Anabolics 101 - Featuring Oral Androgen Proviron
Description
Provironis Bayer’s brand name for the oral androgen mesterolone (1-methyl dihydrotestosterone). Similar to dihydrotestosterone, mesterolone is a strong androgen with only a weak level of anabolic activity. It is not regarded as a strong muscle builder. However, it is also known to display an extremely high affinity for plasma-binding proteins such as SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin). Thus mesterolone may work to potentate the activity of other steroids, by displacing a higher percentage into a free, unbound state. Among athletes, mesterolone is primarily used to increase androgen levels when dieting or preparing for a contest, and as an anti-estrogen due to its intrinsic ability to antagonize the aromatase enzyme.
How Supplied
Mesterolone is generally supplied in the form of tablets, which contain 25 mg or 50 mg of steroid each.
Effective Dosages
When used for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, the usual dosage among male athletes is between 50 mg and 150 mg of mesterolone per day, or two to six 25 mg tablets. The drug is typically taken in cycles of six to 12 weeks in length, which is usually a sufficient period of time to notice the benefits of drug therapy. This agent is not recommended for women for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, due to its strong androgenic nature and tendency to produce virilizing side effects. However, some women do favor the drug, and find a single 25 mg tablet enough to efficiently shift the hormone balance in the body, greatly impacting the look of definition to the physique. Intake is usually limited to no longer than four or five weeks in such situations, to minimize the chance of developing lasting virilizing side effects.
Side Effects
Estrogenic: Mesterolone is not aromatized by the body, and is not measurably estrogenic. An anti-estrogen is not necessary when using this steroid, as the drug is unlikely to induce gynecomastia, water retention or other estrogen-related side effects. Mesterolone is actually believed to act as an anti-aromatase in the body, preventing or slowing the conversion of steroids into estrogen. The result is somewhat comparable to Arimidex, although less profound.
Androgenic: Mesterolone is classified as an androgenic steroid. Androgenic side effects are common with this substance, especially with higher doses. This may include bouts of oily skin, acne and body/facial hair growth. Anabolic-androgenic steroids may also aggravate male pattern hair loss. Women are also warned of the potential virilizing effects of AAS. These may include a deepening of the voice, menstrual irregularities, changes in skin texture, facial hair growth and clitoral enlargement.
Liver Toxicity:Mesterolone is not c17-alpha alkylated, and not known to produce hepatotoxic effects. Liver toxicity is unlikely.
Cardiovascular: Anabolic-androgenic steroids can have deleterious effects on serum cholesterol, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis. They may also adversely affect blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction. People with high cholesterol or a familial history of heart disease should be especially careful when considering AAS abuse. To help reduce cardiovascular strain, it is advised to maintain an active cardiovascular exercise program and minimize the intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates at all times during active AAS administration. As an oral non-aromatizable androgen, mesterolone is expected to have a notable negative effect on lipids. To that effect, studies administering 100 mg of mesterolone per day to hypogonadal men for approximately six months demonstrated a significant increase in total cholesterol (18.8%) and LDL cholesterol (65.2%), accompanied by a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol (-35.7%).
Testosterone Suppression: All anabolic-androgenic steroids, when taken in doses sufficient to promote muscle gain, are expected to suppress endogenous testosterone production. However, it is of note that mesterolone has demonstrated a relatively weak suppressive effect on gonadotropins and serum testosterone compared to other steroids. Studies show that when given in moderate doses (150 mg per day or less), significant suppression of testosterone levels does not occur. In studies with higher doses (300 mg per day and above), however, the agent did strongly suppress serum testosterone.
The above side effects are not inclusive.
Availability
Mesterolone remains widely available as a pharmaceutical product. The vast majority of products are made by or under license from Bayer; most commonly using the Proviron trade name.
References:
Saartok T, Dahlberg E and Gustafsson JA. Relative binding affinity of anabolic-androgenic steroids: comparison of the binding to the androgen receptors in skeletal muscle and in prostate, as well as to sex hormone-binding globulin. Endocrinology 1984 Jun;114(6):2100-6.
Jockenhovel F, Bullmann C, et al. Influence of various modes of androgen substitution on serum lipids and lipoproteins in hypogonadal men. Metabolism 1999 May;48(5):590-6.
Trenkner R, Senge T, et al. Comparative studies about the influence of metenolonacetate and mesterolone on hypophysis and male gonads. Arzneim-Forsch. (Drug Res) Jahrgang 30, Nr. 4 (1970):545-7.
Itil TM, Michael ST, et al. The effects of mesterolone, a male sex hormone in depressed patients (a double blind controlled study). Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 1984 Jun;6(6):331-7.
About the Author
William Llewellyn
Description
Provironis Bayer’s brand name for the oral androgen mesterolone (1-methyl dihydrotestosterone). Similar to dihydrotestosterone, mesterolone is a strong androgen with only a weak level of anabolic activity. It is not regarded as a strong muscle builder. However, it is also known to display an extremely high affinity for plasma-binding proteins such as SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin). Thus mesterolone may work to potentate the activity of other steroids, by displacing a higher percentage into a free, unbound state. Among athletes, mesterolone is primarily used to increase androgen levels when dieting or preparing for a contest, and as an anti-estrogen due to its intrinsic ability to antagonize the aromatase enzyme.
How Supplied
Mesterolone is generally supplied in the form of tablets, which contain 25 mg or 50 mg of steroid each.
Effective Dosages
When used for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, the usual dosage among male athletes is between 50 mg and 150 mg of mesterolone per day, or two to six 25 mg tablets. The drug is typically taken in cycles of six to 12 weeks in length, which is usually a sufficient period of time to notice the benefits of drug therapy. This agent is not recommended for women for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, due to its strong androgenic nature and tendency to produce virilizing side effects. However, some women do favor the drug, and find a single 25 mg tablet enough to efficiently shift the hormone balance in the body, greatly impacting the look of definition to the physique. Intake is usually limited to no longer than four or five weeks in such situations, to minimize the chance of developing lasting virilizing side effects.
Side Effects
Estrogenic: Mesterolone is not aromatized by the body, and is not measurably estrogenic. An anti-estrogen is not necessary when using this steroid, as the drug is unlikely to induce gynecomastia, water retention or other estrogen-related side effects. Mesterolone is actually believed to act as an anti-aromatase in the body, preventing or slowing the conversion of steroids into estrogen. The result is somewhat comparable to Arimidex, although less profound.
Androgenic: Mesterolone is classified as an androgenic steroid. Androgenic side effects are common with this substance, especially with higher doses. This may include bouts of oily skin, acne and body/facial hair growth. Anabolic-androgenic steroids may also aggravate male pattern hair loss. Women are also warned of the potential virilizing effects of AAS. These may include a deepening of the voice, menstrual irregularities, changes in skin texture, facial hair growth and clitoral enlargement.
Cardiovascular: Anabolic-androgenic steroids can have deleterious effects on serum cholesterol, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis. They may also adversely affect blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction. People with high cholesterol or a familial history of heart disease should be especially careful when considering AAS abuse. To help reduce cardiovascular strain, it is advised to maintain an active cardiovascular exercise program and minimize the intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates at all times during active AAS administration. As an oral non-aromatizable androgen, mesterolone is expected to have a notable negative effect on lipids. To that effect, studies administering 100 mg of mesterolone per day to hypogonadal men for approximately six months demonstrated a significant increase in total cholesterol (18.8%) and LDL cholesterol (65.2%), accompanied by a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol (-35.7%).
Testosterone Suppression: All anabolic-androgenic steroids, when taken in doses sufficient to promote muscle gain, are expected to suppress endogenous testosterone production. However, it is of note that mesterolone has demonstrated a relatively weak suppressive effect on gonadotropins and serum testosterone compared to other steroids. Studies show that when given in moderate doses (150 mg per day or less), significant suppression of testosterone levels does not occur. In studies with higher doses (300 mg per day and above), however, the agent did strongly suppress serum testosterone.
The above side effects are not inclusive.
Availability
Mesterolone remains widely available as a pharmaceutical product. The vast majority of products are made by or under license from Bayer; most commonly using the Proviron trade name.
References:
Saartok T, Dahlberg E and Gustafsson JA. Relative binding affinity of anabolic-androgenic steroids: comparison of the binding to the androgen receptors in skeletal muscle and in prostate, as well as to sex hormone-binding globulin. Endocrinology 1984 Jun;114(6):2100-6.
Jockenhovel F, Bullmann C, et al. Influence of various modes of androgen substitution on serum lipids and lipoproteins in hypogonadal men. Metabolism 1999 May;48(5):590-6.
Trenkner R, Senge T, et al. Comparative studies about the influence of metenolonacetate and mesterolone on hypophysis and male gonads. Arzneim-Forsch. (Drug Res) Jahrgang 30, Nr. 4 (1970):545-7.
Itil TM, Michael ST, et al. The effects of mesterolone, a male sex hormone in depressed patients (a double blind controlled study). Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 1984 Jun;6(6):331-7.
About the Author
William Llewellyn
