Side Effects of Deca Durabolin:
Deca Durabolin is one of the more side effect friendly anabolic steroids for men and can prove useful for women, but normally only in therapeutic level doses. However, side effects of Deca Durabolin most certainly exist, but as we will see they largely fall into the realm of possible rather than guaranteed. With responsible use, most men will be able to use this steroid without the first negative effect. In order to achieve this level of safe supplementation, your first step is to recognize the possible side effects of Deca Durabolin, as well as what you can do about them. For an ease of understanding, we have broken down the side effects into separate categories along with the related information you’ll need.
Estrogenic:
The Nandrolone hormone is not very estrogenic, but it does carry a slight aromatizing nature. Aromatization refers to testosterone’s ability to convert to
estrogen, a process that occurs due to the hormone’s interaction with the
aromatase enzyme. As estrogen levels rise, this can promote
gynecomastia, excess water retention and promote high blood pressure due to severe levels of water retention. Fortunately, the aromatase level of Deca Durabolin is low, but there is another factor to consider, which is its progestin nature. Nandrolone has a strong affinity for the progesterone receptor, as well as the ability to significantly stimulate the estrogenic mechanism in the mammary tissue enhancing the risk of gynecomastia.
In order to protect from the possible estrogenic and progesterone related side effects of Deca Durabolin, an anti-estrogen medication is often recommended. There are two primary choices in anti-
estrogens, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) like
Nolvadex (
Tamoxifen Citrate) and Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) like
Arimidex (
Anastrozole). AI’s will be far more effective, but SERM’s should be the first choice if they can get the job done. Many choose to rely on AI’s due to their tremendous anti-estrogenic power, but AI’s have been noted to have a negative impact on cholesterol, and one that can be greatly exasperated with the use of anabolic steroids. Conversely, while SERM’s are sometimes not enough they will have no adverse effect on cholesterol. In fact, SERM’s have actually been shown to improve cholesterol levels.
An important note of interest on the side effects of Deca Durabolin as it pertains to gynecomastia. It has long been assumed and passed around numerous steroid message boards that the cause of 19-nor induced gynecomastia is prolactin, not progesterone stimulation. This has been argued heavily regarding the 19-nor
Trenbolone, but with Nandrolone as well. In his
Anabolics series, William Llewellyn explains how the imbalance between estrogen and progesterone is what leads to gynecomastia. If this is not addressed and you’re merely combating a possible prolactin buildup, you may not be providing the protection you need.
Androgenic:
Deca Durabolin can produce androgenic side effects; however, the threshold tends to be rather high for most men. Possible androgenic side effects of Deca Durabolin include acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness, and body hair growth. Such side effects are strongly dependent on genetic predispositions, but most men should find no problems exist. Unlike testosterone, Nandrolone is reduced to DHN rather than DHT, and while this takes place due to interaction with the 5-alpha reductase enzyme it greatly reduces the androgenicity of Nandrolone.
An important note regarding the androgenic side effects of Deca Durabolin or any Nandrolone hormone: Many choose to use 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like
Finasteride to combat androgenic side effects brought on by anabolic steroids. However, the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor along with Deca Durabolin will enhance the steroid’s androgenicity. It will actually have the opposite effect and increase the risk of androgenic side effects.
The androgenic nature of Deca Durabolin may lead to virilization symptoms in women. Virilization symptoms can include body hair growth, a deepening of the vocal chords, and clitoral enlargement. Women can use this steroid without virilizing effects, but it will require very low doses, and there are often better steroids for females to choose. If Nandrolone is desired, faster acting Phenylpropionate may be the way to go as it’s easier to control, but the odds of beating virilization symptoms are not as great as they are with steroids like
Anavar or
Primobolan. Regardless, if virilization symptoms occur, discontinue use immediately, and they will fade away. If such symptoms are ignored, they may become permanent.