Masteron (Drostanolone)

Chapter 1. Profile

Masteron (Drostanolone) is an anabolic steroid known as a cosmetic drug due to its strong DHT (dihydrotestosterone) properties.  It is most popular among those who are competing or looking for a more aesthetic physique vs. those who are strength training.  It has a modest 62 anabolic ratio and just a 25 androgenic number, this compares to Testosterone which is 100:100.

Chapter 2. Medical Origins

In the early 1970’s the pharmaceutical company brought Syntex Masteron (Drostanolone) to market.  It is no coincidence the same company produced another DHT (dihydrotestosterone) derivative during the 1960’s called Anadrol.  This time around their goal was to produce something to help control breast cancer in middle and older aged females.

In the modern era, medicine has relied more on other drugs like Nolvadex, for example, to help fight these types of cancers, which have fewer side effects and are much safer for females.

Chapter 3. Bodybuilder origins

Section 1. Then…

Although it is logical that Masteron (Drostanolone) would have been something used during the golden age of bodybuilding of the 1970’s (due to its dry nature), there is little evidence that it was ever introduced into bodybuilding until years later.  Today those doing physique competitions love using it because it is such a fantastic compound for hardening and drying of the muscles.  It, along with other dry compounds like Winstrol, are considered two of the most used steroids ahead of any bodybuilding competition.

Section 2. Now…

Masteron (Drostanolone) is popular in a stack for those gym rats who do not like compounds that aromatize into estrogen.  It is not used for those seeking to bulk or those who are struggling with appetite or weight. 

Chapter 4. Injectable

Masteron (Drostanolone) has always come as an injectable oil with a propionate ester attached.  You may have seen it over the past few years in Enanthate form, however, this is due to underground labs producing it that way.  The difference here is that you must inject the shorter ester more frequently to maintain levels.

Chapter 5. The science behind the steroid

Section 1. A DHT Derivative

DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a sex hormone that metabolizes at a small percentage from testosterone in the body.  Masteron (Drostanolone) is a straight DHT (dihydrotestosterone) derivative with a carbon 2 position methyl group add-on.  This makes it more anabolic and more efficient at working in the body than the DHT we naturally produce.

Section 2. Aromatization

It also cannot aromatize into estrogen like other anabolic steroids such as Testosterone or Dianabol for example.  Another awesome trait of Masteron (Drostanolone) is that it is very good at binding to SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin).  When this happens you open up more free testosterone in the body, this will make the steroids you are already taking more effective. 

Section 3. Protein Synthesis

Finally, like all steroids, it will increase protein synthesis. In addition, it helps boost red blood cell count to give you an advantage over your peers in the gym.

Section 4. The Dry Look

All in all, when you use this steroid as part of your stack you will boost your entire steroid cycle, harden up your muscles, give yourself a dry look, and possibly even boost libido a bit.  When used by itself expect to get some hardening and drying of your physique but not much else.  This is why I stress you should use it as part of a steroid stack instead of solo.

Chapter 6. Cheating in sports

Masteron (Drostanolone) is a unique choice for those who are looking to cheat in sports to get an advantage.  We have seen it used in sports that require making a certain weight class like mixed martial arts and boxing.  The most famous incident in recent years was Anderson Silva who was busted for using it ahead of his fight. 

Chapter 7. Half-life and detection

The half-life of the propionate version is 2-3 days, while the enanthate version has a 10.5 day half life.   It is detectable for 3 weeks if you use the shorter ester, but 3 months with the longer version.

Chapter 8. How to use Masteron Properly

Section 1. BodyFat

It is very important to understand that it is pointless to harden up muscle when it is covered in fat because how are you going to be able to see it?  So by this logic, it makes no sense to use Masteron (Drostanolone) if you are over 16% body fat as a male and ideally you want to get under 11% to see best results. 

Section 2. Dosages

It is strongly advised you always use it as part of a steroid stack at a dosage ranging from 300-600mgs per week.  It can stack with everything and one of the more popular stacks is using it with 200-400mgs a week of Trenbolone to get hardening.  Another way you can use it is alongside a wet compound like Testosterone, Dianabol, or Deca Durabolin to give the cycle a yin and yang effect.

Section 3. User Results

One of the things users report is during their workouts more hardness, vascularity, and pumps.  The rock-hard muscles you notice are not a coincidence, actually, that is the steroid shuttling in blood and nutrients into your muscles while also reducing water retention.

Chapter 9. Side effects

Masteron (Drostanolone) is one of the most gentle anabolic steroids.  It carries little androgenic effect and although it is a DHT derivative, it does not give you very much of those sides either.  If abused, however, you can get issues like loss of head hair, enlarged prostate, and some mild heart strain.

The side-effects of Masteril are generally not serious and rarely contra-indicate its use. Masteril has been shown to be a useful and safe agent for all age groups [PUBMED]

One of the myths that exist is that it is not suppressive.  This is a dangerous assumption and if you do not run a good post cycle therapy. As you run the risk of damaging your reproductive health.

The final side effect you should watch out for is dry joints and tight muscles. Which can make things like pinched nerves or soft tissue injuries feel worse.  This is due to the hardening properties.  It is a smart idea to always use joint support with this steroid.

Females have used it, but it is not recommended due to the possible side effects of virilization.