M-Drol (Superdrol)

What is M-Drol (Superdrol)?

M-Drol is a brand name for the synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) known as methasterone, which is also referred to as methyldrostanolone or by the popular nickname Superdrol. It was never approved for medical use and was first mentioned in scientific literature in 1956. It gained notoriety in the mid-2000s when it was sold as a "designer steroid" and a dietary supplement for bodybuilding.

Methasterone is a orally active steroid, meaning it's designed to be taken by mouth. Its chemical structure is a methylated version of the injectable steroid drostanolone (Masteron), which makes it more bioavailable when ingested orally. However, this methylation also contributes to its significant liver toxicity.

Side Effects and Benefits

Benefits (as reported by users and in bodybuilding circles):

• Rapid Muscle Growth and Strength Gains: M-Drol is a potent anabolic agent, and users often report dramatic increases in muscle mass and strength within a short period, sometimes within the first week of use.

• Lean Muscle Mass: Unlike some other oral steroids that can cause significant water retention, M-Drol is known for promoting "dry" or lean muscle gains.

• Increased Muscle Fullness and Hardness: Users often note a significant improvement in muscular fullness and hardness.

• Enhanced Performance: It can lead to improved aggression in training and overall performance enhancement.

Side Effects (most common and severe):

• Severe Liver Toxicity: This is one of the most well-documented and dangerous side effects of M-Drol. Numerous cases of severe liver damage, cholestasis (a condition where bile flow from the liver is reduced or blocked), and acute renal failure have been linked to its use.

• Cardiovascular Issues: M-Drol can negatively affect cholesterol levels, elevating "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and lowering "good" cholesterol (HDL). It can also lead to elevated blood pressure.

• Androgenic Side Effects: These are effects associated with male sex hormones and can include acne, hair loss (male-pattern baldness), and excessive body hair growth.

• Hormonal Suppression: M-Drol severely suppresses the body's natural testosterone production, which can lead to hypogonadism (decreased function of the testes). A proper post-cycle therapy (PCT) is considered crucial for recovery, though it may not fully reverse the effects.

• Joint Pain: Some users report joint pain, which may be due to the lack of water retention that would otherwise lubricate the joints.

• Other Side Effects: Other reported side effects include mood changes, sweating, headaches, and edema (swelling).

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Highly Potent: It is one of the most powerful oral steroids for promoting rapid muscle and strength gains.

• Dry Gains: It provides lean, quality muscle mass without the bloating caused by water retention.

• Orally Active: It is taken by mouth, which is a significant "pro" for users who want to avoid injections.

Cons:

• Extreme Hepatotoxicity: The risk of severe, and potentially irreversible, liver damage is a major drawback.

• Severe Hormonal Suppression: It can shut down the body's natural testosterone production, requiring a well-planned and often extensive PCT.

• Lack of Medical Supervision: As it was never medically approved, there are no established safety protocols or guidelines for its use.

• Legality: It is a controlled substance in many countries, and its use is banned by most sports organizations.

Dosage and Frequency

There is no medically approved dosage for M-Drol. In the bodybuilding community, typical cycles are very short, usually 3 to 4 weeks, to minimize the risk of severe liver damage. Dosages often range from 10 to 30 mg per day. Due to its potency and toxicity, it is not recommended for beginners.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-Life: The biological half-life of methasterone is reported to be 8-12 hours. This means that half of the drug is eliminated from the body within that time frame.

• Detection Time: The detection time for methasterone in urine can be up to 10 days. However, it's important to note that this can vary depending on individual metabolism, dosage, frequency of use, and the specific testing methods used. Its metabolites are what are typically tested for in anti-doping screens, and a key metabolite has been shown to be detectable for an extended period.

Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Affects

M-Drol (methasterone) is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derivative. This is an important distinction as it means it cannot be converted into estrogen (it is not a substrate for the aromatase enzyme). Therefore, it does not cause estrogenic side effects like gynecomastia (the development of breast tissue in men) or water retention.

It is not known to have direct progestogenic or prolactin-related effects. However, the severe hormonal suppression it causes can indirectly affect other hormone levels. When the body's natural testosterone production is suppressed, a hormonal imbalance can occur, which may, in some cases, influence other hormonal pathways.

Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio of methasterone (M-Drol) is cited as being very high, with a ratio of 400:20 or higher when compared to testosterone, which has a ratio of 100:100. Another source indicates a ratio of 10:1 compared to testosterone's 1:1 ratio. This means that its anabolic (muscle-building) effects are significantly stronger than its androgenic (masculinizing) effects.