Estrogenic Steroids
Aromatization
Ultimately, we come back to the original cause of the estrogenic side effects that can rise to the surface with anabolic steroid use: aromatization.
It's often a much better idea to take preventative measures rather than reactive measures.
After all, the cost of using an aromatase inhibitor or SERM for one cycle can be an added expense in the long run.
Additionally, there are negative effects of chronic use of anti-estrogens, including (but not limited to) bone issues, joint pain/problems, and even decreased IGF-1 levels, which reduces the potential gains of the cycle.
The more drugs involved in a cycle, the greater the complications.
In order to effectively practice preventative measures, it is important to understand the nature of the cause and what can be done to control the situation from the start without anti-estrogens.
However, it is important to note that you should always have a SERM and AI on hand throughout your anabolic steroid cycle in case estrogenic side effects become an issue.
After all, with low-quality anabolic steroids dominating the market, it can be very difficult to know for sure which products contain the exact dosage you want.
Some can cause you to overdose, some may contain flavored anabolic steroids in the intention of getting unflavored anabolic steroids, and some products have even been found to be tainted with estrogen![1][1]
Aromatized compounds
Most aromatic androgens are direct derivatives of testosterone.
For example, testosterone, boldenone (Equipoise), Dianabol (methandrostenolone), and deca-durabolin (nandrolone) are three classic examples of aromatic compounds.
In other words, all of these compounds (and others lesser known) act as recognized substrates for the aromatase enzyme.
However, not all aromatization is the same.
Some compounds aromatize at a lower rate than others, such as Equipoise (boldenone), which has an aromatization rate about half that of testosterone [2].
Deca-Durabolin is another compound with a lower rate of aromatization, about 20% lower than testosterone [3].
Testosterone itself and Dianabol both exhibit moderate levels of aromatization [4].
Non-aromatized compounds
There are numerous compounds that are not affected by the aromatase enzyme at all, either because they are modified or because the aromatase enzyme does not detect them as suitable substrates.
Some compounds, such as Masteron, also have anti-estrogenic activity [5] [6].
The problem is that most of these anabolic steroids are derivatives of dihydrotestosterone, which itself acts as a natural anti-estrogen in the body and is not recognized by the aromatase enzyme as a proper substrate.
The following compounds will not aromatize into estrogen at any dose Anadrol (oxymetholone), Anavar (oxandrolone), Winstrol (stanozolone), Masteron (drostanolone), Primobolan (methenolone), Trenbolone, Turinabol (4-chlorodihydromethyltestosterone), but Anadrol is the big exception to this list.
Any reader will know that anadrol is not aromatic, and although it is a DHT derivative, it is notorious for imposing the highest estrogenic effects on users through a currently unknown pathway (although it is strongly hypothesized that it or its metabolites act as estrogen itself in various tissues).
Trenbolone is not a DHT derivative, but due to its unique chemical structure and modifications, it cannot be fully aromatized.
Precautions: TRT dosage
For those sensitive to aromatization and/or estrogenic effects, it may be a wise idea to avoid aromatizing compounds altogether.
However, the overriding rule is that testosterone is an essential part of any cycle for a number of important reasons.
However, it is not necessary to exceed physiologic doses for bodybuilding purposes.
Using doses higher than normal physiological levels will greatly increase the rate of aromatization.
Therefore, the solution is to use testosterone in TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) doses, which are typically in the range of 100 mg per week, and medical protocols recommend using 250 mg every four weeks.
When using this strategy, those who wish to avoid spikes in estrogen levels during an anabolic steroid cycle can utilize testosterone at the aforementioned doses while using other non-aromatizing compounds at higher doses in the bodybuilding range.
Effectively, aromatization is kept to a minimum and the user can enjoy a cycle that allows them to gain muscle mass with little risk of estrogenic side effects and a low need to use anti-estrogens throughout the cycle.
Medical Reference
[1] Poison in a package. Josh Kovner. Hartford Courant, November 2005
[2] Gual C, Morato T, Hayano M, Gut M, and Dorfman R. The biosynthesis of estrogen. Endocrinology 71 (1962):920-25.
[3] Gual C, Morato T, Hayano M, Gut M, and Dorfman R. The biosynthesis of estrogens. Endocrinology 71 (1962):920-25.
[4] Kruskemper, HL, Anabolic Steroids, Academic Press, New York, 1968
[5] Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol. 1983 Sep 19(9):1231-7.
[6] Cancer Res. November 1982, 42(11):4408-12.
