Mestanolone
Mestanolone (17alpha-methyl-dihydrotestosterone) is an orally active, C17-alpha-alkylated derivative of DHT, marketed medically for decades as a mild androgen (e.g. Androstalone, Ermalone). It is strongly androgenic relative to its anabolic effect, does not aromatise, and confers a 'hard, dry' phenotype favoured pre-contest but is notable for pronounced neuro-androgenic stimulation and hepatotoxicity.
01 Overview
Mestanolone is the methylated analogue of stanolone (DHT), differing from methyltestosterone only by saturation of the 4,5 double bond. Because it cannot aromatise to estrogen and is not a 5-alpha reductase substrate (it is already 5-alpha reduced), it produces no estrogenic activity and a distinctly androgenic, 'dry' profile. Historically it saw limited clinical use for androgen deficiency and anaemia.
Users report firmness and aggression more than mass. The compound is heavily bound intracellularly to androgen receptors in the CNS, and many report agitation, insomnia and irritability disproportionate to dose. As a 17-alpha-alkylated oral it carries meaningful hepatic strain.
02 Mechanism
Binds the androgen receptor directly as a non-aromatisable 5-alpha-reduced androgen; 17-alpha-methylation blocks first-pass hepatic deactivation, enabling oral activity.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historical therapeutic | 5–15 mg/day | Oral | Old androgen-deficiency dosing. |
| Non-medical | 20–40 mg/day | Oral | Anecdotal; higher androgenic/neurological load with little added mass. |
Ester comparison
| Ester | Half-life | Injection freq. | Testosterone by mass |
|---|
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increased muscle hardness/densityNon-aromatising DHT-like androgen produces a dry, hard look without water retention. | visual, minimal scale weight | Anecdotal | |
| Increased aggression/driveStrong CNS androgenic effect reported as heightened aggression and libido. | marked | Anecdotal | |
| Mild strength gainNeuromuscular androgenic effect without substantial lean mass accrual. | modest | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatotoxicity17-alpha-alkylation raises transaminases and can cause cholestasis. | Moderate | Common with oral use | Observational | |
| Irritability and insomniaPronounced CNS androgenic stimulation causing agitation, poor sleep and mood swings. | Moderate | Frequently reported | Anecdotal | |
| HPTA suppressionSuppresses endogenous LH/FSH and testosterone. | Severe | Universal | Observational |