Anadrol (Oxymetholone) is notorious for being a “harsh” anabolic steroid, especially concerning its liver toxicity.
Due to its high hepatotoxicity, its use should not exceed a period of 4 to 6 weeks.
Despite not converting to estrogen via the aromatase enzyme, Anadrol exhibits severe side effects related to estrogenic activity.
The reason for this phenomenon is still unclear.
For example, although Anadrol has a lower androgenic rating (45) than Testosterone (rating 100), it causes potent androgenic side effects in some users.
For these reasons, Anadrol is not suitable for beginners; it is better suited for intermediate to advanced users.
Estrogenic Side Effects of Anadrol
Anadrol is an estrogenic compound, but it does not convert to estrogen through interaction with the aromatase enzyme.
Therefore, its estrogenic side effects are attributed to its still-unclear properties.
One theory is that Anadrol itself can act like estrogen in various tissues of the body.
This leads to estrogen-related side effects such as water retention (bloating), potential fat gain, and the development of gynecomastia.
Since Anadrol does not aromatize into estrogen, aromatase inhibitors are ineffective at mitigating these side effects.
There is no clear solution for excessive water retention besides dietary control, and even its effects may be limited.
A SERM (e.g., Nolvadex) can prevent gynecomastia by blocking estrogen activity in breast tissue, but it will not resolve water retention.
Some have speculated that Anadrol’s estrogenic actions are due to progestogenic activity, but studies have shown that Anadrol possesses no progestogenic properties.
Androgenic Side Effects
Anadrol has a lower androgenic rating than Testosterone (Anadrol 45, Testosterone 100).
However, Anadrol still produces strong androgenic side effects, and users report experiencing side effects more severe than its rating would suggest.
Despite being a DHT-derivative, Anadrol does not convert to DHT via the 5-alpha reductase enzyme.
Instead, Anadrol is metabolized in the body into Mestanolone, a more potent androgen (androgenic rating of 78-254).
This results in exaggerated androgenic side effects, which include acne, oily skin, increased body hair growth, and an increased risk of male pattern baldness.
HPTA and Endogenous Testosterone Production Side Effects
All anabolic steroids can cause the side effect of suppressing or shutting down endogenous testosterone production, and Anadrol is no exception.
In particular, the post-cycle ‘crash’ from Anadrol can be severe.
Due to its nature of causing massive weight gain in a short period, a rapid drop in weight can occur post-cycle from the loss of water retention.
To maintain muscle mass, it is crucial to quickly restore endogenous testosterone production through a robust PCT program.
Hepatotoxic Side Effects
Liver toxicity is one of Anadrol’s most significant side effects, primarily due to its C17-alpha alkylated structure.
Interestingly, although Anadrol’s structure includes a saturated A-ring, which should reduce hepatotoxicity, it still causes considerable toxicity to the liver.
One study showed that among HIV-positive subjects administered Anadrol for 12 weeks, 17% experienced increased GGT levels, 10% had increased bilirubin, and 20% had increased serum albumin.
Therefore, Anadrol should be used cautiously for no longer than 4-6 weeks, and it is recommended to use a liver support supplement like TUDCA/UDCA alongside it.
Cardiovascular Side Effects
Anadrol has serious side effects that can cause cardiovascular strain and negative cholesterol changes.
Specifically, it decreases HDL (good cholesterol) and increases LDL (bad cholesterol), raising the risk of arteriosclerosis.
These changes are dose-dependent, with higher doses posing a greater risk.
Oral anabolic steroids have a more detrimental impact on cholesterol than injectable forms. Studies have shown that in a group of men administered Anadrol, LDL increased and HDL significantly decreased.
Therefore, when using anabolic steroids, it is crucial to take preventive measures through cardiovascular health supplements and dietary adjustments.
