The chances are you’ve heard of Winstrol before now, especially if you’ve been hanging out with fellow gym buffs. The trouble is, guys think that Winstrol is the key to bulking up and stacking on extra muscle in a short amount of time, but the side effects are simply not worth it.
Think of Winstrol like a hangover. Except, you’re also stuck in quicksand and your arms are tied behind your back. Yeah, something like that.
The difference between Winstrol and a bad hangover is that the effects of too much alcohol will slowly fade off. While Winstrol side effects can linger around, and trust me, it’s not pretty.
So what’s the deal with taking Winstrol? Why do guys do it? We take a closer look.
What is Winstrol, anyway?
Whether you call it Winstrol or Stanozolol, this popular bodybuilding steroid has been around for a long time. But what’s the aim of it? Put simply, to get shredded, without losing your size.
Available in both oral and injectable forms (eek), Winstrol derives from dihydrotestosterone, an androgen sex steroid. Over the years, Winstrol has been marketed under a variety of different names, including Neurabol Caps, Menabol and Anaysynth. Whichever way you look at it, Winstrol is bad news.
Now, despite it’s bad reputation, many want to know how Winstrol is used and the correct dosage of Winstrol for a cutting cycle. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Winstrol for bodybuilding
It doesn’t take a genius to work out why Winstrol has remained popular with bodybuilders around the world, since it has the ability to increase muscle size, alongside strength and endurance. Plus, unlike many other illegal bodybuilding steroids, it has these effects without causing water retention.
So you can wave goodbye to that horrendous bloat that others can spot a mile away. But that does mean you may have to suffer through the world of other side effects of Winstrol…
But it’s not just bodybuilders relying on Winstrol to pack on size and strength, as this performance-enhancing drug is also pretty popular with track, field and strength athletes too.
Also Read: First Steroid Cycle – Beginners Guide to Safe Steroid Cycling
Sadly, for these users, Winstrol (and other popular steroids) are illegal in the US. Those using this drug should only be doing so in line with a prescription.
Winstrol dosage
As we touched upon above, Winstrol should only be used for medicinal purposes, most commonly administered for anaemia and angioedema. For these types of conditions, the oral dosage of Winstrol is around 2mg, three times a day. The injectable steroid dosage is 50mg every 2 to 3 weeks.
In a bodybuilding setting, although illegal, Winstrol is often jacked up to a much heavier dose of 50 to 100mg per day, whether orally or injectable.
Of course, the higher the dose, the higher the chance of unenjoyable side effects.
What are the benefits of Winstrol?
So why is Winstrol so good for bodybuilding? Well, despite its illegal status, its users can experience the following benefits:
- Winstrol doesn’t convert into estrogen – Unlike many other bodybuilding steroids, Winstrol is one of the few anabolic steroids that doesn’t convert to estrogen, helping you avoid man boobs
- No water retention – As we touched upon earlier, Winstrol can help you get ripped without water retention, so you won’t feel like you’re sloshing around the gym or looking bloated
- Both strength and muscle growth – It’s not all about getting BIG, Winstrol will help you gain more strength as well as muscle size
- Increase in speed, agility, endurance and power – Winstrol works to increase the production of red blood cells, which can heep your muscles working for longer (as well as faster)
Now, we can see why it’s incredibly tempting to start using Winstrol for bodybuilding, going by the benefits above… But it’s time to come back down to earth. Sorry, guys.
While there are plenty of benefits of Winstrol, there are certainly more side effects to watch out for.
Winstrol side effects
If you get caught up using Winstrol, it can be easy to get carried away with the benefits it offers. But unfortunately, the side effects are very much real. Here are some of the most common side effects of Winstrol, and some that are a little more rare, but very much possible.
Liver damage
It’s not just alcohol that can damage your liver. Anabolic steroids such as Winstrol are renowned for liver damage, due to its high potency. Using Winstrol puts a lot of strain on the liver, since it passes through not once, but twice. While taking this dangerous steroid, it is put through a process called C17AA, making it incredibly difficult to break down in the liver.
Naturally, when you go through repeated cycles of Winstrol, you’re going to cause significant damage to your liver in the process, since your liver is relied on to flush toxins from the body.
Virilization (in women)
If you’re a female bodybuilder, I’m sorry to say this, but Winstrol will help you develope male characteristics. The dosage of Winstrol is simply too high (and strong), resulting in unwanted body hair growth, an enlarged clitoris and a shrunken uterus. Plus, your breasts can also shrink.
None of these common Winstrol side effects are particularly appealing, are they? We didn’t think so.
Lowering of the ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL)
Many of us cower at the mere sound of cholesterol, but the reality is, not all cholesterol is bad. In fact, your body actually requires cholesterol to function, but it is important to understand the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Also Read: The Best Steroids For Weight Loss – Steroid Comparison
In short, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the ‘good’ kind of cholesterol, while its low-density counterpart (LDL) is the ‘bad’ kind we’re often told about.
Unfortunately, while taking Winstrol, your HDL cholesterol can be affected, while it also increase the bad cholesterol levels in your body. This is a more common side effect of Winstrol when taken orally, but it can still occur when injecting Winstrol.
So, it doesn’t matter how good your diet, Winstrol can quickly mess up your nutrition efforts by causing havoc with your cholesterol levels.
Popular safe and legal steroid alternatives
Low levels of SHBG (the sex hormone-binding globulin)
Right, guys, Winstrol may contribute towards your gains, but it’s going to wreck your sex life. Not only will you not feel like jumping in the sack, but when you get there, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get it up.
Here’s the deal, guys. There are three sex hormones that keep your sex drive in full force: Estrogen, dihydrotestosterone and testosterone. The precursor to these crucial hormones is a glycoprotein called sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) – which is lowered by the effects of Winstrol.
So what does that mean? Well, your sex drive will nosedive, and you may experience erectile dysfunction (ED) too as a result. Not cool.
Blackmarket Winstrol
Not only is the real-deal Winstrol dangerous in the first place, but since it is also on a long list of illegal anabolic steroids, counterfeit versions have also started to appear.
Now, this is scary stuff. There’s no denying it. There’s simply no way of knowing the ingredients, or their effects on your body.
Still think Winstrol is worth it? Think again.
Hair and skin problems
With a huge impact on your body’s natural hormone production, if you’re thinking about taking Winstrol, you better be prepared for teen-like side effects, such as acne and greasy hair…. Gross.
Also Read: Get ready to sculpt your body to perfection with Wincut
But you might not have to worry about your greasy hair for long, as another Winstrol side effect is hair loss.
Other Winstrol side effects
Of course, we all experience things differently. The side effects of Winstrol may differ from one user to the next. However, some of the following side effects are quite rare:
- liver cancer
- excessive fat in the blood
- a heart attack
- heart failure
- a stroke
- blood clot formation in vein
- liver tissue death
- damage to the liver and inflammation
- microscopic blood-filled cavities in the liver
- inflammation of the epididymis of the testicles
- low sperm count
- high amount of bilirubin in the blood
- inflammation of the liver with stoppage of bile flow
- a yellowing of the eyes or skin from buildup of bilirubin called jaundice
- a high alanine transaminase level
- a high aspartate transaminase level
There are also further side effects of Winstrol, although these aren’t extremely rare, they are still often experienced by Winstrol users:
- cancer of the prostate gland
- high amount of calcium in the blood
- enlarged prostate
- visible water retention
- altered interest in having sexual intercourse
- leg cramps
- difficulty sleeping
- chills
- diarrhea
- abdominal bloating
Looking for a safe alternative to Winstrol?
Sure, Winstrol is an incredibly powerful bodybuilding steroid, but if you ask me, the side effects are just not worthwhile. Plus, Winstrol is a part of a long list of illegal drugs, which makes its consumption scarily unsafe – unless for medicinal reasons.
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