MENT (Trestolone Acetate)

What is MENT (Trestolone Acetate)?

MENT, which stands for 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone, is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) and progestogen. It is a derivative of nandrolone (also known as 19-nortestosterone). MENT has been studied for its potential use in male hormonal contraception and for androgen replacement therapy in men with low testosterone. The acetate form, Trestolone Acetate, is an ester of MENT that allows it to be administered via intramuscular injection. Other names for MENT include:

• 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT)

• 7α-methylnandrolone

• RU-27333

• CDB-903

• NSC-69948

Side Effects and Benefits

Benefits

• Anabolic effects: MENT is a potent anabolic agent, meaning it promotes muscle growth. Some sources suggest it is significantly more potent than testosterone in this regard.

• Androgen replacement: Research has shown that MENT can effectively maintain sexual interest, activity, and mood in hypogonadal men, similar to testosterone.

• Male contraception: Due to its ability to suppress gonadotropins (LH and FSH), MENT can lead to a reversible suppression of sperm production, making it a potential candidate for male hormonal birth control.

• Lack of 5α-reduction: MENT is not a substrate for the 5α-reductase enzyme. This means it is not converted to a more androgenic form like testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This may be a potential advantage in terms of its effect on the prostate, skin, and hair follicles, as it may be less likely to cause prostate enlargement, acne, or hair loss.

Side Effects As an anabolic-androgenic steroid, MENT is associated with a range of potential side effects, many of which are similar to those of other AAS. These can include:

• Suppression of natural hormone production: MENT has strong antigonadotropic effects, leading to a significant suppression of the body's natural production of testosterone. This is the basis for its use as a male contraceptive.

• Estrogenic effects: MENT is a substrate for the aromatase enzyme, meaning it can be converted to an estrogen metabolite (7α-methylestradiol). This can lead to estrogen-related side effects such as gynecomastia, water retention, and mood swings.

• Cardiovascular issues: AAS use is linked to adverse changes in lipid profiles (e.g., decreased HDL cholesterol and increased LDL cholesterol) and can contribute to cardiovascular disease.

• Hepatotoxicity: While not as severe as with some oral AAS, there is a potential for liver strain.

• Other androgenic side effects: Despite being resistant to 5α-reduction, it can still cause androgenic side effects such as oily skin, acne, and an increase in body hair.

• Mood and behavioral changes: Like other anabolic steroids, MENT can affect mood, potentially leading to increased aggression, irritability, and other psychological effects.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High anabolic potential: Potent for muscle building.

• Resistance to 5α-reductase: May reduce the risk of certain androgenic side effects like prostate issues and hair loss.

• Potential for male contraception: Its strong suppressive effect on spermatogenesis makes it a promising area of research for male birth control.

Cons:

• Not FDA approved: This is an investigational drug that has not been approved for any medical use, meaning its long-term effects and safety profile are not fully known.

• Requires injection: As Trestolone Acetate, it must be administered via intramuscular injection.

• Strong hormonal suppression: Its potent suppression of natural testosterone production requires a comprehensive post-cycle therapy (PCT) to restore hormonal balance.

• Estrogenic side effects: Conversion to estrogen can lead to significant side effects that may require the use of an aromatase inhibitor (AI).

• Legality: It is a controlled substance in many countries, and its non-medical use is illegal.

Dosage and Frequency

Because MENT is an unapproved, investigational drug, there are no standardized medical dosages. However, research studies have explored various dosages for specific purposes:

• Male contraception trials: Subcutaneous implants have been used to deliver MENT. One study used two implants each containing 115 mg of MENT acetate.

• Anecdotal use: In the context of performance enhancement, users often report dosages that vary widely depending on experience, cycle goals, and other compounds being used. There is no clinically established or safe dosage or frequency for this use.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-Life: Research on MENT (not the acetate ester) administered as an intravenous bolus found a terminal half-life of approximately 40 minutes. The half-life of Trestolone Acetate is longer due to the ester attached, which slows its release into the body. While specific numbers for the acetate form are not widely available in clinical literature, anecdotal reports suggest a half-life of 2-3 days for the acetate ester, which would require frequent injections to maintain stable blood levels.

• Detection Time: As an anabolic steroid, MENT is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. The detection time in a drug test can vary significantly depending on the specific test, the dose, and individual metabolism. While there are no official, published detection times for MENT, it is an anabolic steroid, and its metabolites could be detectable for several weeks or even months after the last use.

Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

• Estrogenic: MENT is a substrate for the aromatase enzyme, meaning it can be converted to the estrogen 7α-methylestradiol. This is a key reason for its estrogenic side effects.

• Progestogenic: MENT is also a potent progestogen, meaning it activates the progesterone receptor. This progestogenic activity contributes to its ability to suppress gonadotropins and inhibit sperm production. It can also potentially lead to side effects like gynecomastia, which is sometimes exacerbated by a combination of high estrogen and progesterone activity.

• Prolactin: While MENT itself doesn't directly raise prolactin, its progestogenic activity can indirectly contribute to increased prolactin levels, particularly in the presence of high estrogen. High prolactin can cause its own set of side effects, including gynecomastia (sometimes referred to as "progesterone gynecomastia"), sexual dysfunction, and lactation.

Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic androgenic ratio of a steroid indicates its relative ability to build muscle (anabolic effect) versus its potential for causing masculinizing side effects (androgenic effect). This is typically compared to testosterone, which has a ratio of 100:100.

• Trestolone (MENT): Research has shown that MENT has a high anabolic to androgenic ratio. While the exact number can vary depending on the study and methodology, it is often cited as having an anabolic rating approximately 500% that of testosterone and an androgenic rating of roughly 100%. This gives it an approximate anabolic androgenic ratio of 500-650:100-250. This high ratio is a primary reason for its high anabolic potential and low androgenic activity in certain tissues.