Anadrol is an effective anabolic steroid that is very much popular among male bodybuilders. The steroid is known to be hepatotoxic, meaning it is harsh on the liver. This is the reason why it is recommended that the use of this drug should not exceed 4-6 weeks.
Anadrol cannot transform into estrogen by interacting with the aromatase enzyme, but it is still related to estrogen-related side effects. It is hypothesized that the drug probably works as estrogen in various tissues.
The Estrogenic side effects of Anadrol
Anadrol causes many side effects that are estrogenic in nature. Bloating and water retention is a case in point. There is no defense mechanism available to combat bloating and water retention or other estrogen related effects. This is due to the fact that Anadrol does not aromatize into estrogen, which renders the use of aromatase inhibitors futile.
Anadrol also causes breast enlargement in males called Gynecomastia. This estrogenic side effect can be prevented by using a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator or SERM such as Nolvadex. However, SERM does not bring about any reduction in the estrogen levels of the body, but merely acts as an impediment to the action of estrogen at the receptor sites of breast tissue. Thus, SERM is ineffective in treating bloating and water retention.
It was suggested that the possible progestogenic activity of Anadrol causes the estrogen-related side effects, but a study later conducted proved that no progestogenic activity is associated with Anadrol which obviously proves the progestogenic theory wrong Androgenic side effects.
The Androgenic rating of Anadrol is 45 as opposed to Testosterone with an Androgenic rating of 100. Despite this fact, Anadrol causes side effects which are androgenic in nature. Anadrol transforms into Dihydrotestosterone. This happens because the metabolism of Anadrol in the system results in the removal of 2-hydroxymethylene group from it which reduces Anadrol to 17-alpha-methyl dihydrotestosterone also known as Mestanolone. The androgenic rating of Mestanolone lies in the range 78-254. This mechanism is the widely believed to be the reason behind the androgenic side effects of Anadrol.
The androgenic side effects of Anadrol include oily skin, acne, increased possibility of developing male pattern baldness, excess body and facial hair growth. In case of Male pattern baldness, this steroid accelerates its development in a genetically predisposed man.
The androgenic side effects of Anadrol cannot be treated by using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors because it is not metabolized by 5-alpha reductase enzyme which renders its inhibitors ineffective to combat the steroids androgenic side effects.
Points which you need to remember while consuming it
Anadrol can cause the problems of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The blood pressure must be continuously monitored by the user and kept in control with proper diet and regular exercise.
The suppression of natural testosterone production in the body is another side effect of Anadrol. Therefore, in order to avoid low testosterone levels, an individual using Anadrol must also use exogenous testosterone. The testosterone can be taken in any form. The natural production of testosterone commences after the termination of Anadrol course.
