Equipoise Side Effects
Equipoise is one of those specific anabolic steroids that has a very favorable profile consisting of estrogenic activity, androgenic strength, and anabolic strength, with very low estrogenic activity, very low androgenic strength, and exactly the same anabolic strength as testosterone.
This presents an interesting dynamic in terms of Equipoise side effects.
Most compounds that are modified to reduce estrogenic and androgenic activity tend to have a decrease in anabolic strength (e.g. Masteron and Primobolan).
Equipoise, however, retains the same anabolic strength as testosterone.
Despite this revelation, the various Equipoise side effects are still a potential risk and deserve further explanation, along with proactive solutions that can be taken to minimize or avoid them.
Estrogenic side effects of Equipoise
Equipoise lowers the activity of the enzyme aromatase, which is the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogen.
This is in contrast to testosterone, which has moderate levels of estrogenic activity in the body.
In particular, studies have shown that Equipoise has only about half the rate of aromatization to estrogen seen with testosterone [1].
Therefore, the frequency and/or severity of estrogenic side effects from Equipoise alone is likely to be much lower than testosterone, but slightly higher than nandrolone.
Equipoise side effects generally do not exhibit significant estrogenic side effects unless the dosage continues to increase and begins to rise to levels that promote significant amounts of aromatization.
Therefore, while moderate doses of Equipoise will not produce strong estrogenic effects depending on the sensitivity of the user, the risk of these estrogenic side effects actually increases as the dosage of Equipoise is used at increasingly higher levels.
Increasing the dosage means that the rate at which the anabolic steroid is converted to estrogen increases, so this should always be kept in mind.
As a general rule of thumb, estrogenic side effects often increase when Equipoise doses are taken above 200-400mg weekly.
If you experience intolerable estrogenic side effects from Equipoise for any reason, you will most likely need to use an aromatase inhibitor.
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) work by neutralizing the aromatase enzyme, preventing testosterone from being converted to estrogen, effectively controlling the underlying cause of increased estrogen.
Another possible option is to use a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) such as Nolvadex, which works by blocking estrogen from attaching to receptor sites in breast tissue.
SERMs like Nolvadex only help to address the problem of estrogen-induced gynecomastia, and do not actually lower serum estrogen levels in the body (an aromatase inhibitor is needed to actually lower estrogen levels).
Estrogenic side effects include water retention and bloating, increased blood pressure (due to water retention), increased likelihood of fat retention/gain, and gynecomastia.
Equipoise androgenic side effects
Equipoise has a reduced androgenic strength rating in the body, which is very good news for individuals who are very concerned about androgenic side effects or are very sensitive to androgenic side effects.
However, while Equipoise has a lower androgenic strength rating compared to testosterone (reduced by about half), it still exhibits androgenic effects (albeit to a lesser degree).
Androgenic side effects are still a concern with this compound, especially for those who are highly sensitive to androgenic effects.
Equipoise itself has been found to interact with the 5-alpha reductase (5AR) enzyme in the body, which is responsible for converting testosterone (or any qualified androgen) into stronger, more potent androgens such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Specifically, Equipoise interacts with the 5AR enzyme to convert dihydroboldenone, a much more potent androgen than dihydrotestosterone, but the rate at which this conversion occurs in the body has been found to be very low compared to the conversion of testosterone to DHT [2].
This means that there is little value in using 5AR blockers such as finasteride, proscar, or dutasteride.
What this means for the user is that the androgenic strength associated with Equipoise should be the androgenic strength that you should experience fairly consistently while using this compound.
Androgenic side effects include increased sebum secretion (oily skin), increased acne breakouts (associated with increased sebum secretion), body and facial hair growth, and an increased risk of developing male pattern baldness (MPB) in those who have the genetic traits necessary to develop it.
In addition, female users may experience masculinizing effects, which may include the development of secondary male sex characteristics (such as voice, body and facial hair growth, clitoral enlargement, and menstrual irregularities) after prolonged or heavy use.
HPTA and Endogenous Testosterone Production Side Effects
All anabolic steroids can cause the well-known side effect of suppressing and/or shutting down endogenous testosterone production.
Equipoise side effects are no exception with any anabolic steroid in existence.
These endocrine systems can be completely and permanently disrupted, especially with excessively long cycles.
A thorough and proper post cycle therapy (PCT) program is always required after the end of a cycle, which should include the use of HPTA and a testosterone stimulating ancillary compound such as Nolvadex and/or HCG to normalize endogenous testosterone production as quickly as possible.
Failure to do so may result in permanent damage to HPTA, resulting in insufficient testosterone production, and may require lifelong medical treatment in the form of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Hepatotoxic side effects
Equipoise is not an oral anabolic steroid with a C17-alpha alkylation chemical modification, so there is no risk of hepatotoxicity associated with Equipoise.
Cardiovascular side effects
Another well-known and established fact is that all anabolic steroids have a negative effect on cholesterol levels and the human cardiovascular system.
This includes a decrease in HDL (good cholesterol) and an increase in LDL (bad cholesterol).
The result of these changes is an increased risk of atherosclerosis, and the extent of these changes is generally dose-dependent (the higher the dose, the greater the negative changes and risk).
Other factors that influence these negative cholesterol changes include duration of use and route of administration.
Given these unique effects of anabolic steroids on the body, all anabolic steroid users, regardless of the formulation (oral or injectable), should pay close attention to properly adjusting their dietary habits to favor positive cholesterol maintenance and changes, especially when running an anabolic steroid cycle.
Equipoise References
[1] Biosynthesis of estrogen. Gual C, Morato T, Hayano M, Gut M, and Dorfman R. Endocrinology 71 (1962):920-25.
[2] Boldenone Metabolism in Humans: Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Identification of Metabolites Excreted in Urine and Determination of Excretion Rates. Schanzer, Donike. Bol Mass Spec. 21 (1992):3-16.
