Dianabol 101 – Benefits, Sides, Cycles

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What is Dianabol?

Dianabol is a household name in the world of weightlifting and bodybuilding. 

It has been around seventy years and was the first anabolic steroid to come in oral form in 1955 when it was released under the name methandrostenolone.

It is one of the most, if not the most popular steroid used among bodybuilders, and not just today but for the past few decades!  Dianabol is mostly used during bulking cycles as it enables the body to gain considerable amounts of strength and muscle mass.

First made in 1955 by American doctor and clinical visionary John Bosley Ziegler, he worked with the US Olympic team a year before making Dbol, and it was during this time he met a Russian physicist at a bar.

During their conversation, the physicist drank one too many and told Ziegler Russian athletes were using exogenous testosterone to enhance endurance and athletic performance, which may well be the reason why the Soviet Union crushed weightlifting events during the 1952 Olympics.

Ziegler soon left the bar after their talk and prepared for departure to the United States, and with him, he took newly found motivation to create a more potent version of testosterone that could defeat the cheating Russians – and that he did!

Interestingly enough, Ziegler was his own guinea pig as he often took the steroids he made to assess their effects.  Once perfected, Ziegler, with the help of a Swiss pharmaceutical firm named CIBA, filed a patent and officially released their miracle drug in the United States, where it very quickly popularized!

Dianabol was in a league of its own with an anabolic rating over twice that of testosterone; one hundred versus two hundred and ten.

Two blisters of Danabol 10mg tablets - methandienone from Balkan Pharmaceuticals

Is Dianabol Legal?

In the sixties and seventies, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was in his prime, Dianabol was legal to obtain and use for recreational and bodybuilding purposes.

But over thirty years later, the FDA deemed it a banned substance under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act in 1990.  From then onward, Dianabol could only legally be used for medical reasons as its potential to cause severe and adverse side effects came to light.

To this very day, Dianabol not only remains banned in the United States but in most other countries too, except for ones like Mexico where people can buy it over the counter at any local Walmart or pharmacy.

Another country where anabolic steroids like Dianabol can be easily bought is Thailand as while their government classifies it as an S-controlled drug, most pharmacists in the country operate liberally and do not follow laws to a tee as indicated by the many tourists who go there to buy it for cash on the spot.

Many bodybuilders travel to Thailand as Dianabol is not only easy to acquire but a fraction of the cost that would be paid in the US or UK, making this part of Asia a steroid-season reprieve for athletes and weight lifters alike!

This said laws elsewhere are strict!  In the United States, getting caught with Dianabol for the first time can get a thousand-dollar fine and a one-year prison term.  A person caught selling for the first time can get a five-year jail term and a quarter million dollar fine, and these figures double for repeated offenses!

These consequences not only apply to the selling and possession of Dianabol but to all anabolic steroids as they are all banned drugs under the Controls Substances Act.

According to the FDA, no one has ever been prosecuted for personal drug importation (importing small quantities of medication for personal use).

While the law allows the FDA and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to detain and refuse international prescription orders arriving through the mail, less than one percent are actually stopped

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Dianabol Benefits

Dianabol is as popular as it is as it is known to:

  • Increase strength.
  • Accelerate recovery.
  • Enhance muscle mass.
  • Elevate protein synthesis.
  • Raise red blood cell counts.
  • Improve nitrogen retention.
  • Stimulate free test production.

Dianabol causes huge jumps in muscle size and strength, and quickly too as the compound causes a fast rise in glycogenesis, protein synthesis, and free testosterone production.  Dbol may also increase water retention within the muscles, an effect proven to enhance muscular strength and physical performance.

How much muscle and strength can I gain from Dianabol?

How much muscle and strength a person gains from Dianabol depends on their diet and training, as well as the size and frequency of doses.  How well the body reacts to Dianabol is also a factor but if you take low doses and have good genetics, and if you diet right and train as you should, you may add twenty-five to thirty pounds to your bench press capacity in the first week!

Impressive indeed, strength gains from Dbol are game-changing for newbies and seasoned bodybuilders alike, the early-cycle gains it makes possible are truly astounding and unlike what most have had before.

When it comes to weight, those on moderate doses and cycles usually gain around twenty pounds in the first month of using Dbol with most of it coming from new muscle mass – the rest being water retention.

As with any steroid, the longer Dbol is cycled, the more pronounced results will be.  As such, those who use it for six or more weeks often gain thirty pounds of weight with a bulk of it being newly built muscle.

Increased Free Testosterone Production

Like all anabolic steroids, Dbol is a form and derivative of testosterone so once it enters the bloodstream the amount of testosterone in the body will rise to unnatural heights.

However, Testosterone is a vital hormone to men as it helps support:

  • Fertility.
  • Strength.
  • High libido.
  • Aggression.
  • Confidence.
  • Full testicles.
  • Muscle mass.
  • Sexual health.
  • Mental clarity.
  • Faster recovery.
  • High energy levels.
  • Sense of well-being.
  • Hair growth on the body.
  • Firm and lasting erections.

All of the above can be suppressed if testosterone levels get low so when test levels are high, they can increase and bring pronounced effects.  Free testosterone, the most vital test score to bodybuilders, is the test that naturally produces in the body and is what the body relies on for muscle tissue and growth. 

In contrast, total testosterone on its own has zero effect on body composition but results will still show if Dianabol is cycled.  Quick and dramatic rises in testosterone levels make it no surprise why many reap a good-feel euphoria of well-being from Dianabol but the more the larger the dose and longer the cycle, the more intense side effects will likely be.

Nitrogen Suppression

The body must be in an anabolic state for new muscle tissue to form and synthesize, and this requires a positive balance of nitrogen in the system. 

This matters as the more nitrogen muscles hold the greater they form and develop.  On the other hand, little estrogen in the muscles is catabolic and not conducive to muscle growth or development, this is an issue most common in those with muscle-wasting conditions.

All this said, many bodybuilders take in huge amounts of protein to sustain surplus levels of nitrogen for as long as they can.  However, the effects of eating plenty of protein are minor in contrast to the effects Dianabol has on nitrogen retention, which is much greater!  Maintaining a positive nitrogen balance is essential and should be a main focus of bodybuilders as it aids strength gains and muscle development.

Protein Synthesis

Dianabol accelerates protein synthesis to peaks not naturally achievable.

As such, muscle cell damage from workouts can worsen and exacerbate.

While cycling Dbol, the size of muscle fibers will get larger in size which lets them recover from workouts more quickly.  This enables bodybuilders to train longer without fatigue or tiredness, as shown by Arnold Schwarzenegger and other famous bodybuilders who used Dianabol to intensely train for hours per day, and without physical overexertion!

Fast recovery is a huge advantage of Dbol but less sleep is reported by most that use it.  For example, if you usually sleep eight hours per night you will likely start waking up an hour or two earlier but with the same energy levels had from a full night of rest.  This shows Dianabol enables the body to need less rest by helping it to recover faster.

Red Blood Cell Count

Dbol increases and stimulates the production of red blood cells so more blood may flow to the muscles. 

This means muscular endurance is enhanced as oxygen travels to the muscles in the bloodstream.  Given this, Dianabol, upon its initial release, was regularly prescribed to people who were dealing with anemia.

In bodybuilding, a higher red blood cell count is beneficial as it makes more reps and longer workout sessions less tiring and tasking.  Thanks to the enhanced blood flow Dianabol enables, most people get noticeably larger from cycles and workouts due to the greater N.O. (nitric oxide) production in the body.

Most bodybuilders who cycle Dianabol also achieve a more ripped and vascular look too, as in, veins are more apparent and pronounced.  Enhanced vascularity most achieve is due to the vasodilation effect of Dianabol, which often causes blood vessels to dilate and enlarge in size.  This in turn puts them closer to the top layer of the skin where they are much more visible.

However, Dianabol does cause some water retention outside of the muscle cells so by no means is it the best steroid for those wanting a vascular appearance.  If that is your aim, your goal will be better served by steroids like Anavar or Trenbolone as both do not cause nearly as much extracellular water retention.

Dianabol 50mg tablets by Dragon Pharma

Dianabol Side Effects

What goes up must come down and this holds true with Dianabol and other anabolic steroids, in terms of their side effects, that is.  And compounds or anabolic steroids with positive yet powerful reactions will often induce negative ones in equal degrees. 

Dianabol is a banned and illegal steroid in most countries, and for good reason as it is a risky and unsafe compound when taken irresponsibly or recreationally without the guidance and supervision of a doctor.

Those who intend to cycle Dianabol should be mindful of its possible side effects, which namely include:

  • Acne.
  • Steroid rage.
  • Liver damage.
  • Gynecomastia.
  • Water retention.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Virilization in women.
  • Hair balding or thinning.
  • Suppressed testosterone.

Based on the genetics and tolerance of the person, the above effects can be severe and life-threatening while others may be mild and easier to tolerate.  How severe side effects are truly depends on the dose and length of cycles, as well as if the person is stacking other steroids or compounds alongside Dianabol.

High Blood Pressure

Dianabol intensely raises blood pressure levels and does do in two main ways, the main being its boost to testosterone levels as when they climb, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels will too.  This is the naughty cholesterol that may clog arteries and cause blood pressure levels to spike even more.

LDL cholesterol is an oily and fatty substance.  It clings itself to the walls of arteries and disrupts the flow of blood to vital organs.  This in turn greatly raises the risk of a heart attack or ischemic stroke occurring.

Studies learned prolonged or excessive use of anabolic-androgenic steroids, such as Dianabol, can lower HDL cholesterol by ninety percent but increase LDL cholesterol levels by 100%, making Dbol even riskier.

Here is a look at what safe and unsafe LDL levels look like while cycling Dianabol:

  • Average: 100-129 mg/DL
  • Quite High: 130-159 mg/DL
  • High: 160-189mg/DL
  • Very High: 189mg/DL+

Most who cycle Dianabol supplement it with fish oil as it can help keep cholesterol levels at normal and stable levels.  But this is not a proven, science-backed cure for the issue.  Adding to this, a study of men taking fish oil with no anabolic steroids in the system did not see a reduction in systolic blood pressure.

Dianabol also increases water retention, which can also raise blood pressure as the heavier your body gets the greater blood pressure levels will become.  It is this reason drugs with diuretic effects work at curing hypertension as they help rid water from the body, which in turn makes blood flow to the heart easier and more efficient as it will be less viscous, given the lower amounts of H20 in the bloodstream.

Note: Cardio exercises are a great way for those on Dianabol to keep cholesterol levels under control.

Gynecomastia and Water Retention

Dianabol is a steroid that aromatizes so its effects are very estrogenic.  It also causes water retention.  This can cause a puffy or bloated look, which is why bodybuilders mostly use it for off-season training. 

Also known as methandrostenolone, Dbol not only aromatizes but converts to a 17-a-methylestradiol compound.  This type of estrogen is more potent than estradiol as its pre-conversion state already had potent aromatizing traits.  Some bodybuilders combat water retention by taking powerful diuretics like Lasix (Furosemide) or an aromatase or anti-estrogen inhibitor but these remove intracellular fluid from the muscle cells and take away strength gains along with it.  For this reason, many choose not to take it.

Adding to this, drugs that are made to retract high estrogen levels can have an adverse effect on blood lipids, except for Nolvadex, which does not have negative impacts on them. 

In the event bloating, puffiness, or water retention is excessive while using Dianabol, the dose should be lowered or the cycle should come to an end altogether.  Using a less potent, non-aromatizing steroid like Trenbolone is also an option for those who want a milder and safer experience.  All this said, there is one other symptom Dbol can cause and that is Gynecomastia; the condition characterized by man boobs and excessive breast tissue growth.  It causes breast tissue in men to grow or enlarge at unnatural paces and often results in swollen and painful nipples as well as pectorals taking the size or form of female breasts.

Gynecomastia mostly occurs when hormone or estrogen levels are elevated or imbalanced in men.  This is can easily take place when using an anabolic-androgenic steroid, and more so with Dianabol given its high anabolic rating and nature, which leads to thirty-seven percent of users getting symptoms of Gyno.

The good news is mild or severe cases of Gyno caused by steroid use can be cured in a few ways.  If you undergo treatment in the first year or two of using Dianabol, you may be able to reverse the effects of Gyno by utilizing an aromatase inhibitor as these bring estrogen levels down and testosterone levels up.

If you go with an AI, Tamoxifen, or Nolvadex, is likely the most effective drug you can take to combat its effects on tissue growth in the chest region.  While an AI surely has the potential to help, anti-estrogens are often dubbed a mild solution when used as a treatment for gynecomastia but for many it does work.

Severe cases of Gyno often require surgery to resolve, and per 2018 stats, the typical cost of surgery for Gyno patients was nearly four grand; three thousand eight hundred and twenty-four dollars to be exact!

As such, most bodybuilders strive to avoid gynecomastia altogether and do so by supplementing it with an anti-estrogen as it is much better to prevent a fire than to have to put one out later on down the line.

All this said, Gyno should not be confused for other causes of man boobs as moobs may not be from this condition but rather from excess chest fat, which can be treated by performing fat-losing muscle-gaining exercises that work out the pectoral region.

Note: If you cycle Dbol and use an aromatase inhibitor simultaneously, this can have an adverse impact on blood lipids and cause estrogen-induced increases in blood pressure as a result.  However, research does show estrogen to have a positive influence on HDL cholesterol levels.

One drug many bodybuilders supplement with is Nolvadex, or Tamoxifen, as it not only lowers estrogen levels but healthily supports cholesterol levels too, though it is a controlled substance, and will require a prescription from a doctor to obtain.

Liver Damage

Dbol causes C17-alpha alkylation as it is an oral steroid.  This reaction modifies its seventeenth carbon position; a structural alteration that allows Dianabol to survive metabolization in the liver.  As a result, Dianabol can become fully active and bioavailable, which is how it brings the astounding results it does.

There is, however, one con to its resistance to hepatic breakdown and that is enhanced hepatotoxicity.

AST and ALT liver enzyme levels rise as Dianabol is cycled, and in case you wonder, these abbreviations stand for aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase.  When ALT enzymes rise, damage to the liver is being done but when damage to other organs occurs, AST liver enzymes are on the up rise.  Given all of this, it is quite easy and even expected by most for liver damage to arise during Dbol cycles.

Some people also say Dianabol limits appetite, which is an effect of liver strain.  Remember, each time you eat the liver must work to process it so when a hepatotoxic steroid is taken with large amounts of food, the liver will be taxed and strained even more.  So what is the body to do in such a case?  Well, it lowers the appetite of the person, as a self-defense reaction, in hopes none or little food will be eaten.

Next we have people who develop cholestatic syndrome from Dianabol.  This is when bile flow becomes inhibited, which can build up and cause inflammatory harm to the liver.  A person who excessively takes oral Dbol for months with no break can also be at risk of peliosis hepatis but this rare vascular condition seldom occurs but if it does, anemia and abdominal pain may be caused by blood-filled cysts in the liver.

There have also been cases of hepatic adenomas but this is very rare and unlikely to arise from Dbol use, though it is possible; this condition is the presence of a hormone-causing tumor that might be benign or deadly and cancerous.

However, there is positive news as the liver is one resilient organ!  After all, it has powerful, self-healing abilities that often enable it to fully recover once a Dbol cycle ends, especially once liver enzyme values rebound to stable, normal, pre-cycle levels but even so, liver damage or failure are possible when taking hepatotoxic steroids like Dbol so keep doses low, and cycles to a six-week max, to limit hepatic damage.

Warning: If you have hepatitis C or gall bladder problems, cycling Dianabol can worsen these conditions.

Dianabolos - methandienone 10mg pharmacom labs

Milk Thistle for Liver Support

Many bodybuilders combat hepatotoxicity by taking supplements that support healthy and normal liver function, one of which being milk thistle or Silybum marianum, a supplement that anecdotally stabilizes cholesterol levels.

Used for ages by ancient cultures and herbalists to treat liver disease, milk thistle has daisy genetics with studies saying it can reduce liver enzymes and inflammation and most so in those having acute hepatitis. 

However, results are mixed as some studies also say it has no benefit or noticeable effects, especially when taken by bodybuilders having seriously damaged livers caused by heavy hepatotoxic drug usage.

At the same time, some have used milk thistle and achieved drastic drops in liver enzymes within eight weeks, and by taking two, one thousand milligram doses per day.  For the most part, milk thistle is very safe when orally taken as a very small percentage of people experience side effects by supplementing it.

One option for those who want to cycle it without liver strain can use injectable Dbol.  It is often used in oral form but veterinary versions that bypass the liver and immediately enter the bloodstream do exist.  However, oral Dianabol is more common and easier to get a hold of so it is what most bodybuilders get.

Low Testosterone

Test levels will rise when Dbol first enters the body as it is essentially a form of exogenous testosterone.  However, as part of its self-defense mechanism, the body will detect the excessive levels of it and then suppress or shut down natural testosterone production in aim to sustain homeostasis, which it achieves by repressing the HPT (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular) axis.

Once a cycle ends and exogenous testosterone is no longer supplied to the body, low testosterone levels due to low production of it can persist with it often taking a few months or longer for levels to rebound to pre-cycle norms.  According to research, people who cycle Dianabol can expect production of natural endogenous testosterone to reach normal speed within four to twelve months of their last steroid dose.

How slowed or diminished test production becomes varies on the dose size and cycle length; the greater or longer each is, the more suppressed testosterone production will get.  This can be an issue as low test levels may result in testicular atrophy given the reduced production of sperm.  This may cause infertility, which is not only a possible side effect of Dianabol but other androgenic-anabolic steroids too.

Those who cycle Dbol may also endure low libido, which can cause erectile dysfunction and symptoms like depression and a lower sense of well-being.  Psychological effects can arise too with a diminished well-being being a primary symptom of steroid addiction, which thirty percent of AAS users develop.

Restore Natural Testosterone Production After Cycling Dianabol

Some simply wait for test levels to rebound to normal once their Dianabol cycle ends as it can do so on its own.  According to research, test levels and production return to pre-cycle levels without post-cycle therapy in sixty-seven percent of men within six months of the last dose, and in ninety percent of men once twelve months have passed.

And astoundingly, a resounding one hundred percent of men saw T levels and production recover within twenty-four months!  However, while the body has the ability to aid test production there are times you might want to speed up the process to reduce the length of side effects.

If you do, some trusted and effective options include:

  • AIs (aromatase inhibitors).
  • hCG (human chorionic Gonadotropin).
  • TRT (testosterone replacement therapy).
  • SERMS (selective estrogen receptor modulators).

Each of these can restore normal and healthy function of the HPT axis function, which in turn stimulates production of natural endogenous testosterone.  HCG is a protein that naturally occurs in the body, and one that is extracted from the placenta from a woman.  And men who take two weekly doses of fifteen hundred to five thousand milligrams of it for three to six months have seen great success at recovering.

If this protocol is used but effects from low test persist add a FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) into the mix for accelerated results; two to three weekly doses of seventy-five to four hundred UI is often plenty. 

Taking hCG and FSH together is a proven protocol that helps treat forty-four to one hundred percent of men who are dealing with hypogonadism.  If recovery seems to be dragging on you might wish to try it!

Remember, the longer treatment lasts the more likely it is to be successful.  This holds true for women looking to get pregnant too as research says hCG and FSH taken together raise pregnancy rates by forty to seventy-five percent, which shows just how powerful it is at enhancing fertility.

Once natural testosterone levels rebound to normal levels, a person may keep taking AAGs if they wish but if they want to maintain fertility it is best to take a dose of five hundred UI every other day to do so.

Next we have SERMS, which stand for selective estrogen receptor modulators.  These have the ability to revitalize test levels even after steroids are used; the most popular ones are Tamoxifen and Clomiphene.  These work by interrupting estrogen receptors via a region in the brain named the hypothalamus, where it lowers the production of female sex hormones so testosterone levels can rise. 

Per research, a person should take twenty-five to fifty milligrams of Clomiphene daily to every other day to revive testosterone production.  However, some take doses much greater than this with younger men claiming great results from taking a hundred milligrams daily for two to three months.

SERMs may also be used over a longer period of time as they are deemed safe and side-effect-tolerable by most experts and bodybuilders.  Women are less likely to have adverse side effects from SERMs than men with the most common reported side effect of women being hot flashes though research says using SERMS for eight years or longer can cause other and more severe symptoms to emerge.

Research says aromatase inhibitors are effective at reviving the HPT axis as Letrozole and Anastrozole significantly improve the ratio of estrogen and testosterone in the body, and in small daily doses of: 2.5mg of Letrozole and 1mg of Anastrozole each day.  Research also say AIs and SERMS together can further accelerate the recovery of natural testosterone production though these should not be used by those who have a past of liver disease or damage as AIs/SERMs will most certainly raise liver enzymes.

Baldness and Hair Loss in Men

Dianabol gently raises the most prominent androgen in men, and that is DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, if you prefer to call it that.

It raises DHT levels via the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, this converts testosterone into DHT, which Dbol rarely converts into given the low affinity it has so by taking Dbol alone, the risk of hair loss is greater.

This is likely why bodybuilders from the Golden Age of weight lifting could maintain a full head of hair as many used compounds like Dianabol and Deca Durabolin, compared to many modern bodybuilders who are have baldness due to prolonged use of androgenic steroids.

DHT is liable for the onset of new body hair growth and affects libido and penis size during puberty.  DHT is also often the culprit of hair loss along the scalp.  So, if you are susceptible or genetically prone to hair loss, Dianabol can worsen the issue with hair thinning or recession.

For this reason, most may take a DHT blocker while cycling steroids as these strengthen hair follicles but though can have a negative impact on body composition.  Another thing to know is effects from DHT are much more powerful and androgenic than testosterone as it binds to androgen receptors three to five times more effectively, and research shows it to be the best muscle-building hormone of the two.

This conclusion is sensible as many bodybuilders report lower strength and muscle gains when stacking Dbol with DHT inhibitors like Proscar, or Finasteride.  Research further confirms this in one study of men taking Finasteride, in which, nearly fifty-two percent experienced muscle loss.

As such, for the best results and gains, those cycling Dianabol should avoid DHT blockers altogether.

Remember, Dbol has a low affinity and rarely converts into DHT.  Plus, whether or not a person loses hair has most to do with genetics, so taking steroids does not guarantee hair loss as many people with strong genetics take androgenic steroids for years without losing any!  Do not believe it?  Just look up Jay Cutler, the four-time winner of the Mr. Olympia event!

On a closing note, Dbol is a mild steroid with side effects that are more tolerable than other compounds. 

With an anabolic rating of forty to sixty, Dianabol is more newcomer-friendly than compounds like Tren Testosterone, which have androgenic ratings of a hundred and five hundred, respectively.

Being more androgenic, compounds like test and Tbol are much likelier to cause hair loss, recession, and inflammation along the scalp.  So they are best avoided by those susceptible to hair-thinning conditions.

Acne

Oily skin, or acne vulgaris, is a possible side effect of Dianabol use given its androgenic nature.  Acne is an issue faced by about fifty percent of all bodybuilders as it is a common symptom of anabolic steroids.

Acne caused by steroid use often show on the face, chest, back, and shoulders – a result of sebaceous glands being stimulated as this increases sebum production.  This oily substance has a light-yellow color and acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin but too much of it can be bad as it can block the pores and cause acne to breakout as a result.

If you had bad acne in the past and take steroids, the risk of developing cystic acne will be greater.  This can be severe as if pores get too blocked infection or swelling can take place.  And while rare, there have been cases of people having cystic acne that forms to the size of a golf ball, which could require surgery.

How can I Prevent Acne While Taking Dianabol?

Want to prevent acne while on Dianabol?

The best ways are to use a retinoid or topical therapy like gel, cream, or lotion that is applied to the skin.

Retinoids are a very effective at preventing steroid-induced acne as research says it reduces acne lesions and follicular blockage by forty to seventy percent, these are substantial figures!  Common and popular retinoids include tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene, each of which may be legally bought online or off the shelf with no prescription or doctor recommendation required.

Note: Rare but possible, retinoids can cause redness or irritation on the skin so use small amounts at first to see how your skin reacts.  And remember, creams and lotions are often best for dry skin while gels and similar solutions are most ideal for treating excess oil so pick the one that best fits your need.

One of the most effective treatments for acne is a topical antibiotic as they reduce lesion inflammation by a resounding forty-six to seventy percent.  Two popular antibiotics are erythromycin and clindamycin but these should not be taken for more than thirty days as this could cause acne to build a tolerance and resistance to treatment.  To help prevent this, be sure the antibiotic you take contains benzoyl peroxide as this will help to reduce inflammation even more.

Note:  In the United States, clindamycin and erythromycin cannot be bought off the shelf or from over the counter as they require a prescription from a doctor to obtain.

Acne is best tamed and prevented by those who take a topical retinoid and antibiotic at the same time.  The best way to do this is to take a retinoid at night and an antibiotic containing benzoyl peroxide in the morning.  Some also use salicylic acid to negate acne but it is less effective than the retinoids up above.

On a closing note, if you have a medical history prone to effects of androgenic compounds, like acne or hair loss, a steroid with a lower androgenic rating, like Deca, would be a more safer and suitable option.

Roid Rage

Do not think there is truth in the misconception roid rage cannot happen as it surely can!  In fact, research shows sixty percent of steroid users endure increased anger or aggression while cycling.

Such aggression is likely due to the excessive rise and abundant levels of testosterone, which anabolic-androgenic steroids are known to cause.  However, as is the case with other side effects, how affected one becomes from this newfound aggression varies from person to person.

This said, full-on, Hulk-raging anger that leads to assault or worse is possible but rare.  How aggressive one gets not only has to do with the drug but genetics too.  If the person comes from a family that has a history of steroid- or substance-induced violence, Dianabol may exacerbate such feelings or tendencies.

Many accounts of roid rage have been documented over time but perhaps most famous of them all is one that took place in 2007 – the year WWE champion Chris Benoit strangled his wife and suffocated his son before taking his own life by hanging.  To be clear, why exactly he did this is not known but we do know his wife Nancy sought a divorce and filed for one in 2003 as she feared for her life due to domestic abuse.  However, her request for a divorce was later withdrawn for reasons we to this day are unsure of.

While all of what Chris took is not known, his body, when tested at the scene of the crime, had ten times more testosterone than a person should naturally have.  This crime might have been cause by roid rage or perhaps from brain damage or excessive alcohol consumption.

Virilization in Women

Dianabol is an androgenic compound so not many women take it as symptoms of virilization can occur from even small doses and short cycles.  Women who experience virilization effects from Dianabol will notice masculinizing features taking form; ones like the following are most common to occur in women:

  • Deeper voice.
  • Smaller breasts.
  • Enlarged clitoris.
  • Hair loss on the scalp.
  • New body hair growth.

Given these possible effects, women who want to burn fat and build muscle while preserving femininity are better off taking a steroid like Anavar (Oxandrolone) as it is not as androgenic and less likely to cause masculinization in female users.

Dianabol – Before and After Results

The effect Dianabol has on muscular size and strength is truly a sight to behold.  After all, night-and-day, game-changing gains are often had during the early stages of cycles as Dbol, or methandrostenolone, is comprised of short esters that have a half-life of only three to six hours. 

Needless to say, it is a fast-to-act steroid with quick results that rival any other bodybuilding compound.

How much muscle and strength one gains from Dbol depends on their dose size and cycle length, as well as tolerance and experience as a long-time user will yield slimmer results than a person who is running a cycle for the first time.

Some Dbol users report twenty-five to thirty-pound strength gains on the bench press in their first week by taking fifty milligrams daily – though this is a very large dose, and not suitable for first-time roid users!

Given these first-week figures, it is entirely possible to add seventy to a hundred pounds of new strength by the end of a four to six-week cycle when taking doses this large, or by the end of a second cycle if you cut the dose in half as a beginner should.

Dianabol after and before picture. 8 weeks, 30-50mg a day.

Transformation of male in his 30 before and after taking dianbol for 8 weeks 40mg a day

In terms of weight gain, those taking fifty milligrams of Dbol daily for thirty days often gain around thirty pounds while those on a six-week cycle often gain forty, but these figures can change or inflate if Dbol is being stacked with other anabolic-androgenic steroids – like Anadrol, Testosterone, and Deca Durabolin.

Most of the weight gained from Dbol comes from newly built muscle but some – ten to fifteen percent – is water retention that often falls off quickly post-cycle.  Part of this weight gain also comes from new arm muscle; most get bulkier arms that measure an inch an half bigger, and this is from a 30-day cycle!

Here is a transformation picture of a man before and after taking Dianabol. 6 weeks, 30-50mg a day.

transformation picture of a man before and after taking Dianabol.  6 weeks, 30-50mg a day.

Dianabol Dosage for Men

In 1958, Dianabol was released by Dr. Ziegler who suggested a daily dose of five to fifteen milligrams.  This was advised as it was deemed the amount needed for enhancement in athletic performance to be achieved.  However, it is not uncommon for bodybuilders today to cycle much larger doses if muscular hypertrophy is the goal.

In the present day, it is common for bodybuilders to take fifteen to thirty milligrams of Dianabol per day but know doses higher than this can quickly exacerbate side effects.

However, this does not prevent some gym-goers from taking larger amounts as many bodybuilders who want max muscle gains will take thirty to fifty milligrams daily, which is considered a very large dose that is unsafe for new steroid users but believe it or not, there are some elite bodybuilders out there, or IFBB professionals, who may use a hundred milligrams of it per day – such huge doses is never recommended!

When it comes to pill sizes, Dianabol can come in a few unique doses based on who manufactures it but the most common are five milligrams, ten milligrams, fifteen milligrams, and fifty milligrams. 

If you use Dbol, remember it has a short half-life of two to four hours so it is best to take a dose evenly throughout the day to keep elevated energy and testosterone levels sustained.  You may need to score pills into equal sections based on the milligram you obtain, just be mindful of the size of tablets you get.

Dianabol Dosage for Women

Just two and a half to five milligrams of Dbol daily can bring women tremendous muscle and strength gains.  At this level, most women do not experience masculinization as virilization often occurs at daily doses of ten or more milligrams. 

However, some professional female bodybuilders take larger doses of ten to twenty milligrams per day but this can cause and accelerate masculinization, and side effects that can be much more intense than those of lower and more tolerable dose amounts.

Dianabol Cycles

The dose charts below are tailored for men but can be adjusted by women to meet their personal goals.

Dianabol-Only Cycle for Beginners

  • Week 1, ten milligrams of Dianabol per day.
  • Week 2, ten milligrams of Dianabol per day.
  • Week 3, fifteen milligrams of Dianabol per day.
  • Week 4, fifteen milligrams of Dianabol per day.
  • Week 5, twenty milligrams of Dianabol per day.

The above is a typical starter cycle, and while it takes a slow and gradual approach in aim to negate and minimize side effects it also helps most people to gain ten pounds of weight by the end of the last week.

Most of this weight gain comes from new muscle, which not only makes this cycle effective but a good starting point for new steroid users who want to prep their body for more intense cycles down the line.

More Intense Dianabol Cycle

  • Week 1, twenty milligrams of Dianabol per day.
  • Week 2, twenty milligrams of Dianabol per day.
  • Week 3, twenty-five milligrams of Dianabol per day.
  • Week 4, twenty-five milligrams of Dianabol per day.
  • Week 5, twenty-five milligrams of Dianabol per day.
  • Week 6, twenty-five milligrams of Dianabol per day.

The above cycle is a good follow-up to the first one for those wanting to reach greater thresholds of muscular hypertrophy, but at the expense of side effects possibly being more intense and prominent.

In some cases, experienced steroid users with a few or more cycles under their belt may go for a third, eight-week cycle of thirty to fifty milligrams per day but this is quite excessive, especially for beginners!

Dianabol and Deca Durabolin Cycle

Dianabol and Deca Durabolin is a classic duo!  This stack first gained popularity and recognition among bodybuilders during the 70s.  Even famous bodybuilders, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, cycled this stack that remains popular among gym-goers and bodybuilders to this very day.

Deca Durabolin is a strong, potent, injectable steroid mostly used by during bulking season as it brings huge strength gains and tremendous muscular hypertrophy.

It does have a low androgenic rating, though, as its estrogenic traits are quite mild.  This means its side effects are often mild and well tolerated so it is more beginner-friendly than AAS like Tren and Anadrol.

One benefit of Deca Durabolin over many steroids is its injectable form lets it bypass the liver.  As a mild steroid that is not c-17 alpha-alkylated, risk to the liver is very minimal which makes Dianabol one of the most popular steroids among beginners today.

Deca puts huge muscle and strength gains in easy reach but these may be further enhanced by adding Nandrolone into the mix as it can help fill and thicken muscles even more.  Deca does cause water and intracellular water retention but if you want muscles to look massive and defined, you will likely be very happy with the results you achieve from this miracle compound that many bodybuilders count on daily.

Dianabol and Deca Durabolin Cycle for Beginners

This Dbol and Deca cycle is suitable for beginners who want to cycle a steroid stack for the first time.

  • Week 1, two hundred milligrams of Nandrolone per day.
  • Week 2, two hundred milligrams of Nandrolone per day.
  • Week 3, ten milligrams of Dianabol and two hundred milligrams of Nandrolone per day.
  • Week 4, ten milligrams of Dianabol and two hundred milligrams of Nandrolone per day.
  • Week 5, ten milligrams of Dianabol and three hundred milligrams of Nandrolone per day.
  • Week 6, fifteen milligrams of Dianabol and three hundred milligrams of Nandrolone per day.
  • Week 7, fifteen milligrams of Dianabol and three hundred milligrams of Nandrolone per day.
  • Week 8, fifteen milligrams of Dianabol and three hundred milligrams of Nandrolone per day.

Dianabol is added into the third week when most people will begin to endure adverse sexual side effects like lower libido and erectile dysfunction, the second of which being common with Deca, and the reason many nickname the issue Deca Dick.  As such, Dbol is added in week three to help keep such side effects at bay, which it does by elevating testosterone levels.

Dianabol and Deca Durabolin Cycle for More Experienced Users

  • Week 1, four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin per day.
  • Week 2, four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin per day.
  • Week 3, ten milligrams of Dianabol and four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin per day.
  • Week 4, ten milligrams of Dianabol and four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin per day.
  • Week 5, twenty milligrams of Dianabol and four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin daily.
  • Week 6, twenty milligrams of Dianabol and four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin daily.
  • Week 7, twenty milligrams of Dianabol and four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin daily.
  • Week 8, twenty milligrams of Dianabol and four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin daily.
  • Week 9, twenty milligrams of Dianabol and four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin daily.
  • Week 10, twenty milligrams of Dianabol and four hundred milligrams of Deca Durabolin daily.

In this cycle, the dose of Deca rises to four hundred milligrams weekly while Dianabol goes up to twenty milligrams daily, and for a cycle length lasting two weeks longer. 

This cycle is more intense and often run by bodybuilders who have finished a cycle or two in the past as the larger doses become the more intense side effects can be so this one is not ideal for newcomers.

Seasoned bodybuilders with many years or cycles on their record may take up to six hundred milligrams of Deca weekly to reap much larger muscle and strength gains but diminished returns and stronger side effects do not make it worth it for most.  However, some bodybuilders out there cycle Dianabol in thirty to fifty milligram doses with the most elite ones taking up to an incredible hundred milligrams per dose!

Anadrol and Dianabol Cycle

Stacked together, Anadrol and Dianabol can deliver incredible results marked by muscle and strength gains one must see to truly appreciate.  However, with great results comes the fact this oral steroid is quite hepatotoxic by nature, just like Dianabol.

As such, it is rarely advised these two be taken together as strain and damage to the liver are likely to follow.  But for the sake of example, if you do cycle the two as a stack, you should keep cycles short and take measures to protect the liver, like taking milk thistle and avoiding alcohol and liver-toxic medicines.

Many also take Nolvadex while stacking Anadrol and Dianabol as these compounds raise estrogen levels and the risk of gynecomastia, which Nolvadex helps to combat.

With estrogenic traits comes bloating thanks to increased water retention, and while Nolvadex can help keep these issues under control, this SERM can impose liver damage so it should be used cautiously with this stack or used alongside the injectable form of Anadrol or Dianabol instead, which is the safer option.

People usually run a four to eight-week cycle of Anadrol at fifty to a hundred milligrams per day.

Here is what the typical Anadrol and Dianabol cycle looks like but this is only suitable for experienced steroid users with a tolerance:

  • Dianabol, thirty to fifty milligrams per day for four to eight weeks.
  • Anadrol, fifty to a hundred milligrams per day for four to eight weeks.

The dose you pick should be chosen based on tolerance and experience with such compounds.  If you are a first-time roid user this would not be an ideal stack while if you took a few Dianabol and Anadrol cycles in the past and found side effects tolerable, you may be better conditioned for larger doses and longer cycles but this is not safe or recommended.

Also, even if you have done a few cycles in the past but have never used Anadrol before, it would still be a good idea to start with a lower dose and shorter cycle.

Dianabol and Testosterone Cycle

Dbol and Test is a proven and effective duo that yields impressive muscle and strength gains.  Each is great for newcomers whether they are stacked or taken alone as neither produces serious side effects.  As such, they are less toxic than steroids like Anadrol yet more androgenic than others like Trenbolone.

Cypionate, or Testosterone Enanthate is a popular choice among beginners as each of these anabolic-androgenic steroids boast longer esters so they require fewer injections than some other compounds.

Here is a look at one of the most common Test and Dbol cycles used by bodybuilders today:

  • Dianabol, thirty milligrams daily for four weeks.
  • Testosterone Enanthate, two weekly injections of five hundred milligrams for eight weeks.

This cycle can be suitable for beginners but a more conservative dose would be:

  • Dianabol, fifteen to twenty milligrams daily for four weeks.
  • Testosterone Enanthate, two weekly injections of 250mg for eight weeks.

Smaller doses help stabilize estrogen levels so they do not drastically rise.  This is beneficial to bodybuilders as it helps prevent the production of natural testosterone from shutting down.

At times, Test Enanthate is cycled for four months but a sixteen-week cycle is often done by seasoned bodybuilders with multiple cycles under their belt; never should a new roid user run such a long cycle.

Cycle Notes

Below we cover how much rest and recovery you should get once your Dianabol cycle comes to an end.

Dianabol PCT (Post-Cycle Therapy)

Post-cycle therapy for Dianabol is a critical step to recovery as PCT will restore natural testosterone production in aim to preserve as much of the muscle and strength gained from the cycle as possible.

There is more than one drug a person may take to help their body produce natural testosterone to pre-cycle levels.  To note, the cycle below is an aggressive protocol for PCT treatment though it was created by one of the most trusted experts in hormone replacement therapy – Dr. Michael Scally.

In one study of nineteen men who underwent the PCT protocol made by Dr. Scally, one hundred percent of men saw the production of natural testosterone fully rebound within forty-five days of their last dose.

Here is what an aggressive yet highly effective post-cycle treatment for Dianabol looks like:

  • hCG, 2000 IU taken every other day for twenty days.
  • Nolvadex/Tamoxifen, two twenty-milligram tablets for forty-five days.
  • Clomid/Clomiphene, two fifty-milligram tablets for thirty days.

Dr. Scally – the brainchild behind this protocol – had success treating a group of a hundred men who had hypogonadism and it may work for you too if you ran a long cycle or need an aggressive recovery option.

PCT should begin the moment cycled compounds leave the body which you can figure out by multiplying the half-life of the drug by five and a half.  If we take Dbol, for example, it has a three to six-hour half-life which means it will take thirty-three hours to fully leave the body.  At which point, PCT treatment should commence!  On a final note, if you want to prevent gynecomastia and rising estrogen levels while cycling simply take Tamoxifen or Clomiphene as these can help while not adversely impacting cholesterol levels.

Dianabol (methandrostenolone) 10mg tablets by pharmaqo labs

Dianabol – Pills and Injections

Despite Dianabol mostly being in oral form, methandrostenolone does have an injectable variety but it is rarely sold on the black market as most prefer the convenience oral tablets afford.

Injectable Dbol exists due to its role in veterinary medicine, and per research, it is not that hepatotoxic as tests show it has little impact on liver enzyme levels, so the risk of liver damage is very minimal as it enters the bloodstream right away and does not get processed through the vital organ.

Another benefit of injectable Dbol is unlike the oral form, which is less bioavailable due to being broken down by the liver, it is a c17-Alpha-alkylated compound with effects that last longer due to its lengthier presence in the body. 

In oral form, a thirty-milligram dose is closer to twenty-six while an injected thirty-milligram dose will deliver the entire dose to the bloodstream.  This said, Dianabol in injectable form is the safer of the two options as it causes less strain and stress on the liver.  However, many prefer to swallow a pill instead as needles can be painful, dangerous, and inconvenient.  Plus, there is the risk of getting HIV or hepatitis, which is why needles should never be shared!

Of the two types, injectable Dbol has a longer half-life and to a considerable degree.  This means results do not show as fast as the oral form but muscle and strength gains will be much greater in later stages of the cycle.  Also, since the effects of injectable Dbol take longer than oral Dianabol to show, some cycle it for a longer period of time. 

Injectable Dbol has a half-life of around thirty-nine hours, which you should stay mindful of as you time initiation of PCT treatment.

Oral Dbol has a shorter half-life at three to six hours due to it being metabolized by the liver as this breaks it down and accelerates its removal from the body.  On the other hand, injectable Dbol bypasses the liver and goes straight to the bloodstream, and it is often administered via injection into the glutes, deltoids, or outer leg but this is risky as a nerve or blood vessel can be struck if not safely administered.

Where Do Bodybuilders Purchase Dianabol?

Where do bodybuilders buy dianabol and is it easy to get from the black market?  Great queries indeed!

Bodybuilders fortunate enough to live in the two counties it is legal – Mexico and Thailand – can buy methandrostenolone legally for recreational use without a prescription but for the rest of the world, steroid seekers must resort to black underground markets.

When it comes to buying steroids, the two grades they come in are Pharmaceutical or UGL, which is short for Underground Labs.

Most Dianabol is bought from underground labs, which are unregulated and not licensed or certified.  As such, it is little surprise many UGL steroids are under-dosed and counterfeited; an estimated twenty-five percent of them do not contain a single trace of steroids, this means some dealers are selling sugar pills that are simply stamped with the Dianabol name.

Fact: According to research, over three million Americans have used an anabolic-androgenic steroid for non-medical reasons.

Pharma-grade Dianabol is made in legal labs and produced for medical purposes.  These environments are regulated and adhere to stringent protocols, which means the safety and effectiveness of the final product are superb.  The one downside of pharma-grade Dianabol is it is more costly than Dbol from the black market, and this is in addition to real Dbol being hard to find from street-level dealers.

UGL and pharma-grade Dbol can be bought online but most buy it from a person they trust and know.

If you buy Dbol online, it can be risky and there is often no guarantee the order will arrive but if you do go this route be sure the website you are on has a valid SSL certificate with a secure HTTPS connection.

If you buy Dianabol in person, you still run the risk of getting a fake as a dealer that sells pharma-grade Dbol may being selling counterfeits instead.  If you take a dose and feel no effects you know it is a fake!

Different Dianabol Brands – Pharmaceutical Grade

Below we share legitimate brands of pharma-grade Dianabol that are trusted by bodybuilders who want to negate the inherent risks of UGL steroids and compounds.

Pharma methandrostenolone is the real deal as it is made in certified labs under scientist supervision. 

People wanting to obtain pharma-grade steroids get them imported illegally from countries like Thailand where it’s still used for medical reasons as it is banned in all other countries, including the United States.

Since pharma-grade Dbol is only legal in Mexico and Thailand, this is where most in the US order it from, let us have a look at the most popular Dianabol brands trusted by bodybuilders from around the world:

  • Metanabol, made by Jelfa.
  • Naposim, made by Terapia.
  • Generic, made by Landerlan.
  • Methandon, made by Acdhon.
  • Anabol, made by British Dispensary.
  • The Generic, made by Formula Magistral.
  • Danabol, made by Balkan Pharmaceuticals.
  • Danabol DS, made by March Pharmaceuticals.
  • Dronabol DS, made by Bangkok Lab & Cosmetic.

Below we cover each of these popular Dianabol brands that only sell and produce legitimate products.

Anabol

Anabol is produced in Thailand by the British Dispensary.

Pills are sold in five, ten, and fifteen-milligram sizes and come in bottles that range from a hundred to one thousand pills – the lower the dose, the more tablets come in the bottle.

There five-milligram Dbol pills are pink while the tens are yellow and the fifteens are blue.  This brand has measures in place to prevent others from counterfeiting their products so their labels often have a sticker with a hologram that is unique to the brand.  However, modern black market sellers are rather good at replicating such holograms with impressive accuracy.

Danabol DS

Danabol DS is made in Thailand by March Pharmaceuticals, whose pills are often nicknamed Dianabol Blue Hearts given their size, shape, and color.  Bottles they sell contain five hundred ten-milligram pills.  Fake pills that copy this brand often have inconsistent shades of blue while the real product will have a consistent color that does not fade or wash away.  Their products also have a hologram with their logo.

Dronabol DS

This is produced by a company named Bangkok Lab & Cosmetic.

They sell ten milligram Dianabol pills in bottles of five hundred or a thousand.

Methandon

This is made in Thailand by Acdhon, who sells five-milligram pills in bottles of one thousand tablets.

Naposim

This was originally made in Romania by Terapia but the brand merged with pharma giant Ranbaxy and is now produced by a company named Terapia Ranbaxy.

Some users refer to them as Naps or Naposim Dianabol, which in recent years, have been counterfeited more and more in black markets and underground labs.

Metanabol

This is made in Poland by Jelfa who sells five-milligram tablets.

Generic

This is made in Paraguay by Landerlan who sells ten-milligram Dbol pills in bottles of a hundred tablets.

The Generic

This one is produced in Argentina by Formula Magistral.

This manufacturer of Dianabol adds a security sticker to their levels in effort to prevent counterfeits, and it is a widely used and popular product in both South and North America.

Danabol

This is made in Moldova by Balkan Pharmaceuticals which sells twenty pink pills to a bottle in ten or fifty-milligram doses.  On their site, you can enter the code that is printed on their label to verify you have a genuine product in hand.

2024 –

Since 2024 new players have been entering the market and many of them proven themselves as reliable.

We’d like to mention Deus Medical, Beligas Pharma, Ultima Pharmaceuticals, Astera Labs and many more.

How to Not Get Scammed When Buying Dianabol

The best way to avoid scams when buying Dianabol is to find a trusted source from a friend or person you know.  It is never wise to buy from sellers or sources without merit as you can end up with a risky or counterfeit product. 

In a perfect world, you will get it from a seller who gave the person who referred you many doses with success though even then it is a good idea to test what you are sold with a testing kit to ensure you have the real deal, and to make sure the dose is what the seller says it is. 

Of course, it is safest to get pharma-grade steroids as UGL Dianabol may be cut with harmful substances.

How Much Does Dianabol Cost?

The cost of it varies based on the grade and country it is bought from but today, Thailand is the cheapest source of Dbol as it is readily available and still used for medical reasons.  Of course, pharma-grade Dbol costs much more than Dbol from underground labs.  Based on prices from anonymous sellers in the UK and US, here are common prices of UGL Dianabol:

Price of Dianabol in the UK:

  • 100 10mg pills for thirty pounds.
  • 1,000 5mg pills for one hundred and ninety pounds.

Price of Dianabol in the US:

  • 100 10mg pills for thirty to forty dollars.

Dianabol – Frequently Asked Questions

Join us below as we answer common inquiries of those who want to try Dianabol for the very first time.

Are Results from Dianabol Permanent?

Twenty to fifty percent of gains will usually fall off once a Dianabol cycle comes to an end.  Some of this loss is water and some is muscle, this means a sizable portion of gains should remain and be permanent.

As shared in the PCT section of this guide, effective and aggressive PCT treatment can reduce a catabolic state once a cycle ends, which helps the body to retain more of the new muscle you stacked on. 

While on this topic, there is evidence that says steroids have permanent impacts on myonuclei in muscle cells.  There was also a study where mice got exposed to anabolic compounds for a short period of time; they gained huge volumes of new muscle though it was soon lost once steroid exposure came to an end.

However, when these mice were exposed to strength training six months later they grew in size by thirty percent!  Given this, some believe steroids have permanent effects on myonuclei, and if true, this means bigger gains will naturally occur as a person ages.

The mice losing gains after steroid exposure is not what often occurs in humans as people usually retain most of the muscle they build during their cycle though this study may imply that brief steroid use could maximize natural growth potential with results that are lasting and permanent.

If you look at recent photos of old-timer bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger, you will see most are now drastically smaller in size but this likely has more to do with them not lifting weights than not taking steroids.  Remember, a person who stops working out and taking steroids can lose fifty or more pounds!

Can I Gain Fat on Dianabol?

To start, Dbol is a steroid that aromatizes so water retention can be significant.  Bloating and puffiness are common symptoms of Dbol use, which can deceivingly make a person look like they put on weight.

Water retention is nothing to really worry about as it is temporary and will subside once the cycle ends.  Many people burn fat with Dianabol as it spikes testosterone levels early on but much of it converts into estrogen, and if estrogen-testosterone levels become imbalanced, visceral fat may begin to accumulate.

Another study showed those who with a past of using steroids tend to produce build less fat, which is likely due to the fat-burning traits of the steroids.  However, studies suggest that even ex-steroid users can still make high levels of visceral fat, which correlates with anecdotal evidence and real-world cases.

Visceral fat is a dangerous form of fat that gathers around organs like the liver, stomach, and intestines.

This harmful fat collects deep within the abdomen and is not seen on the stomach like subcutaneous fat.

Excessive amounts of it can be risky as too much can cause cardiovascular issues like Type II diabetes to occur.  In bodybuilding, IFBB pros that compete usually have lots of visceral but little subcutaneous fat, this is due to the excessive steroid doses and cycles most run.  This is also why they often have a fatty or puffy look on stage – even though their body fat percentage during events is usually four percent or less.

As such, we can say Dianabol cycles cause visceral fat levels to rise, and subcutaneous fat levels to drop.  The only other thing that may cause subcutaneous fat gain is if a Dbol user adopts a calorie-surplus diet to enhance results during bulking season.

Why is Dianabol Not Working?

Beginners who take even mild doses of ten to twenty milligrams per day will achieve rapid muscle and strength gains.  In fact, its results and power is so great some people use it and see new muscle growth without lifting a single weight or finger.  As such, if your Dbol is not working, you were likely scammed!

The first thing to do is buy a kit that is able to test for Dianabol so you know if you have the real thing.

If you know you have real Dbol but see no gains and feel no effects, start taking doses in equal amounts during the day – every two to four hours without food – as this will keep steady levels of it in your system due to improved absorption.

Should I Take Dianabol With or Without Food?

Per research, taking Dbol or any other oral steroid on an empty stomach reduces its effectiveness and bioavailability.  This means for it to be most effective it should taken without food on an empty stomach as it is fat-soluble and can be dissolved, absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, and rendered useless if it is consumed with fatty foods.

Can I Use Dianabol for Cutting?

Can you use Dianabol for cutting?  Let us answer this below so you know if it is the proper choice or not.

While mostly used to bulk – given its profound enhancement on muscle and strength – Dbol may be used to cut by bodybuilders on a calorie-deficit diet as Dbol burns subcutaneous fat and preserves muscle and strength gains achieved from the cycle.  However, it is rare for Dianabol to be used in cutting phases as it will put the body in a catabolic state of calorie-deficiency.

This calorie deficit can inhibit its anabolic effects, which means those cycling Dbol should be on a calorie-surplus diet while bulking.  Also, keep in mind, Dbol causes extracellular water retention to significantly rise, which can cause bloating and muscle loss.  Given this, bodybuilders rarely cycle Dbol while cutting as the dominant goal is to maximize muscle definition with a small waist that compliments the physique.

This said, regular workouts and a low calorie-deficit diet often give strength and muscle-size gains during cycles that do not involve Dianabol, so there is little reason or benefit from using Dbol during cut season.

Can I Take Dianabol with Creatine?

Can you take dianabol with creatine?  This is a great question many ask!

Like Dianabol, Creatine causes a significant rise in intracellular water retention so when taken with Dbol the amount held in the body will be even greater.  This is not ideal as viscous blood and bloating is likely to follow – issues that can worsen blood pressure levels.

Also, Creatine is mostly used by natural bodybuilders who want to build strength and muscle mass, but these anabolic effects are not nearly as impressive as Dbol that bring results that are far more superior.

All this said, little benefit is reaped by taking creating with Dianabol but there are serious drawbacks like intense side effects and greater water retention.  For these reasons, rarely are the two stacked together.

Dianabol vs. Anadrol

Also known as Oxymetholone, Anadrol is a potent steroid most used in bulking cycles.

It is one of the best compounds to stack with Dianabol if the goal is to bulk and gain weight.

Anadrol and Dianabol can be taken in tandem for significant muscle and strength gains but they are very hepatotoxic and can cause liver enzymes to greatly rise, as such, it is a stack that is rarely recommended.

Anabolic Ratings:

  • Dianabol has an anabolic rating of 210.
  • Anadrol has an anabolic rating of 320.

Androgenic Rating:

  • Dianabol has an androgenic rating of 60.
  • Anadrol has an anabolic rating of 45.

Estrogenic Rating

  • Dianabol is mildly estrogenic.
  • Anadrol is highly estrogenic.

As shown above, the anabolic rating of Anadrol is greater so it can bring more muscle mass than Dbol.

But even so, Dianabol is the one more commonly cycled as it is has fewer and less intense side effects.

One reason people do not stack the two is the fact Anadrol is a highly estrogenic compound.  As such, gynecomastia, or excessive breast tissue growth, is likelier to occur when the two are taken together.

In terms of androgenicity, Anadrol is mild but most still feel side effects like those of Dianabol, which is much more androgenic.  As such, Anadrol is usually deemed superior of the two if gaining muscle mass is the goal.  On the other hand, Dianabol is the clear winner if you want huge gains without side effects.

Note: The general verdict is Dianabol is less harsh than Anadrol on the body with similar positive effects.

Dianabol vs. Trenbolone

Each of these compounds are very unique to the other yet both are used by bodybuilders in bulk cycles as Tren has strong fat-burning traits, and muscle and strength-gaining properties, that make it popular in cutting cycles too – let us cover the anabolic ratings of these two compounds to better understand them.

Anabolic Rating

  • Dianabol has an anabolic rating of 210.
  • Trenbolone has an anabolic rating of 500.

Androgenic Rating

  • Dianabol has an androgenic rating of 60.
  • Trenbolone has an androgenic rating of 500.

As a dry steroid that does not aromatize, Tren is beloved by many as it does not cause water retention, which means it is the ideal steroid for physique-minded bodybuilders.

On the other hand, Dianabol causes water retention, in most cases, due to its mild estrogen properties.

However, Gyno can occur from Tren use as it can with Dbol but via a unique physiological process.  Dbol can cause Gyno as it aromatizes and converts testosterone intro estrogen although, Trenbolone-induced Gyno is believed be due to the fact it binds to progesterone receptors, which can stimulate chest tissue growth in men, like estrogen.

Trenbolone is not a c17 alpha-alkylated compound so unlike Dianabol it is not hepatotoxic in mild doses. 

As such, those who want to cause as little hepatic strain as they can will have more peace of mind taking Tren instead.  It is more androgenic though, so side effects like acne or hair loss or oily skin are common.

While Dianabol is mostly used by men, some women do cycle it while avoiding the effects of virilization while females who take Trenbolone are more likely to endure effects of masculinization. 

If the mission is to build pure muscle mass, Trenbolone is the one to go with as it produces high quality muscles while causing no rise in intercellular water retention.  Keep in mind, though, Trenbolone is not suitable for those trying steroids for the first time as it is strong and potent with harsh side effects that impact the cardiovascular system.

Dianabol vs. Deca Durabolin

Anabolic Rating

  • Dianabol has an anabolic rating of 210.
  • Deca Durabolin has an anabolic rating of 125.

Androgenic Rating

  • Dianabol has an androgenic rating of 60.
  • Deca Durabolin has an androgenic rating of 37.

Dianabol and Deca Durabolin, which is often sold under the name Nandrolone, is a popular stack among bodybuilders who want to bulk and build muscle mass. 

As accurately shown in the figures above, Dbol is a powerful and capable steroid that can make stacking on muscle mass a rapid breeze.  As such, this is a very effective stack as when Deca Durabolin is stacked with mass- and muscle-building steroids like Dianabol it is able to accelerate muscle gains even more so!

Keep in mind, Deca gets injected so if you are a newcomer with a fear of needles, you will likely want to go with Dianabol instead as it comes in oral form.  Adding to it being an injectable, Deca Durabolin also has a greater half-life than Dianabol at six to twelve days – compared to three to six hours for Dianabol.

Given the longer half-life, results from Deca Durabolin are slower to show so it is often cycled for longer periods of time as this gives Nandrolone enough time to build up to effective levels in the bloodstream.

One advantage of Deca over Dbol is aromatization and estrogenic activity are kept to a minimum.  This means those on Deca are less likely to develop gynecomastia, yet it is still possible as mild progesterone activity occurs.  One other perk of Deca is it is not as taxing on the liver as it is not a c-17 alpha-alkylated compound like Dianabol – so liver enzyme levels should remain stable from start to finish of a Dbol cycle.

Adding to this, Deca Durabolin is not nearly as androgenic as compounds like Dbol so women who cycle it, compared to those who cycle Dbol, are not as likely to develop symptoms of virilization in low doses.

Deca is also less androgenic so men who cycle it rarely endure acne or hair loss as it does not cause DHT levels to excessively rise.  But even so, Dbol is strongest of the two compounds for muscle and strength gains but on the flip side Deca Durabolin is milder and has fewer estrogenic and androgenic side effects.

Dianabol vs. Testosterone

Hands-down, Dbol and Testosterone are two of the most powerful bulking steroids on the market today.

And as we said above in this guide, it is more anabolic but less androgenic than Testosterone so weight and muscle gain are to be expected when cycling it.  These compounds deliver more pronounced results stacked together than either taken solo though this can enhance estrogen and androgen-related effects.

On a closing note, some bodybuilders supplement Dbol with testosterone esters like Cypionate or Enanthate as these have long half-lives that allow Dbol to bring better results earlier on in a cycle.

Dianabol and Proviron

Also known as Mesterolone, Proviron is often stacked with Dbol, and despite being a weak anabolic roid, it was one of the most popular and commonly used steroids at the peak of bodybuilding in the 70s.  This classic, old-school stack delivers great gains as Proviron acts as a synergistic agent, which only enhances the results and anabolic effects of Dianabol.

Proviron enhances the effects by increasing the metabolites of steroids, like Dianabol, and by binding to SHBG hormones with high affinity, this further elevates energy and testosterone levels that much more.

Studies also show Proviron lowers the estrogenic effects of Dbol as it works as an anti-estrogenic agent.  As such, those cycling Proviron are unlikely to endure bloating or gynecomastia.  According to research, Proviron is also an effective PCT as it increases fertility and sperm count, unlike many anabolic steroids.

Picture of Dr. Marko Trajanovski
Dr. Marko Trajanovski
Dr. Marko Trajanovski Specialist in Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Men's Hormonal Health Dr. Marko Trajanovski is a board-certified endocrinologist specializing in testosterone replacement therapy and male hormonal health. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Trajanovski helps men restore healthy testosterone levels and improve their overall well-being. His patient-centered approach focuses on safety, science, and long-term health outcomes. Education and Training Fellowship in Endocrinology – University of Skopje, North Macedonia Residency in Internal Medicine – Clinical Center Skopje, Faculty of Medicine Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) – University of Skopje, North Macedonia Professional Background Dr. Trajanovski completed his medical degree and endocrinology training at the University of Skopje. Throughout his career, he has worked in both hospital and private practice settings, helping men with hormone imbalances, fatigue, low libido, and muscle loss caused by low testosterone levels. He uses evidence-based protocols to diagnose testosterone deficiency and tailors each treatment plan to the patient’s needs, using testosterone replacement therapy to restore hormonal balance and vitality. He also monitors patient progress closely to ensure optimal results and safety. Research and Advocacy Dr. Trajanovski actively contributes to clinical research on testosterone therapy and men’s health. He regularly participates in international conferences, sharing insights on hormone optimization and patient outcomes. He is dedicated to educating both patients and professionals about responsible hormone therapy use. Personal Life Outside of work, Dr. Trajanovski enjoys cycling and hiking in the mountains of North Macedonia. He lives in Skopje with his wife and daughter and is passionate about promoting healthy aging and lifestyle balance. Contact 📍 Skopje, North Macedonia 📧 [email protected]

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