It is obtained from human origin and is obtained from women who are in their first few months of pregnancy.
While it won’t have a huge effect on the FSH. It does, however, have a great effect on stimulating the LH which in turn can help the Leydig cells found in the testes to start creating testosterone.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is mainly prescribed for women, yet it does have some medical uses for men. For teens who have issues with their testicles not dropping during puberty, HCG is prescribed to help. It is also prescribed for men with low testosterone.
Having first been in manufacture since 1920 and has been a prescribed medication since the 1930s. It has had much clinical use and thousands of trials, which is why it is quite trusted in the bodybuilding world.
HCG Dose and Availability
HCG is available in pharmaceutical grade. It comes as a power puck which you will need to mix with sterile water.
Once reconstituted the doses range from 1500iu 2500iu to 5000iu and 10000iu. The general price is between £25 – £35 per box.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin has been a staple as a part of a PCT for many, many years. It has solidified its place in the bodybuilding world by being one of the most effective treatments to boost natural testosterone production in men.
After a cycle, a user’s natural production of testosterone has been significantly slowed or completely shut down. The difference between those who keep some gains and those who lose everything is usually a good PCT and how quickly the natural testosterone production can recover.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin works by stimulating the Leydig cells inside the testes to being making testosterone again. Thanks to its ability as a fertility drug it is very effective.
HCG is usually injected two-three times a week for around three weeks from the start of the PCT. FDA approved protocols involve 500 – 1000iu being injected three times a week for a three-week cycle.
Most users will feel the benefit of using 1500iu three times a week for three weeks.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin isn’t injected like steroids are. It follows a similar injection technique to that of HGH or Insulin.
Once prepared in your insulin pin you grab some fat in the lower abdomen and inject the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin into the fat under the skin, this is referred to as a subcutaneous injection.
Insulin pins are also much, much smaller than steroid injections and are extremely easy and painless to do.
HCG is usually a very tolerable drug and not many people will experience side effects from using it. However, there are some side effects to be aware of including; headaches, irritability, restlessness, fatigue, depression and gynecomastia.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin should only be used while also running Nolvadex to protect the user from any gynecomastia symptoms
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is not only one of the most beneficial hormones our body produces, but one of the most sought after in exogenous form. In an exogenous form, HGH is identical to the naturally produced hormone, and represents not only one of the most beneficial exogenous hormones but one of the most well-tolerated among men and women. Its high level of toleration applies not only to medicinal use but performance enhancement as well.
Commonly, those in the media or in any popular culture conversation refer to Human Growth Hormone as an anabolic steroid. However, HGH is in no shape or form an anabolic steroid. Yes, it does carry strong anabolic properties, but being anabolic does not make something an anabolic steroid. Food is also highly anabolic, but no one would call chicken or ground beef an anabolic steroid.
The use of Human Growth Hormone was first successful in 1958. At this time, HGH was a pituitary extract; it was directly extracted from the pituitary of human cadavers. In 1985, the U.S. FDA would ban its use. Extracted HGH had been successful in many treatment plans, but it also proved to carry with it strong unsanitary disadvantages. In fact, pituitary HGH was linked to CJD, a degenerative brain disorder that is fatal. However, very few fell prey to CDJ, approximately 1% of all users, but this was enough for the FDA to impose a ban.
With the FDA banning HGH extract, soon after somatrem would be released. This was not a pure HGH match but rather a contaminant free variant of the hormone. Shortly after, Kabi Vitrum of Sweden would bring forth the means of synthesizing pure Human Growth Hormone. This would be a pure synthetic and contaminant form of HGH known as Somatropin. This process was made possible thanks to recombinant DNA technology, and since that time all synthetic HGH, regardless of the brand, is officially known as Somatropin. When it comes to the effectiveness and traits associated with Human Growth Hormone, synthetic or naturally derived there is no difference.
Human Growth Hormone is a protein hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. It is produced by all living human beings, and is at its highest levels during childhood. HGH represents one of the most important hormones in the human body as it affects our bones, skeletal muscle and internal organs, as well as plays roles in numerous other areas throughout the body.
Human Growth Hormone also supports the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and minerals. Through its direct mode of action, it can also stimulate the growth of connective tissue. Beyond connective tissue growth, HGH has been shown to significantly increase the size and number of cells in skeletal muscle. The hormone will also further support triglyceride hydrolysis, which in turn will promote the reduction of adipose tissue or body fat. So effective in its abilities surrounding fat, HGH has been shown to significantly reduce total cholesterol levels. This, among many other things can be very useful to the anabolic steroid user as many steroids tend to support improper cholesterol levels.
In its direct functioning capacity, Human Growth Hormone sends a signal to the cells in the muscle, bone and adipose tissue to promote anabolism (muscle growth) and lipolysis (fat loss). However, it also carries indirect traits in that it increases gluconeogenesis and promotes insulin resistance. In the end, all these traits give us a reduced sensitivity to insulin, increased glucose levels and increases in the rate of lipolysis.
On a structural basis, it is important to note the exact or precise composition of HGH if you are going to purchase a synthetic form. This is important as there are many HGH variants or fragment hormones but they are not Somatropin. True Human Growth Hormone carries 191 amino acid residues making it identical to naturally produced HGH.
The effects of Human Growth Hormone are nothing short of tremendous. Through supplementation of Somatropin, we can see improvements in numerous areas of our physical wellbeing, and in some cases, they can be dramatic. In a therapeutic setting, HGH is most commonly used to treat pituitary dwarfism in children or to combat an HGH deficiency in adults. This could be caused by pituitary cancer or simply be due to a lacking of production that commonly occurs with age. HGH is also used to treat those with HIV or AIDS, and has proven extremely beneficial in numerous muscle wasting conditions. Synthetic HGH has also proven beneficial to burn victims, short bowel syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome, but its most common purpose of use is as an anti-aging medication. When we look at the effects of HGH, it won’t be too hard to see how it can greatly improve the effects of aging.
In a performance setting, HGH has rapidly become one of the most sought after hormones on the market. It is tremendously anabolic; however, when used alone and at a moderate dose it is not well-known for promoting truly massive growth. For true performance related growth, the individual will normally need to use it in conjunction with anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids and HGH appear to work in perfect harmony with one another. However, even when used alone Human Growth Hormone will promote recovery far greater than most any exogenous hormone, as well as carry a pronounced positive effect on the metabolism. As it pertains to healing, HGH carries tremendous healing properties that can be beneficial to nearly all areas of the human body.
Human Growth Hormone also shares a correlating role with the potent and powerful anabolic hormone Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is highly anabolic, carries tremendous recovery properties and affects nearly every cell in the human body. The use of HGH will result in an increase in IGF-1; in fact, IGF-1 levels will remain elevated far past the elevated HGH levels. It is, however, important to keep in mind that IGF-1 can carry some antagonist effects to HGH, which could make the use of exogenous IGF-1 supplementation ill-advised during HGH use for some individuals.
Human Growth Hormone has in recent years been deemed the fountain of youth, and as we look at the effects of HGH it’s not too hard to see why. Will it prevent aging? Absolutely not, but it can undoubtedly make the aging process far more manageable. In short, there are very few healthy adults who would not benefit from HGH supplementation, and this includes not only in a performance setting but in all walks of life. To give you a direct understanding or appreciation, the effects of Human Growth Hormone can include the following in both men and women:
Overall, Human Growth Hormone is one of the safest hormones any man or woman can administer to their body. This is not a foreign substance, it is a hormone your body is well accustomed to, and more importantly, one it needs. While overall it is a tremendously safe hormone, there are possible side effects of Human Growth Hormone use. The most common side effects of HGH include water retention, specifically around the ankles and wrist, joint pain and headaches. Some may also experience flu like symptoms, but such symptoms normally only exist at the early stages of use and normally subside quickly.
The side effects of HGH can also include carpal tunnel syndrome, which in part is often due to water retention related effects. Such effects are most common among performance level doses of the hormone. Hypothyroidism, a deficiency in thyroid hormone production is also possible, especially with performance level doses. This issue can be remedied by the use of Cytomel (Liothyronine Sodium) or what is commonly referred to as T3. Some may also experience nausea, dizziness, respiratory infection and numbness of the skin. While possible, these side effects of Human Growth Hormone are the least likely with moderate edema, slight joint pain and headaches being the most common.
The side effects of Human Growth Hormone can become very problematic when the hormone is abused. Abuse will refer to extremely high doses; total use can be indefinite and often safe, but the dose must remain reasonable. HGH abuse can lead to enlarged hands, feet and jaw, and more severally to the enlargement of internal organs. The side effects of HGH can also include short-term type-2 diabetes due to the hormone’s ability to increase blood sugar and reduce insulin sensitivity.
The final possible side effect of Human Growth Hormone is an irritated injected area. Small lumps in the skin or an itchy feeling at the injected area are commonplace. You may need to move your injections around to find the most comfortable spot. However, many enjoy injecting their HGH into the same area every time as it is one of the few hormones that have been shown to have spot injection benefits. Injecting repeatedly into the same area has been shown to promote localized lipolysis, which will lead many men to always inject their HGH into the fatty tissue in their stomach.
Human Growth Hormone is an injectable hormone that can be administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. When injected subcutaneously, HGH carries a bioavailability of approximately seventy-five percent. When injected intramuscularly, HGH carries a bioavailability of approximately sixty-three percent. The mode of administration will also affect the half-life of the Somatropin hormone. When injected subcutaneously, it will carry a half-life of approximately 3.8 hours. When injected intramuscularly, it will carry a half-life of approximately 4.9 hours. While this is a rather short half-life regardless of the mode of administration, keep in mind the total effects far outlast these numbers due to the pronounced and significant increases in IGF-1 production that stretch far past the twenty-four hour mark.
In a therapeutic setting, male Human Growth Hormone doses will normally fall in the 1-3iu per day range. Some may receive as much as 4iu’s per day, but this is rare. For the female patient, Human Growth Hormone doses will normally fall in the 1-2iu per day range. In some cases, the dose may be slightly less than 1iu per day, which can be common in long term anti-aging plans.
For the performance enhancing athlete, there can be a wide range of HGH doses. For male athletes, 2-4iu per day is most common, and can be extremely beneficial to athletes as well as those who are physique minded. Such a dose will promote fat loss and all the recovery and rejuvenation traits associated with the hormone. When coupled with anabolic steroids, due to the synergy created between HGH and anabolic steroids, you will see the standard steroid cycle greatly enhanced. The standard anabolic steroid cycle becomes far more beneficial. For the female HGH user, the same traits and benefits can be obtained with 1-2iu per day.
While the above doses will provide a tremendous benefit, in a performance setting in order to achieve truly remarkable muscle tissue growth the total dose will need to be increased. Most men will need 6-8iu’s per day and for a very long period of time. More can be used, and more will provide greater results, but it will also greatly exasperate the potential for negative side effects. Females who wish to approach true growth benefits will need to approach the 3-4iu per day range.
Regardless of the total dosing, Human Growth Hormone is not something that produces fast results. The hormone will be relatively useless if only used for a short period of time. In order to promote fat loss and enhance recovery, at minimum the individual will need 8-12 weeks of use with 16 weeks being far more effective. For true anabolic growth, the individual will need to plan on continuous HGH therapy at a decent dose for a minimum of six months. In a therapeutic setting, specifically anti-aging, total use will be indefinite. Most plans will call for continuous therapy or at least therapy that last the majority of the year.
Equipoise 200mg/ml and Trenbolone Acetate 100mg/ml is another one of those compounds that delivers exactly what one would expect; dense and vascular mass. It is a great pre-contest compound, that will most definitely help you retain your size, while getting you shredded at the same time.
Testosterone Propionate is a single ester testosterone compound and represents one of the most important testosterone compounds ever manufactured. When synthetic testosterone was first created it was in its pure form. Simply put there was no ester attached, thereby providing a fast acting compound that would necessarily require a very frequent administration schedule. In 1937 the pharmaceutical giant Schering out of Germany would release the first ester base testosterone in Testosterone Propionate under the trade name Testoviron. The same trade name it would eventually give to its Testosterone Enanthate product. By attaching the Propionate ester to the hormone, this would allow for the hormone’s release time to be controlled and provided a more efficient means in maintaining stable blood levels. Although this was not the first synthetic testosterone preparation created, Testosterone Propionate would become the first commercially available testosterone product. It would also dominate the medical community until the 1960’s and much of the newly born performance enhancing community.
During the 1960’s Testosterone Propionate would lose a lot of its popularity in favor of the larger ester base Testosterone Cypionate and Testosterone Enanthate compounds. However, it is still used medicinally today as well as by many performance athletes. You will find more of it among the latter group than anywhere else. Many performance enhancing athletes actually believe the Propionate form will lead to less water retention than the dominating large ester forms of Testosterone. For this reason, it is often the preferred form of testosterone during cutting cycles. While this is the common belief it is also a misconception. Regardless of the testosterone form the hormone does not become active in the body until the ester detaches and then the hormone is released. Regardless of the ester originally attached to the hormone you still have the same testosterone hormone in the body once the ester is removed. So where does this myth come from? Common sense tells us that when running a cutting cycle the individual will consume a calorie restricted diet, one that is often healthier and with less of an abundance in carbohydrates. As a result the individual will hold less water. Then we have the fact that many often use less testosterone when dieting and if your total dose is less than an off-season dose there’s less active hormone available to promote water retention. All in all, you can receive the same benefits with Testosterone Propionate as all testosterone forms. However, an advantage of Testosterone Propionate is that it can be easier to maintain stable and peaked blood levels of the hormone due to the very frequent injection protocol compared to large ester bases.
Outside of performance enhancement, Testosterone Propionate has found a number of therapeutic uses. However, like all testosterone forms the treatment of male androgen deficiency such as low testosterone has always been the most common point of use. Testosterone Propionate has, however, also found other points of interesting use over the years in treating menopausal issues, chronic cystic mastitis, excessive lactation and endometriosis. This was for a decent amount of time the most commonly used testosterone for female medical treatment, but it has largely been removed from U.S. FDA approval in female patients. It is still approved for male use in the U.S. but it will be found in medicinal circles more commonly in other parts of the world. However, Cypionate and Enanthate remain the dominate forms worldwide leaving Propionate to be primarily use in performance circles.
Testosterone Propionate is a pure testosterone hormone. Although synthetic it is a perfect replica of the primary naturally produced male androgen testosterone. By design, the hormone is attached to the Propionate (propionic acid) ester, a small/short ester that enables the hormone’s release time to be controlled. Without an ester, the hormone would disperse and dissipate rapidly post administration. By attaching the ester, this promotes a controlled release and allows the individual to inject the hormone less frequently. Once Testosterone Propionate is injected, the ester slowly begins to detach from the hormone. As the ester is detached the testosterone hormone begins to release into the blood. The half-life of Testosterone Propionate is approximately two days, which is substantially longer than ester free testosterone, which carries a half-life a little less than 24 hours.
As a pure testosterone, Testosterone Propionate carries an anabolic rating of 100 and an androgenic rating of 100 as well. The testosterone hormone itself represents the basis by which all anabolic and androgenic ratings are measured in all anabolic steroids. More importantly, while carrying these structural ratings, its translating rating matches up perfectly. Testosterone Propionate will yield a notable amount of anabolic and androgenic activity. This is important as not all steroids match their structural ratings in a translating capacity.
Although synthetic in nature, Testosterone Propionate is an efficient hormone for the treatment of low testosterone. Testosterone is an essential hormone produced by men and women that affects our physical, mental and sexual wellbeing. While produced and essential for both sexes, men require approximately ten times that of women. If you suffer from low testosterone and more than 20 million men in the U.S. suffer from some type of androgen deficiency, Testosterone Propionate will remedy the problem. However, while effective, after all, it is testosterone, it is not a preferred form of treatment as it will require frequent injections. Testosterone Cypionate and Testosterone Enanthate remain the dominant forms in treatment plans. However, if you suffer and Testosterone Propionate is what’s available it is a suitable option.
There are numerous symptoms associated with low testosterone. The symptoms themselves are not life threatening but they severally diminish your quality of life. More importantly, when the condition is ignored it can be an open doorway to many far more serious conditions, some of which are life threatening. The symptoms of low testosterone include:
Regular administration of Testosterone Propionate will remedy every last symptom on this list if it is due to low testosterone. In the early stages of low testosterone you may not display too many symptoms. Many men initially display one of the sexually related most commonly and perhaps one more from the list. However, while the sexually related symptoms are the most common it is possible to suffer from low testosterone without such symptoms initially. As time goes by, if ignored the symptoms will begin to mount. If continually ignored low testosterone can in part promote several far more concerning conditions including:
When compounds like Testosterone Propionate can so easily remedy a low testosterone condition, there really is no excuse for living with the problem. There are possible side effects to use, but keep in mind this is merely testosterone a hormone your body is well accustomed to. For the low level patient, while there are possible side effects of Testosterone Propionate very few men will have a problem.
While a perfect replica of the primary male androgen, treating low testosterone is not the only functional trait provided by Testosterone Propionate. This is a highly versatile anabolic steroid and high levels of the hormone will enhance several primary anabolic characteristics. When we refer to high levels, this is the realm of performance enhancement. With this type of use, the individual will be taking his testosterone levels far above and beyond what could ever be naturally produced. Through this action, Testosterone Propionate will promote five key steroidal enhancement traits that will serve most any man tremendously well. With this type of use, every man who supplements will enjoy improvements in his life in the same areas as a low level patient. However, it is the tremendous enhancement provided by the five traits that separate and distinguish this type of use. The five primary anabolic traits of Testosterone Propionate include:
By enhancing protein synthesis, this simply means we enhance the rate by which cells build proteins. Protein representing the primary building block of muscle tissue; this is essential to repair and recovery, which is where anabolic growth is promoted. The promotion of nitrogen will also enhance the anabolic atmosphere as all lean tissue is comprised of approximately 16% nitrogen. When nitrogen levels fall this can lead to a catabolic (muscle wasting) state. Conversely, the more nitrogen we retain the more anabolic we remain.
Then we have the promotion of red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to and through the blood. Greater blood oxygenation results in greater muscular endurance, enhanced recovery and again promotes the anabolic atmosphere. From here we have the promotion of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is a naturally produced protein hormone that is highly anabolic and essential to the body’s recovery and rejuvenation abilities. This is a hormone that affects nearly every cell in the human body and will have a positive impact on muscle tissue, ligaments and tendons, cartilage, and even the central nervous system.
Finally we’re left with inhibition of glucocorticoid or stress hormones. These hormones are necessary to the body’s wellbeing to a degree but they are muscle wasting and fat promoting hormones. Cortisol is the most well-known glucocorticoid and it is very easy for these hormones to become dominant in the body. A dominant atmosphere will lead to the opposite of an anabolic atmosphere. Thankfully compounds like Testosterone Propionate will ensure this doesn’t happen.
For the low testosterone patient, if you supplement with Testosterone Propionate you will suffer no more. This is the primary effect of Testosterone in this regard. Levels were low and now they’re not. Then we have the performance enhancing athlete, and as a versatile anabolic steroid the effects of Testosterone Propionate will cover a wide breadth in this category.
For the off-season athlete there is no anabolic steroid more important or beneficial than testosterone. High levels of testosterone will promote significant increases in lean muscle mass and strength. This is assuming that the individual is consuming adequate calories. Compounds like Testosterone Propionate are not magical, you will still need to feed your body enough calories. During an off-season period of growth, this means total caloric intake will need to be slightly above maintenance. This will, unfortunately, promote body fat gain. However, the key to a successful off-season is gaining lean tissue while minimizing body fat gain to the fullest extent possible. By supplementing with Testosterone Propionate you will be able to achieve this more efficiently. High testosterone levels will promote a stronger metabolic rate. This is not a license to eat like there’s no end in sight, but you should be able to make better use of your calories.
Then we have the cutting phase, and Testosterone Propionate can be invaluable here. In order to lose body fat we must burn more calories than we consume. You can follow the healthiest diet in the world and exercise yourself into the ground but if you are not in a caloric deficit you will not lose body fat. Unfortunately, this necessary caloric deficit puts our lean muscle tissue at risk, especially as we become leaner. The human body does not want to lose body fat due to its survival instinct. As energy demands increase during dieting the body will take what it needs from wherever it wants, and this is often from your muscle tissue. The key to successful dieting is not only losing fat but minimizing muscle tissue low. High testosterone levels will enable you to achieve this efficiently. Without an anabolic protectant like Testosterone Propionate, some lean muscle tissue loss will occur, this is a given. Due to the metabolic enhancement provided by high testosterone levels, the individual will also burn fat at a more efficient rate.
Regardless of your purpose of use, all who supplement with Testosterone Propionate will find their muscular endurance is greatly enhanced. You will not tire out as fast. You will also find your overall rate of recovery is greatly improved, and it is through recovery that progress is made. This makes Testosterone Propionate an excellent steroid for athletes who may not have any bulking or cutting in mind. The increases in endurance and recovery along with improved strength will simply lead to more effective athletic performance.
Testosterone Propionate is a very well-tolerated anabolic steroid for most healthy adult men. Healthy is excluding a low testosterone condition. While carrying a high threshold of toleration, there are possible side effects of Testosterone Propionate use. For the low level patient, the side effects of Testosterone Propionate will rarely be a problem. Side effects are possible, but keep in mind you’re merely replacing what your body is lacking. For the performance athlete, this will require supraphysiological doses of the hormone and this is where the side effects of Testosterone Propionate will be most common. However, most men can tolerate high testosterone levels very well. There is a cutoff point and it will vary from one man to the next, but most men can enjoy and control relatively high levels of the hormone. In order to help you understand the possible side effects of Testosterone Propionate, we have broken them down into their separate categories along with all the information you’ll need.
The side effects of Testosterone Propionate will predominantly surround its estrogenic nature. The testosterone hormone has the ability to convert to estrogen through its interaction with the aromatase enzyme. As aromatization occurs, if estrogen levels become high this can lead to gynecomastia and excess water retention. Severe excess water retention can also lead to high blood pressure. Fortunately, it is very easy to control and avoid the estrogenic side effects of Testosterone Propionate.
Many men are commonly encouraged to use an anti-estrogen when supplementing with exogenous testosterone. You have two choices in anti-estrogens, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) like Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) and Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) like Arimidex (Anastrozole). AI’s will be the most effective as they inhibit aromatization and lower serum estrogen levels. SERM’s will not inhibit or reduce estrogen, but rather bind to the estrogen receptor preventing the estrogen hormone from binding.
While AI’s are the most effective, they can also be harsh on cholesterol. They do not appear to be too harsh on their own, but when combined with an aromatizing steroid like Testosterone Propionate the problem is enhanced. SERM’s will not promote any negative cholesterol activity. In fact, while anti-estrogenic SERM’s actually act as estrogen in the liver and will promote healthy cholesterol. SERM’s should always be your first choice if they can get the job done. However, some will need an AI and if so they will need to put more effort into controlling their cholesterol.
Testosterone Propionate is a potent androgenic hormone and as a result androgenic side effects are possible. The possible androgenic side effects of Testosterone Propionate include acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness and body hair growth. While these side effects of Testosterone Propionate are possible, they are highly dependent on genetic predispositions. Many men will not have an issue at all, while others may need to exercise a little caution.
The testosterone hormone has the ability to reduce to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) due to it being metabolized by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This is what promotes the androgenic activity in the target areas of the skin and scalp. Some men may find a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor like Finasteride to be useful as it will reduce the hormones relative androgenicity. It will not completely reduce this activity but it will have a pronounced effect.
Testosterone Propionate can have a negative impact on cholesterol, particularly HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) in suppressing total HDL levels. A therapeutic dose should not support a strong statistical decrease, however, the same dose could promote HDL suppression when conjoined with an AI. With a supraphysiological dose, total HDL suppression by as much as 20% is very possible. If conjoined with an AI it will more than likely be exasperated.
If you’re going to supplement with Testosterone Propionate, especially if you’re going to include an AI a cholesterol friendly lifestyle will be important. The individuals diet should be rich in omega fatty acids, low in saturated fats and simple sugars, and plenty of cardiovascular activity should be part of your normal routine. Those who ensure a cholesterol friendly lifestyle will rarely have an issue unless some underlying condition exists.
Regardless of who you are or why you’re using it, the side effects of Testosterone Propionate will always include the suppression of natural testosterone production. For the low level patient this is of no concern. Such an individual is not producing enough testosterone to begin with. For the performance athlete, during use this is also no concern as the exogenous testosterone will provide your body all it needs.
Once use is discontinued, natural testosterone production will begin again. This, however, does not apply to the low testosterone patient. A low level patient will more than likely always need exogenous testosterone therapy.
For the performance athlete, although production will begin again on its own more are encouraged to implement a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) plan. This will cut down the total recovery time and ensure you have enough testosterone for proper bodily function while your levels continue to naturally rise. No, a PCT plan will not return you to normal on its own, there’s no PCT plan that can do this, but it will ensure a more efficient and comfortable recovery. It will also greatly protect your lean muscle tissue. Once a cycle is discontinued and natural testosterone levels are low, it is very easy for cortisol to become the dominant hormone, and this will put your lean tissue at risk. Implement a PCT plan and this problem is solved.
An important note on natural testosterone recovery; this assumes severe damage was not done to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA) due to improper steroidal supplementation. It also assumes no prior low testosterone condition existed.
Testosterone Propionate is not hepatotoxic. This anabolic steroid will present no stress or damage to the liver.
For low testosterone treatment standard Testosterone Propionate doses will normally fall in the 25-50mg per injection range and are normally given 2-3 times per week. However, keep in mind in the modern age it is rarely used when compounds like Cypionate or Enanthate are available.
For performance enhancing athletes, 25-50mg every other day is generally a solid dose of Testosterone Propionate to combat suppression caused by the use of other anabolic steroids. For a true anabolic benefit, doses will normally fall in the 100mg every other day range. This is a very safe dose, easy to control and should be well-tolerated by most adult men. Higher doses can be used, most men can tolerate 150mg every other day very well. Many men will be able to tolerate 200mg every other day with relative ease. However, always keep in mind that the higher the dose the greater the probability of adverse effects. Higher doses will require more caution and effort in controlling side effects but it is more than possible to control them.
Testosterone Propionate will stack well with any and all anabolic steroids. Off-season bulking plans will often include compounds like Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate), Anadrol (Oxymetholone) or Dianabol (Methandrostenolone). During the cutting phase, you will find Test-P as it’s often known stacks well with Anavar (Oxandrolone), Masteron (Drostanolone), Primobolan (Methenolone), Trenbolone and Winstrol (Stanozolol). The Trenbolone hormone can also be very beneficial during periods of off-season growth.
Testosterone Enanthate is one of the oldest and perhaps the most commonly used anabolic steroid of all time. Testosterone Enanthate is a slow acting release form of the testosterone hormone and would be the first large/long ester testosterone form used. Synthetic testosterone itself would be developed in the 1930’s. The first batches of testosterone manufactured would have no ester attached (Testosterone Suspension) and needless to say would be fast acting and require very frequent injections. In 1937 the first ester controlled testosterone would hit the market thanks to Schering and their new Testosterone Propionate product. This would allow for more control over the testosterone hormone by regulating its time release. However, in the early 1950’s a larger ester in Enanthate would be attached to the hormone thereby slowing down the hormone’s activity even more. Testosterone Enanthate would become the dominating testosterone form in the medical field and Testosterone Cypionate would join a few years later. The difference in Testosterone Enanthate and Testosterone Cypionate is largely inconsequential.
Testosterone Enanthate is one of the most commonly used testosterones for the treatment of low testosterone. It is also extremely popular in performance enhancing circles. This is one of the most affordable anabolic steroids on the market, it’s highly versatile, tolerated well by most all adult men and its supply is through the roof.
Testosterone Enanthate is an anabolic steroid that is perfect for all levels of use. This is the perfect anabolic steroid for the first time steroid user and will be equally effective for the individual with a lot of time in the saddle. It will carry with it possible side effects but we will also find they are very easy to control. If this is surprising it really shouldn’t be. After all, although synthetic it’s simply testosterone, a hormone the human body is not only well-accustomed to but one that is essential to our health and wellbeing.
Testosterone Enanthate is a single large ester base testosterone compound. This is a pure synthetic testosterone hormone that has a carboxylic acid ester attached in Enanthate (enanthoic acid). The ester itself is attached to the hormone at the 17-beta hydroxyl group. By attaching the Enanthate ester, this allows for a control of the hormones active duration and total release time. Once injected, the testosterone does not become active until the ester begins to detach from the hormone. The total detachment does not happen all at once but allows for a slow, steady release of the active hormone into the body. Once injected, there will be a sharp spike in testosterone within the first 24-48 hours post injection. From here the hormone will continually separate and dissipate through the body. By its time frame, Testosterone Enanthate carries a half-life of approximately 8 days, which will allow for as little as one injection every 2 weeks in a therapeutic setting. However, every 7-10 days will prove far more effective in maintaining stability.
As is with all testosterone hormones, Testosterone Enanthate carries an anabolic rating of 100 and an androgenic rating of 100. The testosterone hormone is the basis by-which all ratings of all anabolic steroids are measured. And unlike the ratings of some steroids, testosterone’s translate perfectly from its structural nature to functional basis. This hormone will present high levels of anabolic and androgenic activity.
On a functional basis, Testosterone Enanthate is the perfect remedy for treating low testosterone. If you suffer from low testosterone, this simply means your body is no longer producing enough of this primary androgen on its own. As Testosterone Enanthate is simply that, testosterone, it will remedy the low level condition. Millions upon millions of men worldwide suffer from some type of low level androgen deficiency. In the U.S. alone it is estimated that more than 20 million men suffer from an androgen deficiency. Women can also suffer from low testosterone and Testosterone Enanthate can treat it. However, most women will be better served with alternative forms of testosterone treatment such as gels that contain a mixture of testosterone and progesterone or small testosterone implant pellets like Testopel.
For the man who suffers from low testosterone, there are numerous symptoms that can occur. This condition can negatively affect your physical, mental and sexual wellbeing in a host of ways. The symptoms themselves are not life threatening; however, it is an unhealthy condition, very bothersome and can be an open doorway to many far more serious conditions. The symptoms of low testosterone include:
If you suffer from low levels you may not suffer from all the symptoms. Most commonly you will suffer from one of the sexually related from the get go but this isn’t necessarily a guarantee. As time goes by, if ignored the condition will lead to you experiencing more symptoms. In fact, it’s very possible that you could end up suffering from every last symptom on the list. There truly is no reason for suffering from low testosterone, especially when treatment with compounds like Testosterone Enanthate is so effective and simple to administer. It’s also important to keep in mind if the condition is ignored low testosterone has been linked to contributing to many far more serious conditions such as:
If you suffer from any of the aforementioned symptoms of low testosterone, you are strongly encouraged to seek out treatment. Talk to your doctor about the condition and seek out treatment with compounds like Testosterone Enanthate. If your doctor is unwilling, go to another doctor. You will find many physicians are increasingly becoming more educated on the topic, but there are still those who refuse to give the matter the attention it deserves.
For the performance enhancing athlete, Testosterone Enanthate will benefit them the same as it did the low testosterone patient. They will find their physical, mental and sexual wellbeing to be greatly improved. However, for this individual he will be taking his testosterone levels far beyond baseline. He will be taking his levels above and beyond what could ever be naturally produced. As a result, there are five important traits of testosterone that will be greatly enhanced and are imperative to performance enhancement success. We will go into how the hormone can be beneficial due to these traits in most all cycles, but we need to begin with what makes these traits important.
Protein represents the primary building block of muscle tissue, where synthesis represents the rate by-which cells build proteins. By supplementing with Testosterone Enanthate, the rate of synthesis is enhanced. This promotes higher levels of anabolic activity and enhances the body’s ability to recover.
By enhancing nitrogen retention, we protect the anabolic atmosphere and to a degree enhance it even more. All lean muscle tissue is comprised of approximately 16% nitrogen and when levels fall this leads to a catabolic (muscle wasting) state. By maintaining a positive nitrogen balance, we remain more anabolic. This will enhance tissue growth abilities and will be imperative when dieting when it comes to protecting lean muscle tissue.
By increasing our red blood cell count we greatly increase our muscular endurance. This is due to red blood cells being responsible for carrying oxygen to and through the blood. Greater blood oxygenation equates greater output, more endurance and even plays a role on recovery.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) is a naturally produced protein hormone (peptide class) that is primarily produced by the liver. This hormone is highly anabolic and affects nearly every cell in the human body. It is also directly tied to Human Growth Hormone (HGH) as HGH largely regulates its production. The hormone also plays a strong role on the body’s ability to heal and recover affecting muscle tissue, cartilage, nerves, tendons, ligaments and even our central nervous system among many other areas.
Glucocorticoid hormones are naturally produced steroidal hormones; however, they are not anabolic. In fact, glucocorticoid hormones are catabolic (muscle wasting) as they destroy muscle tissue and promote fat gain. Cortisol is the most well-known glucocorticoid hormone or as they’re often known stress hormones. These hormones are necessary to a degree in the body but not in large amounts. By inhibiting these hormones, we again promote a stronger anabolic atmosphere.
When we take our testosterone levels to a high level state, the above traits of the testosterone hormone are enhanced. There is more hormone available to do what the hormone does best. This may all sound very simple but that’s only because it is very simple. Anabolic steroids like Testosterone Enanthate are nowhere nearly as complicated as they’re often made out to be. They are simply synthetic hormones based on the very hormones our body already produces.
If you suffer from low testosterone the effects of Testosterone Enanthate simply mean you will suffer from low testosterone no longer. The symptoms associated with the condition will vanish and each one of those areas of your life will be improved. If you suffer from low testosterone, you should also know that the only thing that will fully remedy the condition is direct testosterone therapy through hormones like Testosterone Enanthate.
For the performance enhancing athlete, the effects of Testosterone Enanthate will be highly versatile and will stretch across all aspects of performance. The direction you go will be dependent on your diet and training. This isn’t a bulking steroid or a cutting steroid; it is simply a steroid that can serve all purposes of supplementation.
For the off-season individual, there are very few anabolic steroids that can promote lean tissue growth like Testosterone Enanthate. The individual will be able to pack on raw size at a significant rate so as long as adequate calories are consumed. You must still eat to grow and you will still need to train. This is not a magical supplement nor is there anything magical about anabolic steroids despite the popular perception. As you will be able to pack on a lot of size, as a bonus you will be able to do so with less body fat accumulation that would otherwise occur. High levels of testosterone will enhance the individual’s overall metabolic rate tremendously. This isn’t a license to eat with no end in sight, you can still gain fat but you should be able to make better use of your calories.
Then we have the cutting cycle and high levels of testosterone provided by Testosterone Enanthate can prove to be invaluable. In order to lose body fat we must burn more calories than we consume. You can eat the healthiest food on earth and exercise four hours a day, but if you’re consuming more than you burn you will not lose any fat. Due to the necessary caloric restriction, this can put our lean muscle mass at risk. The body will take what it needs to meet its energy demands from anywhere it can get it and this can include muscle tissue. A well planned diet will be designed to burn body fat not muscle, but as we become leaner the body will begin preserving the body fat due to its survival instinct and take what it needs from muscle tissue. By supplementing with Testosterone Enanthate, the pronounced enhancement of anabolic action will protect this lean tissue and ensure we only burn body fat. It will also see our metabolism greatly enhanced so that we burn body fat at a more efficient rate.
The final effects of Testosterone Enanthate will be enjoyed by all those who use the steroid regardless of their direct purpose of use. High testosterone levels will result in greater muscular endurance. You will not tire out as fast and will have the ability to do more work. You will also find your overall rate of recovery is greatly improved, which is essential to progress. Progress is not made in the gym. When we train we actually tear down muscle tissue. It is through recovery that we progress. This makes compounds like Testosterone Enanthate not only invaluable to bodybuilders and recreational gym rats but to athletes as well. Endurance and recovery are two of the key elements to successful athletic performance. As an added bonus, high testosterone levels will increase the individual’s strength. This is obviously an advantage to an athlete and is very welcomed in an off-season cycle designed for physique enhancement. During a diet under caloric restriction, especially in harsh diets of a competitive bodybuilding nature, the individual shouldn’t expect much if any strength increase but he should be able to maintain more of it.
There are possible side effects of Testosterone Enanthate use, but we will find they are extremely easy to avoid for the healthy adult male. When we refer to the healthy adult male we are excluding the issue of low testosterone. For the low level patient, the probability of side effects will be extremely low. In such a case, the individual is merely replacing what he’s lacking and nothing more. For the performance athlete, the side effects of Testosterone Enanthate will carry a greater probability, but should still be very controllable. Most men can tolerate high levels of testosterone very well. However, as with many things in life individual response and sensitivity issues will play a role. This is not unique to Testosterone Enanthate but holds true with all things we put in our body. In order to understand the possible side effects of Testosterone Enanthate, we have broken them down into their separate categories along with all the information you’ll need.
Testosterone Enanthate is an estrogenic hormone in that the testosterone hormone can convert to estrogen due to its interaction with the aromatase enzyme. When aromatized, as estrogen levels rise this can lead to gynecomastia and excess water retention. Excess water retention, if severe can also promote high blood pressure. The odds of these side effects of Testosterone Enanthate being problematic for the low level patient are low, but it is possible. The odds will increase with supraphysiological doses.
In order to combat the estrogenic side effects of Testosterone Enanthate, the use of an anti-estrogen medication is often recommended. You have two choices in classes of anti-estrogens, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) or Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s). A SERM like Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) will function by binding to the estrogen receptors, which in turn prevents the estrogen hormone from binding. AI’s like Arimidex (Anastrozole) will function by directly inhibiting the aromatase process and lowering the body’s serum estrogen levels. AI’s are without question the most effective means in combating the estrogenic side effects of Testosterone Enanthate. Unfortunately, they can also prove problematic when it comes to cholesterol. Testosterone can also prove problematic to cholesterol to a degree, often only slightly and the effect of an AI alone is slight. However, combined together, exogenous testosterone and an AI it appears this can have a markedly negative effect. It is controllable but is something you need to be aware of. Conversely, SERM’s will not have a negative effect on cholesterol. In fact, SERM’s, while anti-estrogens will actually have a positive effect on cholesterol as they act as estrogen in the liver. SERM’s should always be your first choice if they can get the job done, but many, especially when supraphysiological doses of testosterone are used will need an AI.
The androgenic side effects of Testosterone Enanthate can be fairly strong but are highly dependent on genetic predispositions. The androgenic effects include acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness and body hair growth. Those who are not predisposed to male pattern baldness will not lose the first hair on their head. Those who are generally not sensitive to acne will rarely have a problem.
The androgenic side effects of Testosterone Enanthate are due to the testosterone hormone’s ability to reduce to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) due to the hormone being metabolized by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. Some men may find the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor like Finasteride to be useful. This will reduce the hormone’s androgenicity. It will not completely reduce the total androgenicity but it will have a strong effect.
The use of exogenous testosterone can have a negative effect on cholesterol, particularly in the suppression or reduction of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Low doses of Testosterone Enanthate have been shown to have very little negative effect on HDL cholesterol, but when conjoined with an AI doses of 200-300mg per week have been shown to suppress HDL cholesterol by 20-25%. Higher doses of Testosterone Enanthate, 300-600mg per week without an AI have been shown to reduce HDL cholesterol by 13-21%. With an added AI, this will markedly increase.
Due to the potential adverse effects on cholesterol, those who supplement with Testosterone Enanthate should ensure they are living a cholesterol friendly lifestyle. Those who live a cholesterol friendly lifestyle should not have a problem so as long as no underlying issues exists. A healthy lifestyle should include a cholesterol friendly diet that is rich in omega fatty acids. Daily fish oil supplementation is recommended. The individual’s diet should also be low in saturated fats and simple sugars and he should incorporate plenty of cardiovascular activity into his routine.
The use of Testosterone Enanthate will suppress natural testosterone production. For the low testosterone patient this is not a concern. Such an individual is no longer producing enough testosterone to begin with. For the performance athlete, while on cycle this is also of no concern as the exogenous testosterone being administered will provide your body with all it needs. Once the use of all anabolic steroids comes to an end natural testosterone production will begin again. However, you will not return to normal overnight, this will take some time.
Once use has come to an end, most men are encouraged to implement a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) plan. A quality and effective PCT plan will include SERM’s like Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) and Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) and the peptide hormone HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). Without a PCT plan, while you may very well recover it will take an enormous amount of time. You will also be putting your hard earned muscle tissue at great risk as a prolonged low testosterone state is the perfect atmosphere for cortisol to become a dominant hormone. By incorporating a PCT plan, while it will not return you to normal on its own it will speed up the process. A solid PCT plan will ensure you have enough testosterone for proper bodily function while your levels continue to naturally rise.
An important note on natural testosterone recovery; natural recovery assumes no prior low testosterone condition existed. It also assumes the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA) was not severely damaged due to improper anabolic steroid use.
Testosterone Enanthate is not toxic to the liver. This steroid will present no stress or damage to the vital organ.
To treat low testosterone, standard Testosterone Enanthate doses will fall in the 100-200mg every 7-10 day range most commonly. However, some physicians will split the total dosing up and administer it every five days. Less common in the U.S. some physicians will prescribe doses of 200-400mg every 2-3 weeks and in some cases every 4 weeks. This is very inefficient but a practice some follow. The total duration of treatment will be indefinite. Most men who need low testosterone treatment will need it for life. This may sound annoying but ask yourself an important question; would you rather suffer from low testosterone or treat it?
In a performance enhancement setting, common Testosterone Enanthate doses will fall in the 200-500mg per week range. 200-250mg per week is very common if the hormone is only being used to combat natural testosterone suppression caused by the use of other anabolic steroids. For a true anabolic effect, most men will find 400-500mg per week to be highly effective and very easy to control. Such doses will normally be split into two equal doses per week for a total weekly dosing. Doses can go higher than 500mg per week; however, many men will find the 500mg range to be all they need. If more is desired, many men will find 600-1,000mg per week can be tolerated and controlled but doses that approach the 1,000mg mark will greatly increase the probability of adverse effects. How much testosterone a man can tolerate and control will vary from one man to the next. However, most men will find doses above 1,000mg per week all but guarantee side effects at some level.
Regardless of your purpose of use, Testosterone Enanthate stacks well with all anabolic steroids. There is, however, no reason to stack it with another testosterone. This would be pointless in most cases. Simply choose other steroids that meet the desired purpose of use most efficiently.
Testosterone Cypionate
Testosterone is a hormone produced by all human beings and is the primary male sex hormone. Through our discussion, well take a look at Testosterone Cypionate, and examine the pros and cons of its use to improve performance in athletics and bodybuilding. Before we dive in, lets clear up a common misconception. Testosterone Cypionate is no more or less powerful or effective than its counterpart Testosterone Enanthate. The two compounds are virtually identical in every way.
Testosterone Cypionate is a synthetic version of the naturally produced testosterone hormone. This hormone is responsible for many different physical and mental characteristics in males. It promotes sex drive, fat loss, helps with gaining and maintaining lean muscle mass, increases bone density, and may even protect against heart disease. Whether it is naturally produced or through the use of Testosterone Cypionate, these traits do not change. All other steroids are actually the testosterone molecule that has been altered to change the properties of the hormone. Testosterone Cypionate carries a rating of 100 when measuring its anabolic/androgenic structure and this rating is used to measure all other steroids. This would make testosterone the “father” of all anabolic steroids used by athletes today. It should be noted; all testosterone compounds, including Testosterone Cypionate carry this anabolic/androgenic score of 100, as they are all merely testosterone.
Testosterone Cypionate is a highly anabolic and androgenic hormone making it a great steroid to use if one is in pursuit of more size and strength. Testosterone Cypionate promotes nitrogen retention in the muscle and the more nitrogen the muscles hold the more protein the muscles store. Testosterone Cypionate can also increase the levels of another anabolic hormone, IGF-1 in muscle tissue providing even more anabolic activity. Testosterone Cypionate also has the amazing ability to increase the activity of satellite cells. These cells play an active role in repairing damaged muscle. Testosterone also binds to the androgen receptor to promote androgen receptor dependent mechanisms for muscle gain and fat loss.
Testosterone Cypionate induces changes in shape, size and can also change the appearance and the number of muscle fibers. Androgens like testosterone can protect your hard earned muscle from the catabolic (muscle wasting) glucocorticoid hormones, in-turn inhibiting the related adverse reactions. In addition, Testosterone Cypionate has the ability to increase red blood cell production and a higher red blood cell count will improve endurance through increased oxygenation in the blood. More red blood cells can also improve recovery from strenuous physical activity. Even so, Testosterones anabolic/androgenic effects are dose dependent; the higher the dose the higher the muscle building effect.
Many athletes display massive strength gains while using Testosterone Cypionate as the hormone improves muscle contraction by increasing the number of motor neutrons in muscle and improves neuromuscular transmission. It also promotes glycogen synthesis providing more fuel for intense workouts thereby increasing endurance and strength.
Testosterone Cypionate also has the ability to promote fat loss through an enhancement of metabolic activity. Testosterone binds to the androgen receptor fairly well resulting in fat breakdown, and further prevents new fat cell formation. Another indirect action of fat loss that testosterone produces is the nutrient portioning effect it has on muscle and fat. Since the body is building muscle at an accelerated rate more of the food you eat is shuttled to muscle tissue instead of being stored as fat; nutrient efficiency is enhanced.
Testosterone Cypionate will also play a crucial role revolving around creatine. Creatine is essential to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the source of energy for our muscles and when the muscles are stimulated ATP is broken down into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and this is what releases energy. Unfortunately, the process is often too slow during strenuous activity but through the use of Testosterone Cypionate, this demand is met as ATP is replenished at a much faster rate.
With a well-planned Testosterone Cypionate cycle, nearly every anabolic steroid benefit can be obtained. For the off-season athlete, more lean muscle mass can be built with less body fat gain. In-order to grow, you must consume enough calories and fat gain will occur, but Testosterone Cypionate will ensure the brunt of your weight gain is the weight you want.
While off-season bulking use is the most common, the effects of Testosterone Cypionate can be tremendously beneficial during the cutting phase too. During this period of use, we are able to preserve far more lean muscle tissue that would otherwise be lost. In-order to lose body fat, we must burn more calories than we consume and this can and often does lead to muscle and strength loss. Further, the longer and harder you diet the more muscle and strength will be at risk, but due to the traits of Testosterone Cypionate muscle tissue and strength are protected.
Regardless of the purpose of use, Testosterone Cypionate defines performance enhancement by its ability to promote recovery and endurance. With a performance level dose of Testosterone Cypionate your body can recover faster and you wont tire out as quickly. This will allow you to workout longer and harder, and more progress can be made. This is performance enhancement at its best!
Testosterone Cypionate is only available in an injectable form and is regularly used to treat conditions such as low testosterone. More than twenty million men in the U.S. alone suffer from some form of low testosterone, and such a condition can severely diminish ones quality of life. Symptoms such as loss of muscle mass and strength, a decrease in libido and sexual performance, an increase in body fat, and low energy levels are all common characteristics of low testosterone. Further, when ignored low testosterone can be a gateway to Alzheimers, diabetes, osteoporosis and many other serious conditions. Most men will find one injection every seven to ten days at 100mg to 200mg per injection to completely eradicate such a problem.
For performance enhancement, one injection per week is often enough; however, in many cases two smaller yet equal sized injections will prove to be far more efficient. The reason for multiple injections is to keep blood levels peaked; further, it is often needed to control side effects that may occur with performance level dosing. Like most anabolic steroids, the more you take the greater the reward, but the more you take the greater the risk. By splitting the injections up into smaller more frequent injections, you are introducing smaller amounts of the hormone for your body to deal with all at once. As for the actual performance doses, this can range anywhere from 200mg per week all the way to 1,000mg per week depending on needs and desires.
The typical dose for those who are using Cypionate to counteract the lowering of testosterone due to the use of other steroids is normally 200mg. If it is being used for direct performance purposes, most will find 400mg to 600mg per week will be effective, but it is important to note that higher doses will greatly increase the risk.
Regardless of the total dose, most steroid users will find this to be an extremely well-tolerated anabolic steroid and one that can be used for long periods of time. 12 weeks of total use is quite commonplace, as is 16 weeks. There’s nothing magical about these numbers, but they are solid guidelines in-order for the individual to plan out his desired goals.
Regardless of the total dosing or the cycles length, you will need to design a post cycle therapy (PCT) plan once your Testosterone Cypionate use comes to an end. For most men, if you are discontinuing the use of anabolic steroids for more than ten weeks, you will need PCT but if your off period is less then it can be skipped. For full post cycle information and planning, please see the Post Cycle Therapy page on Steroid.com.
It should be noted; when it comes to performance enhancement, Testosterone Cypionate for women is not recommended. This is a steroid that carries far too much androgenic activity; after all, it is the primary male androgen. Women can suffer from low testosterone and there can be therapeutic benefits from the use of Testosterone Cypionate; however such treatment plans will be tremendously low dosed and should be watched closely for virilization symptoms.
As an extremely well-tolerated hormone for most men, the side effects of Testosterone Cypionate are in many ways easy to control. When it comes to such adverse reactions, keep in mind they largely fall into the realm of possible and are by no means guaranteed. Even so, total dosing, genetic predispositions and your overall state of health will play a role.
As for the side effects themselves, Testosterone Cypionate like all testosterone compounds carries a high level of aromatase activity; aromatization referring to the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. As estrogen levels rise, this can lead to gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) and excess water retention. This excess water retention can even negatively affect blood pressure. In-order to combat such effects, especially gynecomastia, many turn to Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) such as Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex) and for more serious protection Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) such as Anastrozole (Arimidex). Without question, AIs are the most effective; however, they can also prove to be problematic when it comes to cholesterol and caution is advised.
Beyond these effects, Testosterone Cypionate can promote dihydrotestosterone (DHT) related side effects such as acne, hair loss and prostate enlargement; however, it should go without saying DHT steroids will be the prime culprits. In-order to provide protection, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor such as Finasteride can be useful as it is an androgen suppressor and the androgen DHT is causing the problem. It must be noted; hair loss is only possible in men predisposed to male pattern baldness.