life if you
decide to hop on Steroids.
w
I could go on and on about the evolution and history of AAS
throughout the second half of the 20th Century and the first
two decades of the 21st Century, as well as go deep into the
biochemistry behind these drugs, but as the name indicates
the purpose of this e-book is to be a Handbook, not an
Encyclopaedia.
n
te
rit
by
After all, you are reading this book because you want specific
information on how to use AAS in a bodybuilding /
performance-enhancing context, so I will not beat around the
bush with information that won’t help you reach your goals.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This book is divided into 3 main blocks, in which I cover
Testosterone & its direct derivatives, Dihydrotestosterone &
its derivatives and Nandrolone & its derivatives.
These sections of the book will give you detailed information
about the pros and cons of each AAS, as well as guidance as
to what the optimal dose, timing and cycle length for each
compound are.
After these 3 blocks, you will find the sections on On-Cycle
Therapy and Post-Cycle Therapy. In these blocks I will teach
you everything you need to know (what to take & how) in
order to mitigate the side-effects of all AAS during a cycle,
11
and in order to restore your baseline hormone levels after a
cycle.
The other sections of this e-book will provide you with general
information worth knowing, scientific references, instructions
on how to use AAS as a female & multiple cycle examples that
you can copy.
---
w
There is no need to read this book from cover to cover. As
long as you understand what AAS are, you can simply go to
the Table of Contents and access the specific information you
are looking for right away. If you are a complete newbie or you
are simply interested in learning as much as possible, reading
this book in its entirety is a good idea.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
I also want to make it clear that the information in this e-book
is not set in stone. Different enhanced bodybuilding experts
have slightly different opinions when it comes to what the best
protocols for each AAS are. The protocols in this e-book err
on the side of caution and are meant to help the average AAS
user have great results with the least amount of side-effects
possible.
With this being said, it is high time for you to delve into this ebook and learn everything you need to know about using AAS
in the safest and most effective way possible!
12
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
13
w
Testosterone &
its derivatives
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
14
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
15
Testosterone
17B-Hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Testosterone is the foundation of everything you will learn
about in this book. As you know, it is the main androgen and
sex hormone in males of many different species, and the most
important AAS in the human body.
This hormone is necessary for the development of male
reproductive organs, and it is responsible for male secondary
sexual characteristics like increased muscle mass and bone
strength, facial hair, a deep voice, high sex drive, body hair,
Adam’s apple, broad shoulders and increased sebum
production.
Despite being a “male hormone”, Testosterone is also found
in females, where it plays an important role in vaginal arousal
and sexual desire.
Exogenous Testosterone has been used for therapeutic and
performance-enhancing purposes for close to 8 decades. It is
sold in both injectable and topical formulations, but the latter
16
are almost never used because they are less effective and
can be accidentally rubbed onto kids and women, who would
be negatively affected by it.
Oral Testosterone exists as well, but its hefty price, low
potency, low oral bioavailability, and short half-life make it a
terrible alternative to injections.
In the next few pages, you will learn all the benefits and sideeffects of using Testosterone in a performance-enhancing
context, as well as instructions on how to use it depending on
your goals. But first, you need to understand what “esters”
are and what esters Testosterone is available in.
w
TESTOSTERONE ESTERS
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
In simple terms, we could define esters as molecules that are
attached to AAS to modulate their bioavailability and half-life.
ENANTHATE: Testosterone Enanthate (also known as Test E)
is perhaps the most common ester of injectable Testosterone.
It has a half-life of 4 to 5 days, so injecting it every 5 days or
even once a week to keep blood levels stable is possible.
CYPIONATE: Testosterone Cypionate (also known as Test C)
is the second most used ester of injectable Testosterone. It
has a half-life of 7 to 8 days, so it can also be injected once a
week for stable blood levels.
PROPIONATE: Testosterone Propionate (also known as Test
P or Test Prop) is a short-acting injectable Testosterone ester.
There is a lot of contradictory information regarding its exact
half-life, with some papers citing 21 hours and others claiming
2-3 days. As such, it is usually administered on an every17
other-day (EOD) basis, so only experienced users and
competitors who want to have absolute control of their levels
opt for it.
w
UNDECANOATE: Testosterone Undecanoate is the longestacting ester of injectable Testosterone in the market today. It
has a half-life of 3 to 5 weeks, so it’s mainly used for
therapeutic purposes and rarely for performanceenhancement since it is harder for one to quickly adjust the
dose as desired. Oral Testosterone also has an Undecanoate
ester, but it needs to be taken 3 times a day with fatty meals
for optimal results, so it has little to do with its injectable
counterpart.
rit
n
te
SUSTANON: This form of Testosterone is a combination of 4
esters: Propionate, Phenylpropionate, Isocaproate and
Decanoate. Each ester has a different half-life, so they hit and
peak at different points. Sustanon tends to be injected weekly
as a PED, and every 3-4 weeks for therapeutic purposes.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
TESTOSTERONE SUSPENSION: Unlike the other forms of
Testosterone, Test Suspension is water-based (as opposed to
being oil-based) and it does not even have an ester, meaning
that it hits right away and has a half-life of just a few hours.
This, coupled with the fact that injecting it is extremely painful,
makes Test Suspension the least practical form of injectable
Testosterone one can use. Some experienced users employ
Test Suspension as a pre-workout PED.
18
MUSCLE GROWTH
Testosterone is an excellent muscle-builder. Whether you are
using a low dose to put your levels at the top of the reference
range, or you are blasting a dose that puts your levels at 3-4x
the upper limit of said range, you will build a lot more muscle
than if you were relying on your natural Testosterone levels.
w
In fact, if you were to measure your natural Testosterone
levels and you used just enough exogenous Testosterone to
replace them, you would still build more muscle than if you
were natural (even though your levels would be the same on
paper) because your natural Testosterone levels fluctuate
during the day whereas exogenous Testosterone keeps your
levels stable, thus providing the same anabolic activity 24/7.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
It is impossible to calculate how much muscle you will build on
a cycle of Testosterone because that is dose and userdependent, but you can expect anything beyond 250mg/week
to build increasingly ridiculous amounts of muscle mass, with
diminishing returns past 500-600mg/week.
All in all, we could argue that Testosterone is perfect for
bulking up and gaining serious amount of muscle in relatively
short periods of time (3-4 months), and good enough to retain
muscle mass during a cutting cycle with doses as low as
200mg/week.
19
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Testosterone will improve physical performance and strength
to a very noticeable extent regardless of what dose is being
used.
While it’s not the best steroid when it comes to doing so, you
can expect a high dose Testosterone cycle to shoot your
strength through the roof in a matter of weeks. Lower doses
of Testosterone are good enough for one to experience a slow
and steady increase in strength over time.
w
n
te
rit
FAT LOSS
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
There is a lot of scientific data to suggest that there is a clear
link between high Testosterone and weight loss / reduced fat
accumulation. It makes sense since more muscle mass
means faster metabolism.
According to some papers, Testosterone can actually
“increase lipid oxidation” and “normalize glucose utilization”.
In my opinion, Testosterone is not a fat-burner. Having low
Testosterone makes it hard for one to lose fat and having
healthy Testosterone levels makes it easy for one to lose fat
(which should be the normal state of being). There is no
evidence that supraphysiological Testosterone levels can
directly burn more fat than normal, healthy levels. You will only
find that Testosterone helps you lose more fat if you have
always had low Testosterone levels.
20
Regardless, Testosterone can and should be used during
cutting cycles not only because it’s essential for one to
function properly during a cycle, but also because it
contributes to muscle retention.
BONES AND JOINTS
Testosterone can indirectly improve the health and strength of
your bones and joints by converting into Estradiol (Estrogen).
Estradiol supports bone density and lubricates the joints, while
also promoting cartilage repair and collagen production.
w
n
te
rit
by
en
@
RECOVERY
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Like any anabolic that increases protein synthesis,
Testosterone will accelerate muscle recovery after a workout
and it will reduce muscle soreness.
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Due to the conversion of Testosterone into Estradiol, you will
experience some degree of water retention, which can hinder
the aesthetic appeal of your muscles. This can be controlled
with an AI (more on that later), but Testosterone will never be
one of the best AAS when it comes to improving the look of
your muscles.
21
Despite this, it will improve vascularity and like all AAS, it will
increase nitrogen retention, so you can expect better pumps
and muscle fullness if you are bulking up.
MOOD ENHANCEMEnt
Testosterone will have a positive effect on mood at any dose,
as long as Estradiol levels are kept within the reference range
(high Estradiol is linked to moodiness).
w
Testosterone is also a precursor to Dihydrotestosterone,
which has an incredibly positive effect on mood, depression
and confidence. Men on Testosterone almost always report
increased confidence and a better, more positive outlook on
life.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Society has told men that high Testosterone is linked to
aggression and irritability, but both scientific and anecdotal
data shows us that said behaviour is actually more common
among men with low Testosterone levels and/or high estrogen
levels. “Roid rage” doesn’t actually occur on Testosterone.
SEXUAL ENHANCEMENT
Testosterone is essential for sexual desire and sexual
function, so using exogenous Testosterone will increase both
metrics, as long as Estradiol levels are kept under control
(high Estradiol is linked to sexual dysfunction).
22
Men on Testosterone report increased libido and better sexual
performance at low doses, and increasingly wilder sexual
desire as the dose is increased. Interestingly, the wild sex
drive that men on Testosterone report tends to normalize after
a while. This is a good thing, since having an uncontrollable
libido can be counterproductive and distracting.
OTHER BENEFITS
w
Having healthy Testosterone levels is essential for our wellbeing and health. Even though we are discussing the benefits
of side-effects of using Testosterone as a PED (which implies
having supraphysiological levels), it is worth noting that having
healthy levels is also crucial for heart health and brain health
(since estradiol is cardio and neuroprotective).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Other benefits of having healthy Testosterone levels include
improved sleep, greater stress tolerance, increased
motivation to work hard and achieve one’s goals, more
assertiveness and all the other positive traits commonly
associated with being “alpha”.
23
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
When you introduce exogenous Testosterone into your body,
your brain realizes that it doesn’t need to keep producing it
endogenously, so it shuts down the Hypothalamus-PituitaryGonadal/Testicular Axis.
w
In other words, when you come off exogenous Testosterone
(or any other AAS), your body will not be producing enough
Testosterone for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass.
The body can recover from this suppression on its own, but
we do a Post-Cycle Therapy to accelerate this process and
help restart the HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of
this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
HPG Axis shutdown is not a big issue while we are on
exogenous Testosterone because it replaces our endogenous
levels, provides enough estradiol conversion, and takes care
of all the functions that endogenous Testosterone is
responsible for.
The only symptoms of HPG axis shutdown you will notice are
testicular atrophy (shrinking) and reduced fertility, meaning
that the quality and volume of your sperm will decrease (this
can be solved with HCG, more on that in the OCT section of
this e-book).
24
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
We could argue that Testosterone is good for the heart
because it aromatizes into estradiol, which is cardioprotective.
In fact, having healthy Testosterone levels will decrease your
cholesterol.
Unfortunately, high doses of Testosterone can be bad for your
heart for multiple reasons:
w
• Low HDL & High LDL cholesterol resulting from
Testosterone abuse (data on this is a somewhat
contradictory though).
• Testosterone will increase RBC. This is known as
erythrocytosis, which thickens blood and can lead to
heart disease.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC and water
retention.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ORGAN HEALTH
Exogenous Testosterone is not as bad for your organs as
other AAS (mainly the orals) tend to be. It will not cause liver
toxicity, and it will not directly affect your kidneys (although it
can indirectly worsen renal health due to high blood
pressure).
25
The one organ you must keep an eye on if you use exogenous
Testosterone is the prostate, which can enlarge if you have
high DHT levels.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is manageable, but it can cause
urinary issues. Using Testosterone and having high DHT
levels is terrible for someone who has prostate cancer, since it
would cause the tumour to grow faster.
ESTROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
w
The aromatization of Testosterone into Estradiol is important
and necessary, but using suprapysiological doses of
exogenous Testosterone will result in excessively high
estradiol levels, which can cause:
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
• Gynecomastia (Gyno), the growth of breast tissue in
males. Gyno tends to manifest itself as nipple sensitivity,
followed by the slow growth of breast tissue under the
nipple.
• Water retention, which leads to high blood pressure, stiff
joints and puffiness.
• Moodiness.
• Low sex drive and sexual dysfunction.
• Acne.
As you will learn in the OTC chapter, these symptoms can be
prevented with an Aromatase Inhibitor.
26
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Testosterone also converts into Dihydrotestosterone, which
can cause serious side-effects if it gets out of hand:
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
As you will learn in the OTC chapter, these symptoms can be
prevented with multiple ancillaries.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
27
Testosterone can be used for multiple purposes, including
TRT, Testosterone-only cycles and as a base for any AAS
cycle.
TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
w
The safest, healthiest way to use Testosterone is for HRT
(Hormone Replacement Therapy) / TRT (Testosterone
Replacement Therapy).
n
te
rit
by
As you know, natural Testosterone production declines over
time, leading to what is known as “andropause” or
“hypogonadism”. Having low Testosterone levels affects one’s
mood, energy levels, sex drive, sexual function and motivation
negatively. Besides that, low Testosterone levels will also
cause low estradiol levels. Estradiol is necessary for
cardiovascular health, neuroprotection and optimal bone
density, so having low Testosterone levels will indirectly
increase one’s chances of developing cardiovascular disease,
neurodegenerative diseases and osteoporosis later on in life.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
HRT/TRT consists in replacing one’s low endogenous (natural)
Testosterone production with a healthy amount of exogenous
Testosterone with the goal of putting one in the upper limit of
the reference range.
28
The reference range varies depending on the country and the
units of measurement that are being used, but it is always
somewhere around 300 to 1100ng/dl.
Most HRT/TRT experts will recommend that you use as much
exogenous Testosterone as you need to get your levels in the
900 to 1100ng/dl range.
w
Everyone is different, so while someone may just need 125mg
of Testosterone a week to put their levels in that range,
someone else may have to use 200mg per week to reach the
same levels. That is why doctors who specialize in TRT often
get their patients to start with a low dose of 75 to 100mg a
week for 2-3 months and then they increase or decrease the
dose (if necessary) after seeing their patient’s bloodwork
results.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to a clinic/doctor that
will prescribe them TRT and guide them through it, so many
men opt for “self-prescribing” TRT and sourcing Testosterone
from underground sources.
Men who find themselves in that boat tend to do the following:
1. Start using 100 to 125mg a week. Either Testosterone
Enanthate or Testosterone Cypionate, injected
intramuscularly every 5 days. NOTE: You will find
administration/injection guidelines in the “How to
Administer AAS” section of this e-book.
2. After 2 months, they get comprehensive bloodwork done
to see where their levels are at.
29
3. If their levels are below 900 to 1100ng/dl, they increase
their weekly Testosterone dose by 25 to 50mg
depending on how far they are from that range. If their
levels are too high, they decrease it by 25 to 50mg.
4. After 1 month on the new dosage, they get tested again
to see their new levels. At this point, most men find that
their levels are well within the 900 to 1100ng/dl range,
and that their estradiol and DHT are well within the
reference ranges as well.
w
Now, even if their Testosterone levels are optimal, there is a
chance that their Free Testosterone levels, Estradiol levels,
Prolactin levels and DHT levels will be too high. This can
cause undesired side-effects like gynecomastia, sexual
dysfunction, acne and hair loss, so these markers need to be
tested for and optimized if need be.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
FREE TESTOSTERONE
Free Testosterone is the Testosterone that is not bound to
SHBG and can be used by the body. The lower SHBG levels
are, the higher free Testosterone levels will be relative to total
Testosterone.
TRT always lowers SHBG and leads to high free Testosterone.
This is not a bad thing per se, but the higher free Testosterone
is, the more conversion to estradiol and DHT one will have.
Free Testosterone levels should be as close to the upper limit
of the reference range as possible. If free Testosterone levels
30
are too high, the easiest way to lower them while on TRT is to
lower the weekly Testosterone dose by 25mg as many times
as necessary until free Testosterone levels are in the
aforementioned range.
This may cause total Testosterone levels to be below the ideal
900 to 1100ng/dl, but if free Testosterone levels are where
they should be, total levels are not that important.
ESTRADIOL
w
As you know, Testosterone (specifically free Testosterone)
aromatizes (converts) into estradiol through the aromatase
enzyme. Estradiol levels should be well within the centre of the
reference range.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Estradiol can be too close to the upper limit or above the
reference range even if total Testosterone and free
Testosterone are dialed in, which can cause nipple sensitivity,
gynecomastia, water retention, moodiness and sexual
dysfunction. There are three ways to keep estradiol where it
should be:
• The first way to fix this is to decrease the weekly
Testosterone dose by 25mg a week until estradiol levels
are where they should be. This works well, but in some
cases may require decreasing one’s total Testosterone
and free Testosterone levels until they are below the
desired range.
• The second way to fix high estradiol consists in losing
fat. The aromatase enzyme is found in fat tissue, so the
31
fatter one is, the more Testosterone they will convert into
estradiol. Losing fat is the healthiest and most
sustainable way to decrease estradiol levels without
having to decrease total and free Testosterone levels.
w
• The third way to fix high estradiol consists in using an
Aromatase Inhibitor (AI). AIs are drugs that inhibit the
aromatase enzyme and decrease the conversion rate of
Testosterone into estradiol. These drugs are very
effective, but they are too powerful and can nuke one’s
estradiol levels if used improperly. Besides that, they will
cause dyslipidemia, making them unsuitable for longterm use. The most commonly used AIs are Anastrozole
(Arimidex) dosed with TRT at 0.125 to 0.25mg twice a
week, and Exemestane (Aromasin) dosed at 3.125 to
6.25mg every other day.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
In my opinion, losing fat is the best way to optimize estradiol
levels on TRT. However, it can take months for one to lose
enough fat to prevent excess estradiol conversion, so
resorting to options 1 or 3 until enough fat has been lost is a
reasonable course of action.
PROLACTIN
TRT rarely causes high prolactin, but high estradiol can
increase prolactin, so there is a chance that it will happen. If
that is the case, the easiest solution is to decrease estradiol
levels through the aforementioned processes.
Until then, once can use Vitamin B6 (P-5-P) at 100mg a day
to keep prolactin levels under control.
32
DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE (DHT)
As you know, Testosterone (specifically free Testosterone)
reduces (converts) into DHT through the 5-alpha-reductase
enzyme. High DHT is not as dangerous as high estradiol, but
it can cause benign prostatic hyperplasia in the long run. It
can also accelerate androgenic alopecia (hair loss) and cause
acne by increasing sebum production in those who are prone
to these side-effects.
w
The easiest way to decrease DHT levels without affecting total
and free Testosterone levels negatively is using a 5-alphareductase Inhibitor (5ar-I) like Finasteride at 0.25 to 1mg a
day. In my opinion, only men who suffer from hair loss or
severe androgenic acne should resort to this drug.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Men who are not prone to these side-effects will not notice
any adverse effects as a result of having high DHT until they
are older and their prostate has enlarged. Men who find
themselves in this boat tend to use a natural supplement like
Saw Palmetto at 500mg a day.
--This is not an ebook about HRT/TRT, but these general
guidelines can help most men dial in their TRT protocols and
improve their quality of life without suffering from unnecessary
adverse effects.
This is not medical advice either, so consult with a qualified
medical professional who specializes in men’s health if you are
interested in HRT/TRT.
Finally, click HERE to check out TestYourLevel’s extensive
ebook on TRT. It covers everything one should know.
33
TESTOSTERONE-oNLY CYCLE
A Testosterone-Only cycle is one of the safest and most
effective cycles any beginner can do because it provides
incredible gains in muscle mass and strength with very little
short-term side-effects if done properly.
w
The typical dose is somewhere between 300 and 500mg per
week, usually for 16 to 20 weeks. These cycles tend to be that
long for two reasons: Testosterone is not organ toxic, and the
esters used by beginners (Enanthate and Cypionate) make it
so it takes 4-6 weeks for Testosterone to truly kick and exert
its effects, so keeping the cycle at 8 to 12 would mean that
one would be getting shut-down for 4-6 weeks of actual gains.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
I will not be explaining how to inject Testosterone here (check
out the “How To Administer AAS” section of this e-book), but
let’s assume that one wants to do 350mg of Testosterone a
week for 16 weeks. Here is what they would have to do:
• Pick between Enanthate and Cypionate. Both have
similar half-lives and are injected every 5 days. Sustanon
is also an option, and can be injected once a week.
• Find out the exact dose they need to inject every 5 days
to bring their weekly dose to 350mg. How? Take 350mg
and divide it by 7 to get the weekly dose, then multiply
that number by 5 to find out how much they should inject
every 5 days.
34
In the case of 350mg/week, that number is 250mg. In
other words, injecting 250mg of Test E or Test C every 5
days would bring the weekly dose to 350mg.
• About 3 to 4 weeks in, they would have to add an
aromatase inhibitor to prevent excess estradiol and its
consequences. At 350mg per week, using 0.25mg of
Anastrozole (Arimidex) every 3 days, or 6.25mg of
Aromasin every other day would be enough. At 450500mg per week, twice that amount of AI would
probably be necessary.
w
• OPTIONAL: If hair loss is a concern, they would have to
use at least 1mg of Finasteride a day to keep their DHT
from skyrocketing (I cover alternatives to Finasteride in
the “On-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• OPTIONAL: HCG can be used during the cycle to
maintain testicular function and size, as well as sperm
production and fertility. HCG also makes it easier to
come off Testosterone and transition into PCT. It can be
dosed at 1000iu a week by taking 500iu twice a week.
This will increase aromatization rates, so the AI dose
may have to be increased if HCG is used.
• OPTIONAL: These cycles can be kickstarted by using an
oral from weeks 1 to 4. Some users do this because the
Testosterone does not kick in until week 4, so using a
fast-acting oral will provide gains and results right away
without interfering with Testosterone. This would no
35
longer be a “Testosterone-Only Cycle”, but it is a
common practice worth mentioning.
w
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: After the last Testosterone
injection, they would have to inject 500iu of HCG every
other day for 2 weeks, followed by 6 weeks of
Clomiphene (or Enclomiphene) and Tamoxifen. These
SERMs are usually dosed at 50mg for 4 weeks and
25mg for 2 weeks in the case of Clomiphene (half of
those doses if using Enclomiphene) and at 20mg for 4
weeks and 10mg for 2 weeks in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Other ancillaries may be necessary during a cycle like this if
blood pressure increases, acne develops, sleep quality
decreases and/or other side-effects occur. You will find
information on how to mitigate or prevent all these side-effects
and more in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book.
36
tESTOSTERONE BASE FOR OTHER AAS
As you will learn in this e-book, the vast majority of AAS
require the use of a Testosterone base (“test base”) to
prevent symptoms of low estradiol such as depression, dry
joints, sexual dysfunction, a lack of energy and others. There
are many types of test bases, but exogenous Testosterone is
the most effective one.
Unfortunately, the right dose of Testosterone that is necessary
as a base depends on what AAS it is being used for. My rules
for figuring out the ideal dose of Testosterone are as follows:
w
n
te
rit
• ORAL AAS and SARMs: When using Testosterone as a
base for an oral AAS like Turinabol, Anavar, Halotestin or
even a SARM like Ostarine, RAD-140 or LGD-4033, the
Testosterone dose should be between 100 and 250mg
per week. Using more than 250mg would cause
unnecessary hassles with estradiol and DHT, so always
have an AI and a 5ar-I on hand.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• INJECTABLE AAS: The same rule applies with most
injectable AAS. There is no need to use an extremely
high dose of Testosterone if we want the other AAS to
be the protagonist(s). However, in the case of Equipoise
and Masteron using a higher dose of 250 to 350mg
Testosterone per week is often necessary to offset their
anti-estrogenic properties. Something similar occurs
when using Testosterone as a base for Nandrolone.
Testosterone must be used at a dose of 1:1 with
Nandrolone to prevent the dreaded “deca dick” (More
information about this in the “Nandrolone” profile).
37
When using Testosterone as a base, keeping an eye out for
side-effects is still necessary. One should always be ready to
deal with estrogenic, androgenic and other side-effects by
having all potentially necessary ancillaries on hand.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
38
DIANABOL
17a-Methylandrost-1,4-dien-17b-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Dianabol (also known as DBol, Methandienone and
Methandrostenolone) is perhaps the most popular oral AAS
ever developed.
It was first synthesized in the mid-1950s and prescribed for
the treatment of muscle loss and osteoporosis, but it was
quickly adopted as a PED by bodybuilders and athletes of all
disciplines, who saw the drastic changes in body composition
and physical performance it could provide.
The original goal was to create a safe, orally bioavailable, and
less androgenic alternative to Testosterone, but doctors
realized that the liver toxicity it caused made it unsuitable for
long-term therapeutic use. As a result, Dianabol was
withdrawn from the market just a couple of decades after its
initial introduction.
39
However, athletes kept using Dianabol to improve their
physical performance, and as professional bodybuilding
became more prevalent, so did the use this drug.
Dianabol is a very estrogenic compound that tends to cause a
lot of water retention, leading to rapid increases in bodyweight
and strength. In other words, this is a pure bulking compound
that people use when they want to gain a lot of mass in short
periods of time.
w
This feature, coupled with the fact that it does not need to be
injected, has turned Dianabol into the drug of choice for
young, naïve men who abuse it in hopes of putting on some
muscle. Unfortunately, this trend has resulted in thousands of
horror stories, and is to blame for the bad reputation that AAS
have.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
40
MUSCLE GROWTH
Dianabol is extremely anabolic, and it will grow a significant
amount of muscle mass by increasing protein synthesis
through the androgen receptor (AR), and through the
estrogen receptor-beta to some extent too.
w
A huge misconception about Dianabol is that one always
loses their gains after a cycle, but that is not necessarily the
case. Due to its estrogenic nature, Dianabol causes a serious
amount of subcutaneous water retention and intramuscular
glycogen retention, which fills the muscles and increases
weight significantly. A lot of newbies think that all their new
size is actual muscle, so when they come off the cycle and the
water retention disappears, they think they lost their gains.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
If you accept that you will lose a lot of weight and volume
when you come off, and that only a part of what you will gain
will be actual muscle, you will not be disappointed.
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Dianabol is very effective at increasing strength and physical
performance at the gym. This is due to the direct effect it has
on muscle strength and the CNS, but also due to the liquid
retention and joint lubrication effect it has due to converting
into estradiol.
41
FAT LOSS
Dianabol does not directly burn fat, and the water retention it
causes is counterproductive when one is trying to achieve a
dry and hard look.
Despite this, low doses of Dianabol can offset muscle loss
during a cutting cycle without causing a serious amount of
water retention, so it can theoretically be used to cut.
BONES AND JOINTS
w
rit
n
te
Dianabol has a positive effect on both bone density and joint
strength. It achieves this not only by acting directly on the
androgen receptors in bone mass, but also by aromatizing
into estradiol, which promotes bone density, repairs joints and
improves collagen synthesis.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
It is worth noting, however, that excessive water retention can
cause stiff joints and completely ruin the positive impact of
Dianabol on your joints.
RECOVERY
Like any anabolic that increases protein synthesis, Dianabol
will accelerate muscle recovery after a workout, and it will
reduce muscle soreness.
42
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Due to the tendency of Dianabol to cause water retention, this
compound will not bring out your veins and striations. It will
not improve the aesthetic appeal of your muscles, and it will in
fact make you somewhat puffy and bloated.
Like all AAS, Dianabol will increase nitrogen retention, so you
can expect better pumps and muscle fullness if you are
bulking up. Dianabol will be right up your alley if you are
looking to fill out t-shirts and look massive 24/7.
w
n
te
rit
MOOD ENHANCEMEnt
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Dianabol has an incredibly positive effect on mood. This drug
makes one feel happier, more outgoing and more sociable.
The absolute opposite of “roid rage”.
At a normal dose, its antidepressant properties are
undeniable, but high doses may cause some moodiness and
emotional instability if estradiol is not controlled.
SEXUAL ENHANCEMENT
Dianabol tends to have a very positive impact on sexual
desire and sexual performance, but as is the case with all
aromatizing AAS, using high doses and letting estradiol shoot
through the roof can have the opposite effect.
43
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Dianabol will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut down
Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Dianabol (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
HPG Axis shutdown is not a big issue while we are on
Dianabol because it provides enough estradiol conversion,
and takes care of all the functions that endogenous
Testosterone is responsible for.
The only symptoms of HPG axis shutdown you will notice are
testicular atrophy (shrinking) and reduced fertility, meaning
that the quality and volume of your sperm will decrease (this
can be solved with HCG, more on that in the OCT section of
this e-book).
44
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Despite the cardioprotective properties of estradiol, Dianabol
is not a good drug for our heart because it will cause the
following:
w
• Dianabol will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL). In
the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which can
lead to heart disease.
• Dianabol will increase RBC. This is known as
erythrocytosis, which thickens blood and can lead to
heart disease.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC and water
retention.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ORGAN HEALTH
Dianabol is a methylated oral AAS, meaning that it will cause
liver toxicity. If used responsibly, this side-effect will only
manifest itself through the transient elevation of liver enzymes
but abusing Dianabol for extended periods of time can result
in liver cysts, fatty liver, cirrhosis, jaundice and even liver
cancer.
Dianabol can also put a strain on the kidneys by causing
water retention and increasing blood pressure.
45
ESTROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Dianabol aromatizes into estradiol, but not the type of
estradiol we are familiar with. It converts into methylestradiol,
which despite having less affinity for the estrogen receptor
(ER) than regular estradiol, can still cause all kinds of
estrogenic side-effects like:
w
• Gynecomastia (Gyno), the growth of breast tissue in
males. Gyno tends to manifest itself as nipple sensitivity,
followed by the slow growth of breast tissue under the
nipple.
• Water retention, which leads to high blood pressure, stiff
joints and puffiness.
• Moodiness.
• Low sex drive and sexual dysfunction.
• Acne.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
As you will learn in the OTC chapter, these symptoms can be
prevented with an Aromatase Inhibitor.
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Dianabol has less affinity for the 5-alpha-reducatse enzyme
than Testosterone, but it will still convert to a dehydrometabolite in small amounts, meaning that the following sideeffects are highly unlikely but still possible:
• Hair Loss.
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
46
As you will learn in the OTC chapter, these symptoms can be
prevented with multiple ancillaries.
SLEEP QUALITY
Most users report good sleep on Dianabol but the high blood
pressure it can potentially cause will have a negative impact
on sleep quality. It is also possible for Dianabol to cause or
exacerbate sleep apnea by increasing bodyweight.
w
LOWER BACK PUMPS
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
It is very common for oral AAS to cause lower back pumps,
and Dianabol is no exception. These usually happen
during/after intense exercise, and they can be managed by
balancing electrolytes and supplementing with certain
minerals (more on that in the OCT section of this e-book).
47
Dianabol is one of the most popular and commonly used oral
AAS on the market. Unfortunately, very few people know how
to actually use it properly, so it has gained a bad reputation
among those who do not understand it.
It can be used by beginners, but I personally think only users
with a few cycles under their belt and a good understanding of
how to manage estradiol should consider using it.
w
Dianabol can be used as a standalone agent in “DBol-Only
Cycles” or together with other AAS, and in the following pages
you will learn how to run it in every possible way.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
DIANABOL-ONLY CYCLE
Oral only cycles are often frowned upon because the vast
majority of SARMs and oral AAS are very suppressive of
natural Testosterone and do not aromatize.
This means that when one is using them estradiol (estrogen)
levels tend to crash, resulting in low sex drive, erectile
dysfunction, depression and other symptoms commonly
associated with suppression.
Dianabol is an exception because it does aromatize (into
methylestradiol, which is slightly weaker than regular estradiol
but still good enough), so people who run Dianabol only
cycles don’t necessarily have to use Testosterone or any
other test base with it.
48
The key to running a successful DBol only cycle is finding the
perfect balance between the DBol dose and the AI dose.
• 10mg DBol / day: At this dose, there is enough
methylestradiol conversion for one to feel good without
needing a test base, but this dose is not strong enough
to provide solid gains.
•
w
20mg DBol / day: At this dose, most people will
experience a noticeable increase in muscle mass and
strength, and the methylestradiol conversion will be
strong enough to the boost in confidence and sex drive
that DBol is known for. The water retention will be there
if one is bulking up, but it will not be excessive. A
minority of users may need AI at this dose if their nipples
get sensitive, so running 0.125mg Arimidex twice a week
should be enough to keep methylestradiol under control.
In my opinion, 20mg/day is the perfect dose for DBolOnly Cycles.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• 30mg DBol / day: This is where the serious increases in
weight and strength due to water retention truly start to
occur. The risk of estrogenic side-effects is also greater,
so running 0.125 to 0.25mg of Arimidex twice a week
depending on how sensitive one is to methylestradiol is
necessary (most people start with 0.125mg twice a
week and double that dose if they still experience excess
water retention, low sex drive, gyno or other high
estradiol symptoms).
49
• 40mg DBol / day or more: At 40mg/day or more, using
at least 0.25mg Arimidex twice a week is necessary
(even 0.5mg twice a week if you are sensitive to
methylestradiol). Not using an AI at this dose will turn
one into a bloated mess with a dysfunctional penis,
extreme moodiness and probably gyno as well. Serious
gains in muscle mass and strength occur at this dose.
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, it should be
kept at 6 weeks max if running 10 to 20mg / day, and 4
weeks max if taking more than that.
w
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Dianabol is very liver toxic and it
will cause dyslipidemia, so one has to use NAC to
protect the liver (1g a day) and Fish or Krill Oil (6 or 3
grams a day) to mitigate the negative impact of Dianabol
on the lipid panel. Other side-effects are possible, so use
the information in the “On-Cycle Therapy” chapter to
detect and manage the unpredictable side-effects.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: I would suggest using HCG at
500iu twice a week during the cycle (this will increase
chances of high estrogen symptoms at doses over 30mg
DBol / day, hence the AI dosing recommendations), and
then running Enclomiphene (or Clomiphene) and
Tamoxifen for 4 weeks starting the day after the last
Dianabol dose.
These SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 3 weeks
and 12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene
(twice these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for
50
3 weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
DIANABOL WITH OTHER AAS
Dianabol is rarely combined with AAS other than
Testosterone. Here are some guidelines on the viability of
Dianabol use with other AAS:
w
• DBOL WITH TESTOSTERONE: Even though Dianabol
can be used on its own, some people still run it with
Testosterone because they are either on TRT/cruising
already, or because they are using Dianabol to kickstart
a Testosterone cycle. If one is on TRT or cruising on
Testosterone and looking to blast Dianabol, the best
course of action is to lower the Testosterone dose down
to 100 or 125mg per week and using 30 to 40mg of
Dianabol a day for up to 4 weeks, with 0.25 to 0.5mg of
Arimidex every other day. Using liver-protecting and
cholesterol-lowering supplements like NAC and Fish Oil
will be necessary.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• DBOL WITH OTHER ORAL AAS: In my opinion, using
Dianabol with other oral AAS is a bad idea because the
combined liver toxicity can quickly become a threat. The
only exceptions to this rule would be Proviron (which can
be used to mitigate excess estradiol conversion from
Dianabol), Oral Primobolan and Anavar (both are barely
51
liver toxic). But I still don’t think these combinations
make a lot of sense since these compounds serve
completely different purposes.
w
• DBOL WITH INJECTABLE AAS: In theory, Dianabol can
also be used as a test base for cycles of injectable AAS
because it provides enough estradiol conversion, but in
practice that is not a good idea because Dianabol should
never be used for more than 6 weeks at a time, and
most injectables are not worth running for less than 6
weeks at a time. Besides that, the injectables that are
suitable for short cycles are either very liver toxic
(Trenbolone) or very estrogenic already (Trestolone).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
52
TURINABOL
4-Chloro-17A-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Turinabol (also known as TBol, Oral-Turinabol, CDMT and
Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone) is an oral AAS derived
from Dianabol.
It was developed in the early 60s by East German
pharmacists, who saw the effectiveness of Dianabol as a PED
and decided to tweak it by getting rid of the water retention
and further improving its positive impact on the physical
performance of their Olympic Athletes. Turinabol was never
used for therapeutic purposes.
In order to get rid of the water retention caused by Dianabol,
East German scientists had to get rid of its estrogenic
properties. They achieved this by adding a Chlorine group to
the 4th position of its chemical structure, which completely
inhibited the affinity of this AAS for the aromatase enzyme.
This modification resulted in the oral AAS we know as
Turinabol.
53
The lack of estrogenic properties meant that East German
athletes were able to improve their physical performance
without being hindered by water retention or the advent of
side-effects like moodiness and gynecomastia.
Unfortunately, the fact that it was only produced by the East
Germans for their athletes meant that bodybuilders and other
athletes from around the world did not have access to it until
the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was not until the 90s that Turinabol
hit the underground AAS market, so it never really got a
chance to become as popular as most of its counterparts
became during the second half of the 20th century.
w
Despite this, Turinabol has become more well-known in the
last two decades, and it will continue to grow in popularity as
more people realize that it is one of the safest oral AAS on the
market.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
54
MUSCLE GROWTH
Turinabol is fairly powerful and comparable to Dianabol in
terms of real lean mass accrual. However, Dianabol probably
builds more muscle because estradiol can also contribute to
muscle growth, and Turinabol works exclusively through the
androgen receptors.
w
This compound will not add 15lbs to the scale in a matter of
weeks, but it will provide slow and steady gains throughout
the cycle, and you won’t be disappointed by the loss of water
weight when you come off.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Even though it will not increase strength as much as Dianabol
or most other bulking AAS, Turinabol will still have a
noticeable impact on your physical performance, primarily on
aerobic performance and endurance.
FAT LOSS
Turinabol will not burn fat directly, but it can still be used in
cutting cycles to retain muscle mass and provide a dry, hard
and vascular look.
55
BONES AND JOINTS
Turinabol will increase the density and strength of your bones
by acting on the AR, but there is no evidence to suggest that
it will strengthen joints or tendons. Fortunately, it will not have
a negative impact on them either.
RECOVERY
w
Like any anabolic that increases protein synthesis, Turinabol
will accelerate muscle recovery after a workout, and it will
reduce muscle soreness.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Due to the lack of water retention, Turinabol will allow your
muscle definition to shine through, and it will give your
muscles a dry and hard look while also improving vascularity.
It does not provide the same hardness and vascularity as
something like Anavar or Winstrol though.
Like all AAS, Turinabol will increase nitrogen retention, so you
can expect better pumps and muscle fullness if you are
bulking up.
56
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Turinabol will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut down
Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Turinabol (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Turinabol does not aromatize into estradiol, it will
cause symptoms like low sex drive, depression, low energy, a
lack of motivation and sexual dysfunction during a cycle,
unless a Testosterone base is used.
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Even though Turinabol will not cause water retention, it will still
have a negative impact on your cardiovascular health:
57
• Turinabol will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL).
In the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which
can lead to heart disease.
• Turinabol will increase RBC. This is known as
erythrocytosis, which thickens blood and can lead to
heart disease.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC (rare but
possible)
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease.
w
n
te
rit
by
en
@
ORGAN HEALTH
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Turinabol is a methylated oral AAS, meaning that it will cause
liver toxicity. If used responsibly, this side-effect will only
manifest itself through the transient elevation of liver enzymes
but abusing Turinabol for extended periods of time can result
in liver cysts, fatty liver, cirrhosis, jaundice and even liver
cancer.
Turinabol does not have a direct negative impact on renal
health.
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Turinabol is less androgenic than Testosterone, but it will still
convert to a dehydro-metabolite in small amounts, meaning
58
that the following side-effects are highly unlikely but still
possible:
• Hair Loss.
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
As you will learn in the OTC chapter, these symptoms can be
prevented with multiple ancillaries.
LOWER BACK PUMPS
w
It is very common for oral AAS to cause lower back pumps,
and Turinabol is infamous for causing some of the most
painful ones. This tends to occur during or after exercise, and
it can be mitigated by balancing electrolytes and
supplementing with certain supplements (more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
HIGH AFFINITY FOR SHBG
Turinabol has a high binding affinity for SHBG, meaning that it
will increase Free Testosterone levels if stacked with
Testosterone. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can
cause unexpected increases in estradiol and DHT levels.
59
Turinabol is a mild and easy-to-use AAS that is often
recommended to first-time AAS users. It is not the strongest
muscle-builder one can use, but it rarely causes serious sideeffects if some basic precautions are taken. Experienced
users rarely pick it because they are able to achieve better
results with other compounds that they know how to manage.
w
It does not aromatize into estradiol, so it should always be
used with a Testosterone base. In the next few pages, you will
learn how to do that, and you will learn how to use it in
advanced cycles with other AAS.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
TURINABOL WITH A TESTOSTERONE BASE
As you will learn in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section of this ebook, injectable Testosterone is not the only Testosterone
base one can employ. In this section, however, I will only go
into detail on how to use Turinabol with injectable
Testosterone. If you wish to use a different test base, simply
take the instructions here and replace the injectable
Testosterone with your test base of choice (at the doses
indicated in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section).
If the intention is to run Turinabol as the protagonist and main
anabolic of a cycle, it must be used with a low, TRT-dose of
Testosterone. Here is an example of what it would look like:
60
• Turinabol dosed at 20 to 100mg/day: The more
experienced one is, the higher the dose can be.
50mg/day is the best dose in terms of benefits and sideeffects, and is a dose that even beginners can handle,
so I will be using as the dose for this example. Since the
half-life is 16 hours, it can be taken once a day in the
morning but splitting the dose into two servings of 25mg
(25mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening) is ideal.
w
• Testosterone at 100 to 250mg/week: The weekly
Testosterone dose should be kept under 250mg for
Turinabol to be the main anabolic in the cycle as well as
to avoid excess estrogen and DHT conversion due to
Turinabol crushing SHBG and increasing Free
Testosterone. Some people experience high estrogen on
250mg, so those users would be better off using a lower
dose (in this cycle example there is no need to use an AI
to justify running a high dose of Testosterone). The ideal
esters in this cycle example would be Enanthate or
Cypionate, but others would work too.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, it should be
kept at 6 weeks max if running up to 50mg/day of
Turinabol, and at 4-5 weeks if using a higher dose.
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Turinabol is very liver toxic and it
will cause dyslipidemia, so one has to use NAC to
protect the liver (1g a day) and Fish or Krill Oil (6 or 3
grams a day) to mitigate the impact of Turinabol on the
lipid panel. Other side-effects are possible, so use the
61
information in the “On-Cycle Therapy” chapter to detect
and manage the unpredictable side-effects.
w
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: If one wants to run Turinabol
for 6 weeks with a low dose of Testosterone, they should
not be using Testosterone for just 6 weeks. This kind of
cycle is more appropriate for people who are on TRT or
cruising on Testosterone, so someone who is not already
on Testosterone or planning to stay on Testosterone
would be better off using a different test base like
Enclomiphene, HCG or 4-Andro. These test bases would
require a PCT of Enclomiphene (or Clomiphene) plus
Tamoxifen for 4 weeks, starting the day after the last
Turinabol dose.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
These SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 3 weeks
and 12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene
(twice these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for
3 weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
TURINABOL WITH OTHER AAS
The previous example is all about using Turinabol as the
protagonist of a cycle while on Testosterone or a different test
base, but the reality is that such cycles are rare because
Turinabol is seldom used as the main anabolic.
62
Most users opt for using Turinabol as part of big, advanced
cycles, where it is used to provide additional gains and/or as a
kickstart:
w
• TBOL WITH TESTOSTERONE: Turinabol is often used to
kickstart a Testosterone cycle. When one starts using a
medium or long-acting ester of Testosterone for a
Testosterone blast, it can take 4 to 6 weeks for it to truly
kick in and start providing significant results. Therefore,
many users opt for adding an oral such as Turinabol
from day one to kickstart the cycle and start
experiencing gains in muscle mass and strength from
the get-go. In this scenario, Turinabol tends to be used
at 50mg/day for the first 4 to 6 weeks, along with all the
health supps and ancillaries needed to manage its sideeffects. It can also be used towards the middle or the
end of a Testosterone cycle to break through a plateau
or simply to maximize gains.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• TBOL WITH OTHER ORAL AAS: In my opinion, using
Turinabol with other oral AAS or even SARMs is a bad
idea because the combined liver toxicity can quickly
become a threat while causing unnecessary competition
for the AR since most orals work through the same
pathway. Proviron would be an exception because it is
not anabolic and simply provides androgenic effects.
• TBOL WITH INJECTABLE AAS: Turinabol can be used
with injectables like Equipoise, Nandrolone Decanoate,
Primobolan, Masteron and others to kickstart a cycle or
to maximize results for 4-6 weeks at any point during a
cycle.
63
HALOTESTIN
9A-Fluoro-11B-hydroxy-17A-methyltestosterone
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Halotestin (also known as Halo and Fluoxymesterone) is an
oral AAS derived from Testosterone.
This drug was developed in the mid-1950s, and it was
originally intended to be used as hormone replacement
therapy, but also for the treatment of delayed puberty in
teenagers and metastatic breast cancer in women.
Halotestin was also adopted by athletes who wanted to
improve their performance, but it never became a popular
drug among bodybuilders because it builds very little muscle.
It was mainly used (and is still used) by fighters and
powerlifters because it increases strength and aggression.
It differs from Testosterone in that it is orally bioavailable, nonaromatizing and way more androgenic. It is also special in that
it can inhibit the formation of cortisol from cortisone, plus it
has some affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor.
64
This is an incredibly unique and interesting AAS that will never
be popular in a muscle-building context, but which will
continue to be used by fighters and those who seek major
increases in strength and aggression.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
65
MUSCLE GROWTH
Even though Halotestin is anabolic and can increase protein
synthesis by acting on the AR, it does not build enough
muscle mass to be worth using in a bulking context.
w
It will provide some minor lean muscle mass gains, but the
scale will barely move unless one is eating ridiculous amounts
of food while taking it.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Despite barely putting on muscle or weight, the effect of
Halotestin on the CNS is such that it will improve strength
drastically almost overnight.
This is the go-to AAS for powerlifters when they are getting
ready for a meet, as well as for fighters who want to increase
their explosive strength and aggression leading into a fight.
FAT LOSS
Halotestin could theoretically help with fat loss by inhibiting
cortisol production. Cortisol is linked to the accumulation of fat
in the abdominal area, so lowering it would make it easier for
one to lose weight.
66
Halotestin is also a very dry compound that will retain muscle
mass on a calorie deficit, so it makes sense to use for cutting
purposes.
BONES AND JOINTS
Fluoxymesterone will increase bone density through the AR,
but it will not have a positive effect on joint or tendon strength.
Fortunately, it does not seem to compromise the joints either,
otherwise it would not be a viable compound for athletes
looking to increase their strength.
w
n
te
rit
by
en
@
RECOVERY
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Like any anabolic that increases protein synthesis, Halotestin
will accelerate muscle recovery after a workout, and it will
reduce muscle soreness.
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Given the highly androgenic and non-estrogenic nature of
Halotestin, it will cause no water retention whatsoever and a
serious increase in muscle hardness, dryness and vascularity.
Like all AAS, Halotestin will increase nitrogen retention, so you
can expect better pumps and muscle fullness if you are
bulking up.
67
In fact, Halotestin is a viable candidate for use during the last
few weeks of contest or photoshoot prep, because its
cosmetic effects are comparable to those of Proviron, Winstrol
or Anavar.
SEXUAL ENHANCEMENT
Halotestin will improve sex drive and sexual performance due
to its androgenic properties, as long as it is used together with
a Testosterone base that provides sufficient estradiol
conversion.
w
n
te
rit
by
CORTISOL INHIBITION
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Halotestin can inhibit the 11-beta-HSD enzyme, which is
responsible for the activation of cortisol from cortisone. By
doing this, Halotestin can lower cortisol levels and
theoretically decrease stress while making it easier for one to
lose fat. Anecdotally, however, most users do not report a
significant decrease in stress levels.
68
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Halotestin will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut down
Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Halotestin (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Halotestin does not aromatize into estradiol, it will
cause symptoms like low sex drive, depression, low energy, a
lack of motivation and sexual dysfunction during a cycle,
unless a Testosterone base is used.
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Even though Turinabol will not cause water retention, it will still
have a negative impact on your cardiovascular health:
69
• Turinabol will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL).
In the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which
can lead to heart disease.
• Halotestin will increase RBC, This is known as
erythrocytosis, which thickens blood and can lead to
heart disease.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease.
w
n
te
rit
by
ORGAN HEALTH
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Halotestin is a methylated oral AAS, meaning that it will cause
liver toxicity. If used responsibly, this side-effect will only
manifest itself through the transient elevation of liver enzymes
but abusing Halotestin for extended periods of time can result
in liver cysts, fatty liver, cirrhosis, jaundice and even liver
cancer.
Halotestin can also damage the kidneys by increasing blood
pressure.
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Halotestin 5-alpha-reduces to dihydrofluoxymesterone, a
highly androgenic metabolite that can cause the following
symptoms:
70
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
As you will learn in the OTC chapter, these symptoms can be
prevented with multiple ancillaries.
ROID RAGE
w
This could be classified as an androgenic side-effect, but most
highly androgenic AAS do not even come close to Halotestin
when it comes to increasing aggression, so it deserves a
subsection of its own.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Halotestin will make one more aggressive, less patient and
more paranoid. The term “roid rage” perfectly encapsulates
these symptoms.
It is also worth noting that this side-effect is especially bad in
those users who have bad tempers by default. If you are a
calm and collected person off-cycle, chances are you will be
able to handle this side-effect fairly well.
SLEEP QUALITY
It is very common for Halotestin users to struggle to fall and
stay asleep during a cycle. This may be caused by the high
blood pressure and CNS stimulation it causes.
71
LOWER BACK PUMPS
It is very common for oral AAS to cause lower back pumps,
and Halotestin is no exception. These usually happen
during/after intense exercise, and they can be managed by
balancing electrolytes and supplementing with certain
minerals (more on that in the OCT section of this e-book).
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
72
Halotestin does not build a significant amount of muscle, so it
is rarely used in bodybuilding cycles. It is powerlifters,
strongmen and fighters who actually use it, whether they are
new to PEDs or not (it is often “prescribed” to them by their
coach).
w
It does not aromatize into estradiol and it always requires a
Testosterone base for optimal results, so in the next couple of
pages you will learn how to cycle it with Testosterone and with
other AAS as part of strength-building cycles.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
HALOTESTIN WITH A TESTOSTERONE BASE
As you will learn in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section of this ebook, injectable Testosterone is not the only Testosterone
base one can employ. In this section, however, I will only go
into detail on how to use Halotestin with injectable
Testosterone. If you wish to use a different test base, simply
take the instructions here and replace the injectable
Testosterone with your test base of choice (at the doses
indicated in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section).
• Halotestin dosed at 10 to 50mg/day: The more
experienced one is, the higher the dose can be.
30mg/day is the best dose in terms of benefits and sideeffects, and is a dose that even beginners can handle,
so I will be using as the dose for this example. Since the
half-life is around 9 hours, it should be taken 2 or 3 times
73
a day, so one would take 10mg in the morning, 10mg at
noon and 10mg in the evening or 15mg in the morning
and 15mg in the afternoon, depending on how the pills
are dosed.
• Testosterone at 100 to 500mg/week: Since Halotestin is
not very anabolic and it does not have a high affinity for
SHBG, it can be used with pretty much any dose of any
kind of Testosterone.
w
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, it should be
kept at 6 weeks max if running up to 30mg/day of
Halotestin, and at 4-5 weeks if using a higher dose.
n
te
rit
by
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Halotestin is very liver toxic and it
will cause dyslipidemia, so one has to use NAC to
protect the liver (1g a day) and Fish or Krill Oil (6 or 3
grams a day) to mitigate the impact of Halotestin on the
lipid panel. If a high dose of Testosterone is used, an
Aromatase Inhibitor like Arimidex at 0.25 to 0.5mg every
3 days will be necessary independently of Halotestin.
Other side-effects are possible, so use the information in
the “On-Cycle Therapy” chapter to detect and manage
the unpredictable side-effects.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: If one wants to run Halotestin
for 6 weeks with a low dose of Testosterone, they should
not be using Testosterone for just 6 weeks. This kind of
cycle is more appropriate for people who are on TRT or
cruising on Testosterone, so someone who is not already
on Testosterone or planning to stay on Testosterone
74
would be better off using a different test base like
Enclomiphene, HCG or 4-Andro. These test bases would
require a PCT of Enclomiphene (or Clomiphene) plus
Tamoxifen for 4 weeks, starting the day after the last
Halotestin dose.
These SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 3 weeks
and 12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene
(twice these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for
3 weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
w
n
te
rit
by
HALOTESTIN WITH OTHER AAS
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
It makes sense for Halotestin to be used with Testosterone
and other AAS in preparation for a powerlifting meet, a
strongman competition or even a fight:
• HALOTESTIN WITH OTHER ORAL AAS: In my opinion,
using Halotestin with other oral AAS or even SARMs is a
bad idea because the combined liver toxicity can quickly
become a threat. Proviron could be an exception, but
Halotestin already offers similar properties.
• HALOTESTIN WITH INJECTABLE AAS: Halotestin is
commonly used as part of strength-building and cutting
cycles that include Testosterone, Nandrolone,
Trenbolone, Trestolone and other injectables. It can be
75
added at any point during these cycles, but most users
opt for adding it towards the end of a cycle to maximize
muscle hardness before a contest or to maximize
strength before a meet, competition or fight.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
76
equipoise
Androsta-1,4-dien-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Equipoise (also known as Boldenone or EQ) is a Testosterone
derivative and one of the first AAS ever synthesized.
It was developed in the late 1940s, and it was prescribed for
the treatment of osteoporosis and muscle-wasting diseases in
humans until it was discontinued in the 1970s. This AAS is
often referred to as a “horse steroid”, because it has been
used for the treatment of low appetite and other debilitating
conditions in horses for many decades.
In essence, Boldenone is a less androgenic and estrogenic
derivative of Testosterone. If you look at its chemical
structure, you will notice that it is nearly identical to
Methandienone (Dianabol), which only differs by being
alkylated.
In other words, Dianabol is oral Boldenone, but their effects
are extremely different, and they should not be used
interchangeably.
77
It was adopted as PED in the late 20th century, and due to its
mild androgenicity, versatility and high availability, it has
become one of the most used injectable steroids in recent
years. Despite this, it is still a largely misunderstood AAS
because there is a very limited amount of clinical information
about it.
BOLDENONE ESTERS
There is only one Boldenone Ester worth discussing, and that
is Boldenone Undeclyenate.
w
UNDECLYENATE: Boldenone Undeclyenate, with brand
names Equipoise (for veterinary use) and Parenabol (for
human use, discontinued) has a half-life of 14 days, and
bodybuilders tend to inject it once a week for stable blood
levels.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
78
MUSCLE GROWTH
Equipoise is very anabolic, and it will increase protein
synthesis through the AR. It is a strong muscle-builder, but it
will not cause the dramatic increases in muscle mass and
weight that other AAS like Nandrolone, Anadrol or even
Dianabol are known for.
w
Boldenone is often used as part of off-season cycles because
it causes slow and steady gains over extended periods of
time. Due to its long half-life it will take 4 to 5 weeks for it to
truly kick in, making it unsuitable for short bulking cycles.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Equipoise is never the go-to AAS for someone who wants to
increase their strength. It will improve it, but it will never cause
dramatic changes on its own.
Despite being mediocre at increasing strength, Equipoise is
one of the best AAS when it comes to increasing aerobic
performance because it increases EPO (Erythropoietin),
which is responsible for red blood cell production.
Red blood cells deliver oxygen to the tissues, so you can
expect your endurance to increase significantly on Equipoise.
79
FAT LOSS
Equipoise does not directly burn fat, but it is often used in
cutting cycles because it does not cause water retention, and
it tends to improve vascularity while also preventing muscle
loss on a calorie deficit. Its positive effect on endurance also
translates into better cardio, which can lead to more fat loss
BONES AND JOINTS
w
Equipoise improves bone mass and density by acting on the
AR, something that virtually all AAS have in common.
n
te
rit
by
For the most part, it has a neutral effect on the joints, meaning
that you will not experience joint stiffness, but you will not see
an improvement in their strength and lubrication either.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
RECOVERY
Like any anabolic that increases protein synthesis, Equipoise
will accelerate muscle recovery after a workout, and it will
reduce muscle soreness.
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Equipoise will not cause a significant amount of water
retention, so you can expect your muscles to look fairly dry
while on Equipoise.
80
You can also expect your vascularity to improve significantly
due to the dramatic increase in red blood cells, which thicken
your blood and expand the size of your veins.
Equipoise will increase nitrogen retention, so you can expect
better pumps and muscle fullness if you are bulking up.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
81
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Equipoise will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut down
Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Equipoise (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Equipoise does not aromatize into any usable form
of estrogen, it will cause symptoms like low sex drive,
depression, low energy, a lack of motivation and sexual
dysfunction during a cycle, unless a Testosterone base is
used.
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
The effect of Equipoise on your cardiovascular health will be
very negative for the following reasons:
82
• Equipoise will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL).
In the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which
can lead to heart disease.
• Equipoise will increase RBC significantly (probably way
more than every other AAS). This is known as
erythrocytosis, which thickens blood and leads to heart
disease.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease.
w
n
te
rit
by
en
@
ORGAN HEALTH
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Equipoise is not liver toxic, but it may cause mild, transient
increases in liver enzymes.
Unfortunately, Equipoise is seriously nephrotoxic (kidney
toxic) and it can lead to kidney failure if abused for extended
periods of time.
APPETITE INCREASE
Even though most AAS can increase appetite to some
degree, Equipoise is notorious for its dramatic effect on
hunger.
This can be a benefit for someone who struggles to eat during
a bulking cycle.
83
ESTROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
The estrogenicity of Equipoise (or lack thereof) has been
debated for decades, and no one has come up with a
definitive answer yet. Some believe that Equipoise is half as
estrogenic as Testosterone, and some believe that it can act
as an anti-estrogen instead.
w
Based on what I have seen anecdotally, I believe that
Equipoise will not cause estrogenic side-effects like
gynecomastia, water retention, moodiness, or sexual
dysfunction. I believe that while it may aromatize, it either
does not do it in sufficient amounts, or it converts into a form
of estrogen that is not powerful or active at all.
n
te
rit
by
Even though some users claim to have developed
gynecomastia and other estrogenic side-effects while on
Equipoise, I seriously doubt they were caused by the drug
itself. I have seen a lot of anecdotal data suggesting that it
can reduce the need for an aromatase inhibitor when running
high doses of Testosterone, so I am inclined to believe that it
will not cause estrogenic side-effects of its own.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Equipoise 5-alpha-reduces into an androgenic metabolite
known as Dihydroboldenone (DHB).
DHB is extremely androgenic when it comes to providing a
lean, dry and vascular look, but it does not seem to affect the
84
hair or the prostate in a negative way, meaning that Equipoise
is unlikely to cause androgenic side-effects.
ANXIETY
Some users report feeling anxious and impatient on
Equipoise. This side-effect may be due to Boldenone
interacting with GABA receptors, but the exact mechanism of
action is unknown.
w
SLEEP QUALITY
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Many users report bad sleep when running high doses of
Equipoise. This side-effect is probably caused by the increase
in blood pressure and red blood cell count that Boldenone is
known for.
85
Equipoise is a long-acting injectable AAS that is commonly
used in long lean-bulking or cutting cycles. It has typically
been seen as a safe and newbie-friendly compound, but the
reality is that it can be trickier and more dangerous than it
seems on the surface.
w
While beginners can definitely incorporate it in their second or
third cycle, they should always be careful and have a good
understanding of how it can interact with Testosterone before
using it. Since it does not aromatize and it can cause antiestrogenic effects, using it with a sufficient amount of
Testosterone is always a must.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
In the following pages, you will learn how to use it in
conjunction with Testosterone and other AAS.
EQUIPOISE WITH TESTOSTERONE
Equipoise and Testosterone is a popular stack for long, leanbulking or cutting cycles:
• Equipoise dosed at 300 to 750mg/week: As you can
imagine, the more experience one has, the higher the
dose can be. We will use 500mg/week in this particular
example. It has a 14-day half-life, but most users inject it
once a week to have stable blood levels and make it
easy to remember when their next shot is.
86
• Testosterone at 250 to 500mg/week: With most AAS,
one can use as little as 100mg of Testosterone per week
as a test base, but in the case of Equipoise I would
recommend going higher. A lot of people report antiestrogenic effects from Equipoise which “force” them to
use a higher dose of Testosterone to have enough
estradiol in their system. At doses over 350, an AI would
probably still be necessary. The best Testosterone
esters to run with Equipoise would be Enanthate,
Cypionate and Sustanon.
w
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, it should be
kept at 20 weeks max.
n
te
rit
by
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Staying very hydrated and using
kidney support supplements like NAC (1g a day) is
necessary on Equipoise. If a high dose of Testosterone is
used, an Aromatase Inhibitor like Arimidex at 0.25 to
0.5mg every 3 days may be necessary as well. Other
side-effects are possible, so use the information in the
“On-Cycle Therapy” chapter to detect and manage the
unpredictable side-effects.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: If one is not planning to cruise
on Testosterone after the cycle, doing a PCT will be
necessary. I would recommend using HCG throughout
the whole cycle at 1000iu per week (500iu every 3 or 4
days) to preserve testicular function and facilitate the
transition to SERMs, but HCG would exacerbate the
need for an AI on higher doses of Testosterone.
87
After the last shots of Testosterone and Equipoise, one
would have to use HCG at 500iu twice a week for 2
weeks, and then at 500iu every other day for another 2
weeks before using the SERMs. This is because
Equipoise has a very long half-life, and it would take a
long time for it to leave the body. Once these 4 weeks
are over, one should take Enclomiphene (or
Clomiphene) plus Tamoxifen for 6 weeks.
w
These SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 5 weeks
and 12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene
(twice these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for
5 weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Equipoise WITH OTHER AAS
Equipoise can also be used with other oral or injectable AAS,
here is how:
• EQUIPOISE WITH ORAL AAS: Oral AAS can be used to
kickstart Equipoise cycles or towards the middle or the
end of an Equipoise cycle to maximize gains (if bulking)
or muscle hardness and vascularity (if cutting).
I would personally advise against using Dianabol,
Anadrol or any other oral capable of increasing water
retention with Equipoise, except as a kickstarter for the
first 4 weeks. Using one of those orals with Equipoise at
the peak of a cycle would probably be too bad for one’s
88
kidneys due to the increase in water retention and blood
pressure. The same applies to Anavar because it can
also put a strain on the kidneys even though it does not
increase water retention.
• EQUIPOISE WITH OTHER INJECTABLE AAS: Equipoise
can be combined with other injectables, but almost no
one does because it pales in comparison to most AAS
when it comes to building a lot of muscle, and it is also
far from being the most effective hardening agent for
cutting cycles.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
89
w
DHT & its
derivatives
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
90
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
91
DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE
5A-Androstan-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Dihydrotestosterone (also known as DHT, Androstanolone
and Stanolone) is an endogenous AAS and metabolite of
Testosterone.
In the body, Testosterone is reduced into Dihydrotestosterone
by the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. Dihydrotestosterone differs
from Testosterone in that it is almost non-anabolic, but much
more androgenic (with 4 times more affinity for the androgen
receptor than Testosterone). DHT plays a key role in the
development of reproductive organs, and is the main driver
behind libido, facial/body hair growth, voice-deepening and
increased sebum production, among other “masculine”
features.
It was first synthesized in the mid-1930s by the same
scientists who synthesized Testosterone, but it was largely
misunderstood for most of the 20th century and it never
became popular as a medication, let alone a PED.
92
DHT is available in a topical formulation (brand name
“Andractim”) which is prescribed for the treatment of
hypogonadism, delayed puberty and even gynecomastia.
Even though no one uses DHT for performance-enhancing
purposes, it still deserves to be covered in this e-book
because it is the parent hormone to some of the most
powerful and well-known AAS ever developed.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
93
MUSCLE GROWTH
Even though DHT is anabolic on paper, the reality is that it will
not build a significant amount of muscle mass. This is because
muscle mass holds the 3-alpha-HSD enzyme, which converts
DHT (but not Testosterone) into 3-alpha-androstanediol,
which is not anabolic at all.
w
The lack of sufficient anabolic activity makes DHT a poor
choice for bulking cycles.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Even though DHT will not build muscle mass, it will still
improve strength and physical performance to some extent by
acting on the central nervous system (CNS). This increase,
however, is rarely great enough to justify the use of DHT as a
PED.
FAT LOSS (a)
DHT will not directly burn fat, but it can be used in cutting
cycles because it tends to provide a dry, lean and vascular
look by decreasing water retention.
94
BONES AND JOINTS
DHT improves bone mass and density by acting on the AR,
something that virtually all AAS have in common.
Unfortunately, it can dry out the joints and make them prone
to injuries.
ANTI-ESTROGENIC PROPERTIES
w
DHT is anti-estrogenic because it interacts with the
aromatase enzyme and prevents some of the conversion of
Testosterone into estradiol. Besides that, studies have shown
that the topical application of DHT can prevent and reverse
the development of gynecomastia.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Since DHT is anti-estrogenic, it will decrease water retention
and harden the muscles, providing a dry, lean and vascular
look that can be beneficial when one is shredded and looking
to prepare their physique for a contest or a photoshoot.
MOOD
DHT has antidepressant properties and will significantly
improve mood, confidence and well-being.
95
SEX DRIVE
DHT promotes sexual desire and sexual function, so you can
expect your libido to skyrocket and your sexual performance
to improve (assuming you use a Testosterone Base to prevent
low estradiol levels).
PENILE GROWTH
w
Some users claim to have achieved significant penile growth
by using topical DHT in combination with pumping and
stretching exercises. Take this information with a grain of salt.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
96
HPG AXIS SUPPRESSION
DHT will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will suppress the
production of endogenous Testosterone. We do not have a lot
of anecdotal information on how suppressive it is, but the
general consensus is that it is less suppressive than most
AAS. It will still require a PCT.
w
Given that DHT is anti-estrogenic, it can cause symptoms of
low estradiol such as low sex drive, depression, low energy, a
lack of motivation and sexual dysfunction during a cycle,
unless a Testosterone base is used.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
There is very little information about the effects of DHT on
cardiovascular health, but you can expect dyslipidemia (low
HDL, high LDL), increased red blood cell production to occur.
Left ventricular hypertrophy is also possible in the long run.
97
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
DHT is the most androgenic endogenous hormone, so you
can expect the androgenic side-effects to be prevalent with
DHT:
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
w
It is also worth noting that drugs like oral Finasteride and
Dutasteride will not counteract the androgenic side-effects of
exogenous DHT. These drugs can only stop the reduction of
Testosterone into DHT, but they are unable to stop active
exogenous DHT from exerting its effects.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
98
Dihydrotestosterone is never used in a bodybuilding context
because it does not promote muscle growth and it does not
do anything that Proviron can’t do more efficiently.
Despite this, some men still opt for using topical DHT.
TOPICAL DHT GEL
w
Topical DHT can be used to improve muscle hardness, libido,
confidence, mood, strength and energy levels. The typical
dose for topical DHT is 75 to 100mg a day, rubbed on
shoulders, chest and arms twice a day.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
It should be applied on clean skin and one should wait for it to
be absorbed before putting on clothes. Exposure to water
should be avoided for at least 4 hours.
Side-effects like hair-loss and acne may occur, and
Finasteride (or any other 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor) will not
work. The best tool to prevent these side-effects when using
DHT or one of its derivatives is RU-58841 (more information in
the “On-Cycle Therapy” chapter).
99
Proviron
1a-Methyl-4,5A-dihydrotestosterone
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Proviron (also known as Mesterolone) is an oral AAS derived
from Dihydrotestosterone. For all intents and purposes,
Proviron is the same as DHT except it has a methyl group at
the C1 position to make it orally bioavailable.
Mesterolone was first synthesized and introduced for medical
use in the 1960s. The brand name “Proviron” was originally
used to described Testosterone Propionate in the 1930s, but
it was later changed to “Testoviron” when the term “Proviron”
was assigned to Mesterolone instead. This misconception has
led many to believe that Mesterolone was born in the 1930s.
Like topical DHT, Proviron is prescribed for the treatment of
hypogonadism, delayed puberty and gynecomastia. Despite
the lack of anabolic activity, it was adopted by bodybuilders in
the late 20th century and it has been a popular PED ever
since.
100
In a bodybuilding context, Proviron is used as an add-on to
low doses of Testosterone (or TRT) and/or as a hardening
agent during cutting cycles.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
101
MUSCLE GROWTH
Like DHT, Proviron is anabolic on paper but completely
useless at building muscle in real life. This is because Proviron
is also subject to modification by the 3-alpha-HSD enzyme
found in muscle cells.
w
Therefore, Proviron is not a viable bulking agent on its own
even though it can be used during bulking cycles in
conjunction with Testosterone and other AAS.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Even though Proviron will not build muscle mass, it will still
improve strength and physical performance to some extent by
acting on the central nervous system (CNS).
However, the increase in strength is rarely dramatic and it can
actually be counterproductive because Proviron tends to have
a negative effect on the joints.
FAT LOSS
Proviron will not directly burn fat, but it can be used in cutting
cycles because it provides a dry, lean and vascular look by
decreasing water retention.
102
BONES AND JOINTS
Proviron improves bone mass and density by acting on the
AR, something that virtually all AAS have in common.
Unfortunately, it can dry out the joints and make them prone
to injuries.
ANTI-ESTROGENIC PROPERTIES
w
Proviron acts as an aromatase inhibitor, so it can be used to
prevent excess estrogen conversion during Testosterone and
Dianabol cycles. This property makes it a viable tool for the
prevention and reversal of early gynecomastia development,
and is one of the main reasons why Proviron is used as a TRT
add-on.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Since Proviron is anti-estrogenic, it will decrease water
retention and harden the muscles, providing a dry, lean and
vascular look that can be beneficial when one is shredded and
looking to prepare their physique for a contest or a
photoshoot.
103
MOOD
Being an oral form of DHT, Proviron will also have a very
positive effect on mood, confidence and well-being.
In fact, many users use Proviron purely because it improves
their mood and sexual performance.
SEX DRIVE
w
DHT promotes sexual desire and sexual function, so you can
expect your libido to skyrocket and your sexual performance
to improve on Proviron as well.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
FERTILITY
Proviron is the only AAS that will improve fertility instead of
worsening it. The exact mechanism of action by which
Proviron does this is unknown, but it will improve sperm count
and sperm motility.
104
HPG AXIS SUPPRESSION
Proviron is perhaps the least suppressive AAS ever
developed. As shown in both studies and anecdotal reports,
the suppression caused by taking a normal dose of Proviron
for a period of time of 4 to 8 weeks is minimal.
w
Taking extremely high doses of Proviron for extended periods
of time will cause a higher degree of suppression, but it will
rarely require a PCT if used on its own.
n
te
rit
by
It is also worth noting that someone with naturally low or
normal estradiol levels may experience symptoms like low sex
drive, stiff joints, sexual dysfunction and other symptoms of
estradiol deficiency if using Proviron without a Testosterone
base due to its aromatase-inhibiting properties.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Proviron will have a negative impact on your cardiovascular
health:
• Proviron will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL). In
the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which can
lead to heart disease.
• Proviron will increase RBC production to some extent.
105
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC (rare, but
possible).
ORGAN HEALTH
Proviron is methylated at the C1 position. This kind of
methylation is less effective than the typical C17-alpha
alkylation used in oral AAS, but it will be less liver toxic as a
result.
w
In other words, Proviron is less likely to cause liver toxicity
than the average oral AAS, but it can still cause minor,
transient increases in liver enzymes.
n
te
rit
by
There is no data about the impact of Proviron on renal health,
but it is safe to assume that it will not damage the kidneys if
used responsibly since the high BP from Proviron is highly
unlikely.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Being an oral form of DHT, Proviron is a highly androgenic
compound that can cause the following side-effects:
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
It is also worth noting that drugs like oral Finasteride and
Dutasteride will not counteract the androgenic side-effects of
106
Proviron. These drugs can only stop the reduction of
Testosterone into DHT, but they are unable to stop an active
form of DHT like Proviron from exerting its effects.
DRY JOINTS
Proviron tends to dry out the joints and make one prone to
injuries by decreasing estrogen levels.
HIGH AFFINITY FOR SHBG
w
n
te
rit
Proviron has a high binding affinity for SHBG, meaning that it
will increase Free Testosterone levels if stacked with
Testosterone. Despite being a side-effect, it can be beneficial
to some, and excess estradiol resulting from high Free
Testosterone is not an issue on Proviron because it acts as an
AI.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
107
Proviron is a weak AAS that will not build any muscle, but it
can be extremely useful in a wide variety of cycles. It is
extremely safe (other than causing hair loss), so it can be
used by complete newbies and professional bodybuilders
alike.
w
It does not require a Testosterone base because it is barely
suppressive, but most users opt for adding it to their TRT
protocols or their cutting cycles to take full advantage of its
properties.
rit
n
te
In the following pages, you will learn how to use Proviron
effectively in every way possible.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
PROVIRON-ONLY CYCLE
A Proviron-only cycle is not common at all, but it can be
executed without the need for a Testosterone base (with
some exceptions). This cycle will not build any muscle or
prevent muscle loss during a cutting phase, but it will improve
muscle hardness, vascularity, libido, mood and energy
significantly.
This is how a Proviron-only cycle should be conducted:
• Proviron dosed at 25 to 100mg/day: The ideal dose
depends on one’s reaction to this compound. The ideal
course of action would be to start at 25mg/day and work
one’s way up to 50, 75 and even 100mg/day if the
108
previous doses are well-tolerated. 25 to 50mg are
enough to experience a noticeable improvement in
mood and libido, whereas 75 to 100mg are ideal when
trying to take advantage of the cosmetic benefits of this
drug.
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, Proviron can
be run for up to 8 weeks without experiencing much
suppression and liver damage. However, it will still cause
dyslipidemia so taking a break after 8 weeks is
warranted.
w
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Proviron is very liver and kidney
safe, but there is no reason not to add NAC at around
1g/day throughout the entire cycle for peace of mind.
Using Fish or Krill Oil (6 or 3 grams a day) to mitigate the
impact of Proviron on the lipid panel is necessary. Now,
most users will not need a Testosterone base with
Proviron because it is not that suppressive. However, it
will act as a mild aromatase inhibitor so it will decrease
estradiol levels, which may lead to symptoms of
suppression in some users. Men with naturally average
or low estradiol levels should use something that
converts to estradiol if they feel suppressed on Proviron.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
I would personally recommend DHEA tablets at 25 to
50mg a day. I would stay away from using SERMs as a
test base for Proviron, because I have received reports
of erectile dysfunction when combining these drugs.
109
It is also worth noting that Proviron will increase the
likelihood of experiencing hair loss and acne in those
who are prone to these androgenic side-effects. Even
though 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors will not help, one
can still employ RU-58841 to prevent these side-effects
(more information about it in the “On-Cycle Therapy”
section of this e-book).
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: There is no need to do a PCT
after this kind of cycle. Even if some suppression occurs,
the HPT Axis will be able to recover on its own.
w
rit
n
te
PROVIRON WITH TRT
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Proviron is commonly used as an add-on for TRT because it
has a high binding affinity for SHBG and can increase free
Testosterone significantly while preventing high estradiol
levels. Even though it does not build any muscle on its own,
the increase in free Testosterone can potentially help
someone on TRT gain a little bit more muscle. Adding
Proviron to TRT will also improve sex drive, sexual function,
fertility, mood, muscle hardness and vascularity.
Here is how Proviron should be used with TRT:
• Proviron dosed at 25 to 100mg/day: Finding the ideal
dose will be a matter of trial and error but starting at
25mg/day is always a good idea. The TRT dose should
also be taken into consideration, since stacking a low
dose of TRT with a high dose of Proviron could cause
low estradiol. A good rule of thumb is using 25mg of
110
Proviron for every 25mg of Testosterone over 100mg
one is using: 125mg/week TRT + 25mg/day Proviron,
150mg/week TRT + 50mg/day Proviron, and so on up to
200mg/week with 100mg/day Proviron.
• LENGTH OF USE: Even though suppression is not a
concern when stacking Proviron with TRT, Proviron
should not be used for more than 8 weeks at a time to
prevent dyslipidemia.
w
• SIDE-EFFECT MITIGATION: Proviron is very liver and
kidney safe, but there is no reason not to add NAC at
around 1g/day throughout the entire cycle for peace of
mind. Using Fish or Krill Oil (6 or 3 grams a day) to
mitigate the impact of Proviron on the lipid panel is
necessary. It is also worth noting that Proviron will
increase the likelihood of experiencing hair loss and
acne in those who are prone to these androgenic sideeffects. Even though 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors will not
help, one can still employ RU-58841 to prevent these
side-effects (more information about it in the “On-Cycle
Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
PROVIRON WITH OTHER AAS
Proviron can be added to advanced cutting and bulking
cycles to provide an increase in muscle gains through an
increase in free Testosterone, to prevent high estradiol levels
by acting an aromatase inhibitor, to improve muscle hardness
111
and vascularity, as well as to maximize sex drive and wellbeing.
• PROVIRON WITH OTHER ORAL AAS: Proviron can be
stacked with nearly every oral AAS. It will not cause a
significant increase in liver toxicity, but it will worsen
dyslipidemia so it should only be used strategically to
improve aesthetics before a contest or photoshoot, or to
improve sex drive and well-being as needed.
w
• PROVIRON WITH INJECTABLE AAS: Proviron can be
added to any cycle containing injectable AAS if none of
the injectables being used do the same as Proviron in
terms of inhibiting aromatase, so Masteron, Primobolan
and probably Equipoise are bad ideas. It can also be
used with Nandrolone to prevent the nasty “deca dick”.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
If one is not using any harsh injectables that can cause
dyslipidemia, then Proviron can be used for up to 8
weeks as part of a cycle with injectables. It can also be
used as the only AI of a cycle if one is running
aromatizing compounds at doses that do not require
using a full-blown AI like Arimidex or Aromasin.
112
MASTerON
2A-Methyl-5A-androstan-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Masteron (also known as Drostanolone) is an injectable AAS
derived from Dihydrotestosterone. This compound is virtually
identical to DHT and Proviron when it comes to its androgenic
effects, but it is much more anabolic.
Drostanolone was developed in the late 1950s, and it was first
marketed in the early 1960s for the treatment of breast
cancer in women. However, it never became a commonly
prescribed medication because safer, more effective and nonvirilizing options for the treatment of breast cancer already
existed back then.
Even though Drostanolone was first adopted as a PED in the
1970s, it did not become a popular AAS among athletes and
bodybuilders until the 1990s. Nowadays, Drostanolone is wellknown and commonly used by professional and recreational
bodybuilders who want to lose fat and look as shredded, dry
and vascular as possible while retaining muscle mass. It is
also used as an alternative to traditional Aromatase Inhibitors.
113
DROSTANOLONE ESTERS
The only Drostanolone ester ever commercialized is
Drostanolone Propionate. The only other form of Drostanolone
on the market is methyldrostanolone (also known as
Superdrol), an oral version of Drostanolone with extremely
different properties.
PROPIONATE: Drostanolone Propionate, with brand name
Masteron, has a half-life of 2 days and tends to be injected
intramuscularly every other day.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
114
MUSCLE GROWTH
Unlike DHT and Proviron, Masteron is resistant the 3-alphaHSD enzyme meaning that it will exert its anabolic properties
and build muscle mass.
w
Masteron provides a modest increase in lean tissue over an
extended period of time, so it can be compared to Equipoise
or Primobolan in terms of muscle-building potential. However,
most bodybuilders opt for using it in cutting cycles.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Masteron will improve strength and physical performance by
growing muscle mass and acting on the central nervous
system (CNS). However, the increase in strength is rarely
dramatic and it can actually be counterproductive because
Masteron tends to have a negative effect on the joints.
FAT LOSS
Masteron will not directly burn fat, but it is commonly used in
cutting cycles because it provides a dry, lean and vascular
look by decreasing water retention.
115
BONES AND JOINTS
Masteron improves bone mass and density by acting on the
AR, something that virtually all AAS have in common.
Unfortunately, it can dry out the joints and make them prone
to injuries.
ANTI-ESTROGENIC PROPERTIES
w
Masteron acts as an aromatase inhibitor, so it can be used
along Testosterone and other aromatizing AAS to prevent
excess estradiol levels. This property makes it a viable tool for
the prevention and reversal of early gynecomastia
development.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Since Masteron is anti-estrogenic, it will decrease water
retention and harden the muscles, providing a dry, lean and
vascular look that can be beneficial when one is shredded and
looking to prepare their physique for a contest or a
photoshoot.
MOOD
Masteron is very similar to Proviron and DHT when it comes
to improving mood and having an anti-depressant effect, so
116
you can expect your mental well-being to improve while on it if
you keep your estradiol levels from crashing by using a Test.
Base.
SEX DRIVE
DHT promotes sexual desire and sexual function, so you can
expect your libido to skyrocket and your sexual performance
to improve on Masteron as well (assuming you are on a Test.
Base).
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
117
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Masteron will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut down
Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Masteron (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Masteron does not aromatize into estradiol, it will
cause symptoms like low sex drive, depression, low energy, a
lack of motivation and sexual dysfunction during a cycle,
unless a Testosterone base is used.
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Masteron will have a negative impact on your cardiovascular
health for the following reasons:
118
• Masteron will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL).
In the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which
can lead to heart disease.
• Masteron will increase RBC production to some extent.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC (rare, but
possible).
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease in the long run.
w
ORGAN HEALTH
n
te
rit
by
Masteron will not have a noticeable impact on liver health.
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
It may have a negative impact on kidney health by increasing
blood pressure.
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Being a close derivative of DHT, Masteron is a highly
androgenic compound that can cause the following sideeffects:
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
119
It is also worth noting that drugs like oral Finasteride and
Dutasteride will not counteract the androgenic side-effects of
Masteron. These drugs can only stop the reduction of
Testosterone into DHT, but they are unable to stop an active
form of DHT like Masteron from exerting its effects.
DRY JOINTS
Masteron tends to dry out the joints and make one prone to
injuries.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
120
Masteron is a short-acting injectable AAS that can either be
used in lean-bulking cycles or cutting, contest prep cycles. It
is quite safe for everyone except those who are prone to hair
loss, so it can be used by beginners and advanced users
alike.
w
It does not aromatize (in fact, it inhibits the aromatase
enzyme), so it should always be used with a Testosterone
base. In the next few pages, you will learn how to do that, as
well as how to run it with other AAS as part of advanced
cutting cycles.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
MASTERON WITH TESTOSTERONE
Masteron and Testosterone is a popular stack for long, leanbulking or cutting cycles:
• Masteron dosed at 200 to 500mg/week: As you can
imagine, the more experience one has, the higher the
dose can be. It has a 2-day half-life, so most users inject
it every other day to have stable blood levels. For
example, if one was to use a dose of 300mg a week,
injecting 85-90mg every other day would be necessary.
• Testosterone at 250 to 500mg/week: With most AAS,
one can use as little as 100mg of Testosterone per week
as a test base, but in the case of Masteron I would
recommend going higher because it acts as a powerful
121
aromatase inhibitor. Ideally, the Testosterone dose
should be equal or slightly higher than the Masteron
dose in order to not experience low nor high estrogen
levels. The best Testosterone esters to run with
Masteron would be Enanthate, Cypionate and Sustanon.
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, Masteron
should not be used for more than 12 weeks at a time
because it kicks in very quickly so waiting 4 weeks for it
to kick in like people do with long Testosterone esters is
not necessary.
w
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Using Fish or Krill Oil (at 6 or 3
grams a day) will be necessary to mitigate dyslipidemia
and the negative effect of Masteron on joint strength.
Since Masteron acts as an aromatase inhibitor, there will
be no need to use an AI like Arimidex unless one is
running a high dose of Testosterone (400 to 500mg)
with a low dose of Masteron (200 to 250mg). However,
every user is different so having an AI on hand in case
the unexpected happens is always a good idea.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
It is also worth noting that Masteron will increase the
likelihood of experiencing hair loss and acne in those
who are prone to these androgenic side-effects. Even
though 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors will not help, one
can still employ RU-58841 to prevent these side-effects
(more information about it in the “On-Cycle Therapy”
section of this e-book).
122
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: If one is not planning to cruise
on Testosterone after the cycle, doing a PCT will be
necessary. I would recommend using HCG throughout
the whole cycle at 1000iu per week (500iu every 3 or 4
days) to preserve testicular function and facilitate the
transition to SERMs, but HCG would exacerbate the
need for an AI on higher doses of Testosterone.
w
After the last shots of Testosterone and Masteron, one
would have to use HCG at 500iu twice a week for 2
weeks before using the SERMs. This is because the
Testosterone has a long half-life, and it would take a long
time for it to leave the body. Once these 2 weeks are
over, one should take Enclomiphene (or Clomiphene)
plus Tamoxifen for 6 weeks.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
These SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 5 weeks
and 12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene
(twice these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for
5 weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
MASTERON WITH OTHER AAS
Masteron is commonly used as part of cutting cycles
alongside Testosterone and a few oral and injectable AAS.
Here is how it can be used effectively in that context:
123
• MASTERON WITH ORAL AAS: Masteron is compatible
with most of them from a pharmacological perspective.
I would advise against stacking it with Proviron, oral
Primobolan or any other AAS with strong AI properties.
Stacking it with wet compounds like Dianabol and
Anadrol would rarely make sense since Masteron is a
cutting and lean-bulking agent. Turinabol, Winstrol and
Anavar are the only oral AAS I would personally consider
adding to a Masteron cycle.
w
• MASTERON WITH OTHER INJECTABLE AAS: The
injectables most stacked with Masteron are
Testosterone, low dose Nandrolone (in lean bulking
cycles) and low dose Trenbolone (in cutting / contest
prep cycles). In my opinion, Masteron should not be
stacked with Primobolan or Equipoise because they
would exacerbate the anti-estrogenic properties of
Masteron without providing effects that Masteron is not
already offering.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
124
WINSTROL
17A-Methylpyrazolo[4',3':2,3]-5A-androstan-17B-ol
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Winstrol (also known as Stanozolol) is an oral AAS derived
from Dihydrotestosterone. This is perhaps the most popular
cutting AAS on the market today.
Winstrol was first described in the late 1950s, and it became a
prescription medication in the early 1960s. It was used for the
treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including musclewasting diseases, osteoporosis and growth deficiency in
teenagers up until the late 90s.
Bodybuilders adopted Winstrol as a PED in the 70s and 80s,
and it has grown in popularity ever since due to its incredible
muscle-building and muscle-hardening properties.
Even though Winstrol is an oral compound, injectable
formulations exist and they are often used in a veterinary
context to increase the appetite and performance of horses,
but the effects of injectable Winstrol on humans are not wellunderstood.
125
MUSCLE GROWTH
Despite being a DHT derivative, Winstrol is resistant the 3alpha-HSD enzyme so it will successfully exert its anabolics
effects and increase protein synthesis by acting on the AR.
w
Despite being used a cutting and hardening agent, Winstrol is
quite effective at building muscle, so it can build significant
amounts of muscle mass in relatively short periods of time
without causing water retention.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Winstrol will improve strength and physical performance by
growing muscle mass and acting on the central nervous
system (CNS). However, the increase in strength tends to be
compromised by the drying effect of Winstrol on joints.
FAT LOSS
Winstrol will not directly burn fat, but it is commonly used in
cutting cycles because it provides a dry, lean and vascular
look by decreasing water retention.
126
BONES AND JOINTS
Winstrol improves bone mass and density by acting on the
AR, something that virtually all AAS have in common.
Unfortunately, it can dry out the joints and make them prone
to injuries.
COSMETIC BENEFITS
w
Winstrol will decrease water retention and harden the
muscles, providing a dry, lean and vascular look that can be
beneficial when one is shredded and looking to prepare their
physique for a contest or a photoshoot.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
MOOD
Winstrol does not have as good of an impact on mood as
other DHT derivatives like Proviron and Masteron, but it will
still have a slightly positive or at least neutral impact on mental
well-being.
SEX DRIVE
DHT promotes sexual desire and sexual function, so you can
expect your libido to skyrocket and your sexual performance
to improve on Winstrol as well (assuming you are on a Test.
Base).
127
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Winstrol will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut down
Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Winstrol (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Winstrol does not aromatize into estradiol, it will
cause symptoms like low sex drive, depression, low energy, a
lack of motivation and sexual dysfunction during a cycle,
unless a Testosterone base is used.
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Winstrol will have a negative impact on your cardiovascular
health for the following reasons:
128
• Winstrol will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL). In
the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which can
lead to heart disease.
• Winstrol will increase RBC production to some extent.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC (rare, but
possible).
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease in the long run.
w
ORGAN HEALTH
n
te
rit
by
Winstrol is a methylated oral AAS, meaning that it will cause
liver toxicity. If used responsibly, this side-effect will only
manifest itself through the transient elevation of liver enzymes
but abusing Winstrol for extended periods of time can result in
liver cysts, fatty liver, cirrhosis, jaundice and even liver
cancer.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
It may also have a negative impact on kidney health by
increasing blood pressure.
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Being a close derivative of DHT, Winstrol is a highly
androgenic compound that can cause the following sideeffects:
129
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
It is also worth noting that drugs like oral Finasteride and
Dutasteride will not counteract the androgenic side-effects of
Winstrol. These drugs can only stop the reduction of
Testosterone into DHT, but they are unable to stop an active
form of DHT like Winstrol from exerting its effects.
w
DRY JOINTS
n
te
rit
by
Winstrol tends to dry out the joints and make one prone to
injuries.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
LOWER BACK PUMPS
It is very common for oral AAS to cause lower back pumps,
and Winstrol is no exception. These usually happen
during/after intense exercise, and they can be managed by
balancing electrolytes and supplementing with certain
minerals (more on that in the OCT section of this e-book).
130
Winstrol is a strong cutting agent that is best used in contest
or photoshoot prep. Even though it can cause serious sideeffects, it is quite beginner-friendly in lower doses if basic
precautions are taken.
w
It does not aromatize into estradiol so it should always be
used with a Testosterone base. In the next couple of pages,
you will learn how to run Winstrol cycles with just a
Testosterone base, or as part of more intricate and advanced
cutting cycles with other AAS.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
WINSTROL WITH A TESTOSTERONE BASE
In this section I will only go into detail on how to use Winstrol
with injectable Testosterone. If you wish to use a different test
base, simply take the instructions here and replace the
injectable Testosterone with your test base of choice (at the
doses indicated in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section).
If the intention is to run Winstrol as the protagonist and main
anabolic of a cutting cycle, it must be used with a low, TRTdose of Testosterone. Here is an example of what it would
look like:
• Winstrol dosed at 25 to 100mg/day: The more
experienced one is, the higher the dose can be.
50mg/day is the best dose in terms of benefits and sideeffects and is a dose that even beginners can handle.
131
Since the half-life is 9 hours, it can be taken twice a day
(splitting the dose between morning and evening) or
even 3 times a day (splitting the dose between morning,
noon and evening).
w
• Testosterone at 100 to 250mg/week: The weekly
Testosterone dose should be kept under 250mg for
Winstrol to be the main anabolic of the cycle. Some
people experience high estrogen on 250mg, so those
users would be better off using a lower dose (in this
cycle example there is no need to use an AI to justify
running a high dose of Testosterone). The ideal esters in
this cycle example would be Enanthate or Cypionate, but
others would work too.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, it should be
kept at 6 weeks max if running up to 50mg/day of
Winstrol, and at 4-5 weeks if using a higher dose.
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Winstrol is very liver toxic and it
will cause dyslipidemia, so one has to use NAC to
protect the liver (1g a day) and Fish or Krill Oil (6 or 3
grams a day) to mitigate the impact of Winstrol on the
lipid panel and joints. Winstrol is also likely to cause hair
loss, but traditional hair loss medications like Finasteride
do not work with it. Using topical hair-loss prevention
solutions like RU-58841 is a better idea when running
Winstrol. Other side-effects are possible, so use the
information in the “On-Cycle Therapy” chapter to detect
and manage the unpredictable side-effects.
132
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: If one wants to run Winstrol for
6 weeks with a low dose of Testosterone, they should
not be using Testosterone for just 6 weeks. This kind of
cycle is more appropriate for people who are on TRT or
cruising on Testosterone, so someone who is not already
on Testosterone or planning to stay on Testosterone
would be better off using a different test base like
Enclomiphene, HCG or 4-Andro. These test bases would
require a PCT of Enclomiphene (or Clomiphene) plus
Tamoxifen for 4 weeks, starting the day after the last
Winstrol dose.
w
These SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 3 weeks
and 12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene
(twice these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for
3 weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
WINSTROL WITH OTHER AAS
The previous example is all about using Winstrol as the
protagonist of a cycle while on Testosterone or a different test
base, but the reality is that such cycles are rare because
Winstrol is seldom used as the main anabolic.
Most users opt for using Winstrol as part of big, advanced
cutting cycles, where it is used to retain muscle mass while
improving vascularity and muscle hardness.
Here is how it can be used with other AAS:
133
• WINSTROL WITH TESTOSTERONE: Winstrol is rarely
used to kickstart a Testosterone cycle, but it can be
used for that purpose. When one starts using a medium
or long-acting ester of Testosterone for a Testosterone
blast, it can take 4 to 6 weeks for it to truly kick in and
start providing significant results. Therefore, many users
opt for adding an oral from day one to kickstart the cycle
and start experiencing gains in muscle mass and
strength from the get-go. In this scenario, Winstrol can
be used at 50mg/day for the first 4 to 6 weeks, along
with all the health supps and ancillaries needed to
manage its side-effects.
w
rit
n
te
It can also be used towards the middle or the end of a
Testosterone cycle to break through a plateau or simply
to maximize aesthetics.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• WINSTROL WITH OTHER ORAL AAS: In my opinion,
using Winstrol with other oral AAS is a bad idea because
the combined liver toxicity can quickly become a threat
while causing unnecessary competition for the AR, since
most orals work through the same pathway.
• WINSTROL WITH INJECTABLE AAS: Winstrol is
commonly used as part of cutting cycles with
Testosterone and other AAS like Masteron, Trenbolone,
Equipoise or Primobolan. It tends to be added towards
the end of such cycles to maximize muscle hardness
and vascularity when one is the leanest and closest to a
possible contest or photoshoot.
134
ANAVAR
7A-Methyl-2-oxa-5A-androstan-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Anavar (also known as Oxandrolone) is an oral AAS derived
from Dihydrotestosterone. It has become one of the most
popular oral AAS on the market thanks to its relatively mild
side-effect profile.
It was developed in the early 1960s, and it was prescribed to
men, women and children alike for the treatment of musclewasting diseases, muscle loss resulting from surgeries,
osteoporosis, burns and infections.
It was adopted as a PED by athletes in the late 70s / early
80s, but it did not become a popular choice among
bodybuilders until the 90s, when people realized that it was an
excellent cutting and hardening agent.
Nowadays, Anavar is one of the most popular cutting AAS
and most definitely the go-to AAS for female bodybuilders,
since it carries very little risk of masculinization. Injectable
formulations exist, but Anavar was developed as an oral
compound and that is how it should be used for best results.
135
MUSCLE GROWTH
Despite being a DHT derivative, Anavar is resistant the 3alpha-HSD enzyme so it will successfully exert its anabolics
effects and increase protein synthesis by acting on the AR.
w
It is quite effective at building lean muscle mass on a calorie
surplus, but given its excellent hardening properties, most
bodybuilders use it to retain muscle mass on a calorie deficit
instead.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Anavar will improve strength and physical performance by
growing muscle mass and acting on the central nervous
system (CNS).
FAT LOSS
Anavar will not directly burn fat, but it is commonly used in
cutting cycles because it provides a dry, lean and vascular
look with no water retention.
136
BONES AND JOINTS
Anavar improves bone mass and density by acting on the AR,
something that virtually all AAS have in common.
Unlike other hardening agents and DHT derivatives, Anavar
does not have a negative effect on joint health.
COSMETIC BENEFITS
w
Anavar will decrease water retention and harden the muscles,
providing a dry, lean and vascular look that can be beneficial
when one is shredded and looking to prepare their physique
for a contest or a photoshoot.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
In fact, Anavar is often referred to as the “cover model
steroid” because it provides the perfect lean, tight look that
everyone wants without the excessive vascularity and grainy
look that comes with Winstrol, Proviron or Masteron.
MOOD
Anavar does not have as good of an impact on mood as other
DHT derivatives like Proviron and Masteron, but it will still
have a slightly positive or at least neutral impact on mental
well-being.
137
SEX DRIVE
Anavar will only have a minor positive impact on sex drive and
sexual function. Despite being a DHT derivative, Anavar users
rarely report libido increases comparable to those that come
with using Proviron or Masteron.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
138
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Anavar will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut down
Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Anavar (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Anavar does not aromatize into estradiol, it will
cause symptoms like low sex drive, depression, low energy, a
lack of motivation and sexual dysfunction during a cycle,
unless a Testosterone base is used.
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Anavar will have a negative impact on your cardiovascular
health for the following reasons:
139
• Anavar will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL). In
the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which can
lead to heart disease.
• Anavar will increase RBC production to some extent.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC (rare, but
possible).
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease in the long run.
w
ORGAN HEALTH
n
te
rit
by
Despite being a methylated oral AAS, Anavar is one of the
least hepatotoxic AAS on the market. This is partly because it
seems to be metabolized by the kidneys rather than the liver.
Mild, transient increases in liver enzymes are possible on
Anavar but they rarely pose a threat and they almost only
occur after taking Anavar at 50+ mg/day for more than 4
weeks at a time.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Given that Anavar is mostly metabolized in the kidneys, it may
be more likely to cause nephrotoxicity than other AAS, but
this can be easily managed by staying hydrated and
supplementing with kidney-protecting supplements (more on
that in the OTC section of this e-book).
140
ANDROGENIC SIDE-effects
Despite being a derivative of DHT, Anavar rarely causes
androgenic side-effects like hair loss, acne or aggression. In
fact, most users who report these side-effects on Anavar are
probably getting them as a result of stacking Anavar with
Testosterone and/or other AAS which can cause these sideeffects.
The lack of androgenic side-effects has made Anavar the
most popular AAS among female athletes.
w
n
te
rit
LOWER BACK PUMPs
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
It is very common for oral AAS to cause lower back pumps,
and Anavar is no exception. These usually happen
during/after intense exercise, and they can be managed by
balancing electrolytes and supplementing with certain
minerals (more on that in the OCT section of this e-book).
141
Anavar is one of the safest and most versatile oral AAS ever
developed, because it can be used for both lean bulking and
cutting cycles by beginners and experienced users alike.
In fact, it could easily be the first oral AAS one ever users
because there is a very small chance of things going wrong
during an Anavar cycle. It does not aromatize into estradiol so
using a Testosterone base is necessary.
w
Keep reading to find out what the best way to use it with a
Testosterone base and other AAS is.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ANAVAR WITH A TESTOSTERONE BASE
In this section I will only go into detail on how to use Anavar
with injectable Testosterone. If you wish to use a different test
base, simply take the instructions here and replace the
injectable Testosterone with your test base of choice (at the
doses indicated in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section).
If the intention is to run Anavar as the protagonist and main
anabolic of a cutting cycle, it must be used with a low, TRTdose of Testosterone. Here is an example of what it would
look like:
• Anavar dosed at 25 to 100mg/day: The more
experienced one is, the higher the dose can be.
50mg/day is the best dose in terms of benefits and sideeffects, and is a dose that even beginners can handle.
142
Since the half-life is around 10 hours, it can be taken
twice a day (splitting the dose between morning and
evening) or even 3 times a day (splitting the dose
between morning, noon and evening).
w
• Testosterone at 100 to 250mg/week: The weekly
Testosterone dose should be kept under 250mg for
Anavar to be the main anabolic of the cycle. Some
people experience high estrogen on 250mg, so those
users would be better off using a lower dose (in this
cycle example there is no need to use an AI to justify
running a high dose of Testosterone). The ideal esters in
this cycle example would be Enanthate or Cypionate, but
others would work too.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, it should be
kept at 8 weeks max if running up to 50mg/day of
Winstrol, and up to 6 weeks if using a higher dose.
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Anavar is barely liver toxic but it
will still cause dyslipidemia, so one has to use Fish or Krill
Oil (6 or 3 grams a day) to mitigate the impact on the
liver panel. Even though Anavar will not cause significant
damage to the liver it, may put a strain on the kidneys,
so using NAC at around 1g a day is still a great idea.
Other side-effects are possible, so use the information in
the “On-Cycle Therapy” chapter to detect and manage
the unpredictable side-effects.
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: If one wants to run Anavar for
6 weeks with a low dose of Testosterone, they should
143
not be using Testosterone for just 6 weeks. This kind of
cycle is more appropriate for people who are on TRT or
cruising on Testosterone, so someone who is not already
on Testosterone or planning to stay on Testosterone
would be better off using a different test base like
Enclomiphene, HCG or 4-Andro. These test bases would
require a PCT of Enclomiphene (or Clomiphene) plus
Tamoxifen for 4 weeks, starting the day after the last
Anavar dose.
w
These SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 3 weeks
and 12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene
(twice these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for
3 weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ANAVAR WITH OTHER AAS
The previous example is all about using Anavar as the
protagonist of a cycle while on Testosterone or a different test
base, but the reality is that such cycles are rare.
Most users opt for using Anavar as part of big, advanced
cutting cycles, where it is used to retain muscle mass while
improving aesthetics and performance.
Here is how it can be used with other AAS:
• ANAVAR WITH TESTOSTERONE: Anavar is rarely used
to kickstart a Testosterone cycle, but it can be used for
that purpose. When one starts using a medium or long144
acting ester of Testosterone for a Testosterone blast, it
can take 4 to 6 weeks for it to truly kick in and start
providing significant results. Therefore, many users opt
for adding an oral from day one to kickstart the cycle
and start experiencing gains in muscle mass and
strength from the get-go. In this scenario, Anavar can be
used at 50mg/day for the first 6 to 8 weeks, along with all
the health supps and ancillaries needed to manage its
side-effects.
w
It can also be used towards the middle or the end of a
Testosterone cycle to break through a plateau or to
maximize aesthetics.
n
te
rit
by
• ANAVAR WITH OTHER ORAL AAS: In my opinion, using
Anavar with other oral AAS or even SARMs is a bad idea
because it causes unnecessary competition for the AR.
Proviron would be an exception.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• ANAVAR WITH INJECTABLE AAS: Anavar is commonly
used as part of cutting cycles with Testosterone and
other AAS like Trenbolone, Masteron, Equipoise or
Primobolan. It tends to be added towards the end of
such cycles to maximize muscle hardness and
vascularity when one is the leanest and closest to a
possible contest or photoshoot.
145
PRIMOBOLAN
1-Methyl-5A-androst-1-en-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Primobolan (also known as Methenolone) is an AAS derived
from Dihydrotestosterone which is sold in both oral and
injectable formulations.
It was developed in 1960, and like most AAS it was originally
intended for the treatment of muscle-wasting diseases and
osteoporosis in men, women and children.
It was adopted as a PED in the 1980s, but it never became
extremely popular, and it has always been considered a
second tier AAS because it is fairly weak at building muscle
mass in the short term.
Despite its historical lack of popularity, people are starting to
adopt Primobolan as a TRT/cruise-add-on because it has one
of the mildest side-effect profiles of any AAS ever developed.
In fact, many people think that Primobolan is the most
selective and refined AAS on the market today.
146
METHENOLONE ESTERS
Primobolan is sold in both oral and injectable formulations:
ENANTHATE: Methenolone Enanthate, with brand name
Primobolan Depot, is an injectable form of Primobolan that
has a half-life of 10-11 days and tends to be injected
intramuscularly on a weekly basis.
ACETATE: Methenolone Acetate, with brand name
Primobolan or Nibal, is an oral form of Primobolan with a
rumored half-life of up to 20 hours. Given that the exact halflife is unknown, most users take it twice a day.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
147
MUSCLE GROWTH
Despite being a DHT derivative, Primobolan is resistant the 3alpha-HSD enzyme so it will successfully exert its anabolic
effects and increase protein synthesis by acting on the AR.
w
Given the mild nature of Primobolan (whether oral or
injectable), people use it in long lean bulking cycles or along
their TRT. It can also be used to retain muscle mass and
improve muscle hardness and vascularity during a cut.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Primobolan will improve strength and physical performance by
growing muscle mass and acting on the central nervous
system (CNS).
Whether used orally or intramuscularly, it does not provide
major increases in strength or performance, so it is rarely
used by athletes who want to focus on those areas.
FAT LOSS
Primobolan will not directly burn fat, but it is commonly used in
cutting cycles because it provides a dry, lean and vascular
look with no water retention.
148
BONES AND JOINTS
Primobolan improves bone mass and density by acting on the
AR, something that virtually all AAS have in common.
Unlike other hardening agents and DHT derivatives,
Primobolan does not have a negative effect on joint health.
ANTI-ESTROGENIC PROPERTIES
w
Masteron acts as an aromatase inhibitor, so it can be used
along Testosterone and other aromatizing AAS to prevent
excess estradiol levels. This property makes it a viable tool for
the prevention and reversal of early gynecomastia
development.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Primobolan will decrease water retention and harden the
muscles, providing a lean and vascular look that can be
beneficial when one is shredded. However, the hardening
effects are not strong enough for someone to choose it over
Masteron, Winstrol or even Trenbolone, so it is rarely used on
its own during contest or photoshoot prep.
A lot of users report feeling pumped and full with no
subcutaneous water retention.
149
MOOD
Many Primobolan users claim that the mood-boosting
properties of this compound are similar to those of Dianabol,
so you can expect to feel happier, more upbeat and more
confident when using it.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
150
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Primobolan will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut
down Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Primobolan (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Primobolan does not aromatize into estradiol, it will
cause symptoms like low sex drive, depression, low energy, a
lack of motivation and sexual dysfunction during a cycle,
unless a Testosterone base is used.
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Primobolan is one of the most heart safe AAS ever developed.
There is little to no risk of dyslipidemia on injectable
151
Primobolan, and oral Primobolan will only cause minor
fluctuations in HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.
It’s still possible for it to increase RBC, blood pressure and left
ventricle hypetrophy in the long run, but most people who
experiences these side-effects after using Primobolan were
stacking it with other compounds.
ORGAN HEALTH
w
Injectable Primobolan will not damage your liver or your
kidneys, and oral Primobolan is also very safe for both organs.
rit
n
te
In fact, oral Primobolan has the same kind of methylation as
Proviron, meaning that it will only cause mild, transient
increases in liver enzymes if used in high doses during
extended periods of time.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Despite being a derivative of DHT, Primobolan rarely causes
androgenic side-effects like acne or aggression. Hair loss is
often reported with very high doses of Primobolan, and it only
affects those who are prone to this condition in the first place.
The relative lack of androgenic side-effects also makes
Primobolan a female-friendly compound.
152
Primobolan is a very mild injectable AAS for those who would
rather gain muscle slowly with little side-effects as opposed to
doing short, high-risk, high-reward cycles.
As such, it can be used by both beginners and experienced
athletes, and it should always be used in conjunction with
Testosterone because it does not aromatize.
w
In the next few pages, you will learn everything you need to
know about running Primobolan with Testosterone and other
AAS.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
PRIMOBOLAN WITH TESTOSTERONE
Primobolan and Testosterone is a popular stack for long, slow
but steady lean-bulking or cutting cycles:
• (INJECTABLE) Primobolan dosed at 200 to
600mg/week: As you can imagine, the more experience
one has, the higher the dose can be. A typical dose is
around 300 to 400mg per week. It has a 10-day half-life,
so most users inject it once a week to have stable blood
levels.
• (ORAL) Primobolan dosed at 25 to 100mg a day: 25mg
of Oral Primo a day is very mild, so most users opt for 50
or 75mg a day. Its half-life is not clear, so taking splitting
153
the dose into two (morning and evening) or three
(morning, noon and evening) servings is ideal.
w
• Testosterone at 250 to 500mg/week: With most AAS,
one can use as little as 100mg of Testosterone per week
as a test base, but in the case of Primobolan I would
recommend going higher because it acts as a powerful
aromatase inhibitor. Ideally, the Testosterone dose
should be equal or slightly higher than the weekly
Primobolan dose to not experience low nor high
estrogen levels. The best Testosterone esters to run with
Primobolan would be Enanthate, Cypionate and
Sustanon.
n
te
rit
by
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, injectable
Primobolan can be used for up to 20 weeks at a time
due to its mild nature. Oral Primobolan can be used for
up to 8 weeks at a time since it can cause mild liver
toxicity and is more likely to cause dyslipidemia.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Since Primobolan acts as an
aromatase inhibitor, there will be no need to use an AI
like Arimidex unless one is running a high dose of
Testosterone (400 to 500mg) with a low dose of
Primobolan (200 to 250mg). However, every user is
different so having an AI on hand in case the unexpected
happens is always a good idea.
Oral Primobolan is very liver safe, but using NAC at
around 1g a day is still a good idea. Fish or Krill Oil (at 6
154
or 3g a day) will be necessary to mitigate the negative
impact of Primobolan on the lipid panel.
It is also worth noting that Primobolan will increase the
likelihood of experiencing hair loss and acne in those
who are prone to these androgenic side-effects. Even
though 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors will not help, one
can still employ RU-58841 to prevent these side-effects
(more information about it in the “On-Cycle Therapy”
section of this e-book).
w
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: If one is not planning to cruise
on Testosterone after the cycle, doing a PCT will be
necessary. I would recommend using HCG throughout
the whole cycle at 1000iu per week (500iu every 3 or 4
days) to preserve testicular function and facilitate the
transition to SERMs, but HCG would exacerbate the
need for an AI on higher doses of Testosterone.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
After the last shots of Testosterone and Primobolan, one
would have to use HCG at 500iu twice a week for 2
weeks before using the SERMs. This is because
Testosterone and Primobolan have a long half-life, and it
will take a long time for them to leave the body. Once
these 2 weeks are over, one should take Enclomiphene
(or Clomiphene) plus Tamoxifen for 6 weeks. These
SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 5 weeks and
12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene (twice
these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for 5
weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
155
(More information on SERMs, HCG and their doses in
the “Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
PRIMOBOLAN WITH OTHER AAS
Primobolan is commonly used as part of cutting cycles
alongside Testosterone and a few oral and injectable AAS.
Here is how it can be used effectively in that context:
w
• PRIMOBOLAN WITH ORAL AAS: It is common for oral
AAS to be used to kickstart injectbale Primobolan +
Testosterone cycles. Virtually any oral pairs well with
injectable Primobolan, except those which have AI
properties (such as Proviron) or those which are
extremely wet (such as Dianabol) and are not used for
the same purposes as Primobolan.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• PRIMOBOLAN WITH OTHER INJECTABLE AAS: The
injectables most stacked with Primobolan are
Testosterone and low dose Nandrolone (in lean bulking
cycles). In my opinion, Primobolan should not be stacked
with Masteron or Equipoise because they would
exacerbate the anti-estrogenic properties of Primobolan.
156
ANADROL
2-Hydroxymethylene-17A-methyl-5A-androstan-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Anadrol (also known as Oxymetholone and Anapolon) is an
oral AAS derived from DHT, known as one of the most
powerful bulking agents ever developed.
It was first described in the late 1950s, and it was introduced
into the market in the 1960s for the treatment of anemia,
muscle-wasting diseases and osteoporosis. Within less than
two decades, the FDA restricted its use to the treatment of
anemia because safer alternatives could do as good a job as
Anadrol at preventing muscle loss and osteoporosis.
It became a popular PED among bodybuilder in the 1980s for
its incredible muscle-building properties, and it has remained
one of the go-to oral agents for bulking up ever since.
Unfortunately, Anadrol is one of the most misunderstood oral
AAS on the market today, so I will attempt to dispel the
misconceptions around it and teach you how it works in the
following pages.
157
MUSCLE GROWTH
Despite being a DHT derivative, Anadrol is resistant the 3alpha-HSD enzyme so it will successfully exert its anabolic
effects and increase protein synthesis by acting on the AR.
w
As mentioned in the previous page, Anadrol is one of the (if
not the) most powerful oral muscle-builders one can use. You
can expect massive gains in muscle mass and volume (partly
due to water retention) in very short periods of time, but be
ready to lose some water weight after coming off.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Anadrol will improve strength and physical performance by
growing muscle mass and acting on the central nervous
system (CNS).
The strength increase provided by Anadrol is out of this world.
This is one of the best AAS when it comes to increasing
physical strength and performance, and the water retention it
causes also helps prevent the occurrence of injuries.
It may also improve physical endurance by increasing EPO,
something that all AAS do but only EQ and Anadrol truly excel
at.
158
FAT LOSS
Anadrol will not directly burn fat, but it will retain muscle mass
during cutting cycles. Despite this, almost no one uses
Anadrol to cut since milder compounds provide better results
with less side-effects.
BONES AND JOINTS
w
Anadrol improves bone mass and density by acting on the AR,
something that virtually all AAS have in common.
rit
n
te
Unlike other DHT derivatives, Anadrol is not a dry AAS so it
will not have a negative impact on joints. In fact, it may help
lubricate them by increasing water retention.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Since Anadrol will cause water retention, you can expect your
muscles to look fuller, bigger and more pumped 24/7.
Vascularity will also improve, but expect a smooth and round
look as opposed to a lean and dry look.
159
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Anadrol will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut down
Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Superdrol (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Anadrol does not aromatize into estradiol, it will
cause symptoms like low sex drive, depression, low energy, a
lack of motivation and sexual dysfunction during a cycle,
unless a Testosterone base is used.
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR health
Anadrol will have a terrible impact on your cardiovascular
health for the following reasons:
160
• Anadrol will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL). In
the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which can
lead to heart disease.
• Anadrol will increase RBC production to a great extent.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC and water
retention.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease in the long run.
w
ORGAN HEALTH
n
te
rit
by
Anadrol is a methylated oral AAS, meaning that it will cause
liver toxicity. If used responsibly, this side-effect will only
manifest itself through the transient elevation of liver enzymes,
but abusing Anadrol for extended periods of time can result in
liver cysts, fatty liver, cirrhosis, jaundice and even liver
cancer. Anadrol is one of the most liver toxic oral AAS on the
market, to the point where it can actually decrease appetite
(serious liver toxicity is directly correlated to low appetite).
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
It will also have a negative impact on kidney health by
increasing blood pressure.
ESTROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Even though Anadrol does not aromatize into estradiol (or any
other form of Estrogen) it exhibits estrogenic side-effects such
161
as water retention, moodiness, acne and even gynecomastia.
There is a lot of speculation regarding the mechanism of
action through which Anadrol causes these side-effects, but
the general consensus is that Anadrol itself can agonize the
Estrogen Receptor (ER) and exert some estrogenic effects.
Unfortunately, AIs do not stop its effects so one must use
SERMs to block gyno if it occurs when using Anadrol (more
info in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
w
n
te
rit
Being a close derivative of DHT, Anadrol is a highly
androgenic compound that can cause the following sideeffects:
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
It is also worth noting that drugs like oral Finasteride and
Dutasteride will not counteract the androgenic side-effects of
Anadrol. These drugs can only stop the reduction of
Testosterone into DHT, but they are unable to stop an active
form of DHT like Anadrol from exerting its effects.
162
LOWER BACK PUMPS
It is very common for oral AAS to cause lower back pumps,
and Anadrol is no exception. These usually happen
during/after intense exercise, and they can be managed by
balancing electrolytes and supplementing with certain
minerals (more on that in the OCT section of this e-book).
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
163
Anadrol is a strong bulking agent that can produce quick
results but even quicker nasty side-effects if misused. It is a
compound that only experienced users with a good
understanding of their own health and a well-developed
physique should consider. Given the lack of aromatization, it
should always be used with a Testosterone base.
In the next few pages, you will learn how to use it in
conjunction with Testosterone and other AAS.
w
n
te
rit
by
ANADROL WITH A TESTOSTERONE BASE
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
In this section I will only go into detail on how to use Anadrol
with injectable Testosterone. If you wish to use a different test
base, simply take the instructions here and replace the
injectable Testosterone with your test base of choice (at the
doses indicated in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section).
If the intention is to run Anadrol as the protagonist and main
anabolic of a cutting cycle, it must be used with a low, TRTdose of Testosterone. Here is an example of what it would
look like:
• Anadrol dosed at 25 to 100mg/day: 50mg/day is the
best dose in terms of benefits and side-effects. Since the
half-life is unknown, it should be taken twice a day
(splitting the dose between morning and evening) or
164
even three times a day (splitting the dose between
morning, noon and evening).
• Testosterone at 100 to 250mg/week: The weekly
Testosterone dose should be kept under 250mg for
Anadrol to be the main anabolic of the cycle. Some
people experience high estrogen on 250mg, so those
users would be better off using a lower dose. The ideal
esters in this cycle example would be Enanthate or
Cypionate, but others would work too.
w
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, it should be
kept at 4 weeks max regardless of the dose.
n
te
rit
by
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Anadrol is extremely liver toxic
and it will cause dyslipidemia, so one has to use NAC to
protect the liver (2g a day) and Fish or Krill Oil (6 or 3
grams a day) to mitigate its impact on the lipid panel.
Despite having some estrogenic properties, Anadrol
does not aromatize so its estrogenic actions cannot be
blocked with an AI. If symptoms of gynecomastia
appear, using Tamoxifen at 20mg/day or Raloxifene at
30mg/day during the cycle will be necessary.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Anadrol is also likely to cause hair loss, but traditional
hair loss medications like Finasteride do not work with it.
Using topical hair-loss prevention solutions like RU58841 is a better idea when running Anadrol. Other
side-effects are possible, so use the information in the
“On-Cycle Therapy” chapter to detect and manage the
unpredictable side-effects.
165
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: If one wants to run Anadrol for
4 weeks with a low dose of Testosterone, they should
not be using Testosterone for just 4 weeks. This kind of
cycle is more appropriate for people who are on TRT or
cruising on Testosterone, so someone who is not already
on Testosterone or planning to stay on Testosterone
would be better off using a different test base like
Enclomiphene, HCG or 4-Andro. These test bases would
require a PCT of Enclomiphene (or Clomiphene) plus
Tamoxifen for 4 weeks, starting the day after the last
Anadrol dose.
w
rit
n
te
These SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 3 weeks
and 12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene
(twice these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for
3 weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ANADROL WITH OTHER AAS
The previous example is all about using Anadrol as the
protagonist of a cycle while on Testosterone or a different test
base, but most users opt for using Anadrol as part of big,
advanced bulking cycles where it’s either used to kickstart a
cycle or to break plateaus towards the end of a cycle.
Here is how it can be used with other AAS:
166
• ANADROL WITH TESTOSTERONE: Anadrol is
commonly used to kickstart a Testosterone cycle. When
one starts using a medium or long-acting ester of
Testosterone for a Testosterone blast, it can take 4 to 6
weeks for it to truly kick in and start providing significant
results. Therefore, many users opt for adding an oral
from day one to kickstart the cycle and start
experiencing gains in muscle mass and strength from
the get-go. In this scenario, Anadrol can be used at
50mg/day for the first 4 weeks, along with all the health
supps and ancillaries needed to manage its side-effects.
w
It can also be used towards the middle or the end of a
Testosterone cycle to break through a plateau or simply
to maximize gains.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
• ANADROL WITH OTHER ORAL AAS: In my opinion,
using Anadrol with other oral AAS is a bad idea because
the combined liver toxicity can quickly become a threat
while causing unnecessary competition for the AR, since
most orals work through the same pathway.
• ANADROL WITH INJECTABLE AAS: Anadrol is
commonly used as part of bulking cycles with
Testosterone and other AAS like Nandrolone, Equipoise
or Primobolan. It can either be used to kickstart a cycle,
or it can be added towards the middle or the end of a
cycle to break through a plateau and maximize muscle
growth and strength.
167
SUPERDROL
2A,17A-Dimethyl-5A-androstan-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Superdrol
(also
known
as
Methasterone
and
Methyldrostanolone) is an oral AAS derived from DHT and the
methylated (oral) counterpart of Masteron.
Evem though it was first synthesized in the 1950s, it was
never approved for human consumption and it did not hit the
bodybuilding scene until the 2000s, when some supplement
companies started selling it over-the-counter as a legal prohormone.
Contrary to popular belief, Superdrol is not an actual prohormone. Superdrol is a “designer steroid”, a term used to
describe the active AAS that were sold as pro-hormones by
supplement companies who took advantage of a legal
loophole to sell these products legally.
It is also worth noting that despite being oral Masteron, the
effects of the two compounds are extremely different, with
Superdrol being a hardcore mass-building agent and
Masteron being a cutting and hardening AAS.
168
MUSCLE GROWTH
Despite being a DHT derivative, Superdrol is resistant the 3alpha-HSD enzyme so it will successfully exert its anabolic
effects and increase protein synthesis by acting on the AR.
w
Superdrol is, together with Anadrol and Methyl-Tren, one of
the strongest oral AAS when it comes to building muscle
mass. Unlike Anadrol, Superdrol will provide dramatic gains in
muscle mass in short periods of time without causing water
retention or other estrogenic side-effects.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Superdrol will improve strength and physical performance by
growing muscle mass and acting on the central nervous
system (CNS).
Superdrol will cause a ridiculous increase in strength levels
and physical performance. Unfortunately, this strength
increase can be hindered by its negative impact on joints.
FAT LOSS
Superdrol will not directly burn fat, but it will retain muscle
mass during cutting cycles.
169
Despite this, almost no one uses Superdrol to cut since milder
compounds provide better results with less side-effects.
BONES AND JOINTS
Superdrol improves bone mass and density by acting on the
AR, something that virtually all AAS have in common.
Being a dry compound, Superdrol will probably have a
negative effect on your joints and it will make it easier for you
to get injured if you push yourself too hard.
w
n
te
rit
by
COSMETIC benefits
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Most AAS are either good at making one full, pumped and big
(if they are wet compounds), or dry, hard and lean (if they are
dry compounds). Superdrol is a dry compound, but the
nitrogen retention it causes is such that it will make one full,
big and pumped 24/7 without sacrificing vascularity or muscle
hardness because it does not cause subcutaneous water
retention.
170
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Superdrol will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut down
Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Superdrol (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Superdrol does not aromatize into estradiol, it will
cause symptoms like low sex drive, depression, low energy, a
lack of motivation and sexual dysfunction during a cycle,
unless a Testosterone base is used.
It will also cause testicular atrophy and reduced fertility,
meaning that the quality and volume of your sperm will
decrease (this can be solved with HCG, more on that in the
OCT section of this e-book).
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Superdrol will have a terrible impact on your cardiovascular
health for the following reasons:
171
• Superdrol will cause dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL).
In the long run, this can cause atherosclerosis, which
can lead to heart disease.
• Superdrol will increase RBC production.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease in the long run.
w
ORGAN HEALTH
rit
n
te
Superdrol is a methylated oral AAS, meaning that it will cause
liver toxicity. If used responsibly, this side-effect will only
manifest itself through the transient elevation of liver enzymes,
but abusing it for extended periods of time can result in liver
cysts, fatty liver, cirrhosis, jaundice and even liver cancer.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Like Anadrol, Superdrol is one of the most hepatotoxic AAS
ever developed so one must be extremely careful and keep
the cycle short when running this compound.
It will also have a negative impact on kidney health by
increasing blood pressure.
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Being a close derivative of DHT, Superdrol is a highly
androgenic compound that can cause the following sideeffects:
172
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).
It is also worth noting that drugs like oral Finasteride and
Dutasteride will not counteract the androgenic side-effects of
Superdrol. These drugs can only stop the reduction of
Testosterone into DHT, but they are unable to stop an active
form of DHT like Superdrol from exerting its effects.
w
n
te
rit
DRY JOINTS
by
Superdrol tends to dry out the joints and make one prone to
injuries.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
LOWER BACK PUMPS
It is very common for oral AAS to cause lower back pumps,
and Superdrol is no exception. These usually happen
during/after intense exercise, and they can be managed by
balancing electrolytes and supplementing with certain
minerals (more on that in the OCT section of this e-book).
173
Superdrol is an extremely powerful oral AAS that only users
with a lot of experience with PEDs, a good understanding of
their own health and a very advanced physique should
consider taking. Given the lack of aromatization, Superdrol
should always be used with a Testosterone base.
If you meet the conditions above, here is how you can use
Superdrol as effectively and safely as possible:
w
n
te
rit
SUPERDROL WITH A TESTOSTERONE BASE
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
In this section I will only go into detail on how to use Superdrol
with injectable Testosterone. If you wish to use a different test
base, simply take the instructions here and replace the
injectable Testosterone with your test base of choice (at the
doses indicated in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section).
If the intention is to run Superdrol as the protagonist and main
anabolic of a cutting cycle, it must be used with a low, TRTdose of Testosterone. Here is an example of what it would
look like:
• Superdrol dosed at 10 to 30mg/day: 20mg/day is the
best dose in terms of benefits and side-effects. Since the
half-life is between 8 and 12 hours, it should be taken
twice a day (splitting the dose between morning and
evening) or even three times a day (splitting the dose
between morning, noon and evening).
174
• Testosterone at 100 to 250mg/week: The weekly
Testosterone dose should be kept under 250mg for
Superdrol to be the main anabolic of the cycle. Some
people experience high estrogen on 250mg, so those
users would be better off using a lower dose. The ideal
esters in this cycle example would be Enanthate or
Cypionate, but others would work too.
• CYCLE LENGTH: In terms of cycle length, it should be
kept at 4 weeks max regardless of the dose.
w
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Superdrol is extremely liver toxic
and it will cause dyslipidemia, so one has to use NAC to
protect the liver (2g a day) and Fish or Krill Oil (6 or 3
grams a day) to mitigate its impact on the lipid panel. I
highly recommend the addition of blood-pressurelowering medications as well.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Superdrol is also likely to cause hair loss, but traditional
hair loss medications like Finasteride do not work with it.
Using topical hair-loss prevention solutions like RU58841 is a better idea when running Superdrol. Other
side-effects are possible, so use the information in the
“On-Cycle Therapy” chapter to detect and manage the
unpredictable side-effects.
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: If one wants to run Superdrol
for 4 weeks with a low dose of Testosterone, they should
not be using Testosterone for just 4 weeks. This kind of
cycle is more appropriate for people who are on TRT or
175
cruising on Testosterone, so someone who is not already
on Testosterone or planning to stay on Testosterone
would be better off using a different test base like
Enclomiphene, HCG or 4-Andro. These test bases would
require a PCT of Enclomiphene (or Clomiphene) plus
Tamoxifen for 4 weeks, starting the day after the last
Superdrol dose.
w
These SERMs are usually dosed at 25mg for 3 weeks
and 12.5mg for 1 week in the case of Enclomiphene
(twice these doses if using Clomiphene) and at 20mg for
3 weeks and 10mg for 1 week in the case of Tamoxifen.
(More information on SERMs and their doses in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
SUPERDROL WITH OTHER AAS
The previous example is all about using Superdrol as the
protagonist of a cycle while on Testosterone or a different test
base, but most users opt for using Superdrol as part of big,
advanced bulking cycles where it’s either used to kickstart a
cycle or to break plateaus towards the end of a cycle.
Here is how it can be used with other AAS:
• SUPERDROL WITH TESTOSTERONE: Superdrol is
commonly used to kickstart a Testosterone cycle. When
one starts using a medium or long-acting ester of
Testosterone for a Testosterone blast, it can take 4 to 6
weeks for it to truly kick in and start providing significant
results. Therefore, many users opt for adding an oral
176
from day one to kickstart the cycle and start
experiencing gains in muscle mass and strength from
the get-go. In this scenario, Superdrol can be used at
50mg/day for the first 4 weeks, along with all the health
supps and ancillaries needed to manage its side-effects.
It can also be used towards the middle or the end of a
Testosterone cycle to break through a plateau or simply
to maximize gains.
w
• SUPERDROL WITH OTHER ORAL AAS: In my opinion,
using Superdrol with other oral AAS is a bad idea
because the combined liver toxicity can quickly become
a threat while causing unnecessary competition for the
AR, since most orals work through the same pathway.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
• SUPERDROL WITH INJECTABLE AAS: Superdrol is
commonly used as part of bulking cycles with
Testosterone and other AAS like Nandrolone, Equipoise
or Primobolan. It can either be used to kickstart a cycle,
or it can be added towards the middle or the end of a
cycle to break through a plateau and maximize muscle
growth and strength.
177
w
NANDROLONE & its
derivatives
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
178
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
179
NANDROLONE
19-Norandrost-4-en-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Nandrolone (also known as 19-nortestosterone and
estrenolone) is a Testosterone derivative and the injectable
AAS from which popular compounds like Trenbolone and
Trestolone are derived.
It occurs naturally in the human body, but only in trace
amounts. Structurally, it differs from Testosterone in that it is
demethylated at the C19 position.
It was first synthesized in the late 1950s, and it was originally
intended for the treatment of muscle-wasting diseases,
osteoporosis, anemia, retarded growth, low appetite, burn
injuries and even breast cancer. In fact, Nandrolone is one of
thevery few AAS which are still commonly prescribed in the
western world.
Nandrolone is also regarded as one of the “classic” AAS
because it was a staple of old school bodybuilding AAS
cycles. It has been one of the, if not the go-to injectable
180
bulking AAS since the late 60s, and its popularity only
increases as more people get into this sport. The love for this
AAS stems from its incredible muscle-building properties and
its relatively safe side-effect profile, which I will delve into in
the following pages.
NANDROLONE ESTERS
There are many Nandrolone esters, but the only two esters
that are still manufactured and used by bodybuilders are:
w
DECANOATE: Nandrolone Decanoate (also known as DecaDurabolin or “Deca”) is the most notable Nandrolone ester on
the market. It has a half-life of 6 to 12 days, so it can be
injected once a week for stable blood levels.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
PHENYLPROPIONATE: Nandrolone Phenylpropionate (also
known as Durabolin or “NPP”) is the faster-acting Nandrolone
ester. It has a half-life of 2-3 days, so it can also be injected
every other day or every 3 days.
181
MUSCLE GROWTH
Nandrolone is the go-to injectable AAS for bulking cycles for a
reason: It builds a ton of muscle mass through the Androgen
Receptor pathway.
w
If you are training hard and having a calorie surplus while
using Nandrolone, you can expect your weight and size to
increase dramatically in a relatively short period of time. Most
of it will be lean tissue but expect some water retention.
n
te
rit
by
It would be fair to say that Nandrolone offers the best musclegrowth-to-side-effect ratio of any AAS.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Nandrolone is not only great at building muscle, but also at
increasing strength and physical performance by increasing
muscle mass and acting on the CNS.
It is one of the most used AAS in powerlifting because it
causes a drastic strength increase while also improving joint
strength, something that men who lift hundreds of pounds on
a daily basis truly need.
182
FAT LOSS
Nandrolone will not have a direct effect on fat-loss, but it will
most certainly retain muscle mass during a cutting cycle.
Despite this, no one really uses Nandrolone for this purpose
because it does not provide a significant improvement in
muscle hardness and dryness.
BONES AND JOINTS
w
Nandrolone will improve bone mass and density like pretty
much every other AAS, but it stands out for its positive effects
of joint health and strength.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Nandrolone will lubricate joints and make them more resilient
to strenuous exercise by increasing synovial fluid secretion
and increasing collagen synthesis. This effect also allows
Nandrolone to improve skin quality and tissue regeneration
times, meaning that it can aid in healing all kinds of injuries.
RECOVERY
Like any anabolic that increases protein synthesis,
Nandrolone will accelerate muscle recovery after a workout
and it will reduce muscle soreness.
COSMETIC BENEFITS
183
Nandrolone is not a dry compound by any means, so you
should expect it to cause some degree of water retention and
a lot of nitrogen retention. As a result, Nandrolone will provide
a full, pumped look that lasts all day long.
People believe that Nandrolone causes more water retention
and puffiness than it really does because most users stack it
with high doses of Testosterone and/or Dianabol (two
compounds that do cause serious water retention), so you will
not look like a marshmellow if you use it properly.
w
MOOD ENHANCEMEnt
n
te
rit
by
Nandrolone does not have the same positive impact on mood
as Testosterone, Dianabol, Proviron and other AAS do, but it
will still improve mood and well-being to a noticeable extent.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
184
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Nandrolone will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut
down Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Nandrolone (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Nandrolone is slightly estrogenic, so some users claim that
they are able to run Nandrolone-only cycles and feel just fine.
The reality is that the majority of users will experience
symptoms of suppression when using Nandrolone unless a
Testosterone Base is employed.
The only symptoms of HPG axis shutdown you will notice are
testicular atrophy (shrinking) and reduced fertility, meaning
that the quality and volume of your sperm will decrease (this
can be solved with HCG, more on that in the OCT section of
this e-book).
It is also worth noting that Nandrolone is one of the most
suppressive AAS one can use. Many users stay suppressed
for multiple months after discontinuing Nandrolone, even after
doing a proper PCT. There are multiple theories as to why this
occurs, but the general consensus is that the highly
185
suppressive nature of Nandrolone is due to the long-lasting
metabolites it leaves in the body, and also due to its
progestational activity (which I will expand on in the next
page).
In my opinion, you should only use Nandrolone (or any of its
derivatives) if you are on TRT or willing to cruise on
Testosterone after the Nandrolone cycle/blast.
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
w
Nandrolone is quite heart-safe in lower doses, but typical
bodybuilding doses may cause the following side-effects:
n
te
rit
by
• Nandrolone will cause dyslipidemia: Low HDL & High
LDL cholesterol.
• Nandrolone will increase RBC.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC and water
retention.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ORGAN HEALTH
Nandrolone is generally safe for the liver and the prostate.
However, it can damage the kidneys by increasing water
retention and blood pressure.
186
PROGESTOGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
A unique property of Nandrolone and its derivatives is that
they have a high binding affinity for progesterone receptors.
This means that they attach to PRs and exert an agonistic
effect, resulting in high prolactin levels. The most common
symptoms of high prolactin are:
•
•
•
•
Gynecomastia (Gyno).
Low sex drive and sexual dysfunction.
Increased fat storage.
Lactation.
w
Thankfully, the progestational activity of Nandrolone can be
mitigated by using dopaminergic medications or other
ancillaries (more information about this in the “On-Cycle
Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ESTROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
On paper, Nandrolone is 20% as estrogenic as Testosterone.
Estrogenic side-effects are basically impossible with
Nandrolone, and men who experience said side-effects when
using this AAS are either stacking it with high doses of
Dianabol or Testosterone, or they are simply experiencing
these side-effects due to high prolactin levels.
187
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Nandrolone is 5-alpha reduced into an “androgenic”
metabolite known as Dihydronandrolone (DHN). DHN has a
high binding affinity for the androgen receptors, but in
practice it is barely androgenic, so side-effects like hair loss,
acne and prostate growth rarely happen when using
Nandrolone (unless stacked with AAS that can cause said
side-effects).
w
n
te
rit
DECA DICK
by
“Deca dick” is a term used to describe the propensity of
Nandrolone to cause erectile dysfunction, even when one is
using a test base and has a healthy sex drive, a positive mood
and high energy levels. This occurs for two reasons:
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Firstly, the tendency of Nandrolone to increase prolactin
levels, causing impotence even if Testosterone and estradiol
levels are balanced.
Secondly, the fact that DHN, the androgenic metabolite of
Nandrolone, is not androgenic enough to stimulate sex drive
and sexual function like DHT does.
Thankfully, this side-effect can be mitigated by using a
dopaminergic medication (more information about this in the
“On-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book), and by using
Testosterone with Nandrolone at a ratio of at least 1:1.
188
Using an equal of greater amount of Testosterone with
Nandrolone to allow for DHT to exert its androgenic effects
and offset the activity of DHN.
NOTE: A big mistake people make when trying to solve Deca
Dick is using a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor like Finasteride to
try and bring down DHN levels. This is a mistake that will
further decrease DHT levels, making Deca Dick even worse.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
189
Nandrolone is a powerful injectable AAS that is commonly
used in conjunction with Testosterone and other AAS in
bulking cycles.
Despite being highly suppressive, its side-effects are relatively
easy to manage so Nandrolone is commonly used by
beginners who only have one or two previous cycles under
their belt.
w
Even though some users have had success with Nandroloneonly cycles, I personally believe that most users should be
using a Testosterone base to feel and perform optimally while
on Nandrolone.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
In the next few pages, you will learn how to use Nandrolone
with Testosterone and with other AAS.
NANDROLONE WITH TESTOSTERONE
Nandrolone and Testosterone cycles have been a staple of
enhanced bodybuilding since the Golden Era of bodybuilding.
This combination allows anyone to put on a very impressive
amount of size while gaining strength and usually feeling great
throughout the entire process.
Here is how Nandrolone can be used in conjunction with
Testosterone:
190
• Nandrolone dosed at 50 to 500mg/week: Even though
this is about running a bulking cycle, it is worth noting
that adding 50 to 100mg of Nandrolone a week to a TRT
protocol can do wonders for joints and recovery without
causing serious long-term side-effects.
When it comes to running an actual cycle, the dose
should be somewhere between 200 and 500mg a week.
In my opinion, 300-400mg/week is the range for serious
mass-building cycles.
w
If the Nandrolone ester of choice is Decanoate (DecaDurabolin), it can be injected once a week. If the choice
is Phenylpropionate (NPP), injecting every other day will
be necessary.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
• Testosterone at 100 to 500mg/week: As you know,
Testosterone should be run at 1:1 or higher than
Nandrolone in order to prevent the dreaded “deca dick”.
In other words, the more Nandrolone one wants to use,
the higher the Testosterone dose should be.
• CYCLE LENGTH: This combination can be used for up
to 20 weeks at a time if blasting both compounds at
more than 200mg/week, but it can be used for much
longer than that if doing TRT + a low dose of
Nandrolone.
• ON-CYCLE
THERAPY:
Both
Nandrolone
and
Testosterone are generally safe for the organs, but
blasting both compounds will most likely cause water
191
retention and high blood pressure, so using a bloodpressure-lowering medication would be wise (more info
in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
w
Estrogen conversion will be an issue if running more than
300mg/week of Testosterone with Nandrolone, so using
an AI like Arimidex at 0.25mg (or even 0.5mg on
400+mg/week) every 3 days is recommended. Prolactin
levels are also bound to increase due to the
progestogenic activity of Nandrolone, so use Vitamin B6
(P-5-P) at 100mg/day if using less than 300mg/week of
Nandrolone, or 0.125mg of Pramipexole every other day
if running Nandrolone at 300mg/week or more.
n
te
rit
by
NOTE: If “deca dick” occurs even on a sufficient amount
of Testosterone and prolactin-lowering medications,
Proviron can be used at 50mg/day to provide the
androgenic activity necessary for this side-effect to
disappear.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: In my opinion doing a PCT
after blasting Nandrolone is pointless because
suppressive Nandrolone metabolites have been shown
to stay in one’s body for months after the last
Nandrolone injection. It is very common for Nandrolone
users to do a PCT right after discontinuing Nandrolone,
only for their Testosterone levels to crash again as soon
as they come off the PCT.
Nandrolone users should either be on TRT, or willing to
cruise on Testosterone for many months, if not years,
before attempting to come off altogether. It is also worth
192
mentioning that it is very common for one’s Testosterone
levels to never fully go back to baseline after running
Nandrolone or one of its derivatives, even if enough time
has passed for Nandrolone metabolites to leave the
body.
NANDROLONE WITH OTHER AAS
Even though Nandrolone tends to be the protagonist of
bulking cycles, it is often stacked with other AAS besides
Testosterone:
w
rit
n
te
• NANDROLONE WITH ORAL AAS: It is common for oral
AAS to be used to kickstart Nandrolone + Testosterone
cycles. Even though stacking wet orals like Dianabol or
Anadrol with Nandrolone is very common, I personally
think that such cycles cause an unnecessary amount of
water retention and hypertension, so I would personally
opt for something like Turinabol, Anavar or even
Winstrol. Proviron is also compatible with Nandrolone
because it can be used to prevent “deca dick”.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• NANDROLONE WITH OTHER INJECTABLE AAS: Low
doses of Primobolan or EQ are the only things I would
personally stack with Nandrolone.
.
193
TRENBOLONE
Estra-4,9,11-trien-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Trenbolone (also known as Trienolone and Trienbolone) is a
Nandrolone derivative and perhaps the most infamous AAS
ever developed.
It was first synthesized from Nandrolone (with which it has
little in common effect-wise) in the late 1960s and starting in
the early 1970s it was sold for the purpose of growing the lean
mass and increasing the appetite of cattle, a purpose for
which Trenbolone is still being used today.
Even though most people believe that Trenbolone was never
intended for human use (because there are no clinical
studies), an ester of Trenbolone (Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate)
was introduced in France in the 1980s to fight muscle-wasting
diseases like cachexia. It never became the drug of choice for
treating these conditions, so it was removed from the market
in the 1990s.
194
Trenbolone was adopted by bodybuilders as a contest prep
agent in the 1980s, and it has remained the king of
cutting/recomp AAS ever since.
Its powerful, versatile nature and potentially devastating sideeffects have turned it into one of the most feared yet
appealing AAS on the market, with thousands of people using
it improperly and suffering greatly as a result. In the following
pages, I will explain in great detail how this almost “mythical”
agent works and give you an idea of how to use it properly.
TRENBOLONE ESTERS
w
n
te
rit
There are 3 main Trenbolone esters, and even though one of
them (Hex) is rarely used by bodybuilders today, it is still
worth mentioning given its important history.
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
HEXAHYDROBENZYLCARBONATE:
Trenbolone
Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate (also known as Parabolan,
Hexabolan and “Tren Hex”) was originally intended for human
use and it was used by bodybuilders in the 1990s. It has a
half-life of 8 days, so using it once a week is feasible.
ACETATE: Trenbolone Acetate (also known as Finajet,
Finaplix and “Tren Ace”) is the fastest-acting Trenbolone ester
and the most popular among bodybuilders today despite
being intended for veterinary use. It has a half-life of 2-3 days,
so most bodybuilders inject it every other day.
ENANTHATE: Trenbolone Enanthate (also known as “Tren E”)
is a long-acting Trenbolone ester used by bodybuilders that
was never intended for human or veterinary use. It has a halflife of 10-11 days, so it can be injected once a week.
195
MUSCLE GROWTH
Trenbolone is a highly anabolic compound that will build
ridiculous amounts of muscle in short periods of time. While it
may not be as good at building mass and increasing weight as
something like Nandrolone or Trestolone, it is the strongest
lean muscle mass builder one can use.
w
Trenbolone is especially powerful when combined with HGH,
IGF-1 peptides and/or GH secretagogues because it
increases the responsiveness of muscle cells to IGF-1. The
combination of Trenbolone with one or more of the
aforementioned peptides is perhaps the strongest lean
muscle-building and hyperplasia-promoting stack a
bodybuilder can take.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Despite this, professional bodybuilders prefer to use safer
agents during their off-season bulking cycles and opt for using
Trenbolone during contest prep instead.
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Trenbolone is by far one of the strongest strength-building
injectable dry AAS on the market. It will increase strength by
increasing muscle mass and by stimulating the CNS.
196
Unfortunately, Trenbolone is not great for aerobic
performance since it tends to cause shortness of breath
during cardio in most people.
FAT LOSS
w
Even though the vast majority of AAS do not have fat-burning
properties, Trenbolone may be an exception. Trenbolone is
known to inhibit cortisol production, an action that may
facilitate fat loss. Furthermore, Trenbolone is known to
increase body temperature more than any other AAS, so it
has thermogenic properties.
n
te
rit
by
Cortisol inhibition also helps prevent muscle breakdown,
making Trenbolone one of the, if not the, most anti-catabolic
AAS one can use. In fact, Trenbolone will build a significant
amount of muscle mass in a calorie deficit. Besides that, it
decreases water retention and improves muscle hardness
considerably, making users appear leaner than they are.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
These properties make Trenbolone the undisputed king when
it comes to cutting and recomposition cycles, with many users
claiming they can eat whatever they want and still look
fantastic.
BONES AND JOINTS
Like every AAS, Trenbolone will improve bone mass and
density by acting on the androgen receptors.
197
Surprisingly for such a powerful dry AAS, Trenbolone rarely
causes stiff joints or other connective tissue disorders.
RECOVERY
Like any anabolic that increases protein synthesis, Trenbolone
will accelerate muscle recovery after a workout, and it will
reduce muscle soreness. It is safe to assume that Trenbolone
will be better than most AAS at promoting muscle recovery.
w
COSMETIC BENEFITS
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Trenbolone is known for providing some of the best cosmetic
benefits of any AAS. The muscle hardness, vascularity,
dryness and even fullness that one can achieve with
Trenbolone is hard to match.
This, coupled with its anti-catabolic and vigorizing properties
make Trenbolone the perfect choice during the final month of
contest prep.
CONFIDENCE ENHANCEMEnt
Even though Trenbolone is infamous for causing “roid rage”
and mood-swings, it is undeniable that most men feel
extremely confident and brave when using it.
198
SEX DRIVE
Nothing compares to Trenbolone when it comes to increasing
sex drive. This can be a good thing if one responds well to
Trenbolone and runs it at a reasonable dose, but bad
responders and those who abuse Trenbolone may develop
weird fetishes and kinks while losing attraction for regular sex.
There have been multiple anecdotal reports of previously
straight men having intercourse with MTF transgenders and
even gay men, but these are exceptional cases.
w
Unfortunately, there have been cases where Trenbolone has
permanently altered some men’s sexual needs to the point
where they can’t even find joy in regular sex months after
being off this AAS.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
199
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Trenbolone will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut
down Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Trenbolone (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Trenbolone is not estrogenic, so running it without a
Testosterone Base will most likely cause symptoms of low
estrogen such as sexual dysfunction and stiff joints while
exacerbating the moodiness that usually occurs on
Trenbolone.
The only symptoms of HPG axis shutdown you will notice are
testicular atrophy (shrinking) and reduced fertility, meaning
that the quality and volume of your sperm will decrease (this
can be solved with HCG, more on that in the OCT section of
this e-book).
It is also worth noting that Trenbolone is one of the most
suppressive AAS one can use. Like Nandrolone, Trenbolone
has a high affinity for progesterone levels, and it will leave
long-lasting suppressive metabolites in your body.
200
In my opinion, you should only use Trenbolone if you are on
TRT or willing to cruise on Testosterone after the Trenbolone
cycle/blast.
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Trenbolone is terribly harmful for the heart for the following
reasons:
w
• Trenbolone will cause severe dyslipidemia: Low HDL &
High LDL cholesterol.
• Trenbolone will increase RBC significantly.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ORGAN HEALTH
Despite being injectable and non-methylated, Trenbolone will
cause as much liver toxicity as your average oral AAS. This
side-effect will manifest itself through the transient elevation of
liver enzymes but using Trenbolone for extended periods of
time can result in liver cysts, fatty liver, cirrhosis, jaundice and
even liver cancer.
Trenbolone is also very nephrotoxic (bad for the kidneys)
because it causes a very serious increase in blood pressure.
201
PROGESTOGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Trenbolone has a high binding affinity for progesterone
receptors. This means that it will attach to PRs and exert an
agonistic effect, resulting in high prolactin levels. The most
common symptoms of high prolactin are:
•
•
•
•
Gynecomastia (Gyno).
Low sex drive and sexual dysfunction.
Increased fat storage.
Lactation.
w
Thankfully, the progestational activity of Trenbolone can be
mitigated by using dopaminergic medications or other
ancillaries (more information about this in the “On-Cycle
Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ESTROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Trenbolone is not estrogenic, so if typically “estrogenic” sideeffects occur during a Trenbolone cycle they are either being
caused by the progestational activity of Trenbolone, or by the
Testosterone and/or other AAS Trenbolone may be stacked
with.
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Trenbolone is extremely androgenic so you can expect it to
cause the following side-effects:
202
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
Despite being very androgenic, it will have a minor effect on
prostate growth compared to Testosterone and DHT
derivatives.
It is also worth noting that drugs like oral Finasteride and
Dutasteride will not counteract the androgenic side-effects of
Trenbolone because it is not a substrate for 5a -reductase.
w
n
te
rit
ROID RAGE
by
This could be classified as an androgenic side-effect, but no
AAS comes close to Trenbolone when it comes to increasing
aggression.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Trenbolone will literally make people want to fight others for
the pettiest reasons imaginable. Someone steps on your feet?
Punch them or throw your coffee at them. Someone cuts you
off? Spam your car horn and spout every insult known to man.
The calmer one is off Trenbolone, the less severe the “roid
rage” will be, but someone who is naturally aggressive and
impatient will turn into an absolute psychopath on Trenbolone.
PARANOIA
A side-effect that is closely related to “roid rage” is what I like
to call “Tren paranoia”.
203
Trenbolone makes its users think that their girlfriend is
cheating on them, that their friends are plotting something
against them, that their boss wants to fire them, that someone
is trying to break into their home, etc… This side-effect often
leads to depression as well.
No AAS has destroyed as many relationships and friendships
as Trenbolone. If you want to use it, be sure to tell your close
friends and loved ones to expect your behaviour to change
dramatically.
w
NEUROTOXICITY
n
te
rit
by
Multiple studies have shown that Trenbolone is neurotoxic,
meaning that it will increase the chances of developing
neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s if
used repeatedly over the years.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
INCREASED BODY TEMP. AND SWEATING
Trenbolone will increase body temperature and sweating
significantly. Using Trenbolone during the summer is
absolutely devastating for those who live in warm climates.
INSOMNIA
Trenbolone will cause insomnia (often called “Trensomnia”).
204
Many users are unable to get more than 1 or 2 hours of
uninterrupted sleep on Trenbolone, and night sweats are
extremely common. There is sufficient anecdotal data to
suggest that “trensomnia” is exacerbated by the consumption
of carbohydrates before bed.
HUNGER
This may not be a side-effect if someone is bulking up, but
increased appetite will occur on Trenbolone, and it will make it
harder for one to stick to a strict diet during a cutting cycle.
w
n
te
rit
by
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
As mentioned in the “STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE” part
of the Trenbolone benefits section, this AAS is likely to cause
shortness of breath when doing intense cardio.
In other words, your endurance (whether doing cardio or
having sex) will be affected negatively.
TREN COUGH
Trenbolone Acetate may cause intense coughing shortly after
the injection. This phenomenon is known as “Tren Cough”
and it is caused by the interaction of Trenbolone with
prostaglandins, which can constrict airways. This side-effect
205
causes intense, painful coughing that can last for even a
couple of minutes in the worst-case scenario.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
206
Trenbolone is easily the most powerful, effective yet
dangerous AAS known to man. Before you consider using it, I
would advise you to meet the following requirements…
Firstly, you should be on TRT or cruising on Testosterone. If
your intention is to come off and do a PCT any time soon,
forget Trenbolone.
w
Secondly, you should have years of experiences with other
AAS and have a good understanding of everything relating to
PEDs and how they affect your health.
n
te
rit
by
Thirdly, you should be using it for a very specific purpose. I do
not blame those who use Trenbolone recreationally to achieve
their best physique, but I think that Trenbolone should only be
used by serious bodybuilding competitors.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
In the next few pages, you will learn how to use Trenbolone in
conjunction with Testosterone and other AAS.
TRENBOLONE WITH TESTOSTERONE
Trenbolone and Testosterone cycles are commonly executed
by professional bodybuilders in the off-season or during
contest prep. Even though most people add a third or even
fourth AAS to this stack, some users prefer a simpler two-AAS
approach, so this is how Trenbolone can be cycled with
Testosterone:
207
• Trenbolone dosed at 100 to 350mg/week: Even though
many “gurus” suggest using much higher doses of
Trenbolone, I personally believe that 99% of users can
get everything they need out of this compound with
350mg/week or less.
If Trenbolone is being used to bulk up, using as little as
200mg/week can provide amazing benefits. When it
comes to recomp/cutting cycles where the goal is to lose
as much fat as possible while retaining mass and a
shredded look, using up to 350mg/week is feasible.
w
If the Nandrolone ester of choice is Acetate, it should be
injected every other day. If the choice is Enanthate,
injecting once a week is enough. The same goes for
Hex, even though it is rarely used anymore.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• Testosterone at 200 to 500mg/week: Low doses of
Testosterone are rarely used as a base for Trenbolone.
Any dose between 200 and 500mg/week is reasonable,
with higher doses being preferable for bulking cycles.
• CYCLE LENGTH: Trenbolone can be used for up to 8
weeks at lower doses, but in my opinion, it should be
kept at 6 weeks when running 300mg/week or more.
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Trenbolone is terrible for the
heart, the liver and the kidneys. Therefore, one should
have a solid cholesterol support supplement or drug. I
personally recommend Fish Oil, Citrus Bergamot AND
Cardarine, which will not only protect the heart but will
208
also mitigate the negative impact of Trenbolone on
cardio. If blood pressure increases, using blood-pressure
lowering medications may be necessary (more info in the
“On-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
Besides taking NAC (2g a day) and staying wellhydrated throughout the cycle to protect both liver and
kidneys, one should consider using other kidneyprotecting supplements like Kidney Cleanse by NOW
Foods (as indicated in the label).
w
Excessive sweating due to high body temperature will be
an issue. One should drink plenty of water and consider
using a fan to stay cool at night. If one wakes up
drenched in sweat, using towels to cover the bed may
be a good idea.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
If insomnia occurs, reducing carbohydrate intake before
bed and using Magnesium at 500mg may help.
Unfortunately, the aggression and paranoia that
Trenbolone is infamous for are virtually impossible to
mitigate.
Estrogen conversion will be an issue if running more than
300mg/week of Testosterone with Trenbolone, so using
an AI like Arimidex at 0.25mg (or even 0.5mg on
400+mg/week) every 3 days is recommended. Abusing
the AI is a bad idea, though, because estradiol will
provide some neuroprotective and cardioprotective
effects. Prolactin levels are also bound to increase due
to the progestogenic activity of Trenbolone, so use
209
Vitamin B6 (P-5-P) at 100mg/day if using less than
200mg/week of Trenbolone, or 0.125mg of Pramipexole
every other day if running Trenbolone at 300mg/week or
more.
If hair loss occurs, using a topical anti-androgen like RU58841 will be the best way to prevent it.
NOTE: “Tren cough” can be mitigated with Ventolin
(salbutamol/albuterol inhaler) so keeping some on hand
if possible is definitely a good idea.
w
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: It is very common for
Trenbolone users to do a PCT right after discontinuing
Trenbolone, only for their Testosterone levels to crash
again as soon as they come off the PCT.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Trenbolone users should either be on TRT, or willing to
cruise on Testosterone for 3-4+ months before
attempting to come off altogether. It is also worth
mentioning that it is very common for one’s Testosterone
levels to never fully go back to baseline after running
Trenbolone due to its highly suppressive nature.
TRENBOLONE WITH OTHER AAS
Trenbolone tends to be the protagonist of every cycle it is part
of, but other AAS besides Testosterone are often stacked with
it:
210
• TRENBOLONE WITH ORAL AAS: The oral AAS
commonly used with Trenbolone are Winstrol, Anavar,
Halotestin and Proviron. I would personally stay away
from wet compounds that can increase blood pressure
significantly or cause excessive liver toxicity.
• TRENBOLONE WITH OTHER INJECTABLE AAS: The
injectable AAS (besides Testosterone) that pair well with
Trenbolone are Masteron and Primobolan. I would
personally advise against stacking it with any other
injectables, including EQ which can be terrible for the
kidneys in combination with Trenbolone.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
211
TRESTOLONE
7A-Methylestr-4-en-17B-ol-3-one
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Trestolone (also known as MENT and RU-27333) is a
Nandrolone-derived AAS that is slowly gaining popularity in
the underground bodybuilding scene.
It was first described in the early 1960s but it was never
studied for use in humans or animals. It went through a few
clinical trials in the 1990s, but it was never approved for any
purpose, and it was subsequently abandoned.
Given the lack of data and availability, it was never used by
old school bodybuilders and it only resurfaced in the 2010s
after some research chemical manufacturers and
underground labs started producing it.
Even though there is very little scientific data about it (we
don’t even know the half-life of Trestolone Acetate), there is
enough anecdotal information to draw some conclusions
about it. In a nutshell, Trestolone is an extremely powerful,
highly estrogenic AAS that builds a ton of mass and strength.
212
MUSCLE GROWTH
Trestolone is a wet bulking compound capable of building a
ridiculous amount of mass in short periods of time. This
compound will easily add 20lbs to the scale in a matter of
weeks, provided that one is eating enough food.
w
Most of it will be water/nitrogen retention since Trestolone is
very estrogenic, but the amount of lean muscle mass that one
keeps after the cycle is over and the water is flushed away is
nothing short of incredible.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE
Trestolone is as good at building strength as it is at building
muscle. Expect an explosive strength increase not only due to
its actions on skeletal muscle mass and the CNS, but also
thanks the water retention it provides.
FAT LOSS
Trestolone will not burn fat and even though it is more than
strong enough to retain muscle mass on a cut, it is never used
in cutting cycles because it is far from being a dry agent.
213
BONES AND JOINTS
Like every AAS, Trestolone will improve bone mass and
density by acting on the androgen receptors. Its estrogenic
nature also makes it an excellent AAS for healthy bones.
Trestolone is good for joints as well because it causes water
retention and because it converts into estrogen, but abusing it
could have the opposite effect and cause stiff joints.
RECOVERY
w
rit
n
te
Like any anabolic that increases protein synthesis, Trestolone
will accelerate muscle recovery after a workout, and it will
reduce muscle soreness.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
COSMETIC BENEFITS
Trestolone is so wet that it will not improve vascularity or
muscle hardness. Instead, it will make one look full, puffy,
pumped and even bloated 24/7. It makes one look huge, but it
erases muscle definition and it tends to swell up people’s
faces.
MOOD ENHANCEMEnt
Trestolone provides a mood enhancement similar to that of
Dianabol. One will feel happier, more confident and more
214
positive when using Trestolone, provided that one controsl the
conversion into estradiol and does not let it get out of hand.
SEX DRIVE
Sex drive will increase significantly on Trestolone as well, but
it can also decrease if estradiol is not managed properly.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
215
HPG AXIS SHUTDOWN
Trestolone will interfere with the HPG Axis and it will shut
down Testosterone production at a testicular level.
w
In other words, when you come off Trestolone (or any other
AAS), your body will not be producing enough Testosterone
for you to feel well or sustain your muscle mass. The body can
recover from this suppression on its own, but we do a PostCycle Therapy to accelerate this process and help restart the
HPG Axis (more on that in the PCT section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Given that Trestolone is highly estrogenic, it does not require
a Testosterone base. In fact, Trestolone is a viable “Test
base” for other AAS.
The only symptoms of HPG axis shutdown you will notice are
testicular atrophy (shrinking) and reduced fertility, meaning
that the quality and volume of your sperm will decrease (this
can be solved with HCG, more on that in the OCT section of
this e-book).
It is also worth noting that Trestolone is one of the most
suppressive AAS one can use. Like Nandrolone and
Trenbolone, Trestolone has a high affinity for progesterone
levels and it will leave long-lasting suppressive metabolites in
your body.
216
In my opinion, you should only use Trestolone if you are on
TRT or willing to cruise on Testosterone after the Trestolone
cycle/blast.
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Trestolone is not as bad for the heart as Trenbolone because
it converts into estrogen, which is cardioprotective. Despite
this, you can expect negative effects such as:
w
• Trestolone will cause dyslipidemia: Low HDL & High LDL
cholesterol.
• Trestolone will increase RBC.
• High blood pressure resulting from high RBC and water
retention.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which results not only from
AAS abuse, but also from being unnaturally big and
muscular, forcing the heart to grow to keep up. This can
lead to heart disease.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ORGAN HEALTH
Trestolone is quite safe for the liver, and it will not cause
significant liver toxicity. A mild, transient increase in liver
enzymes is possible, but that is it.
Trenbolone is also very nephrotoxic (bad for the kidneys)
because it causes a very serious increase in water retention
and blood pressure.
217
PROGESTOGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
Trestolone has a high binding affinity for progesterone
receptors. This means that it will attach to PRs and exert an
agonistic effect, resulting in high prolactin levels. The most
common symptoms of high prolactin are:
•
•
•
•
Gynecomastia (Gyno).
Low sex drive and sexual dysfunction.
Increased fat storage.
Lactation.
w
Thankfully, the progestational activity of Trestolone can be
mitigated by using dopaminergic medications or other
ancillaries (more information about this in the “On-Cycle
Therapy” section of this e-book).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ESTROGENIC SIDE-EFFECts
Trestolone aromatizes into estradiol, but not the type of
estradiol we are familiar with. It converts into 7-alphamethylestradiol, which has the same affinity for the estrogen
receptor (ER) as regular estradiol, and can cause all kinds of
estrogenic side-effects such as:
• Gynecomastia (Gyno), the growth of breast tissue in
males. Gyno tends to manifest itself as nipple sensitivity,
followed by the slow growth of breast tissue under the
nipple.
• Water retention, which leads to high blood pressure, stiff
joints and puffiness.
218
• Moodiness.
• Low sex drive and sexual dysfunction.
• Acne.
As you will learn in the OTC chapter, these symptoms can be
prevented with an Aromatase Inhibitor. However, it is worth
noting that Trestolone is so estrogenic that typical AI doses
are not enough. Most users take 3-4x as much AI on
Trestolone as they do on equivalent doses of Testosterone or
Dianabol.
w
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
n
te
rit
by
Trestolone is androgenic so you can expect it to cause the
following side-effects:
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
• Hair Loss (only affects those who are prone to
androgenic alopecia).
• Acne.
Despite being very androgenic, it will have a minor effect on
prostate growth compared to Testosterone and DHT
derivatives.
It is also worth noting that drugs like oral Finasteride and
Dutasteride will not counteract the androgenic side-effects of
Trestolone because it is not a substrate for 5-alphareductase.
219
Trestolone is not an easy AAS to use. This powerful, highly
estrogenic injectable AAS is not suitable for beginners or men
who like to come off and do a PCT after every cycle.
Given how little information there is about it in comparison to
other AAS, you must take everything you read about it with a
grain of salt (including these pages) and be extremely
conservative with your approach if you decide to use it.
w
Given how estrogenic it is, Trestolone can be used without a
Testosterone base, on its own or with other AAS (trestolone
would be the test base). It can also be used with a low dose of
Testosterone, but I personally find that to be redundant and I
would simply suggest running Trestolone without it.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
TRESTOLONE-ONLY CYCLE
The Trestolone-only cycle is like a Testosterone cycle “on
steroids”. More gains and more strength, but with
progestogenic activity and more aromatization.
Here is how Trestolone can be run on its own:
• Trestolone dosed at 100 to 400mg/week: Running
Trestolone at 100mg/week is similar to being on TRT, but
most users opt for blasting Trestolone by dosing at 300
to 400mg/week for maximum gains in muscle mass and
strength. Since the half-life is unknown, injecting it every
other day is recommended.
220
• CYCLE LENGTH: I would advise against blasting
Trestolone for more than 8 weeks at a time. Even though
it is not liver toxic, Trestolone is simply too likely to cause
hypertension and other undesirable side-effects to be
worth blasting for longer periods of time.
• ON-CYCLE THERAPY: Trestolone is generally safe for
the organs but blasting it will cause a ton of water
retention and high blood pressure, so using a bloodpressure-lowering medication would be wise (more info
in the “On-Cycle Therapy” section of this e-book).
w
The main challenge when running Trestolone is keeping
its conversion intro estradiol under control. It is hard to
recommend an exact dose of any AI because every user
is different and the anecdotal evidence is all over the
place, but in general terms I would recommend starting
at 0.25mg of Arimidex every 3 days if running 100 to
200mg/week, increasing the frequency to every other
day if running 200 to 250mg/week and taking that dose
daily if using 300 to 400mg of Trestolone a week.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
These dose recommendations may not work for
everyone, so paying close attention to the nipples, water
retention, sexual function and mood so that the AI dose
can be increased, if necessary, is key.
Finally, using a prolactin lowering supplement or
medication will be necessary. Vitamin B6 (P-5-P) may be
enough for doses under 200mg/week, but anything
221
higher than that will require 0.125mg of Pramipexole
every other day.
• POST-CYCLE THERAPY: It is very common for
Trestolone users to do a PCT right after discontinuing
Trestolone, only for their Testosterone levels to crash
again as soon as they come off the PCT.
w
Trestolone users should either be on TRT, or willing to
cruise on Testosterone for 3-4+ months before
attempting to come off altogether. It is also worth
mentioning that it is very common for one’s Testosterone
levels to never fully go back to baseline after running
Trestolone due to its highly suppressive nature.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
TRESTOLONE WITH OTHER AAS
Since Trestolone can be used as a test base, it is common for
users to stack other AAS with it.
• TRESTOLONE WITH ORAL AAS: The oral AAS that
stack well with Trestolone are those that don’t convert to
estradiol or cause additional water retention and
hypertension. Proviron, Turinabol, Winstrol and Anavar
are the best options.
• TRESTOLONE WITH OTHER INJECTABLE AAS: Low
doses of Primobolan or EQ are the only things I would
personally stack with Trestolone, but I feel like there is no
need to use any injectables with it as Trestolone is
already very powerful on its own.
222
w
GETTING
BLOODWORK DONE
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
223
Can one use AAS successfully without getting bloodwork
done? Yes. Is that a good idea? Not really. Not getting
bloodwork done makes it impossible to monitor one’s health
after a cycle and compare it to one’s natural baseline. If one is
serious about PED use, getting bloodwork done is a MUST.
Before one’s very first cycle, one should get bloodwork done
to find out what their baseline values are. Then, one can get
bloodwork done again right after the cycle ends to see the
negative impact it had on their health, and again before the
following cycle.
w
If you live in the USA or the UK, you can get home-testing kits
from LetsGetChecked. Simply take a sample of your blood
with their kit, send it back to them, and they will send you
back the results. Click here to check them out and use code
SARMS30 to save 30% off your order
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
These are the panels you want to get tested for. In the next
few pages, I will cover the key markers that AAS use will have
an impact on, but there are more markers within each panel
that are still worth testing.
- Hormonal Panel: Testosterone, Free Testosterone,
SHBG, LH, FSH, Estradiol, etc…
- Lipid Panel: Total Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, HDL
Cholesterol, Triglycerides, etc…
- Metabolic Panel: AST, ALT, Glucose, BUN, Creatinine,
etc...
- BC with or without Differential: Hematocrit, Hemoglobin,
White Blood Cell count, Platelet count, etc...
224
Note: If your results are in different units, use Google to convert them to the units
used here.
1. Hormonal panel
Testosterone: This hormone needs no introduction. The
primary sex hormone in men, promotes optimal sexual
development, muscle mass, bone strength, well-being,
mental health, the growth of body hair, etc…
IDEAL RANGE: 650-1100 ng/dl
w
Free Testosterone: The amount of available circulating
Testosterone, the rest is bound to SHBG. This is the
Testosterone that your body can actually use.
n
te
rit
IDEAL RANGE: 10-20 ng/dl
by
en
@
IDEAL RANGE: 15-30 nmol/L
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
SHBG: Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin binds to androgens
like Testosterone, so the lower it is, the more Free
Testosterone you will have.
LH & FSH: Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating
Hormone stimulate Testosterone production and
spermatogenesis, respectively. The higher the better.
IDEAL RANGE: 5-10 mIU/ml for both
Estradiol (E2): The main sex hormone in females, but very
important for optimal sexual function, well-being,
neuroprotection and bone strength in men.
IDEAL RANGE: 20-30 pg/ml
225
2. lipid panel
Total Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a sterol and the precursor
to steroid hormones, Vitamin D and bile acid. It has tons of
functions within the body and it is an essential molecule,
but high Cholesterol is linked to cardiovascular disease.
IDEAL RANGE: 125-200 mg/dl
HDL
Cholesterol:
Good
Cholesterol,
prevents
atherosclerosis within the walls of arteries. Important for the
prevention of cardiovascular disease.
IDEAL RANGE: Over 40 mg/dl
w
n
te
rit
by
LDL Cholesterol: Bad Cholesterol, unlike HDL it causes
atherosclerosis. The higher it is, the greater the risk of
developing cardiovascular disease.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
IDEAL RANGE: Below 100 mg/dl
Triglycerides: Triglycerides are an ester derived from
glycerol and fatty acids, the higher your Triglyceride levels,
the greater the chance of developing cardiovascular
disease.
IDEAL RANGE: Below 150 mg/dl
226
3. metabolic panel
AST & ALT: These two enzymes reflect liver (hepatic)
health. Drinking alcohol, taking oral anabolics and even
intense training can cause an increase in both AST and
ALT. Other liver markers include ALP and GGT, but those
are not always tested for in standard metabolic panel tests.
IDEAL RANGE: AST below 40 u/l and ALT below 56 u/l
w
Glucose: Blood sugar levels indicate the concentration of
glucose in the blood. The higher they are, the more insulin
resistant you become, affecting your health in many
negative ways and putting you at risk of developing Type 2
Diabetes.
n
te
rit
by
IDEAL RANGE: 80-90 mg/dl
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
BUN: Blood Urea Nitrogen is a marker that reflects the
health of the Kidneys. Having too much BUN indicates a
lack of proper renal function.
IDEAL RANGE: 5-20 mg/dl
Creatinine: Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine
and is secreted by the body at a constant rate depending
on the amount of muscle mass it holds. Like BUN, it is a
marker that reflects kidney health.
IDEAL RANGE: 0.9-1.3 mg/dl
227
4. Complete blood count (HEMOGRAM)
Red Blood Cell Count: Marker that measures the amount of
circulating red blood cells, which are responsible for
oxygen transportation.
IDEAL RANGE: 4.35M-5.65M per μl
Hematocrit: This marker measures the volume percentage
of red blood cells in the blood. Too much of it will make
your blood thick and give it an undesirable degree of
viscosity.
IDEAL RANGE: 40-50%
w
rit
n
te
Hemoglobin: Protein that is a part of RBCs and is
responsible for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs
to the rest of the body.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
IDEAL RANGE: 13-18 g/dl
White Blood Cell Count: Marker that measures the number
of circulating white blood cells.
IDEAL RANGE: 4000-10000 per μl
Platelet Count: Marker that measures the amount of
circulating platelets, the cell fragments that help form blood
clots.
IDEAL RANGE: 150000-450000 per μl
228
5. OTHER MARKERS
C-Reactive Protein: CRP is protein that increases in
response to inflammation and stress. This is one of the
most solid predictors of heart disease and AAS have been
shown to raise it, so you MUST get it tested regularly.
IDEAL RANGE: Under 1mg/dl
w
Growth Hormone: Another hormone that needs no
introduction, it is involved in pretty much every step of
human development, healing, fat loss, cognitive health,
sleep, muscle growth and recovery, etc…
rit
n
te
IDEAL RANGE: 8-10 ng/ml
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Insulin: Anabolic hormone that regulates the metabolism of
all macronutrients by shuttling glucose into the liver, fat and
muscle cells.
IDEAL RANGE: Below 25 mIU/L when fasted, up to 250 mIU/L after eating carbs.
Prolactin: Protein that enables mammals to produce milk.
High prolactin can cause sexual dysfunction and
gynecomastia in men. A MUST if using 19-Nor AAS.
IDEAL RANGE: 5-10 ng/ml
IGF-1: Anabolic hormone that is closely linked to both GH
and insulin. Promotes growth, muscle mass, bone health,
cognitive health, etc…
IDEAL RANGE: 300-400 ng/ml
229
ON-CYCLE THERAPY
SIDE-EFFECT MITIGATION
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
230
“On-Cycle Therapy” is the term I use to describe the protocols
one should employ during a cycle to avoid, mitigate or reverse
every possible side-effect. Having a proper OCT allows one to
minimize the negative impact of a cycle on one’s health and
well-being.
I have divided this chapter of the e-book into the following
sections:
CARDIOVASCULAR SIDE-EFFECTS
Dyslipidemia (Low HDL, High LDL)
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Elevated Heart Rate
High Red Blood Cell Count
Left Ventricle Hypertrophy (Heart enlargement)
w
n
te
rit
by
•
•
•
•
•
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ORGAN SIDE-EFFECTS
• Hepatotoxicity (Liver damage)
• Kidney Damage
ESTROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
•
•
•
•
•
•
Anti-Estrogenic Ancillaries
Gynecomastia
Water Retention
Acne (estrogenic)
Moodiness
Sexual Dysfunction
ANDROGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
• Anti-Androgenic Ancillaries
• Hair Loss
231
• Acne (androgenic)
• Prostate Growth (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
PROGESTOGENIC SIDE-EFFECTS
• Anti-Progestogenic Ancillaries
• Gynecomastia & Lactation
• Sexual Dysfunction
CONNECTIVE & MUSCLE TISSUE SIDE-EFFECTS
• Joint Issues
• Back Pumps / Cramps
w
DRUG-SPECIFIC SIDE-EFFECTS
rit
Deca Dick (Nandrolone)
Trensomnia (Trenbolone)
Neurotoxicity (Trenbolone)
Tren Cough (Trenbolone)
Shortness of Breath (Trenbolone)
Roid Rage (Trenbolone & Halotestin)
Anadrol Gyno (Anadrol)
n
te
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
OTHER SIDE-EFFECTS
•
•
•
•
Headaches
Insomnia & Sleep Apnea
Anxiety
Non-Hormonal Water Retention
232
CARDIOVASCULAR
SIDE-EFFECTS
The cardiovascular side-effects are, as the name indicates, all
the negative ways in which AAS can affect the heart and the
circulatory system as a whole.
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Dyslipidemia is the term used to describe a situation where
one’s lipids are out of range. In other words, HDL Cholesterol
being too low and/or LDL Cholesterol being too high and/or
Triglycerides being too high. Dyslipidemia has been linked to
atherosclerosis, which is one of the leading causes of heart
disease.
This side-effect occurs with pretty much every AAS, so one
should always have a protocol to mitigate it in place.
LIFESTYLE FACTORS
The first thing one should do to improve lipids and mitigate the
negative impact of AAS on them is CARDIO. Whether one is
233
bulking up or cutting, doing cardio on a regular basis will aid in
keeping HDL, LDL and Triglycerides in range.
Besides that, one should do their best to avoid junk food and
trans fats. Having a clean diet is key when it comes to
mitigating dyslipidemia.
SUPPLEMENTS AND DRUGS
These are the 3 main supplements one can use during a cycle
to keep lipids as close to the reference range as possible.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Fish Oil (or Krill Oil) Omega 3 has been shown to be
extremely effective at improving HDL and LDL levels. I
personally like to dose Fish Oil at up to 6 grams a day during
and after a cycle, or Krill Oil at up to 3 grams a day. The daily
dose should be spread out between morning, noon and night.
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is incredibly effective at fighting
both dyslipidemia and high blood pressure. It should be dosed
at 100mg a day during and after cycle, taken once a day.
Citrus Bergamot is very effective at increasing HDL and
decreasing LDL. The daily dose should be 1 gram, 500mg in
the morning and 500mg in the evening.
234
Unfortunately, natural supplements are not enough when one
is blasting multiple AAS and/or one has naturally bad lipids, so
resorting to advanced chemistry may be necessary.
This popular PPAR-Delta Agonist and endurance PED is
extremely effective at keeping HDL and LDL as optimal as
possible during a cycle. It can be taken at 10mg a day during
a cycle. It can be dosed once a day in the morning.
w
n
te
rit
Ezetimibe is a medication commonly prescribed for the
treatment of dyslipidemia. It should be dosed at 10mg a day,
taken in the morning.
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
NOTE: Statins are also very effective, but in my opinion they
should only be used in extreme situations.
235
Hypertension is the term used to describe a state of high
blood pressure. I highly recommend buying a blood pressure
monitor (with extra large cuffs if your arms are over 16 inches)
and keeping track of your BP during a cycle.
You can use this chart by the American Heart Association to
know if you are in danger or not:
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
High blood pressure (hypertension) causes headaches &
nose bleeding, makes it harder to breathe, impairs vision,
damages the kidneys, causes cardiac hypertrophy and
ultimately leads to the advent of a stroke or a heart attack, so
managing it is CRUCIAL.
High blood pressure is caused by many factors, but Steroids
tend to increase it for two reasons:
• The first one is increased water retention, usually as a
result of using estrogenic compounds.
236
• The second one is increased red blood cell count, which
increases the viscosity of blood and thus the pressure it
exerts against the walls of arteries.
If one is running Testosterone at high doses, Dianabol or
Trestolone, chances are they will experience a ton of water
retention and some serious hypertension. The obvious
solution here is to use an aromatase inhibitor (AI) to bring
estradiol levels down, and with that bring down both water
retention and blood pressure. (More information on how to
use Aromatase Inhibitors in the “Estrogenic Side-Effects”
section of this chapter).
w
High blood pressure resulting from increased RBC is harder to
manage. Even though donating blood helps bring it down,
doing so during a cycle is not advised. The best way to
manage blood pressure if water retention is not the cause is
to utilize blood pressure lowering medications such as PDE-5
inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers and ACE inhibitors.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
PDE-5 INHIBITORS
PDE-5 inhibitors are erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra
(Sildenafil) and Cialis (Tadalafil). These drugs work by
inhibiting the PDE-5 enzymes, causing blood vessels to
expand (vasodilation) and lowering BP in the process.
In my opinion, PDE-5 inhibitors should be the first line of
defense against hypertension because they are often enough.
The best PDE-5 one can use during a cycle is Tadalafil
because it has a long half-life. Using 5mg a day is enough.
237
ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR BLOCKERS
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) are drugs that block
the angiotensin II receptor type 1. By inhibiting this receptor,
ARBs can prevent vasoconstriction and prevent sodium
retention, resulting in lower blood pressure. Another great
benefit of ARBs is that they can prevent left ventricle
hypertrophy (heart enlargement), more on that later.
w
In my opinion, most cycles do not require using an ARB, but
someone who is blasting the most powerful AAS regularly,
over extended periods of time, should definitely consider
using one.
n
te
rit
by
There are many ARBs but the best option for bodybuilders is
Valsartan, dosed at 150 to 300mg a day.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ACE INHIBITORS
Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors)
are medications that inhibit the angiotensin-converting
enzyme to decrease angiotensin II levels and prevent
vasoconstriction, leading to a decrease in blood pressure.
Their mechanism of action is similar to that of ARBs, but ARBs
are generally considered to be more effective and safer than
ACE inhibitors, so I personally would opt for an ARB.
The best ACE inhibitor for bodybuilders is Lisinopril, dosed at
10mg a day.
238
Elevated heart rate is not a common side-effect of AAS use,
but it is certainly possible when one is experiencing high blood
pressure during a cycle and using powerful stimulants as preworkout or to burn more fat.
Having a chronically elevated heart rate can damage the
arteries and the heart, eventually leading to heart failure,
stroke or cardiac arrest.
w
Preventing elevated heart rate during a cycle is a matter of
preventing high blood pressure and being careful with
stimulants (or avoiding them altogether).
n
te
rit
by
BETA-BLOCKERS
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Doing cardio is essential for cardiovascular health, and it also
plays an important role in decreasing heart rate. If nothing
works, one may have to resort to beta-blockers.
Beta-Blockers are heart medications that essentially work by
blocking the receptors responsible to produce adrenaline and
noradrenaline, thus lowering heart rate and normalizing heart
beats.
Nebivolol is one of the most used beta-blockers in
bodybuilding, and it tends to be dosed at 5 to 10mg a day. It
should only be used when elevated heart rate is a real issue
and not as a preventive measure.
239
High Red Blood Cell Count, also known as erythrocytosis, is a
state in which the number of circulating red blood cells
(hematocrit) is elevated.
This condition thickens the blood, causing high blood
pressure, headaches, dizziness and eventually blood clots,
which can lead to heart attack, stroke or pulmonary
embolism.
w
All AAS can increase RBC to varying degrees, with Equipoise
and Nandrolone being very well-known for it. In fact, some
AAS like Nandrolone are used to treat anemia (low RBC)
because they are extremely effective at increase RBC.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
The reality is that while most AAS cycles will increase RBC,
using medications to lower it is not common at all. Most
experienced bodybuilders simply donate blood after their
cycles/blasts because that is the best way to decrease RBC
and normalize one’s blood markers.
However, some bodybuilders opt for using medications such
as Aspirin to decrease RBC when hardcore cycles or blasting
Equipoise.
ASPIRIN
Baby Aspirin dosed at one tablet (81mg) a day is enough to
keep RBC in check during a cycle, but donating blood is still
recommended.
240
Left Ventricle Hypertrophy (LVH) is a form of heart
enlargement which consists in the growth or thickening of the
left ventricle of the heart, which is responsible for pumping out
blood.
LVH reduces the efficiency of the heart which can eventually
lead to heart attack, cardiac arrest and stroke, so it must be
avoided at all costs.
w
The main causes of LVH are high blood pressure (which you
now know how to handle) and sheer body size. The bigger a
body is, the harder the heart must work to pump blood to all
tissues, forcing it to grow in order to keep up.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
This explains why so many massive bodybuilders have
enlarged hearts and why so many of them end up having
heart complications in their 40s and 50s.
Staying small to prevent LVH is not attractive to bodybuilders
who want to compete or simply be as big as possible, but one
should always consider downsizing as they get older,
especially if they have already achieved their physique goals.
ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR BLOCKERS
Using ARBs is the best way to prevent or at least slow-down
LVH. Valsartan, dosed at 150 to 300mg a day, is the best tool
a big bodybuilder can use during blasts to prevent LVH.
241
ORGAN
SIDE-EFFECTS
The “organ side-effects” are the negative ways in which AAS
use can damage the liver and kidneys.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Hepatotoxicity refers to chemical-induced liver damage. This
side-effect can be caused by all sorts of medications, alcohol
and recreational drugs, and AAS are no exception.
Most injectable AAS are not liver toxic (with Trenbolone being
an exception), but the majority of oral AAS are (with the
exception of Oral Primobolan, Proviron and Anavar which will
rarely cause this side-effect).
Oral AAS tend to be very liver toxic because they are
methylated. In their basic form, AAS are not sufficiently
bioavailable when used orally because the liver breaks them
down and prevents them from being absorbed. Methylation
(also known as C17-alpha-alkylation) is the process by which
an AAS is made suitable for oral use, and it consists in adding
an alkyl group at the C17-alpha position of its chemical
structure.
242
In simple terms, one could say that methylation “forces” the
liver to absorb orally administered AAS. Methylation simplifies
the process of using certain AAS, but it results in liver toxicity,
which can be dangerous.
The main measure of liver damage are the liver enzymes AST
and ALT, which increase in response to hepatotoxicity.
Fortunately or unfortunately, there is no way to feel the
consequences of liver toxicity in the short-term so getting
bloodwork done to assess liver enzyme levels is the only way
to keep track of liver health.
w
AAS-induced liver toxicity is rarely dangerous if one uses the
supplements I will be discussing here and takes a proper
break between cycles to let the liver regenerate (which is
reflected by a decrease in liver enzymes). However, not letting
the liver regenerate and having chronically elevated liver
enzymes can eventually lead to the development of conditions
like liver cysts, fatty liver, cirrhosis, jaundice and even liver
cancer.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Keeping the liver as healthy as possible during a cycle is a
matter of avoiding certain lifestyle practices and using the
right supplements.
LIFESTYLE FACTORS
Changing your lifestyle to mitigate the negative impact of AAS
on your liver is not a matter of adding new activities to your
routine, but a matter of avoiding the activities that can
damage your liver even more.
243
In other words, drinking alcohol or using hepatotoxic
medications like Accutane, painkillers, statins and antibiotics,
among others.
Using a painkiller occasionally during a cycle or having a drink
once or twice a month will not completely destroy your liver,
but do not start a cycle capable of causing hepatotoxicity if
you absolutely need to use some of the aforementioned
medications for an extended period of time.
SUPPLEMENTS
w
rit
n
te
These are the supplements one can use during (or after a
cycle) to protect the liver.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This natural supplement is a precursor to glutathione, one of
the most powerful antioxidants in the human body. There is
tons of evidence supporting the liver-protecting properties of
NAC.
Taking around 1g a day, split up between 2 or 3 doses
throughout the day, is enough for most cycles, but I would
double the dose if running Trenbolone, Anadrol or Superdrol.
Silymarin is an active ingredient of milk thistle which has been
proven to aid in protecting and regenerating the liver.
244
There is a lot of controversy surrounding Silymarin in
bodybuilding forums because a lot of people believe that it
can prevent the absorption of oral AAS, while other users
claim that it does not do that and that it simply helps.
There is some data showing that Silymarin reduces the
absorption of SERMs like Tamoxifen, so I would not be
surprised if it could do the same with oral AAS. With that
being said, I believe that if Silymarin is dosed many hours
apart from the oral AAS, there would be enough time for the
AAS to be absorbed before Silymarin is introduced.
w
Even though NAC tends to be enough, Silymarin can be
added to a cycle at a dose of 500mg a day, timed as far apart
from the oral AAS as possible to prevent any absorption
issues.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid (TUDCA) is a bile acid found in
the human body. It is one of the most effective liver protection
supplements ever developed and a favorite of advanced
bodybuilders, who opt for using it after their cycles to restore
their liver as quickly as possible.
As with Silymarin, there is a ton of controversy surrounding it
for the exact same reason. Some people believe it prevents
the absorption of oral AAS, while others think it does not.
I personally believe that TUDCA is more likely to prevent the
absorption of oral AAS than Silymarin because I have seen
plenty of anecdotal evidence that it does, so I would advise
against using it during a cycle.
245
It is best used after a cycle by someone who is cruising on
Testosterone (meaning that they are not doing a PCT) since it
could potentially prevent the absorption of SERMs.
The typical TUDCA dose used in bodybuilding is 250 to
500mg a day.
Besides the aforementioned supplements, peptides like BPC157 and TB-500 have been shown to aid in protecting and
healing the liver.
w
Glutathione is also a great option, but its oral bioavailability is
very low (hence why we use NAC as a precursor to it).
Injectable Glutathione, however, is the most effective liverregenerating compound one can use (more effective than
TUDCA).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
A couple 500mg Glutathione shots per week for a couple of
weeks are enough to heal the liver after any cycle.
246
Kidney damage is a common side-effect of AAS, although
they tend to cause it indirectly by increasing blood pressure
and causing dehydration.
The kidneys don’t have the same miraculous self-regenerating
properties the liver has, so harming them is more dangerous
than harming the liver.
w
Even though kidney damage is not felt right away, one of the
earliest signs that one’s kidneys may be in trouble is the
occurrence of random kidney pains, usually in the lower back
area. Getting bloodwork done before and after a cycle to
assess Creatinine, Albumin, BUN and GFR levels is the best
way to monitor kidney health.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
The main long-term consequence of kidney damage is kidney
failure, which can be fatal unless treated with dialysis or a
kidney transplant. Therefore, one should be careful with their
lifestyle and consider using certain supplements to ensure
optimal kidney function during a cycle.
LIFESTYLE FACTORS
The first way in which AAS can harm
increasing blood pressure. High BP can
vessels in the kidneys, impairing their
properly. Simply follow the instructions on
247
the kidneys is by
damage the blood
ability to function
how to manage BP
that you can find a few pages ago to prevent high BP from
damaging your kidneys.
The second way in which AAS can damage the kidneys is by
causing dehydration. Dehydration prevents the kidneys from
working properly and it causes them to accumulate toxins.
AAS like Masteron and Winstrol can dry out the body, causing
dehydration if not enough water is consumed.
Using diuretics and certain blood pressure medications can
also cause dehydration by altering one’s electrolyte balance,
so drinking plenty of water with electrolytes is the best way to
stay hydrated during a cycle and prevent kidney damage.
w
n
te
rit
Besides dehydration and high blood pressure, one of the most
overlooked causes of kidney damage is the use of painkillers,
so their use during a cycle should be very limited and only
when strictly necessary since they can harm the liver as well.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
SUPPLEMENTS
These are the supplements one can use during a cycle to
optimize kidney function.
Besides being wonderful for the liver, NAC has also been
shown to improve kidney function.
Taking 1g a day to protect the liver is enough for NAC to also
help the kidneys.
248
Having optimal levels of all B vitamins and vitamin C is
essential for kidney function, so getting them checked and
fixing diet / supplementing may be necessary not just for
optimal kidney function, but also for overall health.
This product by NOW Foods does a great job at improving
kidney function and cleansing it from toxic buildup.
w
I have seen plenty of anecdotal evidence showing that it can
eliminate random kidney pain during cycles. It should be
dosed at 2 tablets a day (morning and night), always with
plenty of water throughout the day.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
249
ESTROGENIC
SIDE-EFFECTS
w
The “estrogenic” side-effects occur as a result of experiencing
a spike in estradiol (estrogen) levels during a cycle. These
side-effects are rarely a threat to one’s health in the shortterm, but they can be extremely annoying, and they can ruin
someone’s quality of life.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Since the leading cause of all estrogenic side-effects is high
estradiol levels, using anti-estrogenic medications (ancillaries)
is the way to prevent, mitigate and reverse said side-effects.
In this section, you will learn what the basic anti-estrogenic
ancillaries are and how they work, and in the subsequent
sections on each specific estrogenic side-effect you will learn
how to use these ancillaries to combat them.
These ancillaries can be divided into 3 categories: Aromatase
Inhibitors (AIs), Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
(SERMs) and even some very specific AAS such as Proviron,
Masteron and Primobolan. Since the aforementioned AAS
and their anti-estrogenic properties have already been
250
described in their respective profiles, this section will only
focus on AIs and SERMs.
AROMATASE INHIBITORS
Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) are breast cancer medications that
work by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme responsible for the
conversion of Testosterone into estradiol. Bodybuilder use
these drugs to prevent high amounts of Testosterone,
Dianabol or Trestolone from skyrocketing estradiol levels.
w
In the next page, you will find every commonly used AI and
you will learn how to use it prevent and/or reverse gyno.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Arimidex is perhaps the most popular AI of all. This nonsteroidal AI temporarily occupies the aromatase enzyme and
prevents Testosterone (or other estrogenic AAS) from
attaching to it and converting into estradiol.
The half-life of Arimidex is of about 2 days, so bodybuilders
use it every other day or even every 3 days to prevent their
estradiol levels from skyrocketing and causing estrogenic
side-effects.
Unfortunately, Arimidex is not an entirely safe medication
because one can easily crush their estradiol levels with it, and
also because it can potentially cause and exacerbate
dyslipidemia (low HDL, high LDL) during a cycle, further
251
increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues if abused for long
periods of time.
The typical dose of Arimidex ranges between 0.25 to 0.5mg,
usually taken every 3 days. Using up to 0.5mg a day may be
necessary on high doses of Trestolone. You can find more
information on how to dose Arimidex with each AAS by
reading the “HOW TO USE IT” sections of every AAS profile in
this e-book.
w
Exemestane is a widely used Steroidal AI that, unlike
Arimidex, destroys the aromatase enzymes and reduces the
number of such enzymes in the body instead of blocking them
temporarily. By reducing the number of aromatase enzymes in
the body, Aromasin makes it harder for aromatizing AAS to
convert into estradiol.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The half-life of Aromasin is of about 1 day, so bodybuilders
use it daily or every other day to prevent their estradiol levels
from skyrocketing and causing estrogenic side-effects.
Even though one can easily suffer side-effects from
accidentally crushing their estradiol levels with Aromasin, this
AI does not cause dyslipidemia. Still, Arimidex is more popular
because it’s longer half-life makes it more convenient to use.
The typical dose of Aromasin ranges between 12.5 to 25mg,
usually taken every other day or every day depending on the
amount of Testosterone, Dianabol or Trestolone being used.
252
Femara is rarely used to prevent high estradiol during a cycle,
but it is often preferred over the other AIs when it comes to
reversing gynecomastia. Femara is a non-steroidal AI, so its
mechanism of action is similar to that of Arimidex.
The half-life of Aromasin is of about 2 days, but bodybuilders
rarely if ever use it continuously during a cycle. Given how
strong Femara is, most users simply add it to their protocol for
a few days if their gynecomastia flares up.
w
The most common side-effects of Femara are dyslipidemia
and crushed estrogen levels, which lead to lethargy,
depression, sexual dysfunction, etc…
n
te
rit
by
The typical dose of Femara is 1.25mg to 2.5mg a day, usually
for up to a week until gynecomastia is gone.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
SELECTIVE E. R. MODULATORS
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) are
primarily used during Post-Cycle Therapy to restore natural
Testosterone production, but a couple of them can be used to
prevent estrogenic side-effects during a cycle as well.
SERMs work by selectively blocking certain estrogen
receptors, preventing estradiol from attaching to them and
exerting its actions.
Unlike AIs, SERMs do not lower systemic estradiol levels and
still allow for some estrogenic side-effects to occur, so they
should not be used as a replacement for AIs.
253
SERMs excel at preventing and reversing gynecomastia, so
they are typically added to a cycle when the user starts feeling
the first signs of gynecomastia (more info on what those are
later).
The SERMs that are used in this context are Tamoxifen and
Raloxifene. The other SERMs are simply not effective enough
at managing gynecomastia, so they are typically reserved for
PCT only.
In the next pages, you will learn the basics of Tamoxifen and
Raloxifene, but you can dive deeper into them in the PostCycle Therapy chapter of this e-book.
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Tamoxifen is a SERM that is commonly used for PCT.
However, it is very effective at blocking the estrogen
receptors in the breasts, meaning that it can be used to
prevent and reverse gynecomastia.
The half-life of Tamoxifen is of about 7 days, but bodybuilders
tend to use it once a day.
Tamoxifen is quite safe, especially when used for the
management of gynecomastia since it does not need to be
taken for long periods of time.
The typical dose of Tamoxifen ranges between 10 and 20mg
a day whether it is being used for PCT or for the
prevention/reversal of gynecomastia.
When it comes to managing estrogenic side-effects,
Tamoxifen is only useful for treating gynecomastia.
254
Raloxifene is another SERM that works through
mechanism of action as Tamoxifen. The main
between the two is that Raloxifene is not great at
Testosterone levels, but it is much better at
gynecomastia.
the same
difference
increasing
managing
The half-life of Raloxifene is of just over 1 day so it needs to be
dosed once a day.
Raloxifene is quite safe, even used for 2 or 3 months at a time
to reverse gynecomastia that has existed for a long time.
w
The typical dose of Tamoxifen ranges between 30 and 60mg
a day.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
---
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
This covers the main ancillaries used to manage estrogenic
side-effects during a cycle. I want to emphasize that SERMs
are only effective at managing gynecomastia, and that they do
not decrease systemic estradiol levels.
Aromatase Inhibitors are the most effective tools for
preventing high estradiol levels during a cycle, and they are
the only tools that can prevent ALL estrogen-related sideeffects.
I do not believe in using SERMs preemptively, let alone as a
replacement for Aromatase Inhibitors. Keep reading to find
out what the side-effects of having high estradiol levels can be
and how to manage them with the aforementioned ancillaries.
255
Gynecomastia, also known as “gyno”, is the growth of breast
tissue in males. This phenomenon is caused by having excess
amounts of estradiol attach to the estrogen receptors in the
breast area, similar to how estradiol can grow breast cancer
in women.
Gynecomastia is not dangerous or even deadly, but it looks
terrible and it can truly destroy someone’s confidence and
good looks.
w
Gynecomastia typically occurs on cycles where high doses of
Testosterone, Dianabol or Trestolone are being used without
the presence of an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) or a Selective
Estrogen Receptor Modulator.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
The first signs that gynecomastia are developing are nipple
sensitivity (especially when clothes rub against them or when
touched), random, sharp nipple pain and tingles, and then
puffy nipples and actual tissue growth that can be seen and
felt as a hard lump under the nipple when squeezed.
Gynecomastia can also occur due to high prolactin levels, but
you will find more information on how to treat that kind of gyno
in the “Progestogenic Side-effects” section.
Preventing and reversing gynecomastia is a matter of keeping
estradiol levels under control when using high doses of
aromatizing compounds. The most obvious way to do so is by
not using high amounts of Testosterone, Dianabol or
Trestolone, but that is not always possible if one is trying to
build large amounts of muscle mass.
256
Therefore, using anti-estrogen ancillaries during those cycles
is necessary.
HOW TO PREVENT GYNECOMASTIA
The best way to prevent gynecomastia is to use the right dose
of Arimidex or Aromasin for one’s Testosterone, Dianabol or
Trestolone dose from day one of the cycle.
w
Doing this ensures that estradiol levels stay within the
reference range throughout the whole cycle, eliminating the
chances of gynecomastia development.
n
te
rit
by
Unfortunately, finding the ideal dose of Arimidex or Aromasin
is not easy because it depends on many variables such as the
user’s bodyfat percentage, the user’s genetic makeup and the
dose of Testosterone, Dianabol or Trestolone being used.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
For the most part, using 0.25mg of Arimidex E3D or 12.5mg
of Aromasin ED is enough to prevent high estradiol and
gynecomastia on Testosterone doses of 250 to 350mg a
week or 210 to 280mg of Dianabol a week (so 30-40mg a
day), and double that dose of Arimidex an Aromasin on higher
doses of Testosterone or Dianabol.
If both Testosterone and Dianabol are being stacked at
moderately high or high doses, I suggest doing no less than
0.5mg Arimidex E3D or 25mg Aromasin ED.
Using Trestolone at any dose tends to require at least twice
the aforementioned dose. However, Trestolone users have a
good understanding of how their body reacts to high doses of
257
Testosterone and Dianabol, so they know more or less what
AI doses they need and are able to increase or decrease their
doses based on how they feel.
HOW TO REVERSE GYNECOMASTIA
Reversing gynecomastia is a completely different process.
Gynecomastia may develop because one did not use an AI to
prevent high estradiol, because their AI was low quality/bunk,
because their body didn’t respond well to it or simply because
they have had gynecomastia since their teenage years.
w
rit
n
te
If one has just started to develop gynecomastia and their
nipples are starting to get puffy, sensitive and tingly, I suggest
adding 20mg of Tamoxifen per day or 30mg of Raloxifene per
day while also increasing the AI dose.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Doing this will typically stop and reverse any possible
gynecomastia development in a matter of days, and it will
allow the user to come off the SERMs and stay on the higher
dose of AI without experiencing gynecomastia development
again.
Another option is to use Letrozole at 1.25 to 2.5mg a day to
crush estradiol levels until all symptoms of gynecomastia are
gone. This will typically cause the user to feel terrible, so I
personally think that using a SERM is a better idea.
If one has had gynecomastia for months or even years,
Tamoxifen or Letrozole are unlikely to reverse it. Only
Raloxifene has been consistently shown to be effective at
shrinking gynecomastia that has existed for extended periods
258
of time, so I suggest taking 60mg of Raloxifene a day for a
week, followed by 30mg a day for up to 3 months. One can
also add Calcium-D-Glucarate at 500mg a day to help even
further.
If this protocol is unable to shrink a user’s gynecomastia
significantly in 3 months, chances are they will need to
undergo gynecomastia removal surgery.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
259
Increased water retention is one of the most obvious and
immediate side-effects of having high estradiol levels. Users
on lower doses of Testosterone or Dianabol that do not
typically require an AI often pay attention to their water
retention to know if they will actually need one or not.
w
Water retention is not bad per se, and it can actually be good
for joint lubrication, strength and physical volume, but letting it
get out of hand is a surefire way to end up looking like a
marshmallow and developing high blood pressure and even
joint stiffness.
n
te
rit
by
The obvious way to prevent excess water retention is to keep
estradiol from skyrocketing. Therefore, one should follow the
AI protocols explained in the previous section under “How to
Prevent Gynecomastia” to ensure that their estradiol levels
stay normal during the cycle and that their water retention
does not get out of hand. Using too much AI will cause the
opposite of water retention and dry joints, something that is
not good either.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
However, high estradiol is not the only cause of water
retention. It is entirely normal for the body to retain more
water when one is bulking up, eating a lot of carbs and
consuming a lot of sodium, so cutting those out or at least
reducing their intake and drinking as much water as possible
are also great ways to bring water retention down.
260
Acne is an incredibly annoying side-effect that can happen for
a multitude of reasons, one of them being high estradiol
levels.
Users who already struggle with acne off-cycle due to their
diet, hygiene and stress being all over the place are more
likely to experience serious acne during a cycle than those
who have a clear skin, but no one is entirely safe.
w
Hormonal acne can either be caused by high estradiol or high
DHT levels (or by both reasons). In my experience and based
on my observations, estradiol-induced acne tends to affect
the face, whereas DHT-induced acne tends to affect the back
and shoulders. If you struggle with both kinds of acne,
chances are you need to tackle both variables (more info on
DHT-induced acne in the “Androgenic Side-effects” section of
this chapter).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The obvious way to prevent estradiol-induced acne is to keep
estradiol from skyrocketing. Therefore, one should follow the
AI protocols explained in the GYNECOMASTIA section under
“How to Prevent Gynecomastia” to ensure that their estradiol
levels stay normal during the cycle and that their acne does
not flare up. Unfortunately, using too high a dose of AI will
cause dry skin and worsen its texture, so one should always
be careful not to overdose an AI.
Another great way to prevent any kind of hormonal acne from
occurring during a cycle is to slowly titrate the dose of
whatever one is taking up during the start of the cycle, and
261
then titrate it down towards the end of the cycle to prevent
hormonal fluctuations.
Users who tend to experience acne on Testosterone also see
a reduction in acne when they increase the pinning frequency,
because doing so also helps prevent sudden hormonal
fluctuations.
Needless to say, having a good skincare routine, avoiding
inflammatory foods like dairy and processed sugars,
managing stress and washing pillow covers often is also a
must when it comes to preventing acne.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
262
Moodiness is a common side-effect of having high estradiol
levels. This may sound “misogynistic”, but the reason why
women tend to be more temperamental and emotional than
men is that they have naturally higher estradiol levels.
w
But how does “moodiness” feel when one has excess
estradiol levels? Well, it simply makes the user more prone to
feeling lethargic, being sad and depressed, crying or having
sudden emotional reactions to things that happen to them.
Aggression rarely occurs on high estradiol, but it is definitely
possible.
n
te
rit
by
Just picture a woman on her period and you will get a good
idea of what it is like for a man to experience moodiness when
his estradiol is out of whack.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The obvious way to prevent moodiness is to keep estradiol
from skyrocketing. Therefore, one should follow the AI
protocols explained in the GYNECOMASTIA section under
“How to Prevent Gynecomastia” to ensure that their estradiol
levels stay normal during the cycle and that their mood
remains optimal.
It is worth noting, however, that having healthy estradiol in the
upper end of the reference range tends to be better for one’s
mood than having it on the lower end or even below the
reference range, so one should reduce their AI dose if they
feel irritated, depressed and lethargic on a high AI dose.
263
Besides gynecomastia, sexual dysfunction is probably the
most annoying side-effect of having high estradiol levels. If
estradiol gets out of hand one can expect their erections to
fail and their sexual desire to plummet., just as if their estradiol
is low.
w
Sure, using PDE-5 inhibitors like Cialis and Viagra to improve
erections and taking aphrodisiacs like Ashwagandha and
Maca can help, but fixing the root cause of sexual dysfunction
during a cycle is a matter of getting estradiol under control.
rit
n
te
The obvious way to prevent sexual dysfunction is to keep
estradiol from skyrocketing. Therefore, one should follow the
AI protocols explained in the GYNECOMASTIA section under
“How to Prevent Gynecomastia” to ensure that their estradiol
levels stay normal during the cycle and that their penis
actually works.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
As you probably have realized by know, crashing one’s
estradiol is just as bad as letting it get out of hand. In the case
of sexual function, crashing estradiol is just as devastating so
one should always be careful with their AI dose and use only
as much as they actually need.
264
ANDROGENIC
SIDE-EFFECTS
w
The “androgenic” side-effects occur as a result of
experiencing a spike in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels
during a cycle or as a result of using DHT-derived AAS. Like
estrogenic side-effects, these symptoms never pose a threat
to one’s life in the short-term, but they can be extremely
bothersome, and they can seriously damage one’s well-being
and confidence.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Androgenic side-effects are caused by high DHT levels and/or
by DHT-derived AAS such as Winstrol, Proviron, Masteron
and others.
In this section, you will learn what the basic anti-androgenic
ancillaries are and how they work, and in the subsequent
sections on each specific estrogenic side-effect you will learn
how to use these ancillaries to combat them.
These ancillaries can be divided into 2 categories: 5-alphareductase Inhibitors, and Non-Steroidal Anti-Androgens.
265
5-ALPHA-REDUCTASE INHIBITORS
5-alpha-reductase is an enzyme found throughout the whole
body which is responsible for converting (5-alpha-reducing)
Testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), also known as DHT
blockers, are drugs that inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme,
thereby reducing systemic DHT levels. 5-ARIs are essentially
the equivalent of Aromatase Inhibitors for DHT reduction.
w
Unfortunately, these drugs do not work when one is using
DHT-derived AAS like Proviron or Winstrol, since those AAS
are already ACTIVE forms of DHT that do not need to go
through the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme to work.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
5-ARIs are only effective at treating androgenic side-effects
when these are caused by Testosterone or other compounds
that can be 5-alpha-reduced.
These are the most commonly used 5-ARIs:
Finasteride is the most commonly prescribed and used
antiandrogen medication on the market. It works by inhibiting
the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and causing a systemic drop in
DHT levels.
The half-life of Finasteride is of about 6 hours but its cascade
of effects lasts for much longer, so most users take it once a
day. Even though many bodybuilders employ Finasteride to
keep their DHT from skyrocketing during Testosterone cycles,
266
millions of men with normal or even low Testosterone levels
use Finasteride to crush their DHT levels and prevent hair
loss, prostate growth, prostate cancer and excessive bodyhair growth. It is also prescribed to MTF transgenders.
Unfortunately, Finasteride is not side-effect-free. DHT is
crucial for optimal mood, energy levels, libido and erectile
function, so using Finasteride to decrease or even crush DHT
may cause symptoms like depression, lethargy and sexual
dysfunction.
The typical dose of Finasteride ranges between 0.25 and 1mg
a day.
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Dutasteride is very similar to Finasteride in its effects and
mechanism of action, except it is much stronger and less
commonly used because it takes longer for it to start working.
Despite having a 5-week half-life, most doctors recommend
using it once a day. Given its long half-life, it takes a few
weeks for it to start working, so bodybuilders rarely use it to
prevent androgenic side-effects since Finasteride is a much
faster-acting option. Dutasteride is mainly used to stop
prostate growth/cancer and in MTF transgenders.
As you can probably imagine, Dutasteride is not side-effectfree either. In fact, it is much more likely to cause symptoms
of DHT deficiency like depression, lethargy and sexual
dysfunction than Finasteride once it has kicked in.
The typical dose of Dutasteride is of about 0.5 mg a day.
267
NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-ANDROGENS
Non-Steroidal Anti-Androgens (NSAAs) are drugs that work
by blocking the androgen receptor and preventing
Testosterone and DHT from attaching to it as opposed to
inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase to decrease systemic DHT levels.
Unlike 5-ARIs, NSAAs can prevent the androgenic activity of
DHT-derived AAS because they target the AR directly. We
could argue that NSAAs are equivalent to SERMs but for the
androgen receptor.
w
There are many kinds of NSAAs, but the only one that
bodybuilders use (or ought to use) is RU-58841.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
RU-58841 is a topical NSAA that was never approved for
human use. As such, it can be legally bought and sold as a
research chemical.
Despite the lack of FDA approval, there is a lot of anecdotal
evidence showing that RU-58841 is extremely effective at
preventing hair-loss and androgenic acne in both regular men
and bodybuilders because it only blocks androgen receptors
wherever it is applied.
Therefore, applying it to the scalp or parts of the skin where
acne is problematic prevents DHT from acting in those areaa
and causing hair loss and/or acne, all without decreasing
systemic DHT levels and causing low-DHT symptoms like
depression, lethargy and sexual dysfunction.
268
Hair Loss is a condition that can happen for a multitude of
reasons. Stress, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, hormonal
imbalances and bad hygiene are some of the leading causes
of hair loss in both men and women, but this is not a hair-loss
e-book so we will only focus on how to treat DHT-induced hair
loss, also known as androgenic alopecia.
w
Androgenic alopecia occurs in men whose hair follicles are
highly sensitive to DHT. Dihydrotestosterone attaches to the
androgen receptors in the scalp where it causes the
miniaturization (shrinking) of hair follicles, first causing hair
thinning and eventually causing hair loss.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Unfortunately, one’s predisposition to androgenic alopecia is
mostly hereditary, so there is nothing one can do to change
their genetics and become immune to hair loss.
Contrary to popular belief, AAS do not directly cause
androgenic alopecia. They simply accelerate it in men who
already suffer from it or who were going to experience it
sooner or later.
If hair loss does not run in your family and you have never
experienced hair loss (beyond losing a few dozen hairs a day
like every other human), chances are you will not experience
hair loss from any AAS.
However, if you think you are predisposed to androgenic
alopecia or you are already experiencing it, chances are using
AAS will accelerate its occurrence (read the AAS profiles to
269
see which ones can cause hair loss and which ones are
unlikely to do so).
The following instructions will allow you to stop and hopefully
reverse hair loss whether you are on-cycle or not.
HOW TO PREVENT HAIR LOSS
w
Since androgenic alopecia is caused by DHT miniaturizing
hair follicles, preventing it is a matter of either reducing DHT
levels or preventing DHT from attaching to androgen
receptors in the scalp.
n
te
rit
by
IF one is experiencing hair loss naturally and/or during a
Testosterone cycle, they can either use Finasteride to bring
down their DHT levels or they can use RU-58841 topically to
keep it from acting on their scalp.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Taking a Finasteride pill every day is much more convenient
than applying RU-58841 to one’s scalp every night, but it is
also more likely to cause unwanted side-effects. I suggest
starting with 0.25mg of Finasteride a day and increasing it by
0.25mg increments, if necessary, until hair loss stops.
If one would rather use RU-58841 because they experience
low-DHT symptoms on Finasteride, they should apply about
50mg worth of liquid (usually 1ml because most brands dose
it at 50mg/ml) to their clean scalp and let it absorb before
going to bed every night.
The same RU-58841 instructions apply if one is experiencing
hair loss from taking DHT-derived AAS such as Masteron,
270
Proviron, Winstrol, Primobolan or even 19-Nor derived AAS
like Trenbolone. Using 5-ARIs like Finasteride will not stop the
aforementioned AAS from causing hair loss.
HOW TO REVERSE HAIR LOSS
w
Reversing hair loss is not as simple as preventing it. The
balder one is, the harder it is to regain lost areas of hair. There
are many hair-loss reversal treatments available, and I am no
hair-loss reversal expert, so I will only cover the essentials on
how to reverse the minor hair-loss that can occur during a
cycle during which no hair-loss prevention ancillaries were
used.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The go-to hair-loss reversal drug is topical Minoxidil. This drug
stimulates hair growth and can effectively regrow lost hair if
the follicle is not completely dead. Using it in conjunction with
either a 5-ARI or RU-58841 is essential, since Minoxidil only
regrows hair and does not prevent hair loss.
Applying a thin layer of Minoxidil every morning and night on a
clean scalp is the best way to use it. Some users mix Minoxidil
and RU-58841 into the same solution and apply that
concoction every night with great results.
271
Acne is an incredibly annoying side-effect that can happen for
a multitude of reasons, one of them being high DHT levels.
DHT increases sebum production, which can clog pores and
cause acne.
Users who already struggle with acne off-cycle due to their
diet, hygiene and stress being all over the place are more
likely to experience serious acne during a cycle than those
who have a clear skin, but no one is entirely safe.
w
Hormonal acne can either be caused by high estradiol or high
DHT levels (or by both reasons). In my experience and based
on my observations, estradiol-induced acne tends to affect
the face, whereas DHT-induced acne tends to affect the back
and shoulders. If you struggle with both kinds of acne,
chances are you need to tackle both variables (more info on
Estradiol-induced acne in the “Estrogenic Side-effects”
section of this chapter).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The obvious way to prevent DHT-induced acne is to keep
DHT from skyrocketing or to avoid DHT-derived compounds
from exerting their androgenic properties on your skin.
I personally think that using a 5-ARI like Finasteride at a low
dose of 0.25mg a day when running supraphysiological doses
of Testosterone is a great idea not just for acne prevention,
but also for BPH prevention.
I would also recommend using RU-58841 topically and
rubbing it on the areas of skin affected by acne when using
DHT derivatives that cannot be affected by 5-ARIs.
272
Another great way to prevent any kind of hormonal acne from
occurring during a cycle is to slowly titrate the dose of
whatever one is taking up during the start of the cycle, and
then titrate it down towards the end of the cycle to prevent
hormonal fluctuations.
Users who tend to experience acne on Testosterone also see
a reduction in acne when they increase the pinning frequency,
because doing so also helps prevent sudden hormonal
fluctuations.
w
Needless to say, having a good skincare routine, avoiding
inflammatory foods like dairy and processed sugars,
managing stress and washing pillow covers often is also a
must when it comes to preventing acne.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
273
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, also known as prostate growth
or enlargement, is a condition that consists in the
noncancerous growth of the prostate.
This is a condition that develops over a long period of time,
and its most common consequences are urinary
incontinence, bladder stones, kidney damage and inability to
urinate due to the prostate pressing against the urethra.
w
BPH affects the vast majority of men over the age of 50, but
using Testosterone and/or DHT-derived AAS is a surefire way
to accelerate its development because DHT has been shown
to stimulate it.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Bodybuilders who plan on using PEDs for a long time and men
on TRT should be weary of BPH and do everything in their
power to prevent it or slow it down.
I personally believe that the best drugs for the prevention of
BPH in men under 70 are PDE-5 inhibitors like Viagra
(Sildenafil) and Cialis (Tadalafil). These erectile dysfunction
medications have been shown to prevent BPH without
affecting DHT levels, all while improving erections and
normalizing blood pressure levels.
Many men’s health and anti-aging clinics are aware of this,
and they prescribe Cialis at 5mg EOD to their patients. I
personally think that this is the best BPH-prevention protocol
for ALL men, not just for men on TRT or men who blast and
cruise regularly.
274
Using 5-ARIs is a solid way to prevent BPH as well, but it can
lead to low-DHT symptoms like depression, lethargy and
sexual dysfunction in men who are natural or just doing TRT.
In my opinion, using 5-ARIs for the prevention of BPH only
makes sense in men who blast and cruise regularly. Using
0.25 to 0.5mg of Finasteride a day when using
supraphysiological amounts of Testosterone is the best way
for AAS users to prevent BPH.
w
Unfortunately, DHT derivatives like Winstrol, Proviron and
Masteron can grow the prostate whether 5-ARIs are being
used or not. Opting for compounds that do not affect the
prostate is always an option, but using a PDE-5 inhibitor like
Cialis (Tadalafil) when running the aforementioned
compounds is a great way to mitigate their impact on the
prostate.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
NOTE ON PROSTATE CANCER
Contrary to popular belief, DHT does not cause prostate
cancer, but it can make prostate cancer grow faster for the
same reason that it can grow the prostate itself, hence why
anti-androgen medications are used to combat prostate
cancer.
However, prostate cancer affects most men if they live long
enough, so I personally think that all men over 40 and
especially those who are on TRT or who blast and cruise
should get their PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) checked
regularly to be able to detect prostate cancer and eliminate it
in its early stages.
275
PROGESTOGENIC
SIDE-EFFECTS
The “progestogenic” side-effects are caused by Nandrolone
and its derivatives (19-Nor AAS). These AAS interact with the
progesterone receptor, causing prolactin to increase.
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Prolactin is a “female” hormone that can cause side-effects
similar to those of estradiol when it is high. In order to prevent
these side-effects from occurring during a cycle of 19-Nors,
one needs to use anti-progestogenic ancillaries.
In this section, you will learn what the basic antiprogestogenic ancillaries are and how they work, and in the
subsequent sections on each specific estrogenic side-effect
you will learn how to use these ancillaries to combat them.
For the sake of simplicity, I will be dividing these ancillaries
into 2 categories: Dopamine agonists, and Vitamin B6 (P-5P).
276
DOPAMINE AGONISTS
Dopamine agonists are medications that stimulate dopamine
receptors. There are many kinds of dopamine agonists, but in
this e-book, we will be focusing on Cabergoline and
Pramipexole, which are the two most commonly used
dopamine agonists in bodybuilding circles.
w
These medications are prescribed for the treatment of
Parkinson’s, hyperprolactinemia, addiction withdrawal and
other symptoms. Their prolactin-lowering properties make
them effective at combating the increase in prolactin that
Nandrolone and its derivatives tend to cause.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Cabergoline is the most popular dopaminergic medication
used in a bodybuilding context. It acts directly on the pituitary
gland to inhibit the secretion of prolactin.
It has a 3-day half-life, so it can be used twice a week.
Besides preventing high prolactin side-effects like
gynecomastia, lactation and sexual dysfunction, Cabergoline
is also known for improving mood, confidence and sexual
performance significantly. Many users experience a shortened
refractory period while on it.
Unfortunately, Cabergoline is not side-effect-free. High doses
of Cabergoline have been linked to valvular heart disease.
Other side-effects include nausea, diarrhea and sleep
disturbances. It is worth nothing, however, that the doses
277
used by bodybuilders are rarely high enough to cause serious
complications.
The typical dose of Cabergoline ranges between 0.25 and
0.5mg twice a week.
Pramipexole is not as popular as Cabergoline, but it is starting
to become more frequently used because it has been shown
to fight high prolactin without causing the cardiovascular sideeffects that Cabergoline is known for.
w
n
te
rit
It has a 12-hour half-life, but it can be taken once a day. Even
though it is rarely prescribed for the treatment of
hyperprolactinemia, Pramipexole will still reduce prolactin
levels and prevent side-effects like gyno, lactation or sexual
dysfunction when taking 19-Nor AAS.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Side-effects like nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, decreased
appetite and lethargy are possible but rare on the doses used
in bodybuilding. As I mentioned before, no cardiovascular
side-effects have been observed in studies or reported
anecdotally.
The typical Pramipexole dose is of about 0. 125 to 0.25 mg a
day.
278
VITAMIN b6 (p-5-P)
Vitamin B6 is an unexpected yet extremely effective solution
to high prolactin levels. This essential Vitamin plays many
roles within the human body, and supplementing with its
active form “pyridoxal 5’-phosphate” (P-5-P) has been shown
to reduce prolactin levels.
w
It can be taken at 100 to 200mg a day (taking it before bed
may improve sleep) during a cycle to keep prolactin levels
under control, but it only works if one is using a low dose of
Nandrolone, Trenbolone or Trestolone. Higher doses tend to
require dopamine agonists like Cabergoline or Pramipexole.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
279
Like high estradiol levels, high prolactin levels can cause the
development of gynecomastia. Many users who are taking
both high doses of Testosterone and a 19-Nor AAS get gyno
despite using an AI because they forget to take something to
keep their prolactin levels under control. In fact, excess
estradiol secretion tends to increase prolactin levels as well.
w
However, prolactin-induced gyno can be worse than estradiolinduced gyno. After all, prolactin is the hormone that regulates
lactation in women, so some men experience not only breast
tissue development, but also some mild lactation when they
run high doses of 19-Nor AAS without the proper ancillaries.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
As you can imagine, preventing gynecomastia and lactation
when running 19-Nor AAS is a matter of keeping prolactin
under control by using dopamine agonists or P-5-P.
A good rule of thumb is to use 200mg of P-5-P a day when
running up to 200mg of Nandrolone, Trenbolone or Trestolone
per week, and using from 0.25 to 0.5 mg of Cabergoline twice
a week, or 0.125 to 0.25mg of Pramipexole a day when
running more than 200mg of any 19-Nor AAS per week (the
higher the AAS dose, the higher the dopamine agonist dose
should be).
You can find more instructions on how to manage prolactin
levels in the “How To Use It” section of each 19-Nor AAS
profile.
280
Another serious side-effect of high prolactin that is similar to
what one experiences when their estradiol levels are elevated
is sexual dysfunction.
Men with high prolactin levels tend to increase a serious drop
in their sexual desire and an even greater drop in their ability
to get and maintain an erection.
w
As you can imagine, preventing sexual dysfunction when
running 19-Nor AAS is a matter of keeping prolactin under
control by using dopamine agonists or P-5-P.
n
te
rit
by
A good rule of thumb is to use 200mg of P-5-P a day when
running up to 200mg of Nandrolone, Trenbolone or Trestolone
per week, and using from 0.25 to 0.5 mg of Cabergoline twice
a week, or 0.125 to 0.25mg of Pramipexole a day when
running more than 200mg of any 19-Nor AAS per week (the
higher the AAS dose, the higher the dopamine agonist dose
should be).
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
You can find more instructions on how to manage prolactin
levels in the “How To Use It” section of each 19-Nor AAS
profile.
281
CONNECTIVE &
MUSCLE TISSUE
SIDE-EFFECTS
w
These side-effects are mainly joint pain / dry joints / joint
stiffness and back pumps and cramps. While these are not
life-threatening in any way, they can certainly increase the
chances of experiencing a serious injury and they can
completely ruin one’s quality of life during a cycle.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
I will be using the term “Join Issues” to refer to all the
connective tissue problems one can experience as a result of
using AAS.
These side-effects are incredibly annoying, painful and most
importantly, a sign that one may be about to experience a
serious injury.
282
Therefore, one should do everything in their power to prevent
these side-effects and to mitigate them and reverse them if
they still occur.
Fortunately, not all AAS cause these side-effects, but the ones
that are more likely to cause them are:
•
•
•
•
•
Winstrol
Masteron
Proviron
Halotestin
Trenbolone
w
And potentially:
rit
n
te
• High doses of Testosterone
• High doses of Dianabol
• High doses of Trestolone.
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
The first 5 AAS are dry compounds that are known for drying
out the joints, whereas the last 3 are wet compounds that can
cause joint problems when one takes a very high dose with no
AI, leading to excess water retention which causes joint
issues.
The other AAS either have a neutral effect on the joints, or
they contribute to their strength and healing by increasing
collagen production (Nandrolone being a prime example of
that).
Preventing joint issues when running the wet compounds is a
matter of using the right AI dose (but not too high of a dose)
to prevent excess estradiol levels and excess water retention.
283
On the other hand, preventing joint issues when running dry
compounds is a matter of sticking to the following rules.
• Firstly, one should ensure that they are using a
Testosterone base and getting sufficient estradiol
conversion from it. Excess estradiol can cause water
retention and damage the joints but having the right
amount of estradiol is essential to keep the joints strong
and lubricated.
w
• Secondly, one should be smart in the gym. Constantly
chasing PRs and trying to lift as heavy as possible all the
time is a surefire way to damage the joints and get
injured. Stretching and warming up with lighter weights
is crucial.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
• Thirdly, one should supplement with join health
supplements. The most obvious one that every AAS user
should already be using is Fish Oil at 6g a day or Krill Oil
at 3g a day. Besides that, running MSM
(Methylsulfonylmethane) at 1g a day and taking a couple
tablespoons of Collagen Powder a day will do wonders
for one’s joints.
284
Lower back pumps are a kind of cramping that occurs often
when taking oral AAS. This side-effect is not necessarily
dangerous, but it can be extremely painful, and it can ruin
one’s workout.
Fortunately, these lower back pumps are relatively easy to
prevent by following these steps:
w
• Firstly, one should always be as hydrated as possible.
Drinking plenty of water and keeping electrolytes
balanced is essential when it comes to preventing
cramping. Aim for at least 1 gallon of water a day
(around 4.5L)
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
• Stretch before every workout and consider using a foam
roller to relax the muscles and prevent lactic acid buildup.
• If the above is not enough, supplementing with 500mg of
Magnesium and 2g of Taurine every day tends to do the
trick. Eating a couple of bananas every day or
supplementing with up to 1g of Potassium a day is also
very effective.
285
DRUG-SPECIFIC
SIDE-EFFECTS
The following side-effects tend to occur only when running
specific AAS. These side-effects are generally easy to predict
and detect, but they are not always easy to solve.
w
With the information available in the next few pages, however,
one should be able to prevent or at least mitigate these
adverse reactions.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
“Deca dick” is a term used to describe the propensity of
Nandrolone to cause erectile dysfunction, even when one is
using a test base and has a healthy sex drive, a positive mood
and high energy levels. This occurs for two reasons:
Firstly, the tendency of Nandrolone to increase prolactin
levels, causing impotence even if Testosterone and estradiol
levels are balanced.
Secondly, the fact that DHN, the androgenic metabolite of
Nandrolone, is not androgenic enough to stimulate sex drive
and sexual function like DHT does.
286
Thankfully, this side-effect can be mitigated by doing the
following:
• Using a dopaminergic medication to keep prolactin
under control, such as Cabergoline at 0.25 to 0.5mg
every 3 days or Pramipexole at 0.125mg a day.
• Using an equal of greater amount of Testosterone with
Nandrolone to allow for DHT to exert its androgenic
effects and offset the activity of DHN.
w
NOTE: A big mistake people make when trying to solve Deca
Dick is using a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor like Finasteride to
try and bring down DHN levels. This is a mistake that will
further decrease DHT levels, making Deca Dick even worse.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
287
Many users are unable to get more than 1 or 2 hours of
uninterrupted sleep on Trenbolone, and night sweats are
extremely common.
There is sufficient anecdotal data to suggest that “trensomnia”
is exacerbated by the consumption of carbohydrates before
bed.
w
Sleeping on towels and having a fan or AC on at night can
also help with the sweating and, by extension, improve sleep
quality.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The typical sleep supplements like Melatonin, Magnesium,
Valerian Root and CBD will always help, but they will rarely
completely fix Trensomnia.
288
Trenbolone has been found to cross the blood-brain barrier
and induce apoptosis (cell death) in hippocampal neurons
while blocking the neuroprotective effects of Testosterone
(and estrogen).
w
The hippocampus is essentially the "hard-drive" of the brain,
because it consolidates the retention of information for shortterm and long-term memory. Thus, repeated Trenbolone use
can accelerate neurodegeneration and memory loss.
n
te
rit
by
Furthermore, Trenbolone upregulated the expression of
proteins that are linked to Alzheimer's disease, meaning that it
could increase the chances of developing this condition in the
long-run.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
I personally believe that using nootropics like Oxiracetam at
2g a day or Noopept at 20mg a day in combination with
Methylene Blue at 50mg a day could prevent or at least
mitigate this side-effect because these compounds have been
found to protect the brain against neurodegeneration while
decreasing the expression of the same proteins that
Trenbolone increases.
289
Trenbolone Acetate may cause intense coughing shortly after
the injection. This phenomenon is known as “Tren Cough”
and it is caused by the interaction of Trenbolone with
prostaglandins, which can constrict airways. This side-effect
causes intense, painful coughing that can last for even a
couple of minutes in the worst-case scenario.
w
Some (but not all) users are able to avoid or minimize this
side-effect by using a bronchodilator like Ventolin (Salbutamol
inhaler) right before pinning Trenbolone Ace and again after
pinning if Tren Cough still occurs.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
290
Another common side-effect of Trenbolone is shortness of
breath, especially when one is doing cardio. This side-effect
may have something to do with the interaction of Trenbolone
with prostaglandins (which cause Tren cough).
Some users find that using Ventolin (Salbutamol Inhaler) in
combination with Cardarine at 20mg a day allows them to
improve their breathing capacity and endurance significantly.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
291
Roid rage is a very infamous side-effect that ignorant people
tend to associate with all AAS in general. The reality is that
only Trenbolone and Halotestin are likely to increase
aggression, and only in people who are already slightly
aggressive by default.
w
Users who are naturally calm and collected may become
slightly more irritable, but it is rare for someone like that to
become a complete violent asshole when using Trenbolone or
Halotestin.
n
te
rit
by
Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this side-effect.
Some users supplement with anxiolytic supplements like
Valerian root, L-Theanine and Ashwagandha to try and
manage the aggression, but they rarely help.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The best option for those who always experience this sideeffect is to simply learn to live with it and do whatever it takes
to avoid situations in which their aggression can come out, or
to simply avoid Trenbolone and Halotestin altogether.
292
As a DHT derivative, Anadrol (Oxymetholone) is unable to
convert to estradiol. Despite this, it can still cause
gynecomastia and other estrogenic side-effects like water
retention and acne.
w
The exact mechanism of action by which Anadrol causes
these side-effects is not known, but most experts believe that
Anadrol itself can bind to estrogen receptors and “act” as a
form of estrogen.
rit
n
te
Since it does not interact with the aromatase inhibitor, using
AIs will not do anything to prevent these side-effects, so using
a SERM like Tamoxifen or Raloxifene will be necessary if
Anadrol Gyno occurs.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
It is worth noting that anadrol gyno is quite rare, so using a
SERM pre-emptively is not necessary. Having one on hand
and using it as soon as gyno symptoms begin is enough.
293
OTHER
SIDE-EFFECTS
These side-effects are hard to classify, unpredictable and can
occur to anyone on virtually any compound. Fortunately, they
are rarely a serious threat to one’s health and they are
relatively easy to manage.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Headaches are a very random but fairly common side-effect
of AAS use. They are usually a sign that blood pressure is
increasing, so tackling BP is enough to get rid of them.
If they occur for other reasons, decreasing the dose of
whatever one is taking may help.
Such headaches also tend to go away on their own once the
body gets used to the AAS.
If nothing besides non-steroidal anti-inflammatories is able to
get rid of them, stopping the cycle is the best course of
action.
294
Insomnia is a fairly common side-effect of AAS use. Besides
Trenbolone, pretty much any AAS can cause it and the exact
reason why is very hard to pin-point.
Fortunately, insomnia can be managed by using Melatonin at
2mg, Magnesium at 500mg and Vitamin B6 (P-5-P) at 100mg,
all taken once a day 30 minutes before bed.
w
n
te
rit
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing is
temporarily halted throughout the night. There are different
types of sleep apnea, but the one that affects lifters the most
is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
When muscle mass increases, so does the likelihood of OSA.
Therefore, AAS use can indirectly cause OSA and
compromise one’s health and sleep quality.
The most common way to treat OSA is by using a CPAP
machine to keep the airways open while sleeping, but the only
solution to OSA among bodybuilders is to lose weight.
295
Anxiety is not a common side-effect of using AAS, but it can
happen to first-time users who are afraid of starting a cycle. In
other words, anxiety is rarely caused by the AAS themselves
and it tends to be self-induced through overthinking.
The obvious solution to this kind of anxiety is to meditate on
the decision to start a cycle, because it tends to be a sign that
one subconsciously knows that they are not ready to become
enhanced.
w
Still, using anxiolytic supplements like L-Theanine at 500mg a
day, Valerian root at 200mg or Ashwagandha extract at
500mg a day can do wonders for anxiety.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
296
w
n
te
rit
tesTosterone
base
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
297
WHAT IS A TEST BASE?
A Testosterone Base, also known as “test base”, is a crucial
element of any AAS cycle without which the user would
experience symptoms of testicular shut-down like depression,
lethargy, erectile dysfunction, low libido and others.
w
As you know by now, all AAS (except for Proviron) will shut
down endogenous Testosterone production. On the surface,
that is not a problem because the exogenous AAS is replacing
Testosterone in the body. However, Testosterone converts
into estradiol, which is necessary for the sexual, mental and
physical well-being of men.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Most AAS do NOT aromatize into estradiol, so when they are
introduced into the body and they shut down endogenous
Testosterone production (and by extension estradiol
production), they cause the aforementioned symptoms.
In other words, what we need form a Testosterone base is not
Testosterone (which any androgen will replace), but estradiol,
which most AAS are unable to convert into.
The most obvious solution to this problem is to use exogenous
Testosterone as the base for every cycle. Doses as low as
150mg per week will typically provide sufficient estradiol
298
conversion for one to feel properly when running any kind of
cycle.
You can find plenty of examples of how exogenous
Testosterone is used as a “test base” in the “How To Use It”
section of each AAS profile and in the “Cycle Examples”
chapter of this e-book.
However, not everyone wants to use exogenous Testosterone
as the test base. Some people want to run short oral-only
cycles without having to go through the hassle of pinning
Testosterone for just 4-6 weeks.
w
Thankfully, injectable Testosterone is not the only type of “test
base” one can use. In the next few pages, you will discover
what all the possible test base are and how to use them
properly.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
299
ALTERNATIVE TEST BASES
Before I delve into the following alternative test bases, I want
to make it very clear that the best and safest test base of all is
injectable Testosterone.
The test bases here either replicate the effects of actual
Testosterone, or they modulate processes in the body to
stimulate endogenous Testosterone production despite the
shutdown.
w
Most of these alternative test bases work pretty well, but they
cannot replace injectable Testosterone in every possible
cycle.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
With that being said, here are some solid options for those
who are not able or not willing to use injectable Testosterone.
Topical Testosterone gel is a possible alternative to injecting
Testosterone. Even though it is painless and arguably more
convenient, its effectiveness is much lower so finding the right
dose takes some trial and error.
Most Testosterone gel users apply it to their underarms,
chest/shoulders or even scrotum. I recommend applying it
once a day (in the morning) on the chest/shoulders after a
shower, and waiting for it to absorb before putting any clothes
on.
300
A decent dose of Testosterone gel is 40mg a day. At this dose
one gets enough estradiol conversion to feel good during the
cycle without experiencing estrogenic side-effects (some
users may be an exception, so having an AI on hand is
recommended).
For all intents and purposes, Testosterone gel should be
treated the same way as injectable Testosterone. The only
things that change are the administration route, the frequency
of use and the effective dose.
Testosterone gel is as suppressive as injectable Testosterone,
so a PCT is still necessary.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
301
4-Andro, also known as 4-DHEA, is a pro-hormone that
converts into Testosterone inside the body. The main pros of
4-Andro are that it is legal and orally bioavailable.
It is the closest thing we have to an effective form of oral
Testosterone, but like any oral it cannot be used indefinitely.
The liver toxicity of 4-Andro is minimal, so it can be used
during an entire oral AAS cycle.
w
The right 4-Andro dose for a test base would be 100 to
150mg a day, splitting the dose into two servings (morning
and night). Some users may experience excess estradiol
conversion at 150mg/day or higher doses, so having an AI on
hand is recommended.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
4-Andro is suppressive, so it requires a PCT.
302
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a peptide that is
commonly used to preserve fertility while taking AAS and to
facilitate hormonal recovery after a cycle.
However, it can be used as the sole test base for oral AAS
cycles as it can act as a Luteinizing Hormone (LH) analogue
and force the testicles to produce Testosterone despite the
suppression caused by AAS.
w
When used as the test base, HCG should be pinned
subcutaneously every other day at 500iu, throughout the
whole cycle. Estrogenic side-effects are unlikely to occur at
this dose, but always have an AI on hand in case they
happen.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
The great thing about HCG compared to most test bases is
that instead of replacing your Testosterone and shutting you
even further, it will keep your testicles running and producing
sperm and Testosterone during the cycle.
This means that when one comes off everything, the PCT will
be very easy since the testicles will already be active, and one
will simply need to run a SERM like Enclomiphene for a couple
of weeks (at 12.5mg a day for a week, then 6.25mg for
another week) to restore LH levels, which HCG will suppress.
You will find more information on HCG and how it works in the
“Post-Cycle Therapy” chapter of this e-book.
NOTE: I personally think that HCG is the best non-oral
alternative test base.
303
Enclomiphene is a SERM which, like HCG, is often used as
part of PCT protocols. However, it can also be used as a
Testosterone base with oral AAS because it is strong enough
to prevent the testicles from getting shut down.
w
The use of Enclomiphene as a test base is a controversial
subject that I first introduced in THE SARM HANDBOOK back
in 2020. In it, I suggested that Enclomiphene was an effective
test base for SARM cycles, and even though a lot of people
doubted its effectiveness at first, it has now become a widely
used and accepted form of test base for both SARM and oral
AAS cycles.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Enclomiphene should be used at 25mg a day throughout the
whole cycle, and for another 2 weeks after the cycle at
12.5mg a day as the PCT.
I have personally used this protocol as the test base for
Anavar, Turinabol and Epistane cycles, and I can confirm that
it works well. I have also seen plenty of anecdotal evidence
from other people showing similar results, so I am confident in
the ability of Enclomiphene to prevent testicular shut down
during 4 to 6-week oral AAS cycles.
Estrogenic side-effects are unlikely to occur with
Enclomiphene, but the drug can have side-effects of its own.
You will learn more about Enclomiphene and its properties in
the “Post-Cycle Therapy” chapter of this e-book.
NOTE: I personally think that Enclomiphene is the best
alternative test base one can use if injections are off the table.
304
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a naturally occurring prohormone that converts into hundreds of metabolites within the
body, each with its own characteristics and effects.
One of the hormones that DHEA converts into is estradiol.
This means that supplementing with exogenous DHEA in pill
or cream form is an effective way of getting sufficient estradiol
without having to replace one’s Testosterone or forcing the
testicles to produce it.
w
A good dose of DHEA as a test base is 50mg a day if using it
orally or 25mg a day if using the topical version, which is more
bioavailable.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
At these doses, it will provide sufficient estradiol for one to feel
good and perform properly during the cycle despite the
suppression. Some users may need to use higher doses if
they don’t respond well to DHEA, but one should always be
careful not to go overboard as it would be very easy for this
pro-hormone to cause estrogenic side-effects if overdosed.
This risk aside, DHEA is a very safe supplement with tons of
amazing properties. The main downside of using DHEA,
however, is that it does not contribute to testicular function
like Enclomiphene and HCG do, so a full PCT will be
necessary after a cycle.
305
Believe it or not, Birth Control pills are a valid test base (even
though I do not recommend using them).
Birth Control is made up of estradiol + a progesterone
derivative. In females, the progesterone causes infertility
whereas the estradiol is simply used to replace the natural
estradiol that the female would be producing (similar to TRT
for men).
w
Since Birth Control is an exogenous source of estradiol, men
can take it during a cycle to get sufficient estradiol without
having to use any other kind of test base.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
A reasonable dose would be one pill every other day, or even
one pill a day depending on the user’s reaction to it.
The main downside of using Birth Control, however, is that the
progesterone derivative would contribute to the testicular shut
down and possibly make it hard for one to recover even with a
PCT.
306
A good alternative to Birth Control pills are Estradiol pills.
These have all the benefits of Birth Control without the
progesterone derivative which contributes to suppression.
w
Taking estradiol pills is effective, but it is very easy for one to
overdose on them by accident and develop estrogenic sideeffects. After all, estradiol pills are what Male-To-Female
transgenders take to transition, so a bodybuilder using
estradiol pills would be a pill or two a day away from becoming
a transgender woman.
rit
n
te
Given that the oral estradiol dose used by transgenders is
between 2 and 8mg a day, I would never take more than 1mg
a day when using estradiol as a “test base”.
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Estradiol pills neither prevent suppression nor exacerbate it,
so a full PCT would be necessary after a cycle.
307
Dianabol is one of the few commercially available AAS that
aromatize into estradiol.
Therefore, it does not require a Testosterone base when used
on its own, and it could theoretically be used as a test base at
a dose of 10 to 20mg per day.
However, Dianabol is very liver toxic, so using it as the test
base for other liver toxic oral AAS would be a terrible idea.
w
I personally think that Dianabol should only be used as its own
test base, and never as the test base for other orals. I have
seen people use it as the test base for Anavar cycles (since
Anavar is not really liver toxic), but I still think that other oral
options like Enclomiphene or DHEA would have been a better
choice.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The same could be said about oral Trestolone (MENT).
308
Trestolone is another highly estrogenic AAS that does not
require a test base. Oral Trestolone is not a feasible option
due to its liver toxicity, but injectable Trestolone is a decent
test base for other AAS.
w
Since it needs to be injected, Trestolone is not a good option
for people who are looking for a non-injectable test base like
Enclomiphene, 4-Andro or DHEA, but many advanced
bodybuilders who have no issues with pinning find that
Trestolone is a solid test base for their cycles.
rit
n
te
Using Trestolone at 50 to 75mg per week would definitely
provide sufficient estradiol conversion for Trestolone to act as
a test base, but I would always keep an AI on hand.
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
As you know, Trestolone is a highly-suppressive compound so
I would not recommend anyone to attempt a PCT right after
using it.
309
w
n
te
rit
POST-CYCLE
THERAPY
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
310
PCT EXPLAINED
As you know, all AAS (except for Proviron) will shut down your
natural Testosterone production. When the brain realizes that
exogenous androgens are being introduced, it stops signalling
the testicles to produce Testosterone. After all, why would the
body work hard to produce its own Testosterone when
exogenous Testosterone and/or its derivatives are already
saturating the androgen receptors?
w
The result of this “shut-down” is that the testicles stop
producing Testosterone (trace amounts are still being
produced by the adrenal glands) and that sperm production
becomes significantly lower (but very rarely to the point where
one becomes infertile).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Furthermore, since organs that are not being actively used by
the body tend to atrophy, this “shut-down” causes the
testicles to shrink.
Users who stay on low doses of Testosterone between cycles
(Blasting & Cruising, more information on that later) do not
have to worry about testicular shut-down because they are
committed to using exogenous Testosterone for the rest of
their lives, but testicular “shut-down” is a big issue for those
who want to come off every AAS and go back to relying on
their own Testosterone production after a cycle is over.
311
The solution to being “shut-down” is doing what is known as a
Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT).
The goal of a PCT is to restart the production of Testosterone
and sperm in the testicles so that the user can go back to
feeling and performing as he did before the cycle as quickly
as possible.
w
While it is certainly true that the body can recover on its own
and start producing Testosterone again without a PCT after
many weeks or even months of being off-cycle, doing a PCT
simply accelerates this process to make our lives easier and
facilitate the retention of gains after a cycle.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
But before you can understand how a PCT works, you need
to
understand
what
the
Hypothalamus-PituitaryGonadal/Testicular Axis (HPGA or HPTA) is:
312
As you can see in the previous image, the hypothalamus (in
the brain) produces GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing
Hormone), which signals the pituitary gland to release
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
(FSH).
These two hormones than travel to the testicles (gonads)
where they stimulate the production of Testosterone (in the
case of LH) and the production of sperm (in the case of FSH).
AAS cause testicular “shut-down” by interrupting this
process, and the goal of a PCT is to restart it so that the
testicles can produce Testosterone and sperm again.
w
n
te
rit
The main drugs used in PCT are Selective Estrogen Receptor
Modulators (which are also used to prevent and shrink gyno)
and HCG.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
313
BLASTING & CRUISING
Before I delve into the SERMs, HCG and how to run a proper
PCT, I want to explain a concept known as Blasting &
Cruising (B&C), which is essentially the opposite of doing a
PCT.
Blasting & Cruising consists in remaining (cruising) on a TRT
dose of Testosterone between cycles (blasts) instead of
coming off between cycles and doing a PCT to restore natural
Testosterone production.
w
rit
n
te
B&C is what most experienced, serious bodybuilders do
because it simplifies everything, and it allows one to avoid the
hormonal and emotional ups and downs that come with
coming off everything and doing a PCT. B&C also makes it
much easier for one to retain their gains after a cycle/blast.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
In most instances, however, B&C is a lifetime commitment to
using exogenous Testosterone. Users who opt for B&C realize
that they will probably never be able to have the same natural
Testosterone levels they had before becoming enhanced if
they decide to come off everything and do a PCT after years
of B&C.
For that reason, I personally believe that most beginners
should do a PCT after their few first cycles, and only consider
doing B&C once they have some serious experience and are
comfortable with the idea of pinning Testosterone for the rest
of their life.
314
Blasting & Cruising is much simpler and more straightforward
than doing a PCT. A user who wishes to B&C simply needs to
reduce their weekly Testosterone dose once to a healthier
range once their cycle/blast is over.
The right dose for cruising depends on every individual, but
most bodybuilders use between 150 and 250mg of
Testosterone per week.
w
A good rule of thumb is using around 1mg of Testosterone per
pound of bodyweight per week. Someone who weighs
between 150 and 200lbs can cruise on 150 to 200mg of
Testosterone to feel good and maintain their muscle mass,
and someone who weighs between 200 and 250lbs can do
the same on 200 to 250mg of Testosterone per week.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Some users may experience excess aromatization when
cruising on 200mg+ of Testosterone per week. If that
happens, they should reduce their weekly dose until the
excess aromatization stops being an issue, instead of using
an Aromatase Inhibitor, since using AIs for long periods of
time can be extremely unhealthy.
NOTE: I personally believe that everyone who is blasting and
cruising but planning to eventually come off or have children
should be using HCG to maintain their fertility and testicular
function (more info on HCG later).
315
SERMs
SERMs, also known as Selective Estrogen Receptor
Modulators, are a class of drugs that exert antagonistic (and
sometimes agonistic) actions on the estrogen receptor.
SERMs are primarily used for the treatment of estrogenrelated diseases such as osteoporosis, infertility and breast
cancer in women.
w
But why are SERMs used by bodybuilders? To put it simply,
SERMs can stimulate endogenous Testosterone production in
males by blocking the hypothalamic estrogen receptor. This
action tricks the brain into thinking that estrogen levels are
low, and since estrogen is primarily acquired through the
aromatization of Testosterone, the hypothalamus secretes
GnRH which stimulates the pituitary causing it to release LH
and FSH to boost Testosterone levels and sperm production.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
SERMs like Tamoxifen and Raloxifene are also used to
prevent and/or treat gynecomastia, which is a possible sideeffect of AAS and SARMs. They do this by blocking the
estrogen receptor in the breast, which can prevent and even
reverse the development of breast tissue.
In the following pages you will learn everything you need to
know about each SERM when used in a bodybuilding / PostCycle Therapy context.
316
TAMOXIFEN
NOLVADEX
Half-life: 5-7 days
Dose: 5-20 mg/day (Morning)
PCT LENGTH: 4-6 weeks
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STIMULATES TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION
Tamoxifen can increase Testosterone levels by stimulating the
release of LH and FSH. Off-label use of Tamoxifen by
bodybuilders also confirms this phenomenon, with thousands
upon thousands of men reporting good results and a
complete reversal of their Testosterone suppression after a
PCT with Tamoxifen.
TREATS GYNECOMASTIA
Tamoxifen is effective at preventing gynecomastia and
reducing the size of already existing breast tissue. It has been
used by thousands if not millions of bodybuilders to prevent
gynecomastia and to reduce its size if it has already
317
developed. You can find more information about the use of
Tamoxifen for gynecomastia in the On-Cycle Therapy chapter.
REDUCES CHOLESTEROL
Tamoxifen can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol,
but its effects on HDL are unclear. This benefit can help
reverse the negative impact of the SARMs on your lipid panel.
It can increase Triglycerides though.
w
n
te
rit
by
en
@
LOWER IGF-1
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
Tamoxifen can lower IGF-1, one of the most anabolic
hormones in the human body. This can limit gains in muscle
mass, but it can easily be avoided by using MK-677.
MOOD SWINGS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
Even though there is no scientific data to prove that
Tamoxifen can cause mood swings and sexual dysfunction in
men, a small percentage of users report these side-effects.
Brain fog is commonly reported, and there is some scientific
evidence indicating that Tamoxifen can cause it.
318
HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS
Tamoxifen has been proven to cause hot flashes and night
sweats in women with Breast Cancer. There is no scientific
data about the occurrence of these side-effects in men who
take Tamoxifen, but according to anecdotal reports it is
entirely possible.
BLOOD CLOTS
w
Tamoxifen was proven to increase the chances of developing
deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in elderly
women with breast cancer. If you have a family history of DPV
or PE, stay away from Tamoxifen and only use it for short
periods of times if necessary. Fortunately, this is a rare sideeffect even in women with breast cancer who take Tamoxifen
for years.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
MILDLY LIVER TOXIC
Tamoxifen could potentially increase AST and ALT levels but
having a significant degree of liver toxicity due to Tamoxifen is
extremely unlikely. Running NAC during PCT is always
advisable.
319
CLOMIPHENE
CLOMID
Half-life: 5-6 days
Dose: 12.5-50 mg/day (Morning)
PCT LENGTH: 4-6 weeks
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STIMULATES TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION
Clomiphene is extremely effective at boosting Total
Testosterone and Free Testosterone levels. In fact, it is often
prescribed as an alternative to Testosterone injections in men
with hypogonadism. Clomiphene is reportedly more effective
than Tamoxifen at increasing Testosterone levels, and it is
also more effective at improving fertility. It has been a staple of
PCT protocols for decades.
MAY TREAT GYNECOMASTIA
Clomiphene may be useful at treating gynecomastia, but it is
nowhere near as effective as Raloxifene or Tamoxifen at doing
so.
320
LOWERS IGF-1
Clomiphene can lower IGF-1, one of the most anabolic
hormones in the human body. This can limit gains in muscle
mass, but it can easily be avoided by using MK-677.
MOOD SWINGS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
w
Clomiphene is infamous for causing terrible mood swings,
anxiety and depression in a very significant percentage of
users.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Despite providing a modest increase in sexual function in
some users, it is also possible for Clomiphene to have a
negative impact on sex drive and erectile function.
HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS
Clomiphene can cause both hot flashes and night sweats in a
small percentage of users.
MILDLY LIVER TOXIC
Clomiphene could potentially increase AST and ALT levels but
having a significant degree of liver toxicity due to Clomid is
extremely unlikely. Running NAC during PCT is always
advisable.
321
VISUAL DISTURBANCES
As show in this study, Clomiphene caused visual disturbances
such as blurring, spots and flashes in a small percentage of
subjects. According to this paper, these side-effects subsided
after discontinuing Clomiphene.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
322
TOREMIFENE
FARESTON
Half-life: 5 days
Dose: 15-60 mg/day (Morning)
PCT LENGTH: 4-6 weeks
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STIMULATES TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION
Toremifene can increase Testosterone levels by stimulating
the release of LH and FSH. According to anecdotal
information, Toremifene is not as strong as Tamoxifen or
Clomiphene, but it is strong enough to restore Testosterone
levels in conjunction with a different SERM like Clomiphene or
Enclomiphene.
MAY TREAT GYNECOMASTIA
Toremifene is useful at treating gynecomastia, but it isn’t as
effective as Tamoxifen and Raloxifene. It can probably help
you reverse gynecomastia if you catch it early enough, but I’d
recommend having Tamoxifen or Raloxifene in hand instead.
323
REDUCES CHOLESTEROL
Toremifene can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol
while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. This benefit can help
reverse the negative impact of the SARMs on your lipid panel.
LOWERS IGF-1
w
Toremifene can lower IGF-1, one of the most anabolic
hormones in the human body. This can limit gains in muscle
mass, but it can easily be avoided by using MK-677.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
MOOD SWINGS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
These side-effects are possible with any SERM, but they are
rarely reported by users of Toremifene. This SERM is one of
the least likely to cause such side-effects.
HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS
Toremifene can cause hot flashes (and consecuently night
sweats) in a very small percentage of users. This is a sideeffect that Toremifene users rarely report.
324
MILDLY LIVER TOXIC
Toremifene could potentially increase AST and ALT levels, but
having a significant degree of liver toxicity due to Toremifene
is extremely unlikely.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
325
RALOXIFENE
EVISTA
Half-life: 28-33 hours
Dose: 15-60 mg/day (Morning)
PCT LENGTH: 6-12 weeks
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STIMULATES TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION
Raloxifene is somewhat effective at boosting Testosterone,
but it isn’t strong enough to be used as a PCT. It could work
as a PCT after a mildly/moderately suppressive cycle, but in
my opinion, you are better off saving for fighting
gynecomastia.
TREATS GYNECOMASTIA
Raloxifene is, hands down, the most effective SERM when it
comes to preventing and reversing gynecomastia. Unlike
Tamoxifen which is primarily useful at treating gynecomastia
in its early stages, Raloxifene can reverse and shrink pubertal
gynecomastia that has existed for years. You can find more
326
information on how to use Raloxifene for gyno in the chapter
about “On-Cycle Therapy”.
REDUCES CHOLESTEROL
Raloxifene can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
This benefit can help reverse the negative impact of the
SARMs on your lipid panel.
w
n
te
rit
by
LOWERS IGF-1
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Raloxifene can lower IGF-1, one of the most anabolic
hormones in the human body. This can limit gains in muscle
mass, but it can easily be avoided by using MK-677.
MOOD SWINGS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
There is no scientific or anecdotal data indicating that
Raloxifene could have a negative impact on sexual function or
mood.
MILDLY LIVER TOXIC
Raloxifene could have an impact on the liver, but according to
this scientific paper, the elevation of liver enzymes due to
Raloxifene is uncommon.
327
ENCLOMIPHENE
ANDROXAL
Half-life: 10 hours
Dose: 6.25-25 mg/day (Morning)
PCT LENGTH: 4-6 weeks
w
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
STIMULATES TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION
Enclomiphene is the only SERM that is being seriously studied
as a treatment for hypogonadism. It is extremely effective at
boosting Testosterone levels, and more and more anecdotal
data is coming out proving that it is the best SERM out there.
It is also extremely effective at increasing fertility and sperm
count.
MAY TREAT GYNECOMASTIA
There is no scientific or anecdotal information about
Enclomiphene and its effects on gynecomastia, but if
Clomiphene has mild anti-gyno properties, it is safe to assume
that Enclomiphene does too. After all, Clomiphene is 62%
328
Enclomiphene and 38% Zuclomiphene. The former is proandrogenic, and the latter is estrogenic, so we can easily
conclude that Clomiphene’s anti-gyno properties are derived
from Enclomiphene.
Despite this, I have seen reports of guys whose nipples got
puffy on Enclomiphene. This does not necessarily mean it
causes gynecomastia, since many factors can modulate the
volume and shape of the nipples.
MUSCLE GAINS
w
There is no scientific proof that Enclomiphene can directly
cause muscle growth, but it can increase Testosterone so
much that I personally believe it can help with gaining muscle
(despite the IGF-1 drop). The same could be said about other
SERMs, but they are not as powerful as Enclomiphene so I
would not expect the same results.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
LOWERS IGF-1
Enclomiphene will lower IGF-1 levels significantly. As
mentioned before, this side´-effect does not seem to stop
Enclomiphene from potentially causing muscle growth. MK677 can potentially reverse that side-effect.
329
MOOD SWINGS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
There is no scientific information about the impact of
Enclomiphene on mood and sexual performance, but
according to anecdotal reports, it can cause something like
what is commonly described as “Roid Rage”. Users report
feeling more masculine, aggressive and impatient.
High libido is also commonly attributed to Enclomiphene use.
HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS
w
There is no scientific or anecdotal information indicating that
Enclomiphene could cause hot flashes and night sweats.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
MILDLY LIVER TOXIC
There is no scientific or anecdotal information indicating that
Enclomiphene could be hepatotoxic but seeing how most
SERMs can have a small impact on liver enzymes, it is safe to
assume that Enclomiphene is no exception, especially if we
consider that it is significantly stronger than its counterparts.
330
HCG - FERTILITY & PCT
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a peptide hormone
that occurs naturally in pregnant women.
In fact, HCG is the molecule that pregnancy tests detect to
determine whether a woman is pregnant or not.
w
Exogenous HCG is used in mainstream medicine to trigger
ovulation in infertile women and to boost fertility in men. It is
also used as a cancer marker since some tumours can
secrete it.
n
te
rit
by
In the context of performance enhancement, HCG is
extremely useful because it acts as an analogue of LH
(Luteinizing Hormone), making it an excellent ancillary for
boosting fertility, keeping our testes full & running during a
highly suppressive cycle or simply to kickstart endogenous
Testosterone production after the cycle.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Unfortunately, HCG is suppressive because it causes
endogenous LH levels to drop significantly. For that reason,
HCG use for the purpose of PCT is always followed using
SERMs, which boost Testosterone levels by increasing
endogenous LH, rather than replacing LH like HCG does.
Another common concern with HCG is that it can cause
serious estrogenic and androgenic side-effects if a high dose
is administered, so one may have to increase their AI or 5-ARI
dose if they are using HCG during a cycle to maintain their
fertility and testicular function and size.
331
HCG FOR FERTILITY & TESTICULAR SIZE
When used for preserving fertility and testicular function & size
during cycles or on TRT, most men opt for injecting around
500 to 750iu twice a week (so every 3 to 4 days).
One should start with 500iu twice a week and only increase it
to 750iu if they still experience testicular atrophy, all while
accounting for increased estradiol levels by tweaking their AI
dose if necessary.
w
HCG BEFORE POST-CYCLE THERAPY
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Using it after a cycle to kickstart Testosterone production
(assuming HCG was not used on-cycle) requires 500iu every
other day for 2 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of SERM use.
You will find more information on how to use HCG as part of a
PCT protocol in the next section of this chapter.
332
TRANSITIONING FROM
THE CYCLE TO PCT
Optimizing the transition from the cycle to a PCT is crucial.
Not nailing this step can make it easier for one to lose gains
and experience symptoms of low Testosterone after a cycle.
w
In most cases, starting the PCT right after the last day of the
cycle is not a good idea. This is because most injectables
have long half-lives so it can take weeks or even months for
these compounds to leave your body.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
In the case of Nandrolone and its derivatives, I advise against
using them unless one is planning to cruise on Testosterone
because their suppressive metabolites will linger for many
months after discontinuing the parent compound.
In the case of most other injectables, one must wait for about
2 weeks after the end of the cycle to start the PCT with
SERMs.
When it comes to short-acting injectables, one should wait up
to a week. Orals have short half-lives, so one could
theoretically start the PCT the day after the end of the cycle.
However, short-acting injectables and orals are almost always
stacked with long-acting esters of AAS like Testosterone, so
the 2-week rule still applies.
333
The only exception to the 2-week rule would be if one is only
using orals in conjunction with a test base like DHEA,
Enclomiphene or HCG (PCT could begin the day after the end
of the cycle) OR with a short-acting Testosterone ester like
Propionate (waiting a week would be enough).
THE TRANSITION
w
What can be done during these ~2 weeks to start preparing
for the PCT with SERMs? Well, if one does nothing and simply
goes straight into the SERMs, there is a good chance their
PCT will be very rough.
n
te
rit
by
They may lose a significant amount of muscle, they may
experience sexual dysfunction and they may feel depressed
and/or lethargic.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This is because their circulating Testosterone levels would be
extremely low and their testicles would be completely
“dormant” after letting the injectables fade away, and they
would be starting the PCT from the worst possible position.
Ideally, one would want to start the PCT in a better position,
with the testicles already “awake” and producing some
Testosterone by the end the exogenous injectables have left
the body and the PCT with SERMs is supposed to start.
This is achieved by using HCG during the ~2 weeks inbetween the last day of the cycle and the first day of PCT.
By acting as an LH analogue, HCG “forces” the testicles to
start working and producing Testosterone and sperm, even
334
when exogenous AAS are still in the body. Using it before the
PCT with SERMs allows users to enter PCT in the best
possible position, and helps them maintain their gains and
their well-being by preventing Testosterone levels from
plummeting.
Using 500iu of HCG every other day for two weeks, starting
the day after the end of the cycle and ending the day before
the start of PCT with SERMs works in most scenarios.
w
Users who were already on HCG during the cycle for the sake
of maintaining their fertility and testicular function can
probably get away with using the same dose of HCG they
used during the cycle (usually around 500 to 750iu twice a
week) during the 2 weeks of transition since their testicles
never stopped working during the cycle.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
335
IDEAL PCT PROTOCOL
The core components of a Post-Cycle Therapy are the
SERMs. PCT protocols for AAS cycle have typically consisted
of Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) and Clomiphene (Clomid) used
together for 4 to 6 weeks.
This protocol has been used since the 90s with great
success, but I personally believe that the development of
Enclomiphene made it obsolete.
w
Tamoxifen + Clomiphene may work very well, but the
Clomiphene tends to cause side-effects like moodiness,
depression, and possibly sexual dysfunction. These sideeffects have given the concept of PCT a bad reputation for
being an emotional rollercoaster, when the reality is that a
PCT can be a smooth and enjoyable experience with the right
protocols.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
In my opinion, Enclomiphene is the perfect replacement for
Clomiphene. It not only eliminates the bad side-effects
Clomiphene is known for, but it is also more effective at
restoring Testosterone levels.
If one can get his hands on high-quality Enclomiphene, I see
no reason to use Clomiphene instead. The only advantage of
Clomiphene over Enclomiphene is that the former is more
effective at increasing fertility in females, but that is not
something we are concerned with.
But, what about the other SERMs? Do they have a place in a
PCT protocol?
336
Toremifene is a solid alternative to Tamoxifen, but the reality is
that it has become very hard to source. Tamoxifen is cheap,
readily available and just as (if not more) effective, so I
personally see no reason to choose Toremifene over it.
Raloxifene is an incredible SERM but the weakest one at
increasing Testosterone levels. It shines at preventing and
reversing gynecomastia, so that is what it should be used for.
POST-CYCLE THERAPY LENGTH
w
I personally decide the length of a PCT based on the length of
the cycle. A 4-week PCT is enough for a cycle of up to 8
weeks in length, and a 6-week PCT is usually enough for a
cycle of up to 20 weeks (assuming that HCG is used to
transition).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
When coming off a long blast and cruise that has lasted for
many months or even years, some users will do a PCT for up
to 8 or even 12 weeks.
People who incorporate HCG into their blast and cruise can
probably get away with a 6-to-8-week PCT.
POST-CYCLE THERAPY DOSE
Using the right dose of each SERM during PCT is the key to
achieving complete hormonal recovery. Here are the doses I
recommend:
337
ENCLOMIPHENE + TAMOXIFEN
• Enclomiphene should be dosed at 25mg a day every
week, and half of that (12.5mg/day) the last week of
PCT.
• Tamoxifen should be dosed at 20mg a day every week,
and half of that amount (10mg/day) the last week of
PCT.
CLOMIPHENE + TAMOXIFEN
w
• Clomiphene should be dosed at 50mg a day every week,
and half of that (25mg/day) the last week of PCT.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
• Tamoxifen should be dosed at 20mg a day every week,
and half of that amount (10mg/day) the last week of
PCT.
You will find practical examples of these protocols in the
“Cycle Examples” chapter of this e-book.
338
HEALTH SUPPS - PCT
It is worth noting that the same health supplements that are
used during a cycle to prevent dyslipidemia, liver toxicity,
kidney damage and cardiovascular problems should continue
to be used after the cycle to ensure complete recovery.
Supplements like Fish Oil, NAC, Citrus Bergamot and other
are used during the cycle to mitigate side-effects, but they do
not completely avoid all the damage. Therefore, they need to
be used during PCT alongside HCG and the SERMs.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
339
AAS FOR FEMALES
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
340
CAN FEMALES USE AAS?
The short answer is YES, but most female athletes should
steer clear of the vast majority of AAS.
As you will know if you have paid attention while reading this
e-book, most AAS will have androgenic side-effects like hair
loss, acne, body hair growth, deeper voice and aggression.
w
In females, this androgenicity can lead to the same sideeffects while also causing a more masculine facial structure,
clitoris growth, reducing breast size and interfering with
menstrual cycles. Besides the last side-effect I just listed,
these side-effects are not fully reversible.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Female bodybuilders who wish to compete at the highest
levels will have to resort to some of these drugs despite their
masculinizing effects (example: Iris Kyle) often under the
supervision of a coach who specializes in coaching female
bodybuilders to reduce androgenic side-effects.
Unfortunately, I am no expert when it comes to teaching
women how to use the most potent AAS, so this chapter will
not be helpful to female athletes who wish to become as big
and shredded as the typical male bodybuilder who competes
in Men’s Physique.
The average female athlete, however, can make a ton of
progress and achieve the look that she wants while avoiding
the most androgenic AAS and sticking to the least androgenic
AAS. Keep reading to find out what those AAS are and how to
use them in the safest way possible.
341
FEMALE-FRIENDLY AAS
We could argue that the right AAS for the average female
athletes are the same AAS that men who want to avoid hair
loss at all costs tend to go for.
That leaves us with a small selection of compounds, but that
is fine because most enhanced female athletes do not even
need to use a lot of stuff to experience drastic improvements
in their ability to gain muscle and strength.
w
The main AAS that female athletes can use are Anavar,
Primobolan, Turinabol and Equipoise. Except for Anavar +
Turinabol, all these AAS can be combined with each other
(although the risk of masculinization will increase).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
ANAVAR
Anavar (Oxandrolone) is the most popular AAS among female
athletes. Despite being a DHT derivative, it carries a very low
risk of androgenic side-effects and provides a very clean
increase in lean muscle mass and strength.
Female athletes can run 5 to 10mg of Anavar per day for up
to 6 weeks.
The risk of virilization at these doses is very low, but Anavar
should be discontinued immediately if it still occurs.
Dyslipidemia is the most prevalent side-effect of Anavar in
females.
342
Some female athletes will experience irregularities in their
menstrual cycles, but this side-effect will resolve itself once
the cycle is over.
PRIMOBOLAN
Primbololan (Methenolone) is also a DHT derivative, but unlike
Anavar it can cause hair loss and other androgenic sideeffects at higher doses. Fortunately, this risk is almost nonexistent at the low doses that female athletes use.
w
Female athletes should take 50 to 100mg of injectable
Primobolan per week, or 10 to 20mg a day if they prefer oral
Primobolan. The injectable can be used for up to 20 weeks at
a time, whereas the oral should be kept at 6 weeks.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
The risk of virilization at these doses is very low, but
Primobolan should be discontinued immediately if it still
occurs. Mild liver toxicity (on the oral) and dyslipidemia are
the most prevalent side-effects of Primobolan in females.
Some female athletes will experience irregularities in their
menstrual cycles, but this side-effect will resolve itself once
the cycle is over.
TURINABOL
Turinabol (Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone) is an oral AAS
derived from Testosterone that carries a very low risk of
masculinization. It is worth noting, however, that many East
343
German Olympic athletes did develop masculine features
after being on state-mandated Turinabol for many months or
even years at a time.
Female athletes should take 5 to 10mg of Turinabol per day
for up to 4 weeks.
The risk of virilization at these doses is very low, but Turinabol
should be discontinued immediately if it still occurs. Liver
toxicity and dyslipidemia are the most prevalent side-effects of
Turinabol in females.
w
Some female athletes will experience irregularities in their
menstrual cycles, but this side-effect will resolve itself once
the cycle is over.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
EQUIPOISE
Equipoise (Boldenone) is an injectable AAS derived from
Testosterone that many female athletes really enjoy thanks to
its relatively mild side-effect profile and the slow yet steady
lean muscle gains it provides.
Female athletes should take 50 to 100mg of Equipoise per
week. The cycle can last for up to 16 weeks, maybe even 20.
The risk of virilization at these doses is very low, but Equipoise
should be discontinued immediately if it still occurs. All
Equipoise users should keep an eye on their kidneys and
ensure optimal hydration while running it, and females are no
exception.
344
Some female athletes will experience irregularities in their
menstrual cycles, but this side-effect will resolve itself once
the cycle is over.
OTHER AAS
Other AAS that females can run in very low doses and for very
short periods of time without experiencing a significant degree
of virilization are Testosterone, Proviron, Winstrol, Nandrolone
and even Masteron.
w
These AAS can be deployed for a week or two in preparation
for a contest, but only by females who are willing to take the
risk (even though it’s low).
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
If you are a female athlete who is looking to compete at a high
level and you are thinking about using some of these AAS, I
suggest you find a good coach who specializes in female
bodybuilders. Make sure their previous clients don’t have a 5
o’clock shadow!
345
OCT & PCT
When it comes to avoiding side-effects during a cycle of the
AAS we have just covered, female athletes will have to focus
on treating dyslipidemia, liver toxicity and kidney damage.
Simply take the information in the “On-Cycle Therapy”
chapter of this e-book and apply it to your cycle without
changing the doses.
w
Even though female athletes use lower doses of AAS than
males, they should still be as careful with side-effects as men
because their organs are more susceptible to being damaged
by AAS.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Using a Testosterone base is not necessary, but some women
feel better during their cycles when they take 25 to 50mg of
DHEA per day.
PCT is not necessary either, but some female athletes choose
to slowly taper off the dose of whatever they are taking to
make the transition to being “natural” again smoother.
346
OTHER PEDs
In my opinion, female athletes who do not wish to become
high-level competitors and who simply want to have a lean,
muscular physique do NOT need to use AAS.
SARMs like Ostarine, RAD-140 and S-4 offer the same
benefits as the AAS we have covered in this chapter with an
even lower risk of side-effects.
w
You can learn more about SARMs and how to use them as a
female athlete in THE SARM HANDBOOK.
rit
n
te
Peptides are also completely fine for female athletes to use
whether they are trying to heal injuries, improve their skin
quality, get a darker skin tone, build muscle, or burn fat.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
You can learn more about Peptides and how to use them in
THE PEPTIDE HANDBOOK.
Other PEDs that female athletes can use are fat-burners like
Clenbuterol, Albuterol, T3, Yohimbine, etc… Pretty much
every non-hormonal PED is ok for females to use provided
that they use a conservative dose and are aware of their risks
and how to mitigate them.
347
w
n
te
rit
HOW tO
INJECT AAS
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
348
INTRAMUSCULAR
INJECTIONS
Intramuscular injections are the primary administration route
for injectable AAS. This is the most intimidating way to
administer AAS for beginners, but it is not as complicated or
as painful as it seems.
w
These injections are exactly what the name indicates:
Injections into muscle tissue. They differ greatly from
subcutaneous injections, which are performed right between
the skin and and the muscle, often into fat tissue.
n
te
rit
by
en
@
•
•
•
•
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
In order to perform intramuscular injections, you will need 4
items:
The vial or ampoule of whichever AAS you want to inject.
A needle + syringe to draw the oil from the vial.
A needle to inject the oil into your muscle.
Alcohol wipes.
The Vial or Ampoule: The vial is a small glass bottle with a
rubber top that contains an oily solution with the AAS. You will
notice that all vials state their concentration in the label.
Ampoules are completely made out of glass and they tend to
be smaller and hold less oil than vials.
The concentration of an injectable AAS is expressed in mg/ml
(milligrams per millilitre). For example, if the concentration is
349
of 250mg/ml, this means that every ml of oil holds 250 mg of
the actual AAS. NOTE: 1 cc = 1 ml.
The Needle for Drawing + Syringe: This needle is used to
extract the desired amount of oil from the vial and into the
syringe. These needles differ from the needles for injection in
that they are thicker, making it easier for you to draw the oil.
These needles tend to have a gauge (thickness) of up to 22g
(the higher the gauge, the thinner the needle), and a length of
at least 1 inch. The syringe itself should be able to hold up to
3ml (3cc) of oil.
w
The Needle for Injection: These needles are used to inject the
oil into muscle tissue. Most users simply swap the needle for
drawing with these needles if the syringes they use allow for
the needle to be removed. If that’s not the case and the
needle is fixed to the syringe, backloading will be necessary
(more on that below).
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
These needles tend to have a gauge of 23 to 27g and a length
of at least ½ inch
BACKLOADING: Firstly, you must draw the oil from the vial
with the first syringe. Once that is done, remove the plunger
from the other syringe and simply introduce the content of the
loaded syringe into the back of the other syringe. Reintroduce
the plunger and point the needle upwards to make sure the oil
hits the bottom of the syringe. Then push the plunger to get
rid of any air and you will be ready to inject.
Alcohol Wipes: These wipes are used to clean the rubber
stopper in the vial as well as the injection site before the shot.
350
IM INJECTION SITES
The most common injection sites for intramuscular injections
are the glutes, the quads, the delts, the chest and the triceps.
The reality is that 99% of AAS users will never need to inject
in anything other than their glutes and their delts, but here is a
detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of each muscle
group and where exactly to inject in them so that you can
avoid hitting important blood vessels or nerves:
w
Glutes: These areas are the most common injection spots for
beginners and advance users alike. Both are relatively
painless, easy to access and can hold up to 5ml of oil without
issues. You may not be able to do certain exercises like
squats on injection days.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This image by springer.com shows the exact injection sites
you should aim for.
351
Quads: The quads are very easy to access, making them a
popular injection site.
I personally advise against pinning quads due to the high
concentration of nerves and blood vessels. PIP (Post-Injection
Pain) tends to be very bad compared to other sites because it
impairs one’s ability to walk properly. Infections are also more
likely to occur. DO NOT PIN YOUR QUADS.
Delts: The delts are also a popular choice due to how
accessible they are. Most people prefer pinning the middle
delt, but front and rear delts are also suitable.
w
rit
n
te
Injecting the delts properly is not very painful, although some
people are unable to train delts on injection days. Delts can
hold up to 3ml of oil per injection.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This image by Wikipedia.com shows the exact injection site
you should aim for.
352
Chest: Pinning the pectoral muscles is fairly easy. Most
people opt for pinning their upper chest, but pretty much the
whole chest is suitable for injections.
The pain is not too bad, but most people are unable to train
their chest on injection days. The chest can comfortably hold
up to 2ml per injection.
The ideal injection site is 5cm (2 inches) north of the nipple.
w
Triceps: The triceps are somewhat hard to reach so only
experienced users tend to pin them. The easiest part of the
triceps to pin is the outer head (horseshoe).
rit
n
te
Training triceps on injection days is out of the question. This
muscle can hold little more than 1ml per injection.
by
@
---
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
The ideal injection site is the part of the outer head of the
triceps (horseshoe) that sticks out the most, right under one’s
delts.
The reality is that most AAS users will never need to inject
most of these muscles, and only advanced users who are
running 3 or more injectables at the same time, or those who
are injecting fast-acting AAS multiple times per week will need
to rotate between 2 or more of these injection sites.
Users who inject once to twice per week can simply rotate
between glute muscles and do the occasional delt shot if
necessary.
353
IM Injection Step-by-step instructions
1st STEP – Take everything you’ll need (vial, both needles,
wipes) and place it all in front of you in a clean environment.
2nd STEP – Use an alcohol wipe to disinfect the rubber
stopper of the vial. If your AAS comes in ampoules, simply
break the top of the ampoule to gain access to its content (go
on YouTube and search for a tutorial on how to open
ampoules safely if you don’t know how to).
w
n
te
rit
by
3rd STEP – Take the drawing needle and attach it to the
syringe. Insert it into the vial and turn the vial upside down to
draw the exact amount of oil you need for your injection.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
4th STEP – Make sure there is no oil still inside the drawing
needle by facing the needle upwards and pulling the plunger
down. Then remove the drawing needle.
5th STEP – Attach the injection needle to the syringe and
slowly push the plunger upwards to get rid of any air and
bubbles. Tap the syringe if necessary to bring any air gaps to
the surface. Press the plunger to the point where the oil is
about to exit the needle (it’s fine if a small drop comes out).
If switching between needles is not possible because they are
fixed to the syringes, simply backload the content of one
syringe into the new syringe with a needle for injection.
354
6th STEP – The syringe is now ready for injection. But before
you perform the injection, put the cap back on the needle and
leave it in a clean table / counter while making sure the needle
doesn’t touch anything.
7th STEP – Take a new alcohol wipe and disinfect the exact
spot where you are planning to inject the AAS.
w
8th STEP – Relax. Breath slowly and relax your muscles,
especially the muscle you plan to inject into. Being tense will
make the injection harder and it will increase the chances of
bad Post-Injection Pain.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
9th STEP – You are now ready for the injection. Take the
syringe and insert it into the injection area at a 90-degree
angle. Once it’s inside, press the plunger gently until the
entire content of the syringe has been injected.
10th STEP – Carefully remove the needle, dispose of it (never
re-use a needle!) and use an alcohol wipe to press against the
injection spot.
--Congratulations,
injection!
you
just
performed
355
an
intramuscular
HOW TO DEAL WITH Post-INJECTION PAIN
Post-Injection Pain (PIP) is pretty self-explanatory. The reality
is that you cannot expect an injection into muscle tissue to be
completely painless, but what you can do is minimize it so that
it doesn’t affect your quality of life.
What determines how bad the PIP is?
The muscle.
The concentration.
The ester.
The solvents.
The technique.
The quality.
w
n
te
rit
by
•
•
•
•
•
•
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The Muscle: The first time pinning a muscle is always more
painful than subsequent injections due to the muscle not
being used to holding oil.
The Concentration: The more concentrated a solution is, the
worse the PIP will be. In other words, a solution of 300mg per
ml will be more painful than a solution of 100mg per ml.
The Ester: The shorter the ester, the worse the PIP will be.
The Solvents: The solvents used also play a role in PIP, the
more alcohol it contains, the more of a burning sensation it will
cause.
The Technique: Performing a bad injection (too fast, bad
angle, moving the needle around once it is inside, etc…) is an
easy way to experience terrible pip.
356
The Quality: If the AAS are from a bad source and they are
impure due to being manufactured in poor conditions, the
likelihood of experiencing terrible PIP or even an actual
infection will be very high.
--PIP can be mitigated by loading up the syringe with sterile oil
or BAC water first and then loading it up with the actual AAS.
Doing so reduces the mg/ml concentration of the solution and
decreases PIP despite increasing the volume of liquid that is
being injected.
w
Some users also find that heating up the vial with hot water for
a minute or two also reduces PIP.
n
te
rit
by
Finally, using thinner needles like 25 to 27g also reduces PIP
because they force the user to perform a slower, more
controlled injection (the thinner the needle, the longer it takes
for all the oil to go through it). Taking 30 seconds to inject 1ml
is a good rule of thumb.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
In terms of mitigating the PIP once it’s happened, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen or Naproxen
can help a lot, as well as exposing the injection area to warm
water.
357
INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION FAQs
IS IT POSSIBLE TO DEVELOP AN INFECTION?
Yes, it is, and it can get nasty really quickly. Some men have
had legs amputated due to such infections.
If your injection site is itchy, oddly hot all the time and very red
even days after the injection, visit a doctor.
I AM DEVELOPING A HARD PATCH OF SKIN, WHAT IS IT?
w
Scar tissue! It can develop after injecting in the same spot
multiple times if not enough time for the tissue to recover is
left between injections. It isn’t dangerous, but it can be very
annoying. Be sure to rotate between injection sites to prevent
scar tissue from building up.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BLEED AFTER AN INJECTION?
This is fairly common and it means that a minor blood vessel
has been hit. Do not panic! Simply apply pressure to the
injection site with a clean alcohol swab until it stops.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I ACCIDENTALLY INJECT BUBBLES
WITH MY OIL?
Nothing, injecting bubbles is only dangerous with intravenous
injections, and even then it does not pose a threat if we are
talking about a handful of small bubbles. Muscle tissue can
handle bubbles without any issues.
358
SUBCUTANEOUS
INJECTIONS
Subcutaneous injections are injections where the AAS is
injected into the space between the skin and muscle tissue,
so typically into fat tissue.
w
The main advantage of subcutaneous injections over
intramuscular injection is that they are virtually painless and
way less intimidating than the latter.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
The main disadvantages of subcutaneous injections are that
they tend to be slow injections (due to how thin insulin needles
are) and that not a lot of oil can be injected at once, meaning
that they must be performed daily or at least every other day.
Subcutaneous injections requires the same equipment as
intramuscular injections, except the needles need to be insulin
needles with a gauge of 28 to 31g and a length of up to ½
inch. The syringes can hold up to 1ml (1cc).
Using different needles for drawing and injecting is still
recommended because the tip of insulin needles is easily bent
when perforating the rubber stopper of the vial.
Subcutaneous injections are only viable when one is doing
TRT or just blasting one or two AAS. Someone who needs to
blast multiple compounds is better off doing intramuscular
injections and rotating between injection sites.
359
SUBQ INJECTION SITE
Subcutaneous injections are usually performed in lower belly
fat due to being an easily accessible area with more than
enough fat tissue to perform a safe injection. However,
injecting in any other part of the body where one can pinch
the skin and have enough room for the needle is also
possible.
w
It is important to keep in mind that you can only inject up to
0.5ml of liquid subcutaneously. Any more than that will cause
visible oil bags that will take a few days or even weeks to be
absorbed completely.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
IM Injection Step-by-step instructions
1st STEP – Take everything you’ll need (vial, needles, wipes)
and place it all in front of you in a clean environment.
2nd STEP – Use an alcohol wipe to disinfect the rubber
stopper of the vial. If your AAS comes in ampoules, simply
break the top of the ampoule to gain access to its content (go
on YouTube and search for a tutorial on how to open
ampoules safely if you don’t know how to).
3rd STEP – Take the drawing needle and insert it into the vial
and turn the vial upside down to draw the exact amount of oil
you need for your injection.
360
4th STEP – Take the injecting needle and backload it with the
contents of the drawing needle (you can simply keep the
same syringe and switch needle if that it possible, but that is
rarely the case with insulin needles).
5th STEP – Once you have backloaded the other syringe and it
is ready to be injected, take a new alcohol wipe and disinfect
the exact spot where you are planning to inject the AAS.
w
8th STEP – Take off your t-shirt and locate the spot on your
lower belly you want to pin. Pinch it with two fingers and use
the other hand to insert the needle into the space of skin and
fat tissue between your fingers.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Insert it at a 90-degree angle if there is plenty of fat
underneath and you can pinch a decent amount of tissue. If
you are very lean and you cannot grab that much tissue,
insert the needle at a 45-degree angle to avoid hitting your
abdominal muscles.
9th STEP – Carefully remove the needle and dispose of it
(never reuse a needle), then press against the injection site
for half a minute with an alcohol wipe.
--It is worth noting that subcutaneous injections delay the
absorption of the oil. In other words, they artificially extend the
half-life of whatever you are taking.
361
Despite this, subcutaneous injections are performed 3 to 7
times a week because only up to 0.5ml of oil can be injected
at once, meaning that people running high doses of
injectables will need to spread out their weekly dose over
multiple shots.
For example, if you are running 375mg of Testosterone per
week and that amounts to 1.5ml of oil, you can do 3 x 0.5ml
shots per week, or 6 x 0.25ml shots per week.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
362
CYCLE EXAMPLES
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
363
In the following pages, you will find various AAS cycle
examples for different experience levels and goals. Before you
delve into them, I want to 3 things very clear:
Firstly, these are general examples that work well for the
average AAS user. Some users may need to tweak the doses
of these cycles to achieve better results or get less sideeffects, and unfortunately there is no way to know the exact
dosage that works best for you until you have tried different
protocols.
Therefore, do not take these examples as gospel because
every user is different and it is not possible to come up with a
specific protocol that is universally compatible with all users.
w
Secondly, these cycle examples only mention the ancillaries
necessary for handling the typical and predictable side-effects
of each cycle.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
As you know, the potential for unexpected side-effect is
always present, so resort to the “On-Cycle Therapy” chapter
to learn the exact protocols you need to follow to handle every
possible side-effect.
Finally, just because a certain AAS or combination of AAS is
not included in any of the following cycles, it does not mean
that certain AAS or stack is a bad idea.
There are hundreds if not thousands of possible cycles and in
this e-book, I am only presenting the most common, sensible
and popular ones that most users can have a good
experience with.
I will be adding more cycle examples with every new
Handbook update, but the current ones are more than
enough for someone who is a complete beginner or only has
1 or 2 cycles under their belt.
364
BEGINNER BULKING CYCLE
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
365
This is a very simple and straightforward Testosterone cycle
that can provide amazing results to any bodybuilder, but
especially to those who are using AAS for the first time.
In this example, Testosterone is used at 400mg a week, but a
dose of anywhere from 300mg to 500mg would be
acceptable. The best esters would be Enanthate or
Cypionate.
w
Regardless of which ester is chosen, Testosterone can be
injected every 5 days for stable blood levels. To calculate how
much Testosterone needs to be injected every 5 days, simply
take the total weekly dose (400mg in this case), divide it by 7
(400 / 7 = 57) and multiply it by 5 (57 x 5 = 285). Meaning
that injecting roughly 285mg of Testosterone every 5 days
would bring the weekly average to 400mg.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
OCT
Testosterone Enanthate and Cypionate take about 4-5 weeks
to truly kick in. That is why Arimidex (anti-estrogen) and HCG
(used to preserve testicular function and make PCT easier)
are not started until week 3. From then on, Arimidex must be
taken orally at roughly 0.5mg every 3-4 days (half of that dose
during week 3), and the HCG has to be injected
subcutaneously at roughly 500iu, also every 3-4 days.
PCT
After the last Testosterone shot at week 16, HCG and
Arimidex must still be used for another 2 weeks. In the case of
HCG at 500iu every other day, and in the case of Arimidex at
366
0.5mg every 3-4 days the first week, and at 0.25mg every 3-4
days the second week.
After these two weeks, the exogenous Testosterone will be
mostly gone and the actual PCT will start. I would personally
recommend using Enclomiphene and Tamoxifen for a total of
4 weeks.
Enclomiphene at 25mg a day for 3 weeks, and then at
12.5mg for 1 weeks. Tamoxifen at 20mg a day for 3 weeks,
and then at 10mg for 1 week.
w
NOTE: HCG is not mandatory during the cycle. Users who do
not care about testicular size, producing normal amounts of
sperm during the cycle and making PCT easier do not need to
use HCG. However, they should still use it for a couple of
weeks after the cycle to prepare for PCT, and they should use
the SERMs for a total of 6 weeks rather than 4 weeks.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
367
INTERMEDIATE BULKING CYCLE
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
368
This intermediate bulking cycle takes the beginner bulking
cycle to the next level by bumping the Testosterone up to
500mg and adding in Turinabol at 50mg a day (350mg a
week) for the first 6 weeks to kickstart the cycle and provide
gains right away while the Testosterone (Enanthate or
Cypionate) slowly kicks in.
w
Regardless of which ester is chosen, Testosterone can be
injected every 5 days for stable blood levels. To calculate how
much Testosterone needs to be injected every 5 days, simply
take the total weekly dose (500mg in this case), divide it by 7
(500 / 7 = 71.4) and multiply it by 5 (71.4 x 5 = 357). Meaning
that injecting roughly 360mg of Testosterone every 5 days
would bring the weekly average to 500mg.
n
te
rit
by
In this example, Turinabol is dosed at 50mg/day but doses as
low as 30mg/day would also provide significant results. The
highest one could go is 75mg or even 100mg/day. Since the
half-life of Turinabol is around 16h, it can either be taken once
a day or twice a day (by splitting up the dose between
morning and evening).
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
OCT
Testosterone Enanthate and Cypionate take about 4-5 weeks
to truly kick in. That is why Arimidex (anti-estrogen) and HCG
(used to preserve testicular function and make PCT easier)
are not started until week 3. From then on, Arimidex must be
taken orally at roughly 0.5mg every 3-4 days (half of that dose
during week 3), and the HCG must be injected
subcutaneously at roughly 500iu, also every 3-4 days.
369
Since Turinabol is known for being liver toxic and bad for the
lipid panel, one should take 1g of N-Acetyl Cysteine and 6g of
Fish Oil while on it and for 4 weeks after discontinuing it.
NOTE: After running an oral, one must rest for as long as they
took it. In this case 6 weeks on = 6 weeks off. This means
that, on paper, one would be able to take Turinabol again for
the last 4 weeks of the cycle assuming that everything is
going well.
PCT
w
After the last Testosterone shot at week 16, HCG and
Arimidex must still be used for another 2 weeks. In the case of
HCG at 500iu every other day, and in the case of Arimidex at
0.5mg every 3-4 days the first week, and at 0.25mg every 3-4
days the second week.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
After these two weeks, the exogenous Testosterone will be
mostly gone and the actual PCT will start. I would personally
recommend using Enclomiphene and Tamoxifen for a total of
4 weeks.
Enclomiphene at 25mg a day for 3 weeks, and then at
12.5mg for 1 weeks. Tamoxifen at 20mg a day for 3 weeks,
and then at 10mg for 1 week.
NOTE: HCG is not mandatory during the cycle. Users who do
not care about testicular size, producing normal amounts of
sperm during the cycle and making PCT easier do not need to
use HCG. However, they should still use it for a couple of
weeks after the cycle to prepare for PCT, and they should use
the SERMs for a total of 6 weeks rather than 4 weeks.
370
ADVANCED BULKING CYCLE
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
371
This advanced bulking cycle combines two of the most
popular bulking AAS ever: High-Dose Testosterone +
Nandrolone.
Now, Nandrolone can either be used as NPP (short-acting) or
Deca-Durabolin (long-acting). I would personally use Deca
since it makes one’s life easier, but some users who have
experience with both prefer NPP. I suggest starting with
Deca-Durabolin.
If Deca is chosen, it can be injected once a week due to its
long half-life. 300mg once a week will do the trick. If NPP is
chosen, it can be injected every 3 days.
w
n
te
rit
To calculate the exact dose, take the weekly dose (300mg in
this case), divide it by 7 (300 / 7 = 43) and multiply this
number by 3 (43 x 3 = 129). Roughly 130mg of NPP would
have to be injected every 3 days for the weekly average dose
to be 300mg.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Regarding Testosterone (Cypionate or Enanthate), it can be
injected every 5 days for stable blood levels. To calculate how
much Testosterone needs to be injected every 5 days, simply
take the total weekly dose (500mg in this case), divide it by 7
(500 / 7 = 71.4) and multiply it by 5 (71.4 x 5 = 357). Meaning
that injecting roughly 360mg of Testosterone every 5 days
would bring the weekly average to 500mg.
NOTE: No orals are used to kickstart this specific example,
but it would be possible to add an oral like Turinabol, Anavar
or even Dianabol during the first 4 to 6 weeks as long as the
necessary precautions are taken.
372
OCT
Testosterone Enanthate and Cypionate take about 4-5 weeks
to truly kick in. That is why Arimidex (anti-estrogen) is not
started until week 3. From then on, Arimidex must be taken
orally at roughly 0.5mg every 3-4 days (half of that dose
during week 3).
Nandrolone should not be followed by a PCT, meaning that
HCG is less necessary than when running a cycle with a PCT
in mind. Still, HCG can be used with this cycle if the user
simply wants to preserve testicular function.
w
n
te
rit
Nandrolone will increase prolactin levels by interacting with
the progesterone receptors. Therefore, using Pramipexole at
0.125mg every other day or Cabergoline at 0.5mg every 3
days will be necessary.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This cycle is likely to increase water retention and blood
pressure even if an AI is used, so having a blood-pressure
lowering medication like Tadalafil at 5mg every other day or
Valsartan at 150mg a day might be necessary.
PCT
Attempting a PCT after a Nandrolone cycle is foolish
considering that its metabolites stay in the body for months if
not years and keep suppressing the HPTA after discontinuing
Nandrolone. Therefore, an advanced cycle like this one
should only be executed by an experienced enhanced
bodybuilder who is on TRT or cruising on Testosterone.
373
BEGINNER CUTTING CYCLE
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
374
This beginner cutting cycle employs Testosterone at a
relatively low dose (for a cycle) along with Anavar as a
kickstarter for the first 6 weeks and then again during the last
4 weeks to maximize aesthetics by the end of the cycle.
w
Regardless of which ester is chosen (cypionate or enanthate),
Testosterone can be injected every 5 days for stable blood
levels. To calculate how much Testosterone needs to be
injected every 5 days, simply take the total weekly dose
(300mg in this case), divide it by 7 (300 / 7 = 43) and multiply
it by 5 (43 x 5 = 215). Meaning that injecting roughly 215mg
of Testosterone every 5 days would bring the weekly average
to 300mg.
rit
n
te
Anavar would be used at 350mg a week, meaning that the
daily dose would be of 50mg split between 25mg in the
morning and 25mg in the evening.
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
OCT
Testosterone Enanthate and Cypionate take about 4-5 weeks
to truly kick in. That is why Arimidex (anti-estrogen) and HCG
(used to preserve testicular function and make PCT easier)
are not started until week 3. From then on, Arimidex must be
taken orally at roughly 0.25mg every 3-4 days (half of that
dose during week 3), and the HCG must be injected
subcutaneously at roughly 500iu, also every 3-4 days.
Since Anavar is quite bad for the lipid panel, one should take
at least 6g of Fish Oil while on it and for 4 weeks after
discontinuing it. Anavar is not liver toxic (or at least not to a
significant extent), but it can put a strain on the kidneys if one
is not drinking enough water. One should drink plenty of water
375
and still throw in some N-Acetyl Cysteine at 1g a day for
improved organ health (NAC does it all).
PCT
After the last Testosterone shot and Anavar dose at week 16,
HCG and Arimidex must still be used for another 2 weeks. In
the case of HCG at 500iu every other day, and in the case of
Arimidex at 0.5mg every 3-4 days the first week, and at
0.25mg every 3-4 days the second week.
w
After these two weeks, the exogenous Testosterone will be
mostly gone and the actual PCT will start. I would personally
recommend using Enclomiphene and Tamoxifen for a total of
4 weeks.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Enclomiphene at 25mg a day for 3 weeks, and then at
12.5mg for 1 weeks. Tamoxifen at 20mg a day for 3 weeks,
and then at 10mg for 1 week.
NOTE: HCG is not mandatory during the cycle. Users who do
not care about testicular size, producing normal amounts of
sperm during the cycle and making PCT easier do not need to
use HCG. However, they should still use it for a couple of
weeks after the cycle to prepare for PCT, and they should use
the SERMs for a total of 6 weeks rather than 4 weeks.
376
INTERMEDIATE CUTTING CYCLE
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
377
This intermediate cutting cycle adds Masteron to the mix and
is finalized with 6 weeks of Winstrol for peak muscle hardness,
vascularity and dryness by the time one has lost a bunch of
fat.
Masteron is Drostanolone Propionate which has a half-life of 2
days, meaning that it needs to be injected every other day for
stable blood levels.
This may be an inconvenience to some, but it also means that
it kicks in almost right away so one can start seeing results
from the get-go without having to use an oral to kickstart the
cycle.
w
n
te
rit
To calculate the exact dose, take the weekly dose (300mg in
this case), divide it by 7 (300 / 7 = 43) and multiply this
number by 2 (43 x 2 = 86). Roughly 90mg of Masteron would
have to be injected every other day for the weekly average
dose to be around 300mg.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Regarding Testosterone (Cypionate or Enanthate), it can be
injected every 5 days for stable blood levels. To calculate how
much Testosterone needs to be injected every 5 days, simply
take the total weekly dose (300mg in this case), divide it by 7
(300 / 7 = 43) and multiply it by 5 (43 x 5 = 215). Meaning
that injecting roughly 215mg of Testosterone every 5 days
would bring the weekly average to 300mg.
Winstrol would be used at 350mg a week during the last 6
weeks of the cycle, meaning that the daily dose would be of
50mg split between 25mg in the morning and 25mg in the
evening.
378
OCT
Arimidex is not used in this cycle because Masteron already
acts as an AI that is strong enough to prevent high estrogen
on 300mg of Testosterone. HCG can still be used at 1k iu per
week, injecting 500iu subcutaneously every 3 to 4 days.
Since Winstrol is quite bad for the liver and the lipid panel, one
should take at least 1g of N-Acetyl Cysteine and 6g of Fish Oil
while on it and for 4 weeks after discontinuing it.
w
This is a cycle that would definitely cause hair loss in those
who are prone to it, so I would recommend such men to either
avoid these compounds or to use the anti-hair loss ancillaries
that are covered in the “On-Cycle Therapy” chapter.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This cycle is also likely to cause dry joints. Fish Oil will help
with that, but using some of the other joint health supplements
I recommend in the “On-Cycle Therapy” chapter may be
necessary.
PCT
After the last Testosterone and Masteron shots at week 16,
HCG must still be used for another 2 weeks. In the case of
HCG at 500iu every other day, and in the case of Arimidex at
0.5mg every 3-4 days the first week, and at 0.25mg every 3-4
days the second week.
After these two weeks, the exogenous Testosterone will be
mostly gone and the actual PCT will start. I would personally
recommend using Enclomiphene and Tamoxifen for a total of
4 weeks.
379
Enclomiphene at 25mg a day for 3 weeks, and then at
12.5mg for 1 weeks. Tamoxifen at 20mg a day for 3 weeks,
and then at 10mg for 1 week.
NOTE: HCG is not mandatory during the cycle. Users who do
not care about testicular size, producing normal amounts of
sperm during the cycle and making PCT easier do not need to
use HCG. However, they should still use it for a couple of
weeks after the cycle to prepare for PCT, and they should use
the SERMs for a total of 6 weeks rather than 4 weeks.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
380
ADVANCED CUTTING CYCLE
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
381
This advanced cutting cycle consists of Testosterone +
Trenbolone and a Winstrol kickstart.
As you can see, Trenbolone is only used for the last 8 weeks
of the cycle. This is because Tren is highly toxic and should
not be run for as long as some other injectables can be. The
reason why it is used during the last 8 weeks and not the first
8 is that by the second half of the cycle, the user will have
already achieved some results and Trenbolone will take those
results to the next level.
w
Trenbolone can either be Enanthate or Acetate (Tren Hex is
hard to find and rarely used). Enanthate has a long half-life of
around 11 days, so it can be injected once a week for stable
blood levels. Acetate, on the other hand, needs to be injected
every other day.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
If Tren Enanthate is chosen, the user can simply inject 300mg
once a week. Most users choose Tren Acetate though, so in
order to take 300mg a week one must take that amount and
divide it by 7 (300 / 7 = 43) and then take that amount and
multiply it by 2 (43 x 2 = 86). One should inject roughly 90mg
of Trenbolone Acetate every other day for the total weekly
dose to be around 300mg.
Regarding Testosterone (Cypionate or Enanthate), it can be
injected every 5 days for stable blood levels. To calculate how
much Testosterone needs to be injected every 5 days, simply
take the total weekly dose (300mg in this case), divide it by 7
(300 / 7 = 43) and multiply it by 5 (43 x 5 = 215). Meaning
that injecting roughly 215mg of Testosterone every 5 days
would bring the weekly average to 300mg.
382
Winstrol is used for the first 4 weeks at 50mg a day for a total
of 350mg per week. The purpose of Winstrol is to kickstart the
cycle and start providing results almost right away. It is only
used for 4 weeks (as opposed to 6) because that gives the
liver 4 weeks to repair and be ready for Trenbolone.
OCT
w
Testosterone Enanthate and Cypionate take about 4-5 weeks
to truly kick in. That is why Arimidex (anti-estrogen) is not
started until week 3. From then on, Arimidex must be taken
orally at roughly 0.5mg every 3-4 days (half of that dose
during week 3).
n
te
rit
by
Trenbolone should not be followed by a PCT, meaning that
HCG is less necessary than when running a cycle with a PCT
in mind. Still, HCG can be used with this cycle if the user
simply wants to preserve testicular function.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
Trenbolone will increase prolactin levels by interacting with
the progesterone receptors. Therefore, using Pramipexole at
0.125mg every other day or Cabergoline at 0.5mg every 3
days will be necessary.
As you know, Trenbolone can cause all kinds of side-effects
including insomnia, high blood pressure, “tren cough”, “roid
rage” and more. Be sure to take a good look at the
Trenbolone profile and the “On-Cycle Therapy” section of this
e-book to be fully prepared before attempting to run
Trenbolone.
Since Winstrol is liver toxic and likely to cause dyslipidemia,
using N-Acetyl Cysteine at 1g a day and Fish Oil at 6g a day
383
will be necessary while using it. In fact, these two
supplements should be used during the entire cycle because
Trenbolone can also affect both the liver and the lipid panel.
PCT
Attempting a PCT after a Trenbolone cycle is foolish
considering that its metabolites stay in the body and keep
suppressing the HPTA for a long time after discontinuing
Trenbolone. Therefore, an advanced cycle like this one should
only be executed by an experienced enhanced bodybuilder
who is on TRT or cruising on Testosterone.
w
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
384
w
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
385
WILL AAS SHORTEN MY LIFE?
The answer to this question is: MAYBE.
Doing a sensible cycle will not affect your lifespan. Doing a 3
sensible cycle over the next decade is probably not going to
affect it either. But if you do cycles regularly for years to
come, chances are you will miss out on some years of life.
w
It is impossible to predict exactly how many years of life you
are missing out on depending on what you take and how often
you take it. No one (natural or enhanced) knows what their life
expectancy is, so do not waste time worrying about pointless
calculations.
n
te
rit
by
Understand and accept the fact that your lifespan will
probably be cut short by a few years or maybe up to a decade
(depending on how hard you go) if you plan to do multiple
cycles and you want to live and breathe the enhanced
lifestyle.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
CAN I DO ONE CYCLE AND BE DONE?
You can, but you probably will not. Most people who say they
just want to do one cycle end up doing multiple cycles
because they love the results.
If you are committed to only doing one cycle and your
willpower is strong, you will be able to do one cycle, recover
from it and stay off-cycle for the rest of your life, but you will
never be natural again.
386
CAN I BE NATURAL AGAIN AFTER A CYCLE?
Not really. Here’s why:
In 2013, researchers at Oslo University (Norway) treated mice
with Testosterone Propionate for two weeks, which led to an
increase in muscle mass and an increase in the number of
nuclei (cells) in the muscle fibres.
w
Test P was then withdrawn for three months (10-12 years of
life for a human). After the withdrawal, the treated mice’s
muscle mass regrew by 30% in six days following load
exercise (despite being off Test.), while the untreated mice
had no muscle growth.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
They found that the increased number of nuclei (muscle cells)
in enhanced mice remained the same even after
discontinuation of Test P and after months of no exercise. In
other words, rats that had been treated with Test P had a
long-lasting improvement in the composition of their muscle
fibers which allowed them to grow muscle mass more easily in
the future despite being off Test P.
If we extrapolate this to humans, we can conclude that even a
single cycle can cause a long-lasting (and possibly
permanent) increase in our number of muscle cells, which
would make it easier for us to regain lost or gain new muscle
mass in the future, even if we remain "natty".
In other words, a cycle will enhance you for AT LEAST a
decade, and possibly forever.
387
CAN AAS KILL ME?
Can AAS kill someone if misused for years on end, especially
if the user has a genetic predisposition to certain diseases?
Definitely.
However, short-term death from AAS use is nearly impossible.
You could overdose on most AAS and not die. In the worstcase scenario, you would end up in the emergency room with
a case of very high blood pressure. But even that is extremely
unlikely after overdosing on steroids once.
w
rit
n
te
CAN A SINGLE CYCLE TRANSFORM ME?
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
Sure. A single well-planned and well-executed cycle can
radically transform your physique in a few months. However, it
will not turn the average bodybuilder into a professional
bodybuilder.
The body that most bodybuilders dream of would take many
cycles to even get close to.
WILL I LOSE MY GAINS AFTER A CYCLE?
Losing the gains after a cycle is one of the biggest fears
enhanced bodybuilders have. The reality is that while losing a
significant amount of muscle mass after a cycle is possible,
you will not experience that if you follow these 3 simple rules...
388
Firstly, you need to eat at maintenance calories or a slight
surplus after the cycle. Failing to do so is a sure-fire way to
lose muscle and make it harder for your body to recover its
hormonal balance after a cycle. YOU CAN’T CUT RIGHT
AFTER A CYCLE, ONLY AFTER COMPLETE RECOVERY.
Secondly, you need to keep training hard at the gym. Many
people relax after a cycle because they think there is no need
to train hard when they are not on anabolics. Aim to train as
hard as you did during the cycle to make sure the body holds
on to as much muscle as possible.
w
Finally, you need to do a proper PCT or cruise on
Testosterone. Cruising on a TRT dose of Testosterone and
following the aforementioned rules is the easiest way to
maintain gains after a cycle, but not everyone is willing to
commit to long-term Testosterone use. Doing a proper PCT is
necessary in order to restore one’s natural Testosterone
production as quickly as possible and hold on to most of the
muscle that was gained during the cycle.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
It is worth noting, however, that losing WEIGHT after a cycle is
very common, especially if the cycle consisted of AAS that
tend to cause water retention. The lost weight will not be
actual muscle, but water and glycogen.
HOW MUCH WEIGHT WILL I GAIN ON X?
Trying to predict how much muscle/weight you will gain on a
cycle of “X” AAS is foolish because the answer to that
question depends on too many variables. Your current weight,
389
the dose at which the AAS is/are used, the length of the cycle,
how much you eat, how hard you train, how well you sleep,
how good your genetics are, among other variables, will
determine your results.
ARE AAS LEGAL?
w
AAS are scheduled substances in most countries so buying,
selling and owning them is illegal. Countries like Mexico and
Thailand are exceptions to this rule, and countries like the UK
and Canada do not allow the sale of AAS but do not
criminalize AAS ownership and use.
n
te
rit
by
Some AAS (Testosterone, Nandrolone, Anavar, Proviron and
others) are prescription drugs in most western countries, so
they can be acquired legally from pharmacies with a valid
prescription.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
I want to make it clear that this e-book does not encourage
anyone to break the law of their country. The information in
this e-book is for educational purposes only. AAS should only
be used under medical supervision in countries where their
use is legal.
IS AAS USE ALLOWED IN SPORTS?
Most sports organizations and competitions classify AAS as
doping agents, meaning that their use by athletes who
compete in them is forbidden. The main exception to this rule
390
would be bodybuilding, strongman or powerlifting
competitions which are not labelled as “Natural”.
If you are a drug-tested athlete, be sure to read the list of
banned substances before attempting to give yourself an
unfair advantage by using AAS.
CAN I TRAVEL WITH AAS?
w
I do not encourage anyone to travel with banned substances,
but a lot of users do it successfully. If you must travel midcycle, you can either front-load whatever you are cycling or
switch to longer esters.
n
te
rit
by
There is no way to do that with oral AAS, so you will have to
take a break from those unless you are willing to break the law
and bring them with you (do not do it!).
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
This advice only applies to users who must travel for
unexpected reasons. Do not start a cycle if you know you will
have to travel at some point during the cycle.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET SICK?
If you get sick during the first weeks or halfway through a
cycle and you are unable to have a normal life while sick, your
best bet is to decrease your dose of Testosterone to a TRT
dose (150-200mg per week) and discontinue everything else
until you feel better.
391
If this happens later in the cycle, just come off and do a PCT
or cruise on Testosterone if you are blasting and cruising or
on TRT.
WHAT’s THE SAFEST AAS?
Testosterone at a replacement dose is the safest AAS one
can use. Even at higher doses, Testosterone remains one of
the safest AAS for long-term use.
w
Other AAS that are often described as “safe” (even though
they are not entirely safe) are Primobolan, Anavar, Turinabol,
Proviron, Nandrolone and Masteron.
n
te
rit
by
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
ARE INJECTABLE AAS A MUST?
Even though using injectable AAS is more sustainable in the
long run than only using orals, there are ways to run oral-only
AAS cycles successfully.
However, I do not think serious enhanced athletes should rely
on oral-only cycles because that would limit their progress.
Head to the “Testosterone Base” chapter of this e-book for
more information on what the best oral Testosterone base
options are.
392
DO ALL AAS ACCELERATE HAIR LOSS?
Only Testosterone, Trenbolone and (most) DHT-derived AAS
are likely to accelerate hair loss in men who are prone to
losing hair in the first place.
Hair loss on other AAS is technically possible but very rare.
Be sure to read the AAS profiles in this e-book thoroughly
before starting any cycle.
w
DO ALL AAS INCREASE AGGRESSION?
n
te
rit
by
Only Trenbolone and Halotestin are known for causing
aggression or “roid rage”. Could it happen on other AAS?
Yes, but that is very unlikely as long as they are not misused.
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
DO AAS CAUSE INFERTILITY?
Become infertile due to AAS use is very difficult. There are
countless stories of men knocking up their girlfriends by
accident during heavily suppressive cycles and/or after years
of blasting and cruising.
Still, all AAS besides Proviron will have a negative impact on
sperm production and sperm quality if HCG is not used. The
AAS that are most likely to cause fertility issues are
Nandrolone, Trenbolone and Trestolone.
393
CAN MEN OVER 40 Use AAS?
Yes, in fact TRT can help men over 40 a lot by increasing their
energy, delaying neurodegenerative disease, strengthening
their bones and muscle mass, improving their sexual function
and their overall quality of life.
TRT can even provide all these benefits to the elderly if done
properly under the guidance of a doctor who knows how to
detect and manage prostate cancer (let’s face it, prostate
cancer affects all men if they live long enough to get it).
w
Now, when it comes to doing cycles/blasts, men over 40
should be very careful and only use the “safer” AAS at lower
doses and for shorter periods of time, all while going out of
their way to mitigate side-effects and to monitor their health
through bloodwork and scans.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
I do not think men over 60 should use any AAS other than
Testosterone at TRT doses.
WHY ARE THERE FLOATING CHUNKS IN MY VIAL?
If you can see particles floating inside your vial, get rid of said
vial and get a new one, preferably from a different
manufacturer / UGL (Underground Lab).
Floating particles usually indicate that the product is of low
quality.
394
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M READY TO START A CYCLE?
Assuming that this is your first cycle, there are some things
you may want to check before joining the dark side…
Ideally, you should get a full comprehensive bloodwork panel
done and see what your natural baseline levels are. If these
levels are not healthy, you should find a way to fix them
naturally before starting a cycle.
You should also make sure your mental health is on point
before a cycle since hormone fluctuation and PCT could
compromise it you are already struggling with it.
w
n
te
rit
Besides ensuring that your health is on point, you should
never start a cycle if you cannot afford to have all the
ancillaries and health supplements that a cycle requires.
by
en
@
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
If you are broke and trying to buy the bare minimum to do a
cycle, chances are you will not bother to buy certain
ancillaries and supplements. Therefore, you should not start a
cycle until your finances are in order.
HOW SHOULD I TRAIN AND EAT oN CYCLE?
A lot of people think that hopping on AAS means they must
radically change their approach to training and dieting. That is
not exactly the case, but these are some key things to keep in
mind while running a cycle:
395
- Keep your protein intake elevated so that you can take
full advantage of the increased protein synthesis that
AAS provide.
- Do not neglect healthy fats, they are necessary for wellbeing and hormonal recovery after a cycle.
w
- You do not have to change your training routine but try
to push yourself harder in the gym every single session
(you should be doing that whether you are natty or not).
Never forget that your joints/tendons/ligaments may
have a hard time catching up or they may feel stiff
depending on what AAS you are taking, so do not get
injured!
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
- Cardio is important even when bulking up because it
mitigates the negative impact of the AAS on the lipid
panel.
- After a cycle, your strength and your intensity will drop,
so do whatever it takes to keep them up to ensure that
you keep as much muscle as possible.
WHAT SUPPS SHOULD I TAKE AFTER A CYCLE?
Hormonal recovery should not be your only priority after a
cycle. Do not forget that your lipid panel, your liver enzymes
and a bunch of other important health markers will simply
NOT recover in two days after ending the cycle.
396
You will have to take certain supplements to bring them back
to baseline as soon as possible.
Whatever you were taking during the cycle to protect the
health of your organs, keep taking for at least another 4
weeks after the cycle to ensure complete recovery.
WHAT’s THE SHELF-LIFE OF MY AAS?
w
It is impossible to tell what the exact shelf-life of injectable
AAS is, especially if they are made by UGLs (Underground
Labs).
rit
n
te
Pharmaceutical companies claim that their pharma-grade
Testosterone has a shelf-life of up to 36 months, so it would
not be outrageous to assume that most injectables have a
similar shelf-life if they are free of impurities.
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
If your injectable AAS have expired, you should discard them.
Using them would not hurt, but they would have lost so much
potency that you would barely feel their effects.
The shelf-life of oral AAS is usually stated in the packaging.
WILL I FAIL A DRUG TEST IF I AM ON SARMS?
None of the compounds discussed in this e-book will cause
you to fail workplace, military, police, or firefighter drug tests.
You will only be caught if you are tested for doping agents by
a sports organization that has explicitly banned AAS and/or
follows WADA’s anti-doping policies.
397
w
FINAL NOTES &
SOURCES
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
398
I want to thank you for having purchased and read through
this e-book. As you can imagine, compiling all this information
into an e-book is no easy feat. It has taken me about 7
months to put it together, and I still plan on expanding it
regularly because there is so much more to talk about.
I want to use this opportunity to make something very clear.
The information in this e-book should not be seen as any kind
of advice. I genuinely believe that you should not break the
law of your country, and that you should not use AAS without
the approval and supervision of your doctor.
w
It would mean the world to me if you could head to the e-mail
you got upon purchasing this e-book and click where it says
“View Content” so you can leave a rating.
n
te
rit
by
---
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
If you enjoyed this e-book and you would like to read more of
my content, this is what I want you to check out:
THE SARM HANDBOOK: This e-book follows the same format
as the e-book you have just read, but touches on SARMs and
similar research chemicals (like Cardarine, MK-677, etc…)
instead of AAS.
Click here to grab it at a special price!
--THE PEPTIDE HANDBOOK: The Peptide Handbook also
follows this format but covers Peptides instead. Peptides are
wonderful compounds that can improve healing, grow muscle
mass, aid with fat loss, improve skin quality and much more…
Click here to grab it at a special price!
399
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MALE ENHANCEMENT: This ebook covers both natural supplements and pharmaceutical
drugs that can be used to improve libido, sexual function and
overall performance in the bed.
Click here to grab it!
---
w
You can find sources for most of the ancillaries discussed in
this e-book (SERMs, HCG, AIs, hair-loss meds, etc…) by
clicking here.
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
I am unable to share AAS sources here for obvious reasons,
but I understand that getting quality products is a major
concern for most people…
Inside my members community, The Inner Sanctum, you will
get help with sourcing any compound regardless of what
continent you live in.
THE INNER SANCTUM is a membership community for
serious and dedicated enhanced bodybuilders like you. Inside,
you will gain access to:
• Dozens upon dozens of exclusive in-depth articles on
hardcore bodybuilding chemistry + 2 NEW articles a
week.
• Live Q&As every week where you can chat with me and
ask any question.
• Sourcing guidance for any PED.
400
• 25-30% OFF discount codes for my research chemical
sources.
• Early access to upcoming e-books.
• Access to a WhatsApp group where you can get expert
help.
• Access to my own WhatsApp so you can ask me
anything and get my help.
It makes no sense for a serious bodybuilder who has chosen
to enhance himself NOT to be in a group like this, where he
can get the insider info and assistance he needs to take his
physique to the next level in the smartest way possible.
w
If you need sources and/or want to take your enhanced
bodybuilding lifestyle to the next level, click here to join today!
n
te
rit
by
fo
in
ed
nc
ha
en
@
401