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Chemical Name |
4-androsten-3-one-17beta-ol, 17beta-hydroxy-androst-4-en-3-one |
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Molecular Weight |
288.42 g/mol |
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Formula |
C19H28O2 |
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Original Manufacturer |
Schering |
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Half Life |
4.5days |
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Detection Time |
2weeks |
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Anabolic Rating |
100 |
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Androgenic Rating |
100 |
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Overview and History of Testosterone Propionate
Testosterone propionate is one of several esterified variants of testosterone available on the market.
Propionate is an injectable compound that has a slower release rate than unesterified testosterone, but generally has a faster release rate than all other available esterified forms.
This is due to the larger propionate ester attached to the testosterone molecule.
This results in a faster release rate and half-life than other common esterified variants of testosterone, such as testosterone enanthate or testosterone propionate.
There are testosterone products on the market that contain a mixture of several different esterified variants in a liquid (e.g. Sustanon 250) and testosterone products that have a single esterified form (e.g. test propionate).
Then there are testosterone suspensions that are unesterified and have a very short half-life, making them very inconvenient and impractical to use.
The propionate ester extends the half-life of testosterone to 4.5 days.
Testosterone itself is considered to be the most natural and safe anabolic steroid available to individuals, and it is also the most versatile and flexible anabolic steroid in that it can be utilized in cycles and for a variety of purposes and goals.
The details and information on testosterone propionate were first published and made public in 1935, as a result of researching various methods to determine the best way to maximize the use of testosterone itself, as unesterified testosterone has a very short half-life, as mentioned above[1].
Shortly thereafter, Schering AG, based in Germany, began manufacturing and bringing the first testosterone propionate product to market under the trade name Testoviron, which remains a very popular brand name to this day.
Testosterone propionate is the first esterified variant of testosterone to be created and is the oldest esterified form of testosterone, dating back to the mid-1930s.
Because of this, a huge amount of testosterone propionate was found in the U.S. prescription drug market and was the most widely used form of testosterone in the world until the 1960s.
In the 1950s, testosterone propionate was only one of three anabolic steroids in existence (testosterone suspension, testosterone propionate, and methyltestosterone).
Today, hundreds of anabolic steroid analogs exist.
A lesser-known fact is that testosterone propionate was also developed in buccal and sublingual formulations, but production was discontinued in the 1980s because it was not very popular.
“Sublingual formulations are tablets designed to dissolve and be absorbed through the mucous membrane under the tongue (sublingual) or between the surface of the gums and the cheeks/lips.”
Testosterone propionate was heavily used medicinally shortly after its introduction for a variety of medical treatments.
These included treating male hormone deficiency (male menopause or hypogonadism), treating sexual dysfunction, treating menopause, treating chronic dysfunctional uterine bleeding (menorrhagia), treating endometriosis, and numerous other medical uses.
Eventually, as with all anabolic steroids, the approved therapeutic uses of testosterone propionate were eventually reduced by the FDA as a result of the increased control over the prescription drug market granted to the FDA by the U.S. government.
Eventually, testosterone was restricted to use in male patients only.
Testosterone propionate is a very popular anabolic steroid, and as such, it is very widely and commonly utilized not only in the US market, but also worldwide today.
However, this is not because of preference, but because for a long time, testosterone propionate was the only testosterone preparation available.
Later, more convenient esterified forms of testosterone (testosterone enanthate and testosterone cypionate) with longer half-lives and release periods were developed to appeal to more people who preferred to take injections less frequently.
Today, testosterone propionate is still available on the prescription drug market, but it is used less than in the past and it is questionable how much longer it will remain on the market as other forms of testosterone have been developed that are more convenient and comfortable for most people to use.
Testosterone Propionate Chemical Properties
As mentioned earlier, testosterone propionate is testosterone with a propionate ester bonded to the testosterone chemical structure.
Specifically, “propionate” is propionic acid, but once it's bonded to testosterone, it's properly called an ester bond (or ester bonds) in chemistry.
Propanoic acid is bonded to the 17-beta hydroxyl group of the testosterone structure.
Esterified anabolic steroids are more fat soluble and release slowly from the injection site, but this is not the main reason why esters prolong the release rate of anabolic steroids.
The main reason for the increased half-life and release rate is that once Testosterone Propionate enters the bloodstream, enzymes work to break the bond between the ester and the hormone, which takes varying amounts of time.
Eventually, the ester is removed from the hormone by the enzyme and what is left is pure testosterone that is free to act in the body.
This process of the enzyme separating the ester from the testosterone molecule is what causes the slow release of testosterone.
Testosterone alone, without the ester bound to it, has a half-life of about 2 to 4 hours.
When the propionate ester is attached to testosterone to create testosterone propionate, the half-life of testosterone is extended to 4.5 days, resulting in slower release and activity of the hormone.
Properties of Testosterone Propionate
The properties of testosterone propionate are the same as you would expect from other types of testosterone preparations, except that it has a different rate of release and half-life.
Testosterone can be considered the first anabolic steroid to be produced endogenously and naturally in literally all humans and the vast majority of animal species.
Because of this, testosterone is considered the safest anabolic steroid to use, as every individual's body is already accustomed to its effects to some degree.
In essence, using testosterone for the purpose of physique and athletic performance enhancement is simply the act of supplementing with additional hormones, i.e. injecting the body with more of a hormone that the body already produces and uses.
Testosterone itself has a moderate level of estrogenic activity, which means it has a moderate affinity for binding to the aromatase enzyme (the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen).
Therefore, you can expect moderate levels of aromatization with testosterone use unless you are using an aromatase inhibitor (e.g. Arimidex, Aromasin, Letrozole), which inhibits the aromatase enzyme, preventing it from converting testosterone to estrogen.
So while testosterone is a desirable compound for building muscle, it can also be utilized during the cutting and fat loss phases.
Ultimately, however, all types of testosterone are required in every anabolic steroid cycle to maintain proper physiological function of testosterone in the body during periods when endogenous production of testosterone is suppressed or interrupted by anabolic steroid use.
Testosterone itself is a very powerful anabolic compound, suitable for any purpose in its own right, and in fact has been suggested as the first and only anabolic steroid that should be used in all first-time and beginner cycles.
Testosterone propionate has historically succumbed to rumors among athletes and bodybuilders that it is better for cutting and fat loss phases, with many claiming that it retains less water than other esterified forms of testosterone.
It should be made clear that this is a big rumor and misconception that has resulted from individuals drawing inappropriate conclusions that are not based on sound scientific reasoning.
As previously explained, the propionate ester (or any ester attached to testosterone) is always broken down by enzymes in the body, resulting in 100% pure, bio-identical testosterone.
This testosterone is free to do its job in the body, and this happens with all esterified forms of testosterone.
Therefore, the only increase that esterification can have on the properties/effects of testosterone is on its half-life and rate of release.
If there is indeed a difference in the experiences reported by different bodybuilders and athletes, it is likely to be extremely minimal, as the ester essentially determines the amount of testosterone released into the bloodstream at any given time.
Testosterone Propionate Side Effects
When it comes to steroids, the king of steroids is testosterone.
Not only is testosterone produced endogenously in the body, but it is also produced in other parts of the body.
Therefore, it's very important to keep in mind that it's naturally beneficial and worth supplementing.
If you're skeptical about the long-term use of steroids, you may want to consider testosterone, especially the propionate version, which is a highly bioavailable steroid with long-lasting effects.
In addition to providing a high level of focus and aggression at standard doses, it is also relatively mild as far as side effects are concerned, but they do exist and should be watched out for.
First of all, when it comes to the propionate version, it should be noted that it is one of the most studied steroids in the world because the body is so well adapted to testosterone.
Since propionate was one of the first steroids to be synthesized for exogenous use from what is produced endogenously, the scientific and sports worlds are well aware of how effective testosterone can be in the long run.
Whether you're looking to improve your performance as an athlete or simply take your recovery efforts to the next level, testosterone is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Testosterone is a supplement that is well worth trying.
This is because the “blueprint” that makes up testosterone is one that the body is already fairly familiar with.
Compared to other kinds of blueprints or formulas, it's testosterone that can't take the full load that you'd expect from a typical dose.
Beyond that, the benefits of testosterone and its relatively low side effects are a huge benefit when stacking testosterone with trenbolone or other similarly toxic and damaging compounds.
Estrogen Side Effects
The side effects that people fear the most when it comes to steroids are undoubtedly those related to estrogen and its side effects.
This is quite common, considering the fact that the main reason why men develop masculine features is due to high levels of testosterone compared to estrogen.
It's very important to understand this because any time you take an exogenous compound, your hormone levels will be abnormally altered.
In other words, you need to understand that whenever you use one of these compounds, you are introducing higher levels of androgenic (testosterone-producing) compounds, and in response to that, you will have higher feedback levels of estrogen.
It's very important to keep this in mind, because otherwise you won't be able to counteract the bad effects that the compounds can cause.
One of the most common reactions when injecting testosterone is the typical estrogenic side effects that are seen when injecting androgens.
The side effect that most people fear the most is gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia is a very common condition that occurs in men due to an estrogen imbalance, and while it is more common in boys entering puberty, it actually occurs in adult men as well, especially if they abuse or misuse androgenic compounds.
However, in addition to gynecomastia, symptoms similar to those seen in women with very high estrogen activity can also occur.
These include bloating, changes in emotional regulation (e.g., becoming emotionally upset more often), and other problems.
These symptoms are very important because without careful observation, you may not be able to distinguish between one emotion and the next.
This is why it's so important to monitor your symptoms because once they get out of control, it can be too late to stop them.
Fortunately, you should have an aromatase inhibitor (AI) or SERM at the ready when faced with estrogenic activity.
AIs help to lower serum estrogen levels, which is important if you want to actually reduce the amount of estrogen in your body.
SERMs work by blocking testosterone from binding to the enzyme that converts it to estrogen.
If you can block this enzyme, you can prevent estrogenic effects, but you can't prevent other kinds of side effects.
That's why it's so important to understand the effects of both and know what to use if you want to prevent certain side effects.
If you don't want to have a gynecologic exam, a SERM that blocks the enzyme from binding to the enzyme may help.
But if you want to reduce serum estrogen, once again, you need an AI.
Androgenic side effects
Remember that just as testosterone binds to the body and produces estrogenic effects, it also produces androgenic effects.
These effects are known as androgenic effects, which can cause a series of male-oriented effects.
This is why there is a typical side effect of taking testosterone that is often used derisively.
First of all, it's no coincidence that many men with high testosterone levels tend to go bald.
Just as testosterone combines with the aromatase enzyme to produce estrogenic effects, it also combines with the 5-alpha reductase enzyme to produce DHT (dihydrotestosterone) as a side effect.
While DHT is great for gaining tons of strength and power, it's really bad if you want fuller hair.
That's because when DHT is produced, it forms in certain parts of the body, primarily the scalp, prostate, and skin, where it causes a variety of side effects when combined.
On the scalp, it can cause male pattern baldness, which is very common in men who already have the genetic trait for baldness.
It's important to note that if you suffer from these kinds of side effects, you should consider alternative ways to grow stronger from exogenous compounds.
Otherwise, you'll probably have to rethink using it as a supplement.
However, just as you have options to deal with the issues you face with estrogenic compounds, you also have options to deal with DHT.
Because the androgenic effects of testosterone are so powerful, it's very important to understand that even if you want to stop converting DHT, you're still likely to experience androgenic side effects.
For starters, you can use compounds like proscar or dutasteride to counteract the androgenic effects commonly found with DHT.
In addition to male pattern baldness, oily skin, skin irritation, prostate enlargement, and acne are also side effects that can be caused by DHT.
These side effects, which are very similar to estrogenic compounds, are similar to what you might experience if you've ever suffered the unsightly consequences of puberty.
Testosterone Suppression Side Effects
When using exogenous compounds, it is important to understand that you are putting your body at risk.
Whether you're using androgenic compounds like testosterone for curiosity, bodybuilding, athletic performance, or to improve your quality of life, you need to realize that you need to be very thorough about how you use them, and especially how you stop using them.
This may sound counterintuitive, but it's why you need to be mindful of side effects when using testosterone-producing drugs.
One of the most important side effects is the concept of shutdown.
Shutdown is what happens whenever you introduce a very potent androgenic compound into the body.
The body recognizes the introduction of these substances as a sign that it no longer needs to produce testosterone.
It then, as the name implies, stops producing testosterone and injects exogenous hormones instead.
This method may work for a very short period of time, such as when running a very strong steroid cycle, but it won't last long.
You can go through a very troublesome period called hypogonadism, where your body stops producing testosterone naturally.
In the long run, this can have devastating consequences, so instead of dealing with it, you should be responsible in the way you use the compound.
At the end of your cycle, you'll need to do what's known as PCT or post cycle therapy.
This means you should take HCG, a naturally occurring hormone that uses AIs to lower estrogen levels in the body and stimulate the testicles to produce testosterone.
If you don't follow this advice, you may need to take TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) level doses for the rest of your life to rebalance your testosterone production.
However, it is very rare for this to happen unless you are abusing horrible androgenic compounds.
If you're good at using AI and compounds to quickly engage in rebalancing your production, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Hepatotoxic side effects
Aside from the usual side effects that can be somewhat uncomfortable, it's important to note that using androgenic compounds can be detrimental to your liver health.
Liver cells are the cells that take the longest time to regenerate in the body, so if you cause permanent damage to them, you may need to have a liver transplant.
This is a very extreme example, but this can happen if you don't take care of your liver.
Instead of letting this happen, it's very important to understand that androgens of any kind cause some toxicity and stress the lymphatic system to clean everything up.
However, it should be emphasized that androgens can be harmful to the liver, and depending on what you use, they may or may not be.
In the case of injectable testosterone propionate, you don't have to worry about liver toxicity at all.
First of all, because when you inject the substance, it completely bypasses the liver.
When ingested orally, the substance passes through the liver and is “checked out” inside the system.
The liver makes sure that the substance you ingest has been properly synthesized and analyzed internally, and once this process is complete, it determines whether or not it's a healthy substance suitable for absorption.
Numerous studies with very high doses of testosterone taken orally have shown that it is not hepatotoxic, meaning that it can be taken without concern for liver toxicity.
Cardiovascular effects
It's important to note that any androgenic compound you use can change your cholesterol levels.
It can also affect blood pressure.
However, it's important to note that the main reason for these effects has to do with the feedback you'll see when your estrogen levels drop.
Estrogen tends to get a bad rap, but it's very important for maintaining proper cardiovascular levels.
It's important to understand that when estrogen is in place, the cardiovascular system works properly.
That's why it's so important not to completely kill estrogen levels with AI.
Rather than trying to completely eliminate estrogen from the body, reducing the dose to a smaller amount will allow for proper androgen use without compromising cardiovascular health.
However, maintaining a good diet and encouraging cardiovascular exercise can help prevent some of the common negative effects that can occur in terms of cardiovascular health.
Testosterone Propionate Dosing and Uses
Testosterone propionate has a short half-life and must be administered frequently.
This short-acting variant of testosterone is injected intramuscularly, deep into the muscle, using a minimum 5.8 or 1-inch sterile needle.
It is important to take care when performing IM injections.
Sterility is important and alcohol swabs should be used for new needles, barrels, and syringes.
For TRT therapy, testosterone propionate is not commonly used due to its short half-life, and esterified testosterone compounds with longer half-lives, such as testosterone enanthate and testosterone cypionate, tend to be administered weekly in doses of 100-150 mg twice or once weekly for TRT therapy.
For athletic performance enhancement, testosterone propionate is injected at a dose of 50-100 mg every other day, or higher doses if the athlete or bodybuilder is more experienced.
As the base of a steroid cycle, testosterone propionate can replace endogenous testosterone or be used as an athletic performance enhancer on its own.
As a performance enhancing drug (PED), a daily dose of 100 mg is recommended in conjunction with an AI or SERM to control estrogenic side effects.
To maintain estrogen levels in the normal range, it is recommended to take 25 mg of Aromasin daily or 1 mg of Arimidex every other day.
Testosterone propionate can be used in combination with 17aa oral anabolic steroids such as Dianabol, Winstrol, and Anavar (oxandrolone).
This exogenous testosterone injectable can be used synergistically with other short acting anabolic steroids such as trenbolone acetate, NPP, or Winstrol Depot.
Testosterone Propionate References
[1] Miescher, Wettstein & Tschopp (1936) Schweiz. Med.Wschr. 66, 310.
