Masteron (Drostanolone) Steroid Profile

Overview & History of Masteron / Drostanolone

Masteron is the trade name for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone. Masteron is an injectable oil-based anabolic steroid and is derived from Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which makes Masteron a member of the DHT-derived family of anabolic steroid derivatives and analogs.

Essentially, all anabolic steroid analogs and derivatives are all modifications in one way or another of the three primary anabolic steroids naturally found in all humans: Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone, and Nandrolone. This demonstrates a stark difference when compared to Testosterone, which is the number one natural and original anabolic steroid and is used as the reference measuring bar by which all other anabolic steroids are compared and measured against.

Masteron’s details (as Drostanolone) were first released and published in 1959. The origins of this compound are quite stirring, as Syntex had synthesized and developed this anabolic steroid. Syntex was moreover known for the development of other popular anabolic steroids as well, such as Anadrol and Methyldrostanolone.

Syntex would additionally provide the compound under numerous other brand names such as Masteril and Metormon among others, as well as Drolban under the license given by Syntext to Lilly. However, Masteron has remained the most recognizable brand. It would not be until about 10 years later after the publishing of its details that Masteron would ultimately be released onto the market.

As a therapeutic agent, Masteron enjoyed two decades of success in combating advanced inoperable breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It would also become a popular cutting steroid among bodybuilders, which is where Masteron is currently most commonly found.

Drolban itself was officially pulled from the American market in the late 1980s, and two others banned Masteron preparations were soon after pulled from the market as well. However, the original Masteron brand is no longer available; in fact, practically every pharmaceutical brand on earth has been discontinued. This compound is still approved by the U.S. FDA, but it is rarely utilized in breast cancer treatment in favor of other options. The steroid is, however, still tremendously popular in competitive bodybuilding cycles and is often considered essential to contest preparation.

Chemistry Behind Masteron / Drostanolone

Masteron (Drostanolone, Dromostanolone)

Chemical Name: 2alpha-methyl-androstan-3-one-17beta-ol, 2alpha-methyl-dihydrotestosterone
Molecular Weight: 304.46 g/mol
Formula: C₂₀H₃₂O₂
Original Manufacturer: Syntex and Eli Lilly
Half-Life: 4.5 days (Propionate), 10 days (Enanthate)
Detection Time: 2 weeks
Anabolic Rating: 62 – 130
Androgenic Rating: 25 – 40

The specific name for Masteron is indeed Dromostanolone.

Drostanolone Propionate is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derived anabolic steroid. Precisely, Masteron is the DHT hormone that has been structurally altered by the addition of a methyl group at the carbon 2 position, and from here the small/short Propionate ester is attached to control the hormone’s release time. This protects the hormone from the metabolic breakdown by the 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme, found in the skeletal muscle.

This absolute structural change is what is known to be responsible for the slight anabolic strength increase in comparison to Testosterone. This methyl group addition increases the anabolic strength by way of granting Masteron an increased resistance to be metabolized into inactive metabolites by the enzyme 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This enzyme is present in large quantities in muscle tissue and is the enzyme that serves to metabolize any DHT that enters muscle tissue into two inactive metabolites: 3-Alpha Androstanediol and 3-Beta Androstanediol that are non-anabolic whatsoever in muscle tissue. This is, therefore, the reason why DHT is not anabolic in muscle tissue at all, and many chemists and biologists believe that if the enzyme 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase did not exist in muscle tissue, DHT would be a potent anabolic steroid.

The majority of all Masteron on the market will be Drostanolone Propionate. On a functional basis, Masteron is well-known for being one of the only anabolic steroids with potent anti-estrogenic properties.

The combination of Masteron and Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) is far more effective than chemotherapy in the treatment of inoperable breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Masteron carries relatively low anabolic and androgenic ratings; however, these ratings are somewhat misleading. Most all anabolic steroids are well-noted for enhancing the metabolic rate, but potent androgens tend to directly promote lipolysis. As an anabolic, Masteron isn’t well-known for promoting gains in lean muscle mass. It promotes significant boosts in strength, which could prove beneficial to an athlete who may not necessarily be looking for raw mass.

Individuals using Masteron will nothing but experience lean mass gains without the addition of water weight, which would otherwise serve to create a very puffy, soft, and bloated-looking physique. It is, therefore, an anabolic steroid preferred by the majority of bodybuilders and athletes as a ‘cutting’ compound considered very useful for pre-contest cycles and fat loss and cutting phases.

Due to its low to moderate anabolic strength, Masteron is not regarded as representing a very good mass addition or bulking compound, and in fact, many experienced anabolic steroid users suggest that due to its higher price and its moderate anabolic strength, it is only of real value to competitive bodybuilders who wish to achieve a very hardened and ‘chiseled’ look to the physique once on-stage in a show.

However, these ‘hardening’ properties of Masteron do not exhibit themselves in the user unless he or she possesses a low enough body fat percentage to be able to allow these hardening effects to become visible.

Masteron has been demonstrated as being a moderate aromatase inhibitor, as well as possibly acting to block Estrogen at receptor sites on breast tissue. This is moreover the reason why Masteron has been explained by many experienced users as having a ‘hardening’ and ‘chiseling’ effect on the physique when the body is very lean (under 10% body fat). Masteron works to inhibit the aromatase enzyme, thereby eliminating the ability for estrogen to be formed from aromatizable anabolic steroids through the process of aromatization.

Side Effects of Masteron / Drostanolone

This is justified in large part to the fact that Masteron is a DHT-derivative. This includes the inability to interact with the aromatase enzyme, and therefore be completely void of any Estrogen-related side effects. As previously mentioned, Masteron is void of any estrogenic side effects by virtue of the fact that it is a DHT-derivative.

Side effects resultant from Estrogen buildup (such as water retention, bloating, fat retention and gain, and the development of gynecomastia) are completely avoided or reduced with the use of Masteron. Masteron side effects that include androgenic side effects include: an increase in oily skin (as a result of increased sebum production/secretion), increased facial hair and bodily hair growth, as well as the increased risk of triggering MPB (Male Pattern Baldness) in those that are genetically sensitive or predisposed to it.

Due to its androgenic nature, Masteron can produce virilization symptoms in women. Virilization symptoms can include body hair growth, a deepening of the vocal cords, and clitoral enlargement. Virilization symptoms have been well-noted in breast cancer treatment plans, but this is normally due to the necessary excessive doses used to manage such a condition.

In a performance capacity, it should be possible to consume this steroid without associated symptoms with a reduced dose. However, while individual response dictates quite a bit, this will not be a primary recommended steroid for female athletes. If it is used and related symptoms begin to show, discontinue use immediately and they will fade away. If the symptoms are ignored, they may set in and become irreversible.

However, the total effects on cholesterol management will be stronger than compared to Nandrolone compounds or the testosterone hormone. Due to the cholesterol effects of Drostanolone, cholesterol management becomes extremely important with this steroid. Far more important than with basic testosterone cycles or stacks including a basic 19-nor. If you already suffer from high cholesterol, you don't use this anabolic steroid. If you are fit enough for use, maintaining a cholesterol-friendly lifestyle is immensely important.

Masteron will significantly suppress natural testosterone production making exogenous testosterone therapy important when using this steroid. Failure to include exogenous testosterone will precede most men to a low testosterone condition, which not only just comes with numerous possible symptoms but is also extremely unhealthy. As most will use Masteron in a cutting cycle, it’s extremely common not to want to use a lot of testosterones due to the high levels of estrogenic activity it can provide. Once Masteron is discontinued and all exogenous steroidal hormones have cleared your system, natural testosterone production will begin again.

A PCT plan will ensure you produce enough testosterone for proper bodily function while your levels continue to naturally rise and significantly cut down on the total recovery time. This spontaneous recovery does assume no prior low testosterone condition existed.

Masteron exhibits no hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity), but like any anabolic steroid, it does contribute to suppression/shutdown of the HPTA, thereby reducing endogenous production of Testosterone.

Cycles & Usage of Masteron / Drostanolone

Masteron cycles tend to be comparatively limited in their dynamic and application. This is because the nature of the compound is unfavorable for bulking, strength gain, and the like. Woefully, as a cutting or fat loss agent, there are much more capable anabolic steroids in existence at the disposal of the individual than Masteron. Therefore, the only particular Masteron cycles those bodybuilders tend to use involve pre-contest and cutting/fat-loss cycles. Even in cutting or fat loss cycles, Masteron is usually not a key-role compound involved.

Drostanolone propionate was marketed under a variety of brand names including Drolban, Masterid, Masteril, Masteron, Masterone, Mastisol, Metormon, Permastril, and Prometholone.

The standard Masteron dose for adult men will normally fall in the 300-400mg per week range. Typically, this will represent an injection of 100mg every other day for a total of 6-8 weeks. This does not mean 6-8 weeks represent the combined cycle, but this is a common time frame for the Masteron portion of a stack. Some may alternatively choose to split their dose up into a daily injection schedule, but every other day should suffice. If a Drostanolone Enanthate version is found, 1-2 injections per week will work, but such a version is relatively rare.

For female breast cancer treatment, standard dosing calls for 100mg three times per week for 8-12 weeks. This will commonly lead to virilization symptoms that could be hard to reverse. However, no one can deny it’s, however, better than cancer. For the female athlete, 50mg per week should be more than enough for a total of 4-6 weeks. Some women may find doses closer to 100mg per week to be justified if they tolerate the hormone well. Doses of this range should be controllable for most women, but individual sensitivity must be kept in mind. Doses that go above the 100mg per week mark or beyond 4-6 weeks of use will more than likely produce virilization symptoms at some level.

For more traditional Masteron cycles, its use as a fat loss/cutting compound would involve consistent use over an 8 –10 week period alongside compounds of a similar nature, such as injectable Winstrol, Testosterone Propionate, and perhaps Trenbolone Acetate or the oral variant of Winstrol.

How to Buy Masteron / Drostanolone

Those looking to buy Masteron will find that it is quite the expensive anabolic steroid as well and is under no circumstances a cheap compound, even as an underground product. Pharmaceutical grade Masteron is extremely rare and practically nonexistent on the market, leaving nearly all Masteron products available for sale as underground lab (UGL) products. The only pharmaceutical-grade Masteron product that technically however exists is known as Dromostan, manufactured by Xelox Company out of Myanmar.

The Mastabolin brand by Alpha Pharma should be in high supply in most markets. Underground labs like Geneza, Biomex, QD Labs, and Generic Labs are all leading suppliers of the compound. When dealing with any underground lab, it is extremely substantial that you research the lab and supplier in question before making a purchase. Regardless of the lab in question, you should find Masteron to be fairly affordable in the current market. This is a bonus as not long ago it was a relatively expensive anabolic steroid.

Masteron of underground origin will generally range from $170 – $230 for a 10ml vial that is in a concentration of 100mg/ml. Some more affordable sources may have Masteron available (in the same 10ml 100mg/ml format) in the range of $80 – $120.

If you decide to buy Masteron online, you will find this is the most convenient and most affordable way to purchase the product. There are seemingly countless global suppliers of anabolic steroids online, but unfortunately, they are not all created equally. If you buy Masteron online, there is furthermore a legal risk that cannot be ignored. If you buy Masteron online or through a face-to-face transaction, you will be breaking the law, and it can come with horrific consequences.

Drostanolone propionate, along with other AAS, is a class III-controlled substance in the U.S., under the Controlled substance act.