PROHORMONES

PRO HORMONES / DESIGNER STEROIDS

These are compounds called anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). Don’t be fooled into thinking that the compound is nothing less than that of an actual steroid just because they are labeled as such. Some have speculated that they are divided into classes based on their ability to bind or not bind to androgen receptors. I, on the other hand, found something else. William Llewellyn says: “Such a classification is clearly invalid upon reasonable investigation.”

Just in case you are wondering what classifications these compounds fall under, I will define them according to this belief. “Pro-hormone” is a term commonly used on forums that misleads the everyday workout enthusiast, bodybuilders, and teenagers looking to build muscle. This term gives people the unwitting “OK” based on its legality and designation of being a pro-hormone and not a steroid. When an individual succumbs to this way of thinking, there can be serious consequences. This article is a compilation of my beliefs from research, which are most likely shared by many others. The purpose of my written efforts is to inform and educate new users and those who may have questions about pro-hormones. I hope everyone who reads this finds it useful.

FIRST TIME USER GUIDE

First-time users (21 and older) of pro-hormones should not be tempted by using the stronger AAS. It’s good to start with a “mild” type of pro-hormone. Starting with a mild compound will allow you to get your feet wet in the world of AAS. Never stack two or more active ingredients in your first cycle as you are just starting out and do not want to cause unnecessary side effects.

I personally recommend H-Drol as the side effects are very mild to non-existent for most users. Although some users may not have experience associated pages, that doesn’t mean you are in the clear. Users are still strongly advised to schedule PCT and use a SERM as you may still be shut down.

SERM is called a selective estrogen receptor modulator, which is used to control estrogen. I will explain its meaning later. The shutdown is the result of high levels of exogenous hormones (testosterone), causing your body to stop producing its own testosterone. This is often associated with testicular atrophy. Strong aromatizing androgens (or androgens that are easily converted to estrogen) cause this more easily than non-aromatizing anabolic steroids.

cycle length

Cycles with methylated PHs should not last longer than 4-5 weeks at the recommended dosage. If you limit your cycle to this period, the liver is relieved of the methylated compounds. The temptation to run the pro-hormone over a period of 4 to 5 weeks should be avoided by new users, as gains in the 4th or 5th week are most likely to increase or exaggerate the effects. Advanced users may be able to extend their methylated cycle to 6 weeks for certain compounds. This is not recommended for compounds with a high risk of toxicity such as Superdrol. Unmethylated compounds can be cycled for 8-10 weeks without risk of liver toxicity.

Beginners

Limit cycle duration to 4-5 weeks
Take the recommended dosage
Advanced users can cycle for up to 6 weeks

Unmethylated prohormones

Compounds without a methyl bond are called non-methyl. These compounds are typically not as potent as methylated compounds on a milligram-to-milligram basis. However, these compounds are very effective when dosed in the right amount and for the right period of time.

BOLD is a good example of non-methyl producing amazing gains without the risk of liver stress. The effectiveness of BOLD should not be underestimated as people may experience the same side effects as methylated pro-hormones.

Because the likelihood of liver toxicity with these compounds is low to zero, cycle lengths can be limited to a period of 8 weeks. There have been some people who have gone over 8 weeks and in 10 weeks, but I believe this is significant for users who have experience with previous cycles. New users or advanced users who want a liver-friendly cycle will enjoy both consistent strength and muscle gains comparable to four-week methyl cycles when performed at the appropriate dosage.

Non-methylated prohormones

BOLD
Propadrol
Furazadrol
Train, Trenaplex, Trenadrol

PCT (Post-Cycle Therapy)

PCT is derived from a cycle of AAS (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) to restore testosterone and estrogen homeostasis and keep your cycle’s gains intact. This is the most important part of keeping the profits made “in cycle”. If done improperly, you risk losing muscle mass/strength and libido (not good).

A very common occurrence when PCT is neglected is the formation of breast tissue around the nipples, called “gynecomastia.” Using a SERM is the best choice for breast tissue prevention in PCT. A SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) should form the basis of your PCT.

Never begin a cycle before you have received all the necessary components of your PCT and never leave your SERM out of the equation. You don’t want to miss out on SERM if your cycle ends or if you encounter estrogen-related issues. Adding a SERM to your PCT is the most important recovery tool that is neglected by many users and usually ends with a series of problems that could have been solved with a SERM.

Users can add a natural testosterone booster to the PCT to boost sex drive/libido to equivalent levels if needed.

Cortisol controllers are also not essential, but many believe they can be used to combat the catabolic effects that would occur with PCT.

Creatine (in my opinion) should be an essential part of PCT to keep muscles hydrated and strength high. Creatine is also a very useful anti-catabolic tool in PCT efforts.

A diet during PCT should be the same as “in the cycle”. With the newly acquired muscle comes a higher calorie intake that you must adhere to in order to maintain new muscle mass. I cannot stress this fact enough to everyone; If you don’t eat right and eat right, you will more than likely lose gains quickly!

aromatase inhibitors

Aromatase inhibitors inhibit/stop the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. The use of over-the-counter AIs (aromatase inhibitors) is sometimes used in place of a SERM for mild cycles or when one is not available. Although some are very effective at eradicating estrogen, their use in PCT should not be used as a basis for recovery. The use of OTC (over-the-counter) AI is considered by most to be inefficient for achieving the PCT goal and is not recommended for full recovery after one cycle. AI can be used during the cycle to prevent gynecomastia from aromatizing androgens such as testosterone and Dianabol.

Individuals using cycles involving a mild compound, such as H-Drol/Halodrol, a natural testosterone booster with OTC AI+, could potentially accomplish the task of recovery from a mild PH cycle. Even though I say this, you should always have a SERM on hand when using OTC recovery products.

SERM

SERMs inhibit estrogen-like effects in certain tissues of the body and regulate estrogen to manageable levels in the PCT. A SERM can and should not be a question when it comes to more than the suggested “mild” pro-hormones. Aromatase inhibitors should only be used for the recommended “mild” PH levels and never for compounds that exhibit more than a mild property. Some will tell you that it is OK to take an OTC PCT, with an AI like “Novedex-XT” being the basis for their Superdrol cycle. This is simply not true and is very misleading. To believe that a person will fully recover with an OTC product like Novedex-XT is ridiculous. Here are some general PCT plans for mild and advanced compounds:

Sample PCT for mild PH cycle

AI (6-OXO / Formestane / ATD) – tapering from maximum dose week by week (4 weeks in total)
Natural testosterone booster (Blue-Up / STOKED) – Done at the beginning of PCT
Liver care (Anabolic Innovations: Cycle Support) ** optional ** Cortisol control (SNS: Reduce-XT)
Creatine

PCT example for the advanced PH cycle:

SERM (Nolvadex) – 40 mg / 40 mg / 20 mg / 20 mg
Natty testosterone booster
Liver care
Optional: cortisol control
Creatine

Liver support “All-In-One” (in cycle) options

Anabolic innovations: cycle support
Right now
Liver longer (Thermolife)
Cycle Assist (Competitive Edge Nutrition)

Natural Testosterone Support Options

Anabolic innovations: post-cycle support
MASS-FX
Stoked
Enable Xtreme
Blue UP
Universal animal stack
HumanaTEST
Testabolan
(much more)

STACKING: PRO HORMONES / DESIGNER STEROIDS

It is my belief that pro-hormones should be classified by methylation. You should never stack one methyl with another methyl as this will result in increased risk of liver stress/damage. However, some can stack two methylated compounds at lower dosages without too much risk, but should be limited to a short period of time.

Before stacking certain connections together, I recommend running each individual connection before stacking them together. Stacking a compound that is foreign to you with another compound that has been previously cycled can result in unwanted side effects from that compound that has not yet been cycled. Cycling two compounds unknown to your body is dangerous and can result in a very unpleasant experience for you and your body. Cycling each compound solely allows for the assessment of your tolerance to a particular compound and the expected results/effects of that compound. When you put together a cycle based on experience and research, you have certain expected side effects and expected gains while you are “on the cycle.” A user may also want to evaluate the PCT required for a cycle of this size as opposed to non-stacked cycles.

When choosing a stacking scheme, you need to take into account that it is better to stack methyls with unmethylated compounds. This can significantly reduce the risk of liver damage/failure. Example: Phera + BOLD is a methyl + unmethylated compound and has a lower risk of side effects associated with the use of large amounts of methylated compounds. Superdrol + Havoc is an example of Methyl + Methyl that is sure to lead to disaster.

Only users with many correct cycles can consider stacking or bridging two methyl groups in the correct milligram to milligram ratio. Even if Methyls are introduced in a certain ratio, I still find it idiotic to say the least. However, I feel that non-methyl groups like BOLD are a much better choice when stacking compounds. The examples provided are missing the dosing protocol simply because there are too many people who have different needs/experiences and my thoughts on dosing based on weight and experience wouldn’t be relevant to many. For the most part, beginners should adhere to the normal dosages recommended by the product label.

Suggested Example Stacks

P-Plex + BOLD
Weeks 1-3, fat (only)

Weeks 4-8

Bold + P-Plex
Havoc / Epi + BOLD or Trena
Proceed in the same way as for P-Plex + BOLD

TIME OUT

Exemption from the use of pro-hormones/AAS is very important to maintain growth and health. Individuals need this break from using hormonal substances to regain normal hormone levels in your body. This will allow your body to fully recover for some time from the hormonal chaos you have inflicted on it. During this time, you should feel free to use NHA (Non Hormonal Anabolics). The free time should be equal to the cycle length plus PCT.

Probationary period completed

Cycle length = 4 weeks
PCT duration = 4 weeks
Total free time = 8 weeks

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Acne
Aggression
Anaphylactic shock
Birth defects
Blood clotting changes
(rare) cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Depression
Gynecomastia
Hair loss
Headache
High blood pressure / high blood pressure
Changes in the immune system
Kidney stress/damage
Liver stress/damage
Prostate enlargement
Sexual dysfunction
Stunted growth
Testicular atrophy
Water and salt retention
Virilization (women only)

If you are interested in the general benefits, side effects and special features of active ingredients, please visit:

Xc
Superdrol for Dummies
M1T
Iforce: BOLD
1AD
11-OXO
Reviews
Profiles
Patrick Arnold: norandrostenedione

Theoretical Class I

MADOL (Deoxymethyltestosterone / DMT)

(Phera Plex / P-Plex)

Compound: 17a-Methyl-etioallocholan-2-en-17b-ol

METHEPITIOSTAN

(Havoc / Epistane)

Compound: 2a-3a-Epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol

BOLDENONE

(1.4AD & BOLD)

Compound: 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione

PROGESTIN

(Trenadrol & Trenaplex)

Compound (Trenadrol): 17b-Methoxy-Trienbolone (Trenadrol)

Compound (Trenaplex): Estra-4, 9-dien-3, 17-dione

Compound (Trena): 19-Norandrosta 4, 9 Diene 3, 17 Dione

Compound: 19-Norandrostenedione

TESTOSTERONE

(M1T)

Compound (M1T): 17α-Methyl-17β-hydroxy-androst-1-en-3-one

Theoretical Class II

MASTERONE

(Superdrol & Clones)

Compound: 2a, 17a Dimethyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol-3-one

ORAL TURINABOL

(Halodrol-50 & clones)

Compound (halogen): 4-chloro-17a-methyl-androst-1,4-diene-3,17-diol

Clostebol

(Chlorodrol & Oxyguno)

Compound (Chlorodrol): 4-Chlorodehydromethyllandrost-4en-3,17b-diol

Compound (Oxyguno): 4-Chloro-17-methyl-etioallochol-4-en-17-ol-3,11-dione

STANOZOLOL

(Winztrol, Orastan-A, Furaguno & Clones)

Compound (Winztrol / Prostanozole): [3,2-c]-pyrazole-5alpha-etioallocholane-17ß-tetrahydropyranol

Compound (Furaguno): 5a-Androstano [2,3-c] furazan-17b-tetrahydropyranol

Compound (Orastan-A): [3,2-c] 5α-Androstanol-Furazan-17β-Tetrahydropyranol

PROGESTERONE

(Uprising, Propadrol)

Compound (riot): 13-Ethyl-3-methoxygona-2,5 (10) -dien-17-one

Compound (Propadrol): 6-17-Dihydroxyetiocholone-3-olproponate-12-ethyl-3-methoxygonadiene

DIANABOL

(M1,4ADD)

Compound (M1,4ADD): Methyl-1,4-androstenediol

MIOTOLAN (FURAZABOL)

(Furazadrol)

Compound (Furazadrol): 17-Methyl-5alpha-androstano [2,3-c] furazan-17beta-ol

SERM LIST

CLOMIPHEN CITRATE – Clomid
RALOXIFENE – Evista
TAMOXIFEN CITRATE – Nolvadex
TOREMIFENE CITRATE – Fareston
BAZEDOXIFENE
LASOXIFENE
ORMELOXIFENE – Centchroman

PHARMACEUTICAL AROMATASE INHIBITORS:

ANASTROZOLE – Arimidex
EXEMESTANE – Aromasin
LETROZOLE – Femara

ABOUT THE AROMATASE INHIBITORS

ATD – Novedex-XT
TRIONE – 6-Oxo (4-androstene-3,6,17-trione)
FORMESTANE – Lentaron, Formadrol
6-BROMO – Hyperdrol X2, Restore

Reference:

William Llewellyn. _Anabolics 6th Edition 2007_. 6th. Jupiter, Fl 33458: Body of Science, 2007