Drugs profiles

Proviron is an interesting and often overlooked compound. It’s an orally active form of DHT and delivers all the good and the bad that DHT has to offer. DHT is pure androgen, but unlike testosterone, it doesn’t cause any water retention. DHT is also what makes muscle “hard.” It lowers SHBG (Sex hormone Binding Globulin) thus preventing estrogen to form and can be used to prevent aromatization from other compounds. DHT is also what attributes to erectile rigidity. All good stuff! There are drawbacks however, most notably prostate hypertrophy and hair loss. So one may say DHT is pure maleness.

Sustanon is a unique steroid in that it blends four testosterone esters, (propionate/ isocaproate/ decanoate/phenylpropionate) each with a different release time. It’s what Dan Duchaine referred to, in the very first steroid book “The Underground Steroid Handbook,” as a very “elegant” concept.

The original Sustanon even came with a pre-loaded syringe. No need for drawing, filling and switching needles. Pretty cool and convenient – in theory. The problem with this cute little bit of marketing is that the needle was a 21 gauge! Of course, you could switch needles but keep in mind, just 15 years ago there wasn’t easy access to needle, syringes et al. Most guys got them from veterinarian supply stores. If nothing else was available, there was no choice but to lance yourself with the enclosed 1 ½ “ 21 gauge spike. Today, Sustanon is available in vials and ampoules.

Much has been said about “which testosterone is best” and it’s a debate that may never be put to rest. Some experts believe there’s absolutely no difference since all testosterones are recognized in the body in the same way. In fact, when used for medical purposes, one is often substituted for another. Meanwhile, others will point out that shorter acting esters have a higher concentration of testosterone. (Misleading people into believing that they act quicker when in reality all test esters raise blood levels of T in no more than an hour). The ester is what keeps it active longer, essentially “spreading out” the dosage. For clarities sake, let’s keep it simple. All testosterones do the same thing. And the most popular, readily available and cost effective is testosterone enanthate.

As is the case with all testosterones, the propionate version will work in a similar manner. That means, increased strength, stamina, libido and aggression.

Testosterone is what makes men, men -- stronger and more muscular than women, with less fat. It also is what makes men lose their hair, causes oily skin and enlarges prostate tissue. But you have to take the bad with the good, especially if you want to grow muscle.

Of course, as is the case with any testosterone, propionate will aromatise and part of it will be converted to estrogen. That in itself isn’t so bad since estrogen also increases muscle size and IGF production and helps maintain healthy lipid profiles. But too much estrogen is the bane of anyone looking for a hard, lean physique. Therefore, when using prop, or any test, it’s recommended that a small amount of anti aromatase such as arimidex or aromasan be used along with it. Anti estrogens such as Nolvadex will not work as well since it’s site specific and has a rebound effect. (More about that in another profile).

Testoviron is a mixed injectable form of testosterone, containing varying amounts of testosterone propionate and enanthate. The faster acting propionate ester is included to support the release of the compound during the early days of therapy, while the longer ester is used to support the later part of the therapy. Testoviron was developed by the very large international pharmaceutical company Schering in Germany, and marketed at one time in many European countries. These products first surfaced during the 1950s and have since been duplicated in one form or the other by various companies. Schering has since discontinued this product and there is currently only one version of this mixture available in production on the European market.