Steroids & PEDs

Testosterone enanthate is a long-acting ester of testosterone, the primary endogenous androgen in men. It is a licensed medicine for male hypogonadism and the most widely used compound in non-medical performance and physique contexts — both on its own and as the base of nearly every multi-compound protocol. Because it is bioidentical to endogenous testosterone once the ester cleaves, its effect profile is the reference point against which every other anabolic compound is described.

A long-acting testosterone ester near-identical in practice to enanthate, differing only in a marginally longer half-life. The most common TRT ester in the United States.

Tamoxifen is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM) with decades of oncology trial data. It antagonises oestrogen at breast tissue (used to prevent and treat gynaecomastia) while acting as an oestrogen agonist at the hypothalamus/pituitary, raising LH, FSH and endogenous testosterone — which makes it a mainstay of post-cycle therapy (PCT).

Finasteride is a type II 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that lowers dihydrotestosterone (DHT), used for male-pattern hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia. In the PED context it is used to reduce androgenic hair loss driven by DHT and DHT-derived compounds — but it does nothing against non-DHT androgens (e.g. nandrolone, trenbolone) and can worsen some, and it approximately halves PSA, which must be accounted for in prostate screening.

Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid (13-cis-retinoic acid) that produces durable remission of severe, treatment-resistant acne. In the PED context it is used for the severe androgen-driven acne that high-dose steroids can cause. It is highly effective but carries substantial risks: it is powerfully teratogenic, raises triglycerides and liver enzymes, dries skin and mucosa, and has a debated association with mood disturbance.

Letrozole is a highly potent non-steroidal (reversible) aromatase inhibitor. It is extremely effective at lowering oestrogen — so effective that it is the AI most likely to be over-used, crashing oestradiol to symptomatic levels. It has legitimate niche uses (established gynaecomastia reversal, ovulation induction) but for routine on-cycle oestrogen control it is easy to badly over-suppress.

A non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor used to control oestradiol on aromatising cycles. Effective and well studied — with over-suppression, not under-dosing, the more common error.

Cabergoline is a long-acting dopamine D2 receptor agonist used clinically for hyperprolactinaemia and Parkinson's disease. In the PED context it is used to lower prolactin elevated by 19-nortestosterone compounds (nandrolone, trenbolone), addressing prolactin-driven gynaecomastia and sexual dysfunction. Its long half-life allows twice-weekly dosing, but high cumulative doses carry a cardiac valve risk.

Steroidal, irreversible ('suicidal') aromatase inhibitor developed for post-menopausal breast cancer. In the PED context it is used to blunt oestrogen conversion from aromatising androgens. Because it is androgenic and does not raise SHBG the way non-steroidal AIs can, it is often favoured, but the recurring error is aggressive dosing that crashes oestradiol and produces joint pain, low libido and adverse lipids.

Clomifene (clomiphene) is a SERM, a mixture of two isomers (enclomiphene and zuclomiphene). Like tamoxifen it blocks oestrogen feedback at the pituitary to raise LH, FSH and testosterone, and it is widely used in PCT and for male hypogonadism/fertility. Its distinctive drawback is oestrogenic-agonist visual side effects — blurring, floaters and flashes — driven largely by the long-lived zuclomiphene isomer.

Dutasteride is a dual (type I and type II) 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, more complete and longer-acting than finasteride. It suppresses serum DHT by more than 90%, making it a stronger option for DHT-driven hair loss and BPH — with correspondingly greater potential for DHT-dependent sexual side effects and a very long half-life that means effects persist for weeks after stopping.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone that mimics luteinising hormone (LH), directly stimulating the Leydig cells of the testes to produce testosterone. It is used to maintain testicular size and function during suppressive cycles and as part of HPTA restart, preventing or reversing the testicular atrophy that exogenous androgens cause.

Raloxifene is a second-generation SERM approved for osteoporosis and breast cancer risk reduction. In the PED context it is valued specifically for gynaecomastia: clinical data suggest it reduces established pubertal gynaecomastia more effectively than tamoxifen, making it a preferred SERM when glandular tissue has already formed.

Pramipexole is a non-ergot dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonist used for Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome. In the PED context it is used, like cabergoline, to lower prolactin raised by 19-nortestosterone compounds. Being non-ergot it lacks the cardiac valve concern of cabergoline, but is dosed daily and is prone to nausea, somnolence and, notably, impulse-control problems.

A mild oral DHT-derived steroid with a genuine clinical history in burns and wasting. Popular for strength and definition without water retention — with a worse lipid profile than its gentle reputation suggests.

Enclomiphene is the trans-isomer of clomifene, isolated from the mixed drug to keep the potent oestrogen-antagonist activity while dropping the long-lived zuclomiphene isomer responsible for many of clomifene's side effects. It raises LH, FSH and testosterone in men with secondary hypogonadism and clears quickly, making it a cleaner SERM for raising testosterone while preserving fertility.

A long-acting ester of nandrolone (19-nortestosterone), the most-studied 19-nor anabolic. Added to testosterone protocols for lean mass and joint comfort, with a progestogenic side-effect profile and a very long detection window as the cost.

A four-ester testosterone blend of Polish/Jelfa origin, historically analogous to Sustanon. Original formulations combined testosterone propionate, phenylpropionate, and two longer esters; the modern reformulation mirrors Sustanon 250 exactly. Delivers the full testosterone effect profile with a staggered release from fast to slow esters.

Oral testosterone ester (undecanoate) formulated in oleic acid to be absorbed via the intestinal lymphatics, bypassing first-pass hepatic metabolism. Marketed as Andriol/Restandol for testosterone replacement, it avoids the 17-alpha-alkylation hepatotoxicity of older oral androgens but delivers erratic, food-dependent, short-lived serum levels.

A long-chain (10-carbon) ester of testosterone best known as one of the four components of Sustanon. As a standalone raw ester it is uncommon, but its slow release makes it a component of choice in blends and some long-acting testosterone preparations. Effects are identical to any testosterone preparation once the ester is cleaved; the decanoate chain simply stretches the release window.

An ultra-long-acting testosterone ester (trans-4-n-butylcyclohexane carboxylate) developed as a candidate depot for hormonal male contraception and hypogonadism, with a single injection sustaining levels for many weeks. Its effects are those of testosterone; it was studied in small human trials but never widely marketed.

A moderately long-acting nandrolone ester using the cypionate (cyclopentylpropionate) chain, giving release kinetics similar to nandrolone decanoate. Effects match nandrolone (deca); it is less commonly manufactured than decanoate or phenylpropionate, so ester-specific human data are thin.

4-chlorotestosterone, a testosterone derivative whose 4-chloro substitution blocks aromatisation and 5-alpha reduction, yielding a mild, non-estrogenic anabolic. Best known today via its acetate ester in topical wound-healing creams (Trofodermin), which have caused several high-profile inadvertent doping positives.

A very long-acting (12-carbon laurate) ester of nandrolone, marketed for veterinary use as Laurabolin. Effects mirror nandrolone (deca) but the long ester gives an extended, flat release requiring infrequent injection. Human data are limited; most evidence is veterinary and anecdotal.

A long-acting nandrolone ester using the 11-carbon undecanoate chain, giving a slow, extended release similar to (or slightly beyond) decanoate. Effects match nandrolone; it is an uncommon preparation with limited ester-specific human data.

A potent 19-nor androgen originally developed for cattle, never approved for human use. Produces dramatic recomposition alongside the heaviest side-effect burden of any compound in common use.

The short-ester injectable form of methenolone (Primobolan), using the propionate chain for a fast, short release requiring frequent injection. Effects mirror methenolone: mild, non-aromatising, DHT-derived anabolic favoured for lean gains and cutting, with low androgenicity and no estrogenic activity.

One of the earliest commercial oral anabolic steroids, marketed as Nilevar from the mid-1950s. A 17-alpha-ethylated 19-nortestosterone derivative, it was used for wasting and osteoporosis but developed a reputation for pronounced hepatotoxicity, virilisation and progestogenic side effects, and was largely superseded by cleaner agents.

A long-acting trenbolone ester (cyclohexylmethylcarbonate), historically the active ingredient in the veterinary product Parabolan. Effects mirror trenbolone: powerful, non-aromatising anabolism with strong androgenic and progestogenic activity and pronounced side effects. Human data are limited and largely anecdotal.

A weakly androgenic oral 19-nortestosterone derivative that lacks the 3-keto group, marketed under names such as Maxibolin and Orabolin for wasting and as a veterinary agent. It is essentially a prodrug-like relative of norethandrolone and is considered mild but hepatotoxic due to 17-alpha-alkylation.

A short-ester version of boldenone, the anabolic behind Equipoise (EQ). The propionate chain gives a fast, short release requiring frequent injection, unlike the long-acting undecylenate. Effects mirror boldenone: steady lean gains, appetite and red-cell stimulation with modest estrogenic activity. Ester-specific data are minimal.

A very short-acting acetate ester of drostanolone (Masteron), requiring daily or every-other-day injection. Effects mirror drostanolone: a mild, non-aromatising DHT-derived anabolic with mild anti-estrogenic activity, favoured for hardening and cutting. Ester-specific human data are minimal.

A very short-acting acetate ester of boldenone, requiring near-daily injection. Effects mirror boldenone (Equipoise): gradual quality lean gains, appetite and red-cell stimulation, moderate estrogenic activity. Ester-specific human data are essentially absent.

A Japanese DHT-derived oral steroid (Miotolan) bearing a furazan (oxadiazole) ring fused to the A-ring, structurally akin to stanozolol. Studied and used partly for its reputed cholesterol-lowering effect, it is a non-aromatising, 17-alpha-methylated oral with the usual hepatic and lipid liabilities.

An obscure testosterone ester formed with nicotinic acid (niacin). Historically appearing in a handful of mid-20th-century preparations, it is essentially absent from modern medicine and sport. Its effects are those of testosterone; ester-specific human data are extremely sparse, so it is characterised largely by inference from the parent hormone.

17-alpha-methylandrostenediol, a mild anabolic that is a methylated derivative of the testosterone precursor androstenediol. Sold historically for human use and still found in veterinary products, often as the dipropionate ester, it is regarded as weak but with a reputation for synergising other steroids.

An orally active cyclopentenyl enol ether of boldenone, marketed in Italy as Anabolicum Vister. It is essentially an oral prodrug of boldenone (Dianabol's non-methylated relative) and was used for geriatric and paediatric anabolic therapy, but it is weakly effective orally and has largely vanished.

A potent 7-alpha,17-alpha-dimethyl testosterone derivative developed in the 1960s (Myagen). It is strongly anabolic and androgenic and orally active, but was withdrawn early and is essentially uncharacterised in the modern literature, surviving mainly as a doping-control reference and grey-market curiosity.

A non-aromatising DHT-derived injectable anabolic (2-methyl-1-dehydro-DHT), closely related to methenolone (Primobolan). Marketed briefly as the acetate (Anatrofin/Stenbolone), it is a mild, dry, non-estrogenic compound that never gained a foothold and is essentially uncharacterised in modern studies.

Oxabolone cypionate (4-hydroxy-19-nortestosterone cypionate), an obscure injectable 19-nortestosterone derivative and a metabolite of the older steroid oxabolone. Marketed historically in a few European combination products, it is a mild nandrolone-family anabolic essentially uncharacterised in modern controlled studies.