Nandrolone Undecanoate

What is Nandrolone Undecanoate?

Nandrolone Undecanoate (NU), also known as nandrolone undecylate, is an androgen and anabolic steroid medication and a nandrolone ester. It was sold under the brand names Dynabolon, Dynabolin, and Psychobolan. It was developed in the 1960s and was previously marketed in France, Germany, Italy, and Monaco, but has since been discontinued.

As an anabolic steroid, its chemical structure is similar to testosterone, but it has a higher ratio of anabolic to androgenic activity. This means it is more effective at promoting muscle and tissue growth (anabolic effects) than it is at producing male-related characteristics (androgenic effects).

Side Effects and Benefits

Benefits:

• Muscle Growth and Body Mass: Nandrolone is known for its strong anabolic effects, which promote muscle growth and stimulate appetite.

• Increased Red Blood Cell Production: It increases the production of red blood cells, which can be beneficial in treating anemia.

• Bone Density: It can increase bone density and has been used in the treatment of osteoporosis, as it stimulates calcium absorption.

• Collagen and Soft Tissue Formation: It stimulates the formation of extra-osseous collagen and soft tissue, which can be beneficial for joint health and healing.

• Lower Androgenic Effects: Compared to testosterone, its weaker androgenic effects result in a milder side effect profile, making it a potentially more suitable option for women and children in clinical settings.

Side Effects:

• Androgenic Side Effects: While less potent than testosterone, nandrolone can still cause masculinizing effects, particularly with extended use or high doses. These include:

  • Acne

  • Increased facial and body hair growth (hirsutism)

  • Voice changes (deepening)

  • Clitoral enlargement (in women, often irreversible)

  • Increased libido

  • Male pattern baldness (though less likely than with testosterone)

• Cardiovascular Issues: Long-term or high-dose use can lead to harmful changes in cholesterol levels (increased LDL, decreased HDL) and can precipitate fluid retention, which may lead to or worsen congestive heart failure.

• Hepatic Effects: While less hepatotoxic than oral anabolic steroids, high doses and prolonged use can lead to liver problems, including cholestatic hepatitis, jaundice, and in rare cases, life-threatening conditions like peliosis hepatis and hepatic tumors.

• Hypogonadism and Infertility: High doses can cause hypogonadism and infertility in men.

• Progestogenic Effects: Because nandrolone is also a potent progestogen, it can cause progestin-related side effects such as gynecomastia (breast tissue growth in men) and reduced libido, especially at high doses.

• Other Side Effects: Other reported side effects include changes in clotting factors, prolonged prothrombin time, and in prepubertal patients, closure of epiphyseal growth centers, terminating linear bone growth.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Strong Anabolic Effects: Highly effective for muscle growth and performance enhancement.

• Mild Androgenic Profile: Its favorable anabolic-to-androgenic ratio makes it less likely to cause severe masculinizing side effects compared to other steroids.

• Beneficial for Joints and Bones: Can aid in joint healing and increase bone density.

• Less Prone to Hair Loss: It is not converted to the highly androgenic dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the same way as testosterone, so it may have a reduced effect on androgenic alopecia.

Cons:

• Progestogenic Activity: Its strong progestogenic effects can lead to unwanted side effects like gynecomastia and reduced libido.

• Suppression of Natural Hormones: It can suppress the body's natural production of hormones, including testosterone, which can lead to hypogonadism.

• Potential for Cardiovascular and Liver Damage: Long-term use carries risks of serious health issues related to the heart and liver.

• Legal and Ethical Issues: Its use for non-medical purposes is illegal in many countries and banned in professional sports.

Dosage and Frequency

Information on specific dosages for Nandrolone Undecanoate is limited, as it has been discontinued. However, information on other nandrolone esters like nandrolone decanoate can provide a general idea. For example, clinical dosages for nandrolone decanoate in medical settings ranged from:

• Anemia (males): 100 to 200 mg via deep intramuscular injection once a week.

• Anemia (females): 50 to 100 mg via deep intramuscular injection once a week.

• Metastatic Breast Cancer (women): 50 to 100 mg once a week.

• Pediatric Anemia: 25 to 50 mg every 3 to 4 weeks.

In performance-enhancing contexts, dosages are often higher and vary widely. It is important to note that these are medical dosages and are not a recommendation for use.

Half-Life and Detection Time

Nandrolone undecanoate is a long-acting ester. While specific data for NU is scarce, its detection time and half-life would be similar to other long-chain nandrolone esters. For nandrolone decanoate, studies show:

• Terminal Half-Life: The terminal elimination half-life is approximately 7-12 days.

• Detection Time: Nandrolone metabolites can be detected in urine for a very long period after a single injection. Studies have shown metabolites can be detected for at least 33 days in the 50mg group and for up to 6 months in the 150mg group. This prolonged detection is due to the slow release of the steroid from the ester and its long-lasting metabolites.

Steroidogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

• Steroidogenic Effects: Nandrolone administration can affect the body's natural steroid production. It can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, leading to a decrease in endogenous testosterone production and potential testicular atrophy.

• Progestogenic Effects: Nandrolone is a potent progestogen. It binds to the progesterone receptor with about 22% of the affinity of progesterone. This progestogenic activity can contribute to side effects like gynecomastia and the suppression of natural testosterone.

• Prolactin Effects: The progestogenic activity of nandrolone can lead to an increase in prolactin levels. High prolactin levels can contribute to sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and reduced libido, and can also exacerbate gynecomastia.

Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

Nandrolone is known for its high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio. While different sources may provide slightly different numbers, the ratio for nandrolone is commonly cited as 125:37. This indicates that its anabolic effects (muscle building) are significantly stronger than its androgenic effects (masculinizing). For comparison, the anabolic-to-androgenic ratio of testosterone is 100:100.