It’s considered by many to be the ultimate pre-competition steroid—but are the Masteron returns worth the risks?
For many of us, our target is an utterly ripped physique.
A body fat percentage of around six percent can leave us looking like absolute Greek gods. A hard, defined, and chiseled definition that isn’t diminished by excess fat. But dropping the excess weight while retaining the muscle is tough.
I know you agree with me.
Masteron has the apparent ability to make these aims a seriously attainable goal. Hundreds of amateur and competitive bodybuilders rely on this drug to deliver the pinnacle in body sculpting.
Yet inevitably, there has to be a price to pay, right?
Consider this article to be your complete guide to Masteron. Leaving no stone unturned, it brings you this synthetic’s workings, benefits, and side effects.
To say you’re gonna be shocked is the understatement of the year.
What Is Masteron?
Masteron (drostanolone propionate or dromostanolone propionate) is an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS). While typically known in locker-rooms around the world as Masteron or simply “Mast”—it can also be found under the brand names of Masteril and Drolban.
This synthetic has been around for a long time. It was first developed back in 1959 by the pharma Syntex, the company behind the ultimate mass building steroid Anadrol (oxymetholone).
However, it wasn’t brought to market until 1970—sold as Masteron by Syntex and as Drolban under license to their sister pharma Lilly.
As with most steroids—it was created for therapeutic purposes.
Masteron was utilized as a highly effective treatment for breast cancer—a use which found it being widely prescribed for over twenty years. What made this drug so particularly attractive was that its low androgenic rating meant it didn’t cause virilization as with many steroids.1 2
That is, women using this synthetic didn’t develop unwanted male characteristics.
However, for the performance market—it was its anti-estrogen effects that made it most appealing.
Most breast cancer drugs work to lower female hormone levels—as cancer cells can attach to estrogen and promote tumor growth. Masteron is highly effective at negating this process.3
Bodybuilders in the 1970s jumped quickly onto this drug, as it could promote lean gains, drop fat, and alleviate water retention. This was achieved without creating man-boobs—due to its low estrogenic nature.
Despite being around for nearly 50 years—its popularity as an essential cutting ‘roid hasn’t waned.
But naturally, as it attracted that much attention in the lifting-community—the authorities weren’t far behind.
Using Masteron is currently illegal.
This steroid is on WADA’s (World Anti-Doping Agency) prohibited list and forbidden under the US Anabolic Steroids Control Act (1990).4 5
However, that isn’t to say it’s unobtainable.
Recently, international stars such as the athlete Demi Payne, rugby player Nia Williams, and the powerlifter Vincent Pierik have all been found guilty of using Masteron to gain a competitive edge.6 7 8
Legal production of this drug has now ceased, as since the late 1980s more effective breast cancer drugs have been formulated.
But, it’s massive following in the bodybuilding and athletic worlds make it a highly profitable venture for underground labs such as Biomex and Geneza.
However, be careful. If you find online branded Syntex Masteron—it’s completely fake. Although the drug is still registered and licensed with the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration)—Syntex hasn’t produced this drug for many years.
Purchasing Masteron clones online is possible. But the purity of these black market synthetics is highly questionable.
How Does Masteron Work?
Currently, you can find Masteron in two forms—drostanolone enanthate and drostanolone propionate.
It’s the latter that’s the most widely used and the one to which I will refer to in the rest of this article. However, for clarity, a quick word on Masteron enanthate.
This type was never manufactured for medicinal purposes—it’s purely an adaptation for the bodybuilding consumer. With a long ester, its life is elongated theoretically delivering returns over an extended period of time.
However, as lifters use Masteron towards the end of a cutting cycle—longevity isn’t that crucial—and the reason why it isn’t that popular.
So, back to the original propionate version.
Masteron is a derivative of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Importantly, it’s been altered from this original form by the addition of a methyl group (in the number two carbon position). This prevents it from being broken down by the enzyme 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.9
This means its anabolic rating is elevated past that of testosterone—although this doesn’t translate into monumental mass gains. Instead, it acts to protect the muscles during cutting and elevate their strength.
It’s this aspect that has meant Masteron, in a therapeutic setting, has never been used to treat muscle wasting diseases (unlike many pharmaceutical steroids). While a powerful retainer in bodybuilding—its low protein synthesis boosting ability renders it ineffective in serious illness.
Yet, there’s one feature that makes Masteron stand out.
As a derivative of DHT, it carries with it some of this hormone’s characteristics. The most important one being it’s lack of interaction with the aromatase enzyme.
It’s probably the only synthetic that exhibits no estrogenic side effects at all—whatever the Masteron dosage. This means that during use—female-centric adverse reactions are not encountered.
What’s more, its power to act as an anti-estrogenic drug means it’s often taken alongside other steroids to counteract their unwanted effects.
It’s these features that have given Masteron the reputation as the ultimate muscle hardener. During cutting, it ensures muscles are retained with no excess water gains—providing the maximum in dryness and solidity.
An issue does arise, however, when guys use this steroid for competition.
As already mentioned, bodybuilders use Masteron towards the end of a cutting phase—utilized to shed the final stubborn pounds. That requires this steroid to be taken very close to contest day.
With a half-life of 60 hours—it can hang around in the system for a long time. It’s generally accepted that this synthetic is detectable for 3-5 months following cessation of use.
Masteron Benefits
As discussed, you’re not going to make any hulk-like Masteron gains. Yet, there are some phenomenal benefits to using this drug. They include:
- Increased strength and power.
- Promoting an ultimate “dry” look.
- Elevating muscle hardness and definition.
- Preventing water retention, fat gain, excess bloating, and man-boobs.
- Working as an estrogen inhibitor when stacked with heavily androgenic steroids.
- Dropping the final “stubborn” fat that simply will not shift.
- Masteron isn’t hepatotoxic.
So, a steroid which can lead to the pinnacle of definition with no gyno issues or liver damage.
Time to start Googling the Masteron price and begin your cycle, right?
Slow down, bro—it’s not all good news.
Masteron Side Effects
Masteron belongs to that strange category of steroids that many juicers refer to as “safe”.
What they mean is—it’s not as dangerous as some other synthetics. Something akin to saying jumping off a 100 ft. building is safer than leaping from one which is 200 ft. high.
Where Masteron can be considered safe is in its estrogenic rating. Feminine traits are impossible to achieve when dosing on this steroid—so you’re not going to be sporting an awesome set of breasts.
That said—your balls will go a bit, “girly.”
Like all steroids, Masteron interferes with the HPTA (hypothalamus pituitary testes axis). Basically, the messages from your brain telling your testes to make testosterone. Masteron can significantly lower T-production—even stop it entirely.
Thus, some PCT (post-cycle therapy) will be required to kick start production again. And fingers crossed that happens—sometimes the HPTA can be wrecked for life.
While not highly androgenic, this steroid still can promote enhanced male side effects, including:
- Oily skin.10
- Acne.
- MPB (male pattern baldness).
- Hirsuteness.
- Headaches.
Finally, Masteron is a drug that requires some cholesterol management. In fact, if you’re currently suffering from issues in this area—avoid its use entirely.
It’s known to lower HDL (good) cholesterol and raise LDL (bad) levels. Hence, if using this steroid, consume sufficient omega fatty-acids, and drop both saturated fat and simple sugar intake.
Masteron Results
We know that this drug is above all a cutting steroid. However, don’t overestimate its power. The Masteron before and after results may not be as dramatic as you anticipate.
Ironically, to witness the full benefits, you do need to be reasonably lean before using this drug. Hence, why it’s usually taken right at the culmination of a competition prep cycle—when the majority of unwanted bulking poundage has already been dropped.
As a rule of thumb—if you’re already below 10 percent body fat—it’s the ideal steroid. Masteron can help you to drop those last awkward pounds that are seemingly impossible to shift.
The anti-estrogenic properties will “dry out” your muscles leading to some seriously solid definition. If any steroid was going to prepare you for optimum competition appearance—it’s Masteron.
However, if your current fat content is above 10 percent—results will be hardly noticeable. You need to shed more weight using Winstrol or Trenbolone first before considering Masteron.
With some androgenic power, it can boost strength. Meaning that during cutting when your caloric intake is restricted, your workouts don’t begin to suffer.
For bulking, it’s mostly pointless as a sole gainer. However, it can be utilized alongside more potent ‘roids such as Anadrol or Dianabol to offset their estrogenic side effects.
Masteron Cycle and Dosage
This steroid is administered using a hypodermic, usually purchased in vials of Masteron 100 mg/mL. Meaning that if you have an aversion to needles—you’re going to have issues taking this steroid.
It’s true that Masteron tablets are available online—but their efficacy is highly questionable and avoided by serious juicers.
A sole cycle for cutting involves injecting 300-400 mg of Masteron weekly (usually as 100 mg every other day). This cycle is continued for between six to eight weeks.
Yet, Masteron is most effective when combined with other steroids. To this end, I’ve formulated below two distinct stacking plans—one for pre-contest cutting and the other for bulking (with Masteron being utilized as an anti-estrogen).
Masteron Cutting Cycle Stack
Weeks 1 to 10 Testosterone Propionate 100 mg per week
Weeks 1 to 10 Trenbolone Acetate 400 mg per week
Weeks 3 to 10 Masteron 400 mg per week
Masteron Bulking Cycle Stack
Weeks 1 to 4 Anadrol 50 mg every day
Weeks 1 to 12 Deca Durabolin 400 mg per week
Weeks 1 to 12 Testosterone Enanthate 100 mg per week
Weeks 1 to 12 Masteron 300 mg per week
Just a quick word about using Masteron for the first time.
Whatever steroids you’re going to take—never dive straight into a stack. Even with the relatively low side effects of Masteron—it’s vital to ensure that you can tolerate each synthetic first before adding them together.
With Masteron—ideally, start on a sole six-week cycle on a dose of 300 mg per week to test for unwanted reactions. If there are no issues, then you can consider stacking with other well-tolerated drugs.
A productive first stack for the beginner includes adding Masteron to Test cycle. This can lead to impressive lean gains for the first timer and works as a gentle introduction to juicing.
Although, whatever precautions you take, remember using steroids is never completely “safe”.
Summary
You cannot question the efficacy of Masteron. The fact that it’s been the “go-to” cutting drug for dedicated bodybuilders for nearly 50 years is a testament to its power.
However, despite guys calling it “safe”—it’s not a steroid to be taken lightly.
You’ll achieve the most impressive effects when you’re already at a severely low body fat percentage. Something that even experienced gym-junkies struggle to reach. It will deliver the ultimate icing on the cake returns—but only after major cutting has already taken place.
For the beginner, it’s not ideal.
Furthermore, this synthetic has little bulking power. If you’re chasing mass—it’s totally the wrong choice.
The bottom line:
Unless you have years of juicing experience and need the extreme polish that Masteron can provide for competition—I’d avoid. There are some seriously potent legal steroid cutting alternatives that will be way more beneficial—and not screw up your balls.
References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5742531/
2. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Drostanolone
3. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy-for-breast-cancer.html
4. https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/wada_2019_english_prohibited_list.pdf
5. https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/house-bill/4658/text
6. https://www.usada.org/demi-payne-accepts-doping-sanction/
7. https://www.usada.org/nia-williams-receives-doping-sanction/
8. https://www.usada.org/vincent-pierik-accepts-doping-sanction/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9029732
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827559/
Leave a Reply