What is Primobolan?
Primobolan is an anabolic steroid that is used by bodybuilders to increase lean muscle mass. It is popularly known as methenolone and can be taken orally or through injection. It works to enhance physical performance, strength and prevents muscle wastage.
Primobolan is considered the safest anabolic steroid and can be used by both men and women without the fear of aromatization or liver toxicity. Thanks to its low androgenic properties and long-acting and mild anabolic effects.
Luckily, Primobolan can do a lot more than that!
- It is used as a cure for malnutrition.
- Osteoporosis
- Premature infants
- Sarcopenia
The science:
In the liquid form, this anabolic steroid is called methenolone enanthate. However, when ingested in the form of an oral tablet, it is called methenolone acetate.
The chemical name of Primobolan is 17ß-hydroxy-1-methyl-5a-androst-1-en-3-one acetate.
The active life of oral methenolone is 4-6 hours, while that of the injectable one (liquid methenolone) is 10-14 days.
What is the difference between oral Primobolan and Primobolan Depot?
Primobolan Depot is an injectable version of a hormone attached to the large enanthate ester. However, its production was stopped in 1993. If you want any injectable versions, they will probably be from underground labs.
Talking about Primobolan, it comprises the same active steroid hormone as methenolone. The main difference between the two is that Primobolan is attached to the small acetate ester. This makes Primobolan suitable for oral use, and you can take it in the form of capsules.
Why do athletes and bodybuilders use Primobolan?
Primobolan is one of the very few female-friendly anabolic steroids available in the market. It is very similar to Anavar. However, it has a very low virilization rating. It means that women can easily use it without worrying about developing facial hair, having a deeper voice, or getting bald.
Also, Arnold Schwarzenegger using Primobolan during his Mr. Olympia days has a huge and long history. Seeing his famous physique, the demand for this steroid increased rapidly. However, it has never been 100% confirmed.
Besides these, there are many other reasons for bodybuilders and athletes using Primobolan, especially Primobolan Depot.
- This DHT based anabolic steroid can be used between cycles, during off-time, as it is not 17-alpha-alkylated but 1-methylated (for oral bioavailability). Thus, it can help maintain muscle mass and strength gains. As it can prevent muscle wastage, it is perfect for cutting cycles. While benefiting from a calorie-deficient diet, you can maintain all of the muscles you gained bulking. If you use Primobolan with a proper and well-planned diet, you can feel good conditioning effects, making you look harder and more defined.
- As Primobolan is a mild anabolic steroid, consuming a bit higher dosage will not convert it into estrogen and trigger breast enlargement in men, not ladies!
- The potency of Primobolan is slightly less than Deca Durabolin.
- It promotes sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and improves active and total testosterone levels in the body.
- In terms of anabolic effects, Primobolan causes less inhibition than testosterone or Deca Durabolin. It is because it lacks the ability to convert into DHT. Also, it has a low risk of aromatization (which can lead to man boobs) and low central nervous system activity.
- Primobolan does not let your work disappear in a cloud of smoke. Its performance-enhancing effects are long-term and can last for months. It will help with the increased fat burn, maintain muscle gains even after a long stop, and protect your lean muscle tissues from wastage.
- It helps with endurance and improves muscle recovery.
- Other anabolic steroids cause liver toxicity and damage, shrunken testicles, enlarged breasts, mood swings and higher voice. When compared to these steroids, Primobolan produces little or no side effects. However, with careful dosages and PCT, you can even avoid all these side effects.
- As Primobolan helps to increase the metabolic rate, it can act as a good fat burner.
- Primobolan provides extra energy and has strength-building capabilities. If you are an athlete and not a bodybuilder, Primobolan can improve your strength without adding too much muscle mass.
How does Primobolan work?
Methenolone is a derivative of DHT. Inexact words, it is a structurally altered form of DHT. This hormone anabolic nature is basically increased by the addition of a double bond at carbon one and two. The additional 1-methyl group also acts effectively and avoids any hepatic breakdown. Also, the presence of the acetate ester protects it from hepatic metabolism.
The oral form of Primobolan is the most effective one, as it is the only oral steroid in the market that is not a C17-aa steroid. The lack of C17-aa means that it won’t prove toxic to the liver. It also means that this steroid is considered weaker as compared to other anabolic steroids. So, most men won’t experience the same level of anabolic activity with this one.
Most men prefer using Primobolan Depot because the injection is stronger. On the other hand, women prefer the oral form due to its mild and less harsh effects.
Although Primobolan is a mild steroid, it functions like other anabolic steroids in many ways. It moderately increases the red blood cell count and boosts protein synthesis to an appropriate degree.
What makes Primobolan different from other anabolic steroids?
Three distinct features make Primobolan different from other anabolic steroids.
- Primobolan has a strong binding affinity for androgen receptors that are linked to direct lipolysis. While all other anabolic steroids will increase your metabolic rate, Primobolan will directly support fat loss. In this way, it is the best supplement for cutting.
- According to research, Primobolan can improve and enhance your immune system. With its ability to provide an immunity boost and protection from muscle wastage, Primobolan has successfully been used for the treatment of AIDS in individuals with a weak immune system.
- It improves nitrogen retention in the body. Hence, the catabolic states are avoided, and you can successfully build lean muscle tissue. Although the muscle gains won’t be massive, they will be impressive.
Primobolan Dosage:
The dosage of Primobolan is different in men and women. For women, the dosage should be just 50-100 grams a week. However, some studies suggest that a dosage of 25-75 mg per day is safe.
The ideal Primobolan dosage in men is higher than women and ranges from 200-400 mg per week. It can also be 50-150mg per day if you are competing.
Primobolan Cycle:
As Primobolan is considered to be a good fat burner, it is usually used by athletes between cycles during their off-time. During this time, it helps to maintain the gained muscle mass and strength gains. A Primobolan cycle for pre-contest cutting is also common among competing bodybuilders.
No matter the amount of Primobolan you take, the low 50mg a day to the competing 100mg, it is often used as a part of an 8-week cycle. It is because the use of Primobolan should not extend beyond 6 weeks. So, many athletes split the cycle and start using other metabolic steroids. For instance, men often start with Sustanon 250 and Anadrol for the first 2 weeks; Sustanon 250, Anadrol, and Nolvadex from weeks 2-4, before switching to Sustanon 250, Primobolan and Nolvadex from weeks 5-8, and then finish with Nolvadex for 2 weeks.
If you are using Primobolan for the first time, make sure that your Primobolan cycle should only be 25mg per day.
Towards the end or after the end of the cycle, it is recommended to use HCG, Clomid, or Nolvadex. Their use will enhance the bioavailability of any other steroids you have used during the cycle. It will also prevent any estrogenic side effects like
- Acne
- Bloating
- Gynecomastia
- Oily skin
Stacking:
Primobolan, if stacked with others, can prove to be beneficial. It is best to stack with Testosterone, Masteron, Dianabol, T3, Deca Durabolin, Trenbolone, Winstrol, Clenbuterol, Anavar, or Anadrol.
While those competing can manage a 25-50mg dose of Primobolan a day, it is recommended that women use small quantities of Primobolan and pair it with Anavar.
Primobolan Side Effects:
Primobolan is milder than other anabolic steroids and promises safe results. However, we all know that misuse of certain things, especially steroids, can lead to severe side effects.
Many scientific studies on this drug are not present yet, except those performed on rats. However, the people who used this steroid have reported severe side effects.
The most common Primobolan side effects seen in many people are:
- Hair loss, often leading to balding.
- Acne
- Oily skin
- Excess body hair
- Depression
- Increase of bad cholesterol
- Gynecomastia (occurs when it is stacked with another anabolic steroid)
If you ensure low and safe dosages, you will face fewer side effects. However, we do advise leaning on the side of caution. If you have sensitive skin or are already predisposed to them, you should avoid its use.
Especially, women should be careful.
Although it is considered a safer anabolic steroid for women, it is not completely exempted from virilization. It can lead to effects like a deeper voice, excess body hair, menstrual cycle issues, and balding if you exceed the recommended dosage. However, these side effects will disappear as soon as you discontinue its use.
It is also not recommended for people diagnosed with testicular cancer, breast cancer, testicular atrophy, liver damage, stroke, high blood pressure, prostate cancer, kidney damage, or respiratory problems.
If you have already taken Tamoxifen, Androstenedione, DHEA, or Prasterone, you should be careful. It can trigger aromatization.
Now, let’s discuss a very important point you need to consider with this anabolic steroid. Primobolan is not immune to testosterone and will suppress its production to a degree. It is a lot less than other anabolic steroids. However, it will happen unless you add PCT/exogenous therapy to your cycle to ensure a speedy recovery.
Precautions to take:
You should keep these two things in mind:
- There is no data that oral Primobolan will cause liver stress. Therefore, it is not considered a hepatotoxic steroid. However, there was a reported case of an elderly man developing liver toxicity, failure, and eventually death by using Primobolan. This incident happened once in 50 years, but you should still be careful about it.
- If you have skipped one dose, never take it with another. Multiple doses are severely harmful. Just skip the dose and stick to the scheduled time and dose of your next one. It is especially true if it is less than 6 hours before your next dosage.
Talking about the positivity, Primobolan does not cause water retention or aromatization. It is because it does not have a progestin nature. It also won’t cause blood pressure issues and avoids excess water storage.
Where can I buy Primobolan?
Primobolan is illegal in the US. It cannot be prescribed for medical use as well, including testosterone deficiency.
Therefore, as the FDA has banned Primobolan, anything you buy online has been created on the black market. If you buy from such a source, it comes with no guarantees of receiving the real deal or made from high-quality ingredients.
Therefore, we strongly recommend avoiding Primobolan.
Conclusion:
Besides being hard to find and buy, it is no wonder that this steroid is speculated.
It does offer benefits to men and women. It helps you build muscles, burn fat, and promote lean muscle mass. During a calorie diet, it also protects you from muscle wastage. Women can even escape virilization and achieve muscle gains with this drug.
But here’s the main point.
Besides providing such beneficial effects and promising bodybuilding results, this anabolic steroid is 100% illegal.
Although being less harmful than other steroids, it is not free from side effects. So, you don’t have to expose yourself to testosterone suppression, acne, the risk of virilization, and balding when there are other safer alternatives in the market.
So, if you are serious about cutting and protecting any muscle wastage, you should not use anabolic steroids. Instead, opt for safer and natural supplementation.
Khalid Irfan is a Fitness expert who enjoys spending time in gym. He also enjoys being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise as well as researching new topics to expand his horizons.