If you are involved in bodybuilding or find yourself in other sports disciplines, then in addition to training, you will most likely use a number of medications that promote accelerated results or gain muscle mass.
Proviron may be among them. Before you start using it, we suggest studying its effect on the body, as well as the correct dosage regimen and combination with other medications. Proviron (Mesterolone), active ingredient – mesterolone. Chemical name: 17b-hydroxy-1a-methyl-5a-androstan-3-one1-methyl-5a-dihydrotestosterone. A hormonal drug that has moderate androgenic activity and significantly enhances erectile function. It appeared in 1934 and, despite its long life, remains a unique anabolic.
Description of the drug[edit | edit code]
Proviron from SCHERING Provimed from Balkan (Moldova) Proviger from Gerth Pharmaceuticals (50 tablets of 50 mg each)
Proviron
(active ingredient -
mesterolone
) is a hormonal drug that has moderate androgenic activity [1] and significantly enhances erectile function. Proviron is often used in bodybuilding during a cycle of anabolic steroids to solve various problems.
Among the well-known manufacturers of mesterolone are various branches of the company Schering ( Proviron in the form of tablets of 25 mg
), the Moldovan company Balkan Pharmaceuticals (
Provimed, 50 mg tablets
), Gerth Pharmaceuticals (Proviger, 50 mg tablets) and some others.
It is a weak aromatase inhibitor, i.e. it slightly interferes with the conversion of steroids to estrogens in the body.[2][3][4] According to numerous reports from athletes, in practice, Proviron does not prevent gynecomastia, water retention, female pattern fat deposition and other estrogen side effects.
It has virtually no effect on the body’s production of its own testosterone (in large doses it can suppress), but it helps to increase the concentration of free testosterone in the blood by blocking the activity of sex hormone-binding globulin. These properties make Proviron an attractive option during a cycle.
It is often used as part of post-cycle therapy, although its expediency is questionable, since it does not have the ability to restore the secretion of endogenous testosterone.[5]
Legal status[edit | edit code]
Mesterolone, its salts, isomers, esters, all dosage forms and trade names are included in the list of potent substances on the basis of Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2007 N 964. Criminal liability entails: illegal production, processing, acquisition, storage, transportation or forwarding for the purpose of sales, as well as illegal sale, or equipment for its production or processing.
Large size
Mesterolone is 2.5 g or more.[6]
How to take Proviron during the course[edit | edit code]
The usual daily dosage for men is 50 mg per day, divided into two equal doses, preferably after meals. A dosage of up to 100 mg of Proviron per day is considered acceptable. Higher doses of Proviron may result in effects opposite to those expected. For prolonged erections, which are often quite painful and uncomfortable, the dosage of the drug should be reduced or discontinued altogether.
Considering that the drug increases libido and improves potency in men, its use is justified during a course of drugs that lower libido (for example, Deca-Dic when using nandrolone or Tren-Dic from trenbolone).
In addition, Proviron in bodybuilding is often used in pre-competition preparation to increase muscle hardness and give it definition. It is a favorite drug of Western film actors to give a muscular appearance to those who are afraid to use heavier steroid “artillery”. It is also used by female bodybuilders to add density to the muscles, but their dosages should not exceed 25 mg per day for no more than four weeks to avoid the phenomenon of masculinization. Although professional female bodybuilders do not adhere to these standards.
Medical use[edit | edit code]
“Improves the quality and increases the number of sperm. It compensates for the lack of production of male sex hormones (androgens), having a stimulating effect on the development of male genital organs and secondary sexual characteristics, improves libido and potency, exhibits anabolic properties, and stimulates erythropoiesis.” Mode of application:
Orally, without chewing, 25 mg 1–3 times a day.[7]
According to some studies, Proviron has performed well as an antidepressant. For the experiment, we took masterolone and amitriptyline. Both drugs showed good results in improving mood. However, Masterolon turned out to be less toxic to the human body, with fewer side effects. [8]
History of the drug
Proviron is one of the oldest steroids. Its creator is considered to be the Schering company, whose specialists in 1934 first developed the drug formula for medical use. Mesterolone began its existence along with two other anabolic steroids: Methyltestosterone (in 1935) and Testosterone propionate (in 1937). These drugs were widely known and therefore remembered better than the less popular Proviron. This is likely due to the fact that Methyltestosterone and Testosterone Propionate were highly anabolic steroids, and Proviron did not have similar benefits.
Proviron is considered a very old medicine, it has stood the test of time and is still known as a drug with impressive effectiveness. This product is characterized by safety and amazing patient tolerance. It is used to treat older men with low androgen levels and libido disorders. The medicine was also effectively used to combat male infertility.
Proviron's ability to increase reproductive functions is described in specialized literature. In standard therapeutic doses, it practically does not inhibit endogenous gonadotropins (LH and FSH) and does not lead to the development of temporary infertility, as other anabolic steroids do. In some circles there is a misconception that Proviron increases LH (luteinizing hormone), but in fact it is incapable of doing this. However, studies have shown that Proviron provides androgenic effects necessary for spermatogenesis in certain areas of the testes.
Until now, the Schering corporation produces Mesterolone under the name Proviron. At various times, the drug was also sold under the brand names Pluriviron (in Germany - Asche), Vistimon (in Germany - Jenepharm) and Restore (in India - Brown and Burke). Interestingly, its popularity and widespread use have not made the drug legal on the US prescription market.
Side effects[edit | edit code]
It is not toxic to the liver in moderate dosages, which makes it safe to take during a course of several weeks. Does not suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis.[9] Given the chemical nature and similarity to dihydrotestosterone, side effects such as prostate hypertrophy and male pattern baldness are possible.
For the purpose of prevention, periodic examinations of the prostate gland are recommended. Caution for use After taking the hormonal substances that make up the drug Proviron, the formation of benign, and even more rarely, malignant liver tumors was very rarely observed. In some cases, intra-abdominal bleeding caused by such tumors was life-threatening. If a man using Proviron has severe pain in the upper abdomen, an enlarged liver, or signs of intra-abdominal bleeding, the possibility of a liver tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis
Weakening the effect of AC[edit | edit code]
Many authors, for example, A. Vasilenko and others, point to the use of proviron and anabolic steroids (AS) of the same receptors, which supposedly reduces the effect of the latter. This information first appeared in Dan Duchaine's Underground Steroid Handbook II. However, basic knowledge of pharmacokinetics allows us to refute this. Firstly, this anti-estrogen is quickly destroyed in the muscles to inactive metabolites. Secondly, due to its high affinity for binding proteins (SHBG), the drug can increase the concentration of free AS, which increases the effectiveness of the course.
Legal status[edit | edit code]
Proviron is freely available in Ukraine.
Included in the “List of potent substances for the purposes of Article 234 and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.”[10] If it is detected in you in an amount of more than 15 tablets. (2.5 grams of tablet form) entails criminal liability. When determining the weight, law enforcement agencies also take into account the weight of the filler (starch, TiO2 and other related substances). In some cases, weighing occurs along with the packaging.
Proviron is on course. Side effects
The drug is considered one of the safest in a number of steroids. Its side effects on the male body are insignificant or absent altogether. But for women it can cause many problems. After its use, hair growth may increase in various parts of the body, the voice may become rougher, and the appearance may become more masculine.
Blood cholesterol levels may also increase, blood pressure may rise, and rashes may appear on the body. The hair on your scalp may begin to fall out. In women, the drug can also cause infertility.
Choice of antiestrogens[edit | edit code]
Very often the question is raised which anti-estrogenic drug should be preferred.
Tamoxifen
is a drug that blocks estrogen receptors, but does not prevent the formation of estrogen. Tamoxifen is more conducive to restoring your own testosterone, as it can directly influence the pituitary gland. The disadvantage is that it slightly reduces the anabolic activity of steroid drugs. Only used during PCT.
Proviron
increases the concentration of androgens due to binding to SHBG, thus increasing the effectiveness of the course. However, Proviron has not been shown in studies to restore testosterone secretion, unlike tamoxifen.[11][12] Repeated analyzes of hormone levels[13] have shown that the antiestrogenic effect of Proviron is practically not manifested during the course.
Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of both drugs, the optimal course of steroids is structured as follows (relevant only for aromatizable AS):
- Starting from the 2nd week of the course, Proviron is administered at a dose of 50 mg per day. Additionally, aromatase inhibitors should be used to control estrogen levels.
- Immediately after the end of the course, Proviron is stopped and after the steroids are removed from the body, tamoxifen is prescribed for 2-3 weeks at a dose of 10-20 mg per day.
Compound
The drug is a modified derivative of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), obtained by adding a methyl group to its first carbon (1-methyl dihydrotestosterone). As mentioned earlier, it is a low-potency anabolic steroid, which is why Proviron is almost always called an androgen (or androgenic steroid). The drug has a similar property to its parent compound (DHT) - once it enters muscle tissue, it is quickly metabolized and breaks down into inactive metabolites.
This is the age-old problem with Dihydrotestosterone - once it enters the muscles, the enzyme 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (present in very high concentrations in muscle tissue) binds to it and renders it inactive, converting DHT into a compound that has no anabolic potency. This is the reason for the low anabolic power of the drug.
A well-known advantage of Proviron is also its anti-estrogenic ability. It should be noted, however, that as an aromatase inhibitor, Proviron does not have the special potency of drugs such as, for example, Aromasin, Arimidex or Letrozole. But still this ability exists and can be used. Similar properties of Proviron are compared with Arimidex, although in fact the effect is not so significant.
Notes[edit | edit code]
- Andrologia. 1983 May-Jun;15(3):283-6. German.
- Source: William Llewellyn's, Anabolics 9th edition, 2009
- https://experimentjournal.com/expadmin/pdf_files/exp_11.4_721-725.pdf
- https://thinksteroids.com/articles/antiestrogens-anti-aromatases-estrogen-antagonists/
- Kövary PM, Lenau H, Niermann H, Zierden E, Wagner H (May 1977). "Testosterone levels and gonadotrophins in Klinefelter's patients treated with injections of mesterolone cipionate." Arch Dermatol Res 258(3):289–94.
- https://base.garant.ru/12158202/#block_3000
- Register of Medicines of Russia - https://www.rlsnet.ru/tn_index_id_2669.htm
- https://www.buildbody.org.ua/farmakologiya/proviron-mesterolon-otzyvy-kurs-pkt-pobochnye-effekty
- Spitz IM, Margalioth EJ, Effect of non aromatizable androgens on LHRH and TRH responses in primary testicular failure. PMID: 2892728
- Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2007 N 964 “On approval of lists of potent and toxic substances for the purposes of Article 234 and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, as well as large amounts of potent substances for the purposes of Article 234 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation”
- Effect of non aromatizable androgens on LHRH and TRH responses in primary testicular failure. Horm Metab Res. 1984 Sep;16(9):492-7.
- The effect of mesterolone on sperm count, on serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, plasma testosterone and outcome in idiopathic oligospermic men.Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1988 Feb;26(1):121-8.
- https://do4a.com/threads/Analysis-of-hormone-tests-advice-from-a-specialist.5626
Courses and application
Proviron is not used in courses. As mentioned earlier, this is a weak anabolic steroid that is optimal as an auxiliary compound, popular due to its ability to minimize the effects of estrogen on the body. This makes the drug an indispensable addition to anabolic steroid cycles.
Another advantage of Proviron is its ability to give the body a “tight” appearance. This is one of the main reasons for its frequent use, along with its anti-estrogenic qualities and the benefits of a strong androgen.
Sometimes Proviron is used to achieve a therapeutic effect after a course, namely, to reduce estrogen levels and increase fertility. Although for post-cycle therapy (PCT) there are much stronger compounds. In cases where there is even a slight risk of suppression of endogenous Testosterone, it is recommended to refrain from using Proviron for PCT purposes. During the period of restoration of the natural level of endogenous Testosterone, it is necessary to avoid any threats, no matter how minimal they seem.
Genetics.uz does not sell or encourage the use of anabolic steroids and other potent substances. The information is not advisory in nature and is provided for informational purposes only. For the correct use of certain drugs, it is necessary to contact sports doctors and/or certified trainers.
