Trestolone Acetate (MENT)
7-alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT), an extremely potent 19-nor androgen originally developed as a male hormonal contraceptive and hormone-replacement candidate. It is many times more anabolic and androgenic than testosterone, cannot be 5-alpha reduced (staying active in prostate and skin), and aromatises to a potent oestrogen, producing rapid mass gains alongside a heavy oestrogenic and suppressive burden.
01 Overview
Trestolone (MENT) was studied by the Population Council as a contraceptive and androgen-replacement agent, so unlike most designer 19-nors it has a genuine, if limited, human clinical literature — implants and injections were trialled for suppression of spermatogenesis while maintaining androgenic tone. This gives it a higher research score than purely anecdotal compounds, though bodybuilding use of the acetate ester at supraphysiological doses is uncharted clinically.
The 7-alpha-methyl group blocks 5-alpha reduction, so MENT retains full potency in androgen-sensitive tissue rather than being converted to a weaker metabolite. It aromatises strongly to 7-alpha-methyl-oestradiol, a potent oestrogen, so oestrogenic side effects appear quickly and aromatase inhibitors are commonly required. As a 19-nor it is also progestogenic. The acetate ester is short, requiring frequent injection.
02 Mechanism
High-affinity androgen-receptor agonist resistant to 5-alpha reductase, maintaining potency in all androgen-target tissues; aromatises to a potent oestrogen and has 19-nor progestogenic activity, driving strong feedback suppression of gonadotropins.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 50–100 mg/wk | IM | Very potent; often split into daily or every-other-day injections. |
| Heavy | 100–150 mg/wk | IM | Oestrogenic and suppressive effects escalate sharply. |
Ester comparison
| Ester | Half-life | Injection freq. | Testosterone by mass |
|---|
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid muscle and strength gainReported as one of the most potent mass-builders per milligram; clinical dosing was for contraception, not hypertrophy. | Anecdotal | ||
| Maintained libido and androgenic toneIn contraceptive trials MENT preserved sexual function and secondary sex characteristics while suppressing sperm production. | Clinical | ||
| Suppression of spermatogenesisIts intended contraceptive effect; reversible azoospermia in trial subjects. | Clinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong oestrogenic effectsRapid water retention and gynaecomastia from potent aromatisation to 7-alpha-methyl-oestradiol. | Moderate | Very common | Observational | |
| Adverse lipid and cardiovascular strainBlood pressure elevation from water retention and unfavourable lipid shifts. | Moderate | Common | Observational | |
| Severe HPTA suppressionProfound suppression of gonadotropins — indeed the basis of its contraceptive action. | Severe | Universal | Clinical |