Drostanolone Propionate is an extremely popular Anabolic androgenic steroid that was first developed in the late 1950’s but did not hit the market until the early 1970’s under the trade name Masteron. Released by Syntex under the Masteron name, the same manufacturers of Anadrol, Syntex would also release the compound under the names Masteril and Metormon. Syntex would also give Lilly license to sell the Drostanolone hormone under the Drolban name, but Masteron has remained the primary name associated with this steroid.

For more than twenty years Masteron enjoyed enormous success in breast cancer treatment plans. This was a very common tool in the fight against breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, it is rarely used for that purpose in the modern age. Drostanolone Propionate is still approved by the U.S. FDA, but other medications are far more commonplace for this type of treatment. In fact, as it is almost never used for that purpose almost all pharmaceutical grade Drostanolone has been pulled from the market including Masteron. The true Masteron brand has not been available for some time, but you can still find a few generic versions and numerous underground labs also commonly make it. This is one of the more popular steroids among bodybuilders during cutting cycles, and that keeps underground Masteron alive and well. Many competitive bodybuilders consider Masteron absolutely essential to their contest prep phases.

Masteron 101

Masteron or Drostanolone Propionate is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derived Anabolic androgenic steroid. Directly, Masteron is a structurally altered form of the DHT hormone in that it possesses an added methyl group at the carbon 2 position. This enhances the hormone’s Anabolic nature, as well as protects it from metabolic breakdown by the 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme located in the skeletal muscle. The Drostanolone hormone is then attached to the small or short Propionate ester in order to regulate its release time. This is what makes Masteron and while Drostanolone Enanthate can also be found most all located Masteron will be the Propionate version.

A non-aromatizing steroid, Masteron is one of the few anabolics well-known for its anti-estrogenic properties. It is this anti-estrogenic effect that made it popular among breast cancer patients; in fact, Masteron in conjunction with Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) proved to be a far more effective means of treating inoperable breast cancer in postmenopausal women than chemotherapy. Due to this anti-estrogenic effect, this is one of the reasons it is so popular among competitive bodybuilders as it will aid in providing a much dryer, tighter look to a very lean physique.

Masteron carries a range of Anabolic/androgenic ratio of 25-40 Anabolic and 62-130 androgenic. However, these ratings based on its structural nature are somewhat misleading. DHT, the very foundation of Masteron is actually five times more androgenic than testosterone, which carries an androgenic rating of 100. DHT also carries a much stronger binding affinity to the androgen receptor. Most all anabolics are well-noted for promoting an enhanced metabolism, but strong binding affinity to the androgen receptor has actually been linked to lipolysis. This androgenic power will also greatly aid in promoting a harder appearance.

On the Anabolic front, Masteron isn’t well-known for promoting large increases in muscle mass. The steroid has never been used to combat muscle wasting and is rarely used in off-season mass gaining phases. However, it is well-noted for promoting strength, and its Anabolic power is more than strong enough to combat tissue wasting during a caloric deficit. Not only is it a useful cutting steroid, but these traits make it excellent for athletic enhancement, especially in individuals who do not want to contend with mass gain.

Masteron & Cutting

Without question, the most common reason to use Masteron is in a cutting cycle. Most commonly, Masteron appears in cutting cycles at the end of a cutting plan, the latter half of the cutting cycle once the individual is already fairly lean. Such use at this time will greatly enhance the total look of the individual. While it can be used when you’re not quite as lean, the results will be far more beneficial when at a lean state. Many find Masteron also helps remove that last little bit of stubborn body fat that often hangs on for dear life. Then we have the anti-estrogen component, and once lean this will only make the individual appear harder, and that is one of the primary concerns of any competitive bodybuilder. As any veteran bodybuilder will tell you, conditioning, specifically low levels of body fat and hardness are the most important components of success on stage. Without such components the amount of muscle mass you are carrying becomes meaningless.

Masteron & Bulking

Masteron is generally not well-suited for bulking cycles. This steroid is not going to promote significant buildups in lean tissue. However, some do enjoy using it during their off-season periods of training as an anti-estrogen, as well as a means of controlling body fat. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the best approach. Body fat should typically be controlled by the individual’s diet. Further, off-season cycles typically contain a lot of testosterone and large amounts of other estrogenic promoting steroids and Masteron may not be enough to combat the related effects. For this reason, Masteron is generally not recommended for this phase of steroid steroidation.

Masteron & Athletic Performance

Many athletes who steroid with anabolics are not looking for any gains in muscle size, and this can make Masteron an excellent choice. Many athletes are simply looking for a boost in strength as strength is often the key component to athletic success. Masteron can also help the individual who needs to maintain a lower body weight or reach a lower bodyweight necessary for his particular competition. While not the strongest steroid in this regard, Masteron will also promote enhanced recovery and moderate improvements in muscular endurance.

Side Effects of Masteron

Masteron is generally one of the more side effect friendly anabolics. Some women may even be able to steroid with this steroid safely without virilization if the doses are kept low enough. As for the actual possible side effects of Masteron, this steroid cannot promote gynecomastia, water retention or any estrogen related effect. Remember, it actually functions as an anti-estrogen. This can also be beneficial to blood pressure as excess water retention is the number one cause of high blood pressure among Anabolic steroid users.

Where the side effects of Masteron can prove very problematic for some men is in the androgenic category. Masteron has the ability to promote hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness, acne in sensitive individuals and body hair growth. Such side effects of Masteron are highly dependent on genetic sensitivity but they are possible. It should also be noted – the androgenicity of Masteron will not be affected by the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. The Drostanolone hormone is not metabolized by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme and related inhibitors like Finasteride will have no affect.

The androgenic side effects of Masteron can also include virilization symptoms in women. Virilization symptoms include body hair growth, clitoral enlargement and a deepening of the vocal chords. Dosing and sensitivity is key and if virilization symptoms begin to show, if use is discontinued at their onset they will fade away rapidly. If symptoms are ignored they may become irreversible.

Although the primary side effects of Masteron revolve around genetic response, this hormone can potentially be very damaging to cholesterol more so than many injectable anabolics. However, it should not have as strong of an effect as most oral steroids. Masteron can significantly increase LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) as well as significantly reduce HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). If you suffer from high cholesterol you should not steroid with Masteron. If you are healthy enough for use, you should do all you can to promote the continuation of healthy levels. This means incorporating plenty of cardiovascular training into your routine, limiting saturated fats and simple sugars, as well as consuming plenty of omega fatty acids. Daily fish oil steroidation is highly recommended as is a cholesterol antioxidant steroid.

The final side effect of Masteron is natural testosterone suppression. This is not a concern for women but makes the use of exogenous testosterone imperative for men. Men who do not steroid with exogenous testosterone while using Masteron will put their body into a low testosterone state and open themselves up to all the possible low level symptoms. The form of testosterone you choose is inconsequential; all that matters is you provide your body enough of this essential hormone it needs.

Masteron Doses

Standard male Masteron doses will normally be 300-400mg per week. The total dosing should be split up into small every other day doses such as 100mg every other day. If the Enanthate version is used, two injections per week of an equal dose will suffice. As for the total duration of use, 6-8 weeks is commonplace and generally very well-tolerated. Higher doses and longer time frames of use can be attempted, but the aforementioned represents the safest range and is highly effective.

Standard female Masteron doses will be 50mg per week for 4-6 weeks and are generally well-tolerated. Some women may be able to tolerate as much as 100mg per week or at least close to it, but most all women who go over 100mg per week will experience virilization symptoms. Most women will never have a need to go above 50mg per week.

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