Masteron is the brand name for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone, an oil-based injectable steroid derived from DHT (Dihydrotestosterone).
Masteron is a steroid with strong anabolic effects, but its anabolic strength is rated as moderate (62-130) and its androgenic strength is low (25-40).
This shows a distinct difference when compared to Testosterone (100).
Masteron was first developed in 1959 and was initially used to treat breast cancer in women; it boasts relatively low androgenic strength due to its property of minimizing the occurrence of feminizing symptoms.
However, it is important to note that virilization symptoms can occur at excessive doses.
The medical use of Masteron declined over time, and by the 1980s, advancements in breast cancer treatment methods reduced the medicinal value of Masteron.
In the late 1980s, the brand name Drolban was discontinued, and subsequently, other Masteron preparations were also phased out of the market.
Currently, Masteron remains on the list of approved pharmaceuticals, but it is not manufactured or sold in the US and European markets.
The popularity of Masteron among bodybuilders and athletes skyrocketed from the late 1970s through the 1980s, during which time Masteron established itself as a competitive bodybuilding and sports drug.
Due to its properties, this drug helps with fat loss and increasing muscle density, and because it causes less virilization, it possesses characteristics suitable for female users as well.
Chemical Properties of Masteron
The chemical name of Masteron is Drostanolone, a modified derivative derived from DHT (Dihydrotestosterone).
Masteron is a form where a methyl group is attached to the second carbon of DHT, and this methylation slightly increases the anabolic strength.
This modification prevents Masteron from being converted into an inactive metabolite by the 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme, thereby increasing metabolic intensity and aiding effective anabolism in muscle tissue.
If this enzyme were not present in muscle, DHT could act as a powerful anabolic steroid.
Masteron has two main variants: Drostanolone Propionate and Drostanolone Enanthate.
The most popular form is the Propionate, which increases the release rate and half-life of the hormone through an ester bond.
In the Propionate, propanoic acid is attached to the 17-beta hydroxyl group of Drostanolone, allowing the hormone to be released slowly until the bond is broken by enzymes in the body.
As a result, the half-life of Drostanolone Propionate is set at 2.5 days, and that of the Enanthate is 10 days.
This esterification does not alter the hormone’s effects but significantly increases its release rate and half-life.
Characteristics of Masteron
As a DHT derivative, Masteron does not interact with the aromatase enzyme, preventing conversion into estrogen.
Because of this, Masteron does not cause any estrogenic side effects such as water retention, bloating, increased blood pressure, fat gain, or gynecomastia at any dosage.
Users experience an increase in lean body mass without the increase in water weight, which prevents the issues of puffiness or a soft appearance.
Therefore, Masteron is widely used as an effective ‘cutting’ drug in pre-contest cycles and during fat loss and cutting phases.
Masteron has only low to moderate metabolic intensity, making it unsuitable for mass gain, and it is primarily used by bodybuilders who want a hard, chiseled physique.
When used with other anabolic steroids, this drug makes the ‘ripped’ physique stand out even more.
However, this effect is only apparent when body fat percentage is sufficiently low, so if body fat is high, it may be difficult to fully experience its effects.
Masteron possesses properties as an aromatase inhibitor and has the characteristic of blocking estrogen at the estrogen receptor sites in breast tissue.
This property is also the reason Masteron was initially used as a breast cancer treatment, and many users describe Masteron as making the physique hard and chiseled at body fat levels of 10% or below.
Masteron is characterized by its ability to inhibit the aromatase enzyme, block estrogen production, and effectively reduce water retention.
Masteron Side Effects
Masteron is a DHT derivative and is considered a steroid with relatively few side effects in the bodybuilding community.
This is because Masteron is derived from DHT and has no estrogen-related side effects.
It has no interaction with the aromatase enzyme and acts as a mild aromatase inhibitor, allowing users to completely avoid side effects like water retention, bloating, fat gain, and gynecomastia.
However, although Masteron’s androgenic strength is weaker than testosterone, androgenic side effects can occur, especially in individuals sensitive to hormones.
The main side effects include oily skin, increased facial and body hair growth, and for those genetically predisposed, the risk of Male Pattern Baldness (MPB).
When used for female breast cancer patients, virilization can occur, which requires caution in its use.
The most important aspect of Masteron’s side effects is its negative impact on cholesterol and the cardiovascular system.
By lowering estrogen levels, Masteron can decrease HDL (good cholesterol) and increase LDL (bad cholesterol).
Although it is not hepatotoxic, Masteron can suppress the HPTA, affecting the endogenous production of testosterone.
Masteron Cycle and Uses
Due to its characteristics, the Masteron cycle is not suitable for bulking or strength gain; it is primarily used in pre-contest and fat loss cycles.
Masteron is not the most effective drug for fat loss itself, but it is useful for refining the physique during contest preparation.
Bodybuilders primarily include Masteron in the final 2-4 weeks of a cycle to make the physique more defined and hardened.
A typical Masteron cycle lasts between 8 to 10 weeks, and due to its short ester properties, it is used for a relatively short duration.
In pre-contest cycles, it is often used with drugs like Testosterone Propionate, Trenbolone Acetate, and Anavar, with Masteron being included from around weeks 6-8 and maintained until the end.
In a more traditional Masteron cycle, it is used consistently for 8-10 weeks alongside drugs like Winstrol, Testosterone Propionate, and Trenbolone Acetate.
Masteron Dosage and Administration
Masteron was used medically for the treatment of breast cancer in women, where a dosage of 100mg three times per week, totaling 300mg weekly, was recommended.
The treatment period was a minimum of 8 weeks, after which it could be used indefinitely depending on the patient’s progress.
However, this dosage is considered too high for female users, with side effects like reduced libido being observed.
For female athletes and bodybuilders, a dosage of 50-100mg per week is considered a safe and suitable range.
For male users, for athletic and bodybuilding purposes, the typical dosage ranges from 200-400mg per week, with 200mg being common during pre-contest preparation phases.
Masteron is a drug specialized for enhancing aesthetic physique, and intermediate or advanced users usually prefer dosages not exceeding 400mg.
Masteron is relatively ineffective for increasing strength or muscle mass, and there are other more effective and cheaper drugs for these purposes.
| Chemical Name | 2alpha-methyl-androstan-3-one-17beta-ol, 2alpha-methyl-dihydrotestosterone |
| Molecular Weight | 304.46 g/mol |
| Formula | C20H32O2 |
| 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 |
