Formebolone

What is Formebolone?

Formebolone, also known as formyldienolone, is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) that has been marketed in some countries, such as Spain and Italy. It is a derivative of testosterone and is described as an anticatabolic and anabolic drug. Formebolone is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is also on the list of substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and is regularly screened for in athletes.

Side Effects and Benefits

As an anabolic-androgenic steroid, Formebolone has the potential to produce both anabolic (muscle-building) and androgenic (male characteristic-promoting) effects.

Potential Benefits:

• Muscle Growth: Anabolic effects can lead to increased muscle mass.

• Anticatabolic Effects: It may help prevent muscle breakdown.

• Increased Bone Mass: It has been studied experimentally for the treatment of growth retardation and has been noted to increase bone mass.

Potential Side Effects:

The side effects of Formebolone are similar to those of other anabolic-androgenic steroids and can be serious, especially with prolonged use or high doses.

• Androgenic Side Effects:

  • In males: Testicular atrophy (shrinking of the testicles), gynecomastia (development of breasts), and reduced sperm production.

  • In females: Deepening of the voice, excessive body hair growth (hirsutism), clitoral enlargement, and menstrual irregularities.

• Cardiovascular Issues: Can increase "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and decrease "good" cholesterol (HDL), which raises the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. It can also lead to high blood pressure.

• Liver Damage: Orally administered steroids can be particularly harsh on the liver, potentially leading to liver damage and tumors.

• Psychological Effects: Mood swings, aggression ("roid rage"), anxiety, and depression.

• Other Side Effects: Acne, hair loss, water retention, and stunted growth in adolescents.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Anabolic properties: Can promote muscle growth and strength.

• Anticatabolic properties: May help preserve muscle during periods of calorie restriction or stress.

Cons:

• Serious health risks: The potential for severe side effects on the cardiovascular system, liver, and hormonal balance is a major drawback.

• Illegal and prohibited: It is a controlled substance in many places and is banned in competitive sports.

• Limited medical use: Its use is highly restricted and in some cases, experimental, and it is not a widely prescribed medication.

Dosage and Frequency

There is no widely available or medically-approved information on dosage and frequency for Formebolone for performance-enhancing purposes. Any information circulating on this topic would be from illicit, unscientific sources. Medical dosages for legitimate conditions are determined by a physician based on the patient's specific needs, and in the case of Formebolone, such uses are very rare. Self-administering this or any other anabolic steroid without medical supervision is extremely dangerous.

Half-Life and Detection Time

Specific information on the half-life and detection time of Formebolone is not widely published. However, like other oral anabolic steroids, it is generally believed to have a shorter half-life compared to injectable versions. Detection times can vary significantly based on factors such as:

• Dosage and duration of use: Higher doses and longer cycles increase detection time.

• Individual metabolism: A person's unique metabolic rate affects how quickly the drug is cleared from the body.

• Type of drug test: Different tests (e.g., urine, blood) have different detection windows.

• Metabolites: The drug is broken down into various metabolites, some of which can be detectable for an extended period.

In general, anabolic steroids can be detectable in urine for days, weeks, or even months after the last dose, depending on the specific drug and individual factors.

Sterogenic, Progestronic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic: Formebolone is a steroid, so by definition, it is sterogenic. This means it is a compound with a steroid nucleus.

• Progestronic: Progestogenic effects refer to a drug's ability to activate progesterone receptors. While many anabolic steroids have some progestogenic activity, specific data for Formebolone is limited. Progestogenic activity can lead to side effects like gynecomastia.

• Prolactin: Anabolic steroid use can sometimes influence prolactin levels. High prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia) can cause side effects like galactorrhea (milky nipple discharge) and erectile dysfunction in men. Progestogenic steroids, in particular, can be associated with increased prolactin, but the exact effects of Formebolone on prolactin are not well-documented in scientific literature for a recreational context.

Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio is a measure used to compare the anabolic (muscle-building) effects of a steroid to its androgenic (masculinizing) effects, typically with testosterone serving as the baseline at 100:100.

Specific, scientifically validated numerical values for the anabolic-androgenic ratio of Formebolone are not readily available in public research databases. While some sources might suggest a specific number, these are often based on anecdotal or unverified information. As a modified anabolic steroid, it is designed to have a higher anabolic to androgenic ratio than testosterone, but a precise number is not reliably established.