(Men) Drostanolone enanthate was not FDA approved for use in men. Prescribing guidelines are unavailable. For physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, this drug is usually injected three times per week. The total weekly dosage is typically 200-400 mg, which is taken for 6-12 weeks. This level of use is sufficient to provide measurable gains in lean muscle mass and strength.
Drostanolone enanthate is often combined with other steroids for an enhanced effect. Common stacks include an injectable anabolic such as Deca-Durabolin® (nandrolone decanoate) or Equipoise® (boldenone undecylenate), which can provide notably enhanced muscle gains without excessive water retention. For mass gains, it is often combined with an injectable testosterone. The result here can be solid muscle gain, with a lower level of water retention and other estrogenic side effects than if these steroids were used alone (usually in higher doses). Masteron, however, is most commonly applied during cutting phases of training. Here it is often combined with other non-aromatizable steroids such as Winstrol®, Primobolan®, Parabolan, or Anavar, which can greatly aid muscle retention and fat loss, during a period which can be very catabolic without steroids.
(Women) The prescribing guidelines for Drostanolone recommended a dose of 100 mg given three times per week. Therapy is given for a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks before an evaluation of its efficacy is made. If successful, the drug may be continued for as long as satisfactory results are obtained. Note that virilization symptoms were common at the recommended dosage. When used for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, a dosage of 50 mg per week is most common, taken for 4 to 6 weeks. Virilization symptoms are rare in doses of 100 mg per week or below. Note that due to the short-acting nature of the propionate ester, the total weekly dosage is usually subdivided into smaller injections given once every second or third day.
(Estrogenic) Drostanolone is not aromatized by the body, and is not measurably estrogenic. An antiestrogen is not necessary when using this steroid, as gynecomastia should not be a concern even among sensitive individuals. Since estrogen is the usual culprit with water retention, drostanolone instead produces a lean, quality look to the physique with no fear of excess subcutaneous fluid retention.This makes it a favorable steroid to use during cutting cycles, when water and fat retention are major concerns. As a non-aromatizable DHT derivative, drostanolone may impart an anti-estrogenic effect, the drug competing with other (aromatizable) substrates for binding to the aromatase enzyme.
(Androgenic) Although classified as an anabolic steroid, androgenic side effects are still possible with this substance, especially with higher than normal therapeutic doses. This may include bouts of oily skin, acne, and body/ facial hair growth. Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also aggravate male pattern hair loss. Women are warned of the potential virilizing effects of anabolic/androgenic steroids. These may include a deepening of the voice, menstrual irregularities, changes in skin texture, facial hair growth, and clitoral enlargement. Drostanolone is a steroid with relatively low androgenic activity relative to its tissue-building actions, making the threshold for strong androgenic side effects comparably higher than with more androgenic agents such as testosterone, methandrostenolone, or fluoxymesterone. Note that drostanolone is unaffected by the 5- alpha reductase enzyme, so its relative androgenicity is not affected by the concurrent use of finasteride or dutasteride.
(Hepatotoxicity) Boldenone is not c-17 alpha alkylated, and not known to have hepatotoxic effects. Liver toxicity is unlikely.
(Cardiovascular) Anabolic/androgenic steroids can have deleterious effects on serum cholesterol. This includes a tendency to reduce HDL (good) cholesterol values and increase LDL (bad) cholesterol values, which may shift the HDL to LDL balance in a direction that favors greater risk of arteriosclerosis. The relative impact of an anabolic/androgenic steroid on serum lipids is dependant on the dose, route of administration (oral vs. injectable), type of steroid (aromatizable or non-aromatizable), and level of resistance to hepatic metabolism. Drostanolone should have a stronger negative effect on the hepatic management of cholesterol than testosterone or nandrolone due to its non-aromatizable nature, but a weaker impact than c-17 alpha alkylated steroids. Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also adversely affect blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation, and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction.
To help reduce cardiovascular strain it is advised to maintain an active cardiovascular exercise program and minimize the intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates at all times during active AAS administration. Supplementing with fish oils (4 grams per day) and a natural cholesterol/antioxidant formula such as Lipid Stabil or a product with comparable ingredients is also recommended.
(Testosterone Suppression) All anabolic/androgenic steroids when taken in doses sufficient to promote muscle gain are expected to suppress endogenous testosterone production. Without the intervention of testosterone-stimulating substances, testosterone levels should return to normal within 1-4 months of drug secession. Note that prolonged hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism can develop secondary to steroid abuse, necessitating medical intervention.