Masteron (Drostanolone)

What is Masteron (Drostanolone)?

Masteron, also known as Drostanolone, is an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It was originally developed for medical use to treat inoperable breast cancer in postmenopausal women due to its anti-estrogenic properties. It is sold under various brand names, including Drolban, Masteril, and Masteron.

There are two primary forms of Masteron:

• Drostanolone Propionate (Masteron Propionate): This is the more common, short-ester version.

• Drostanolone Enanthate (Masteron Enanthate): This is the longer-acting, less common version.

The key characteristic of Drostanolone is that it is not a substrate for the aromatase enzyme. This means it cannot be converted into estrogen, which is a major reason for its use in bodybuilding and performance enhancement.

Side Effects and Benefits

Benefits

• Muscle Hardness and Density: Masteron is known for giving a "hard" and "dry" look to muscles, which is highly sought after by bodybuilders, especially during contest preparation. This is a result of its lack of water retention.

• Mild Anabolic Effects: While not a primary bulking agent, it has moderate anabolic effects, which can help in preserving muscle mass during a calorie-restricted "cutting" cycle.

• Anti-Estrogenic Properties: As a DHT derivative, it has no estrogenic activity. This means it doesn't cause side effects like gynecomastia (male breast tissue development) or water retention. It can also help to combat the estrogenic effects of other steroids used in a cycle.

• Increased Strength: Users often report significant increases in strength without a corresponding increase in body weight.

Side Effects

• Androgenic Side Effects: Because it is a derivative of DHT, Masteron has strong androgenic effects. These can include:

  • Accelerated male pattern baldness in genetically predisposed individuals.

  • Acne and oily skin.

  • Increased body and facial hair growth.

  • Prostate enlargement.

• Cardiovascular Issues: Like other anabolic steroids, Masteron can negatively impact cholesterol levels, lowering "good" HDL cholesterol and potentially raising "bad" LDL cholesterol, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Virilization in Women: Due to its androgenic nature, women who use Masteron risk developing masculine characteristics, such as a deepened voice, clitoral enlargement, and increased body hair.

• Suppression of Natural Testosterone Production: All anabolic steroids, including Masteron, suppress the body's natural production of testosterone. This can lead to a variety of issues, including low libido, erectile dysfunction, and fatigue, and requires post-cycle therapy (PCT) to restore natural hormone function.

• Mood Swings: Users may experience increased aggression, irritability, or mood swings.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Does not aromatize into estrogen.

• Helps achieve a lean, hard, and vascular physique.

• Can be effective for preserving muscle mass during a cutting phase.

• Provides strength gains.

Cons

• High potential for androgenic side effects, particularly hair loss.

• Suppresses natural testosterone production.

• Can negatively impact cardiovascular health.

• Limited anabolic properties for significant muscle growth.

Dosage and Frequency

• Drostanolone Propionate: The typical dosage for physique and performance enhancement ranges from 300 to 500 mg per week. Because of its short half-life, it is often injected every other day or daily.

• Drostanolone Enanthate: A less frequent injection schedule is possible with the enanthate version, typically 400 to 600 mg per week, administered once or twice a week.

Note: These dosages are based on non-medical, performance-enhancing use and are not recommended.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-Life: The half-life of Drostanolone Propionate is approximately 2 days. The half-life of Drostanolone Enanthate is significantly longer.

• Detection Time: The detection time for Masteron in drug tests is long. The main metabolite of drostanolone can be detected in urine for up to 29 days, or even longer depending on the specific test and individual metabolism. This makes it a high-risk substance for tested athletes.

Estrogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

• Estrogenic: Masteron is a derivative of DHT and is not a substrate for aromatase. Therefore, it has no estrogenic activity and cannot be converted to estrogen. This is a key reason for its popularity in bodybuilding.

• Progestogenic: Masteron is thought to have little to no progestogenic activity.

• Prolactin: Masteron does not directly increase prolactin levels. It may even have a mild effect of inhibiting prolactin receptors, which can be beneficial in stacks with compounds that increase prolactin, such as Trenbolone.

Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio of Drostanolone is generally cited as 62:25. This indicates that its anabolic (muscle-building) effects are moderately stronger than its androgenic (masculinizing) effects, but it is not a potent anabolic agent compared to other steroids.