| Testosterone propionate is a commonly
manufactured, oil-based injectable testosterone compound.
The added propionate ester will slow the rate in which the
steroid is released from the injection site, but only for a
few days. Testosterone propionate is
therefore comparatively much faster acting than other
testosterone esters such as cypionate or enanthate, and
requires a much more frequent dosing schedule. While
cypionate and enanthate are injected on a weekly basis,
propionate is generally administered (at least) every third
day. To make this drug even more uncomfortable to use, the
propionate ester can be very irritating to the site of
injection. In fact, many sensitive individuals choose to
stay away from this steroid completely, their body reacting
with a pronounced soreness and low-grade fever that may last
for a few days. Even the mild soreness that is experienced
by most users can be quite uncomfortable, especially when
taking multiple pharmacokinetics of Testosterone
propionate injections each week. The
"standard" esters like enanthate and cypionate,
are clearly easier to use, and therefore much more popular
among athletes. Those who are not bothered by frequent injections will
find that propionate is quite an effective steroid. It is of
course a powerful mass drug, capable of producing rapid
gains in size and strength. At the same time the buildup of
estrogen and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) will be pronounced,
so typical testosterone side effects are to be expected.
Some do consider propionate to be the mildest testosterone
ester, and the preferred form of this hormone for
dieting/cutting phases of training. Some will go so far as
to say that propionate will harden the physique, while
giving the user less water and fat retention than one
typically expects to see with a testosterone. Realistically
however, this is nonsense. The ester is removed before
testosterone is active in the body, and likewise the ester
cannot alter the activity of the parent steroid in any way,
only slow its release. We can say that propionate might be
the favored testosterone among female bodybuilders (for
those who insist on testosterone use), as blood levels are
easier to control with it compared to other esters. Should
virilization symptoms develop, one would not wish to wait
the weeks needed for testosterone concentrations to fall
after a shot of enanthate for example.
During a typical cycle one will see action that is
consistent with a testosterone. Users sensitive to
gynecomastia may therefore need to addition an
anti-estrogen. Those particularly troubled may find that a
combination of Nolvadex and Proviron works especially well
at preventing/halting this occurrence. Also unavoidable with
a testosterone are androgenic side effects like oily skin,
acne, increased aggression and body/facial hair growth.
Those who may have a predisposition for male pattern
baldness may also find that propionate will aggravate this
condition. To help combat this we also have the option of
adding Propecia/Proscar, which will reduce the buildup of
DHT in many androgen target tissues. This will help minimize
related side effects (particularly hair loss) although it
offers us no guarantees. And as with all testosterone
products, propionate will also suppress endogenous
testosterone production. The use of a testosterone
stimulating drug like HCG and/or Clomid/Nolvadex is
therefore a requirement in order to avoid enduring a
post-cycle crash.
The most common dosage schedule for this compound (men)
is to inject 50 to 100mg, every 2nd or 3rd day. As with the
more popular esters, the total weekly dosage would be in the
range of 200-400mg. As with all testosterone compounds, this
drug is most appropriately suited for bulking phases of
training. Here it is most often combined with other strong
agents such as Dianabol, Anadrol 50 or Deca-Durabolin,
combinations that prove to be quite formidable. Propionate
however is sometimes also used with nonaromatizing
anabolics/androgens during cutting or dieting phases of
training, a time when it's fast action and androgenic nature
are also appreciated. Popular stacks include a moderate
dosage of propionate with an oral anabolic like Winstrol
(15-35 mg daily), Primobolan (50-150mg daily) or oxandrolone
(15-30mg daily). Provided the body fat percentage is
sufficiently low, the look of dense muscularity can be
notably improved (barring any excess estrogen buildup from
the testosterone). We can further add a non-aromatizing
androgen like trenbolone or Halotestin, which should have an
even more extreme effect on subcutaneous body fat and muscle
hardness. Of course with the added androgen content any
related side effects will become much more pronounced.
Women who absolutely must use an injectable testosterone
should only use this preparation. The dosage schedule should
also be more spread out for a female bodybuilder, with
injections coming every 5 to 7 days. The dosage obviously
would be lower as well, generally in the range of 25mg to
50mg per injection. Androgenic activity should be less
pronounced with this schedule, giving blood levels time to
sufficiently decrease before the drug is administered again.
In order to further reduce any risks, the duration of this
cycle should not exceed 8 weeks. Should a stronger anabolic
effect be needed, a small amount of Durabolin
(Deca-Durabolin if unavailable), Oxandrolone or Winstrol
could be added. Of course the risk of noticing virilizing
effects from these drugs may increase, even with the
addition of a mild anabolic. Since many of the masculinizing
side effects of steroid use can be irreversible, it is very
important for the female athlete to monitor the dosage,
duration and incidence of side effects very closely.
On the black market propionate is not an abundant item.
Although individual ampules are commonly cheap in the
pharmacies of many countries, purchases here can be quite
different. When looking to buy the total number of ampules
needed for a complete cycle the costs for this drug can add
up quickly. This is especially true when purchasing
individual ampules, which usually carry a high price tag
even if the content is only 50mg of steroid. Obtaining a
multi-dose vial preparation is the best way to reduce the
price of this compound, as the cost for each injection
should be considerably reduced with a large container. The
higher dosage in the 100mg and the 250mg item also bring the
price down for this steroid considerably, and seem to be
sparking new interest in this ester. Athletes however
generally still find propionate to be a bit too much trouble
though, and usually prefer the longer acting testosterones
like cypionate or enanthate. Although demand for this
steroid is low, it is of course still an acceptable option.
Some Vet companies as well as UG labs are now even
producing 250mg/ml dosage vials. This dosage is more
shocking than it sounds at first next to all the 250mg
enanthate and now cypionate products in circulation. Testosterone
propionate is less oil soluble than Testosterone
enanthate or cypionate, making a high dosage more difficult
to achieve. Before this the highest concentration you could
find of this steroid was 100mg/ml. Reaching 250 milligrams
is no doubt a result of not simply adding more steroid to
one ml of oil, but increasing the alcohol content in the
solution considerably as well. This makes for a much more
uncomfortable solution to inject. Although admittedly the
highest dose of propionate you will ever find, users have
been reporting that it is also intolerably painful. Most
find they have to dilute the solution with other lower dosed
steroids if they are to continue using the product. This
should be no a surprise I guess with a steroid that already
has a reputation as being painful to inject.
|
