Considered a favorite of many old-school bodybuilders, Primobolan is regarded as an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy a cycle without worrying about any extra precautions to minimize or counter any side effects.
Primobolan made the headlines in 2003 when Sports Illustrated reported that New York Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, including Primobolan.
What is Primobolan?
Primobolan is the trade name of a steroid, methenolone enanthate, essentially a modified form of testosterone. It’s available in both oral and injectable form but is currently not approved for prescription in the US.
It’s been on the market since the 1960s and is often overlooked due to its mild gains and costly price tag. However, it can offer significant gains in lean muscle when used at higher doses.
Many who prefer to run their cycles with minimal side effects will like the subtle but effective gains from a Primobolan cycle. Users report small gains, with the majority being lean muscle with little to no water retention.
Primobolan or methenolone enanthate is a versatile steroid that can be stacked with many, if not all, performance-enhancing drugs. It can be used in cutting or bulking cycles. However, many users will run it pre-contest or pre-summer due to the high price tag.
Also Read: Primo steroid (Metenolone enanthate) primobolan cycle, dosage and side effects
The enanthate ester attached to Primobolan creates a release cycle similar to other enanthate-bound steroids, such as testosterone E. Primobolan has a mild nature, so it’s an excellent option for those more sensitive to side effects, particularly estrogen-based side effects.
Due to its long-acting, mild anabolic effects, and low androgenic properties, Primobolan is considered one of the safest steroids on the market. Although it’s great for making lean muscle gains and aiding muscle wastage, it’s also been found to be beneficial in treating underweight children, premature babies, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia.
What does Primobolan do?
Steroids work to increase testosterone levels in the bloodstream, having two kinds of effects: androgenic and anabolic. The androgenic effects, such as deepening of the voice, increased hair growth, and changes in sperm production, are largely considered unwanted puberty, forcing you through a second, third, or fourth puberty. Therefore, steroids are modified or combined with other substances such as human growth hormone (HGH) to minimize those androgenic effects.
The anabolic effects, known as the anabolic pathway, are where the performance enhancement comes in. This causes muscles to grow, increases protein synthesis, and stimulates or inhibits bone growth.
Of course, steroids don’t work in a silo and must be used alongside a workout routine and balanced diet.
Rumors have it that Arnold Schwarzenegger used Primobolan during his Mr. Olympia days. Although it’s never been confirmed, his famous physique has created a higher demand for the drug.
Why do athletes use Primobolan?
There are several reasons that athletes use Primobolan or methenolone enanthate, such as:
- Primobolan is a DHT-based anabolic steroid that is not 17-alpha-alkylated but 1-methylated, so it can be used between cycles to help maintain muscle mass and strength gains. Because it’s so helpful in preventing muscle wasting, it can help you retain all the muscle you gained during a bulking cycle.
- It has a slightly lower potency than Deca Durabolin.
- In terms of anabolic effects, it causes less inhibition than testosterone or Deca Durabolin because it doesn’t convert into DHT. Therefore, leading to lower central nervous system activity and reduced risk of man boobs.
- Even if you took Primobolan at a high dose because it’s a mild anabolic steroid, it wouldn’t convert into estrogen.
- Improves active and total testosterone by promoting sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
- There are almost no side effects compared to other anabolic steroids, which can commonly cause liver toxicity, man boobs, shrunken testicles, mood swings or roid rage.
- The performance-enhancing effects can last for months, thanks to its muscle-wasting properties. So, you’ll be able to maintain your muscle gains long after you finish your cycle.
- Primobolan has strength-building capabilities, so it can help you improve your strength without increasing muscle mass heavily – ideal for athletes who aren’t bodybuilders.
- A great fat burner, Primobolan helps to increase your metabolic rate. As well as encouraging improved muscle recovery and endurance.
How does Primobolan work?
Methenolone is a derivative of DHT, or more accurately, an altered form of DHT. It contains an extra double bond at carbon one and two, helping to increase the anabolic nature. The oral steroid form of Primobolan is incredibly beneficial.
However, many bodybuilders prefer using Primobolan Depot as the injection form is much stronger.
There are many ways in which Primobolan is quite similar to other anabolic steroids and works similarly. For example, it boosts protein synthesis and will moderately increase your red blood count. However, three distinguishing aspects make it different from other anabolic steroids:
- Primobolan improves nitrogen retention, ensuring that catabolic states are avoided, and you can build lean muscle tissue successfully.
- It is believed to directly support fat loss, making it perfect for a cutting cycle.
- Research studies have found that it can significantly improve your immune system.
Primobolan side effects
As with any drug, there are bound to be side effects, and Primobolan steroid is no different. Whilst it is one of the mildest steroids on the market, Primobolan side effects are still possible. And steroid misuse can lead to some pretty implications for the cardiovascular system, estrogenic and androgenic.
Also Read: How to tell if someone is on steroids
Therefore, when using Primobolan steroids, it’s essential to understand the associated risks, although not everyone will experience Primobolan side effects.
Common Primobolan side effects include:
- Depression
- Acne
- Oily skin
- Hair loss/male pattern baldness
- Excess body hair
- Increases in bad cholesterol
Estrogenic side effects
For many first-time steroid users and those who are sensitive to side effects, this is where Primobolan seems attractive. Methenolone enanthate doesn’t and shouldn’t exhibit any estrogenic side effects.
However, if it’s being run alongside another compound, you’ll obviously need to manage that and any side effects. But when running alone, you don’t need to worry about water retention or gynecomastia (man boobs).
Cardiovascular side effects
Primobolan can impact your cholesterol levels by reducing your HDL levels, also known as good cholesterol, and increasing your LDL levels (bad cholesterol).
Over time, this can result in the hardening of the artery walls and higher fat levels in the bloodstream. If left unchecked, this can lead to strokes or heart attacks.
It’s strongly recommended that anyone who is thinking about running a Primobolan cycle or already has monitored their health by getting a blood test done every three months.
Suppression of natural testosterone production
When you use any form of steroid, it will suppress your natural testosterone production. Typically, this returns to normal once the cycle has ended, but in cases where users have been on a cycle for a prolonged period, they can suffer from low testosterone levels or testosterone suppression. So, after any cycle, PCT is a necessity.
Also Read: What are the safest steroids? (And their alternatives)
Of course, if you stick to lower dosages, the chances of Primobolan side effects are minimal, but we advise leaning on the side of caution.
Who should avoid Primobolan?
Primobolan isn’t recommended for anyone who has been diagnosed with certain health conditions, including:
- Testicular atrophy
- Testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Respiratory problems.
In addition, you should be cautious with Primobolan if you’ve already taken drugs such as Prasterone, Tamoxifen, DHEA, or Androstenedione, as it can trigger aromatization and lead to estrogenic side effects.
Primobolan steroid dosage
Due to the high costs and limited availability of Primobolan in the US, it can be challenging to decide how long a Primo cycle is to run. However, the ideal Primobolan dosage for men is approximately 200-400mg per week, or 50-150mg per day (if you’re competing). For those using Primobolan for the first time, your Primobolan cycle is reduced to 25mg daily.
Where can you buy Primobolan?
Well, here’s where things get interesting. Primobolan is illegal to market or sell in the United States and can’t even be prescribed for medical use or conditions. So, any Primobolan you come across online has been created on the black market and banned by the FDA.
Rumors have it that the injectable version of Primobolan is frequently sourced from Turkey with a street price of approximately $15.
However, due to the lack of regulations around Primobolan – and that it’s illegal – we recommend steering clear and avoiding Primobolan steroids altogether unless you want to break US law and face nasty repercussions, including prison time.
The bottom line
Can Primobolan help you to burn fat, promote lean muscle mass growth, and build muscle? Yes. Can it protect you from muscle wastage? Yes. Is it safe? We’re not sure.
And regardless of its mild anabolic effects and the possible results for bodybuilding, at the end of the day, there’s no getting around Primobolan being illegal in the US. Throw in the fact that it’s not entirely free of side effects, and you have to ask yourself if the gains are worth enduring testosterone suppression, acne, and balding? Especially when there are safer, natural, and legal alternatives. We don’t think the gains are worth it.
If you’re serious about cutting and protecting your body from muscle wastage instead of steroids, we advise opting for natural supplements such as ACUT.
ACUT is a legal, natural alternative ideal for cutting cycles because it improves your energy levels and strength after a workout whilst shredding fat, giving your body a lean and cut look!
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