Methandriol

Methandriol, also known as methylandrostenediol, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) that was developed by the pharmaceutical company Organon. It has been used in both oral and injectable forms. It's a synthetic derivative of the endogenous androgen prohormone androstenediol.

Other Names

Methandriol is also known by its chemical name, methylandrostenediol. Methandriol dipropionate is a different form of the drug, which is an injected anabolic-androgenic steroid and was sold under brand names such as Arbolic, Durabolic, Or-Bolic, Probolik, and Protabolin.

Side Effects and Benefits

As an anabolic steroid, methandriol is known to have both benefits and a range of potential side effects.

Benefits:

• Anabolic effects: It can stimulate protein synthesis and enhance nitrogen retention, leading to increased muscle mass and strength.

• Improved recovery: By enhancing protein synthesis, it may contribute to faster muscle recovery after intense physical activity.

Side Effects:

• Androgenic side effects: These are effects related to male characteristics and can include oily skin, acne, seborrhea, increased facial and body hair growth, and scalp hair loss. In women, it can cause virilization, which includes a deepening of the voice, increased facial hair, and shrinking of the breasts.

• Estrogenic side effects: Methandriol can be metabolized into an estrogenic compound, which can lead to side effects like fluid retention and gynecomastia (breast enlargement) in men.

• Hepatotoxicity: Like other 17α-alkylated steroids, methandriol poses a risk of liver damage (hepatotoxicity), especially with prolonged use and high doses.

• Cardiovascular issues: Anabolic steroid use is linked to altered blood lipid profiles and high blood pressure.

• Hormonal imbalances: Using AAS can suppress the body's natural production of hormones like testosterone.

• Psychological effects: There can be mood swings and an increased risk of aggressive behavior.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Can lead to significant increases in muscle mass and strength.

• May aid in faster muscle recovery.

Cons:

• Significant risk of serious side effects, including liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and hormonal imbalances.

• The potential for severe androgenic side effects in both men and women.

• The use of this drug is often associated with misuse and abuse, particularly in athletic and bodybuilding contexts.

Dosage and Frequency

There is no universally accepted safe or medically recommended dosage for performance enhancement, and the use of anabolic steroids without a prescription is illegal in many places. Therapeutic use for conditions like breast cancer is largely discontinued. Doses used for performance enhancement can vary widely and are often much higher than those used therapeutically, which increases the risk of side effects.

Half-Life and Detection Time

Information regarding the specific half-life of methandriol is limited, and it's important to differentiate between the drug's half-life and its detection time.

• Half-life: The half-life is how long it takes for half of the active drug to be cleared from the bloodstream.

• Detection Time: This is the window during which the drug or its metabolites can be detected in the body, most commonly through urine testing. This can be much longer than the half-life and is influenced by factors such as dosage, duration of use, and an individual's metabolism. For other similar oral anabolic steroids like methandrostenolone (Dianabol), the detection time can be up to 6 weeks.

Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

• Estrogenic Effects: Methandriol can be metabolized into an estrogenic compound (17α-methylestradiol), leading to estrogen-related side effects like fluid retention and gynecomastia.

• Progestogenic Effects: Methandriol itself does not have significant progestogenic activity.

• Prolactin Effects: Anabolic steroids can indirectly affect prolactin levels by disrupting the normal hormonal feedback loops in the body. While the direct effects of methandriol on prolactin are not as well-documented as its other effects, hormonal imbalances caused by AAS use can have a broad impact on the endocrine system.

Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio is a way to compare a steroid's muscle-building (anabolic) properties to its masculinizing (androgenic) properties. This is typically measured in laboratory settings using animal models. For methandriol, the anabolic-androgenic ratio is reported as approximately 1:1.