Also known as:
Pharma brand names:
Masteron, Drostanolone, Dromostanolone, Drostanolone Propionate, Drostanolone Enanthate
Pharma brand names:
Drolban
Originally Dromostanolone (abbreviated to Drostanolone) known by trade name Masteron is an injectable oil-based anabolic steroid, derived from Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is a member of the DHT-derived family of anabolic steroids. Other known DHT-derivatives include: Winstrol, Anadrol, Anavar, Primobolan, and a few more. Drostanolone (Masteron) is considered a moderate strength anabolic steroid with anabolic rating: 62 - 130 and low androgenic strenght: 25 - 40.
There are two different variants of Masteron:
Originally Dromostanolone (abbreviated to Drostanolone) known by trade name Masteron is an injectable oil-based anabolic steroid, derived from Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is a member of the DHT-derived family of anabolic steroids. Other known DHT-derivatives include: Winstrol, Anadrol, Anavar, Primobolan, and a few more. Drostanolone (Masteron) is considered a moderate strength anabolic steroid with anabolic rating: 62 - 130 and low androgenic strenght: 25 - 40.
There are two different variants of Masteron:
- Drostanolone Propionate
- Drostanolone Enanthate
All anabolic steroid analogues and derivatives are derivates of the three natural anabolic steroids found in the human body:
- Testosterone
- Dihydrotestosterone
- Nandrolone
Biochemistry of Masteron / Drostanolone
Masteron is a modified form of Dihydrotestosterone, with a methyl group at the 2nd carbon (carbon alpha) atom. This modification is responsible for the anabolic strength increase. This methyl group makes it harder for the enzyme 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase to metabolize Masteron. This enzyme is abundantly present in muscle tissue, and is responsible for degrading any DHT into two inactive metabolites: 3-Alpha Androstanediol and 3-Beta Androstanediol. Because of this enzyme DHT is not anabolic in muscle tissue at all. It is believed that if the enzyme 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was neutralized, DHT would actually be a very powerful anabolic steroid. Drostanolone's methyl group addition makes it imune to this enzyme.
Drostanolone is injected into the body as an ester (bonded to either Propionate or Enanthate). Enzymes cleave off the ester from the Masteron molecule - which takes varying amount of time depending on which ester was used. This process causes the gradual release rate and extended half-life of the steroid. Drostanolone Propionate has a half-life of 2.5 days, while Drostanolone Enanthate has a half-life of 10 days.
Intended use of Drostanolone / Masteron
Masteron was initially marketed as a treatment of female breast cancer. Because it pronounced male characteristics in women and because more effective breast cancer treatments were invented, Drostanolone was gradually phased out.
Actual use of Masteron
Nowadays Drostanolone is a very popular anabolic steroid used mainly by athletes and bodybuilders.
How to use Masteron?
Where to inject Drostanolone / Masteron
Like other steroids Masteron can be injected into any muscle (if the muscle is big enough). The most popular being buttocks, shoulders and triceps.
Masteron cycle compatibility, examples and duration
Like majority of steroids, Masteron acts very well in combination with Human Growth Hormone (4IU per day).
Effects of Drostanolone / Masteron (desirable)
There are principally two desirable effects of Testosterone:
- physical / athletic performance enhancement (endurance, strength, faster regeneration)
- physique enhancement (muscle buildup, fat loss)
- increase in collagen synthesis and bone mineral content. Collagen is the protein-based construction material for connective tissues throughout the body (the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, joints, and bones).
- heightened self esteem
- deeper (manly) voice
- darkening and thickening of body hair
- increase in levels of IGF-1 and MGF hormones (which also promote muscle growth)
- increased hemoglobin (red blood cell count)
- anti-catabolic effect on muscle tissues by way of acting as an anti-glucocorticoid
Side effects of Testosterone Propionate (and how to counter them)
Internet / forum rumors
It is rumored that Propionate is better for cutting and fat loss phases, and it supposedly causes less water retention than other esterified types of Testosterone. This is simply nonsense that has been passed on by people developing improper conclusions not based on scientific reasoning. Propionater (like any other ester bonded to Testosterone) is always broken off by enzymes in the body, after which 100% pure bio-identical Testosterone is left as a result. This Testosterone is then free to do its job in the body. The same occurs with any and all esterified forms of Testosterone. Therefore, the only possible difference that esterification causes to Testosterone effects is its half-life and rate of release. The esters only determine how much Testosterone is released into the bloodstream per given time frame.
Underground labs and their brand names
There are countless of underground producers of Testosterone Propionate. Some are proper labs who follow good manufacturing practices and have adequate equipment operated by knowledgable staff. Majority however are just "bathtub pharmacies" created in someone's back room. They order raw materials from Asia, mix it together and repackage into vials - the end user can only hope it was done in sterile environment.
There are too many underground brands to list and new one are created more or less daily. Some of the names are:
History of Masteron / Dronstanolone
Masteron (Drostanolone) was first invented in 1959 by Syntex. About 10 years later it was released on the American market by Lilly as brand name Drolban. Syntex marketed it internationally instead. Masteron was first approved in USA for the use as treatment of female breast cancer. In the 1970s and 1980s it became very popular in the bodybuilding community. As more effective cancer treatments were discovered Dronstanolone was slowly phased out for that purpose. Pharmaceutical manufacturers began to slowly discontinue sales. Drolban bramd was officially terminated in the late 1980s. Today Masteron remains on the list of approved medications, but it is not being manufactured or sold by the pharmaceutical giants. This makes it effectively bodybuilding only drug produced by underground labs.
Post Steroid cycle treatment
Masteron iteself does not aromatize into Estrogen and thus does not require anti-estrogen protection throughout the cycle. However it is most commonly used in combination with a testosterone (which does require protection)
Following the end of any cycle, a thorough and proper Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) program is always necessary, where Testosterone-stimulating ancillary compounds such as Nolvadex and/or HCG should be utilized in order to facilitate the normalization of the HPTA and endogenous Testosterone production as quickly as possible. PCT protocols and programs are usually run for the duration of 4 to 6 weeks after all anabolic steroids have cleared from the body following the end of the cycle. Failure to engage in a proper PCT program can result in permanent damage to the HPTA, whereby the individual produces insufficient/deficient levels of Testosterone (a medical condition known as hypogonadism), and medical treatment in the form of TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) for life will be required.
Price of Masteron (Drostanolone Propionate)
The prices vary depending on the quality and brand. Big pharma brands, prescribed through doctors are harder to come by and obviously the most expensive - up to tenfold increase compared to underground / black market Propionate.
On the black market (countless of online pharmacies) the Test Prop prices range from $45 to $90 per 10ml (100mg per ml) vial. The price difference is usually due to quality and purity of raw materials used, strength, and availability on the local market.
Good/Bad manufacturing practices of underground labs
Underground labs produce Masteron in various ways. As is in human nature, some manufacturers will look to maximize their profit on the expense of the customer by using cheaper oils, less filtration due to lack of sophisticated equipment. To expedit filtration and dissolve lower quality raw materials, some labs use Guaiacol, Benzyl Salicylate, Octyl Salicylate, or Ethyl Oleate - which are harmful to the human body. By using these techniques they are able to have a cheaper product compared to higher quality competition.
