Item: Deca Durabolin Review
Rating: 4.7
Author: Sean Lawton

For a long time in the 80s and the 90s, Deca Durabolin was the go-to anabolic steroid for people looking for that extra push, while on a bulking cycle.

So much so, that somewhere down the line, facts got a healthy wash of bro science giving it almost a mythical status.

One of a steroid that does not cause side effects.

That’s wishful thinking folks. There are no freebies in the world of anabolic androgenic compounds.

To look like Greek gods, you must learn how to play with fire.

Yes, if used right, Deca Durabolin is one of the mildest anabolic compounds. It can give you some neat gains. But it also comes with risks.

Ever heard of the Deca dick?

Let’s get the lowdown on this popular steroid.

Chapter 1. What is Deca Durabolin?

Deca Durabolin is a 19-nortestosterone anabolic steroid.

Just like Trenbolone, it lacks the carbon atom at the 19^th position, which gives it an anabolic to androgenic ratio of 125:37. Further, it aromatizes at 1/4^th the rate of normal testosterone.

Hence, the ‘mild steroid’ misnomer.

Deca Durabolin was originally formulated by ‘Organon’ in the 1960s as a treatment for osteoporosis in menopausal women.

But with the subsequent increase in muscle mass and strength, the potential application of the drug as a performance enhancing compound was spotted.

At its peak, Deca-Durabolin was ubiquitous in the world of competitive sports.

The spike in popularity came when the inimitable Marion Jones admitted to using Deca and was later stripped off all her medals.

If a woman athlete like Jones could make the world spin with Deca shots, what could the average gym rat do with it?

Deca Durabolin results (before and after)

Chapter 2. How to use Deca Durabolin?

Deca Durabolin is available for use as intramuscular injections.

There are two variants.

The Nandrolone Phenylpropionate (NPP) ester has a half-life of 4 days and the more commonly used Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca) ester has a half-life of 12 days.

Section 1. How Much Deca Do You Need

The optimum dosage is specific on your bodybuilding goals and your body composition.

The rule of thumb is to take at least 2 mg of Deca per pound of your lean body weight.

For example, if you weigh 150 lbs. and your body fat is 15%, then it means that your lean body mass is around 128 lbs.

In this case, the recommended dosage of Deca Durabolin for you would be around 255mg per week.

That’s a ballpark number though. You can increase that dose to around 300mg per week and have a longer cycle that extends to 25 weeks.

Some users opt for a much higher weekly dose, close to 600mg/week.

This increases your risk of sides and will reduce your cycle time considerably, to around 12 weeks.

Section 2. When Will You See Results

Deca is a large-base ester steroid. Which means that it’s a slow absorbing steroid that takes time to show results. So, the lower dose, longer duration cycle usually works best.

In any case, you won’t be seeing results until week 8 when you are using Deca.

Section 3. Can Women Use It?

Deca Durabolin also happens to be one of the most women-friendly anabolic steroids like Anavar due to its weak androgenic profile. Women can experience great results with doses as low as 50mg/week.

Your PCT should begin after 2 weeks of the last day of your cycle and should include Clomid 50mg a day, three times a week to kick start the testosterone production.

Chapter 3. What are the effects of Deca Durabolin?

Deca Durabolin works pretty much like testosterone does on the body.

Only, it’s a weaker form of testosterone, which makes it a preferred choice for someone who’s extremely sensitive to the androgenic side effects.

Section 1. Increased RBC count:

Deca Durabolin increases the production of RBC in the body which results in increased oxygenation and better nutrient delivery to the muscle cells. As a result, your muscles heal and get rejuvenated a lot sooner.

Section 2. Nitrogen retention:

It increases the amount of nitrogen that is retained in your muscles. This in turn allows your muscles to use more of the protein that you consume. In simple terms, this is called improved protein synthesis, the key to building muscle mass.

Section 3. IGF-1 production:

Insulin like Growth Factor 1, is one of the most desired natural hormones produced by your body. It creates the perfect anabolic environment that allows you to build muscle continually.

Section 4. Collagen synthesis:

Athletes have frequently used low doses of Deca Durabolin purely for the therapeutic effect that it has on joints and tendons. Increased mobility and faster healing allow the athlete to train harder.

Chapter 4. What are the side effects of Deca Durabolin?

All said and done, let’s talk about the potential nasties that you can encounter while you are on Deca.

Suppression: Even in low doses, Deca Durabolin will suppress your natural test production. For this reason, bodybuilders use it as a secondary steroid clubbed with some form of exogenous test. At 300mg/week, which is the most desired dose, Deca can shut down up to 70% of your testosterone production. This means that PCT is on the cards.
Estrogenic sides: Despite being a weak estrogenic compound, Deca has a strong affinity for the progesterone receptor which definitely does pose the risk of gynecomastia. SERMS or AIs might be needed during cycle if you notice estrogen related sides.
Cardiovascular sides: Your lipids will be skewed while you are using Deca. So, it is important that you keep an eye on your heart health and follow a healthy lifestyle while you are on the drug.
Androgenic Sides: Despite having a weak androgenic profile, it might cause virilization in women, especially at unreasonably high doses. In men, the chances of you experiencing androgenic sides like acne are low. But the possibility always exists, especially if you are genetically predisposed to it.