Stanozolol is an oral anabolic steroid created by Winthrop Laboratories in the 1950’s under the popular trade name Winstrol. After the release of the oral form, which came and continues to come in numerous varying doses, injectable Stanozolol was released. The injectable form of Stanozolol is better known as Winstrol Therapeutically Winstrol has enjoyed a fair amount of success; however, in medical settings the original oral form is more common. In performance enhancing settings both are commonly used, both oral Winstrol and Winstrol Preferences between the two rarely have anything to do with effectiveness and far more often everything to do with rumor. Regardless of the form (oral or injectable) Winstrol remains one of the most popular anabolic steroids of all time. This is a steroid that has been used in most every sport you can think of, and is a favorite of many bodybuilders during contest prep. Winstrol also holds numerous benefits in the medical world from treating osteoporosis, combating muscle wasting diseases, aiding burn victims and those who undergo prolonged exposure to corticosteroids. Winstrol, surprisingly to some is even used as a fat loss aid in some cases when severe hormone imbalances exist. Bone fracture treatment and even treating delayed growth in children have all been successful uses of Winstrol

Winstrol Functions & Traits
Winstrol is an injectable anabolic androgenic steroid of the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) class. Specifically, it is an altered form of DHT. Winstrol exists by introducing a pyrazol group to the DHT hormone replacing the keto group with an A-ring making it a heterocyclic steroid. The hormone is then given an added methyl group in order to protect it once inside the body. This structural change classifies Winstrol as a C17-alpha alkylated (C17-aa) anabolic steroid. The hormone is then suspended in water; water is used as a carrying agent so that it may be injected into the body. Important Note: Winstrol can be suspended in oil but water base solutions are by far the most common. Winstrol is an extremely anabolic hormone possessing an anabolic rating of 320. However, due to the structural changes made to the DHT hormone its androgenicity is rather low with an androgenic rating of 20. It does possess androgenic traits, but they are mild in most users, although somewhat stronger in women compared to men. Winstrol carries with it numerous positive traits; perhaps one of the most beneficial is in its ability to lower Sex-Hormone-Binding-Globulin (SHBG). There are several anabolic steroids that can do this, but there aren’t many that can do so at the rate of Stanozolol. The lowering of SHBG increases free testosterone. Free testosterone is our active usable testosterone, and what isn’t free is bound, primarily by SHBG. If we lower SHBG our active testosterone increases. This same lowering of SHBG will also cause any other steroidal hormones being used to be more effective. Data has shown Winstrol may decrease SHBG in the individual by as much as 50%. Winstrol carries with it numerous traits beyond reductions in SHBG. This hormone is effective for increasing protein synthesis, increasing nitrogen retention and red blood cell count and reducing the body’s glucocorticoid levels (stress hormones). On a structural basis Winstrol is identical to oral Winstrol; both are comprised of the same Stanozolol hormone. There is no difference in these two steroids other than the method of delivery. Either form will produce the same results. Some individuals do believe the oral form might lower SHBG a little more than the Depot form, but data shows any difference is rather insignificant in most all cases. Some users also report Winstrol being more potent on a milligram for milligram basis, but again the data doesn’t support this, and that’s not surprising since it’s the same anabolic steroid in both forms. Important Note: Winstrol is a C17-aa anabolic steroid just as its oral counterpart is. Both forms are equally toxic to the liver. Important Note: Although this hormone is identical in oral and injectable form, this does not hold true with all steroids that can be found in both forms. The best example of this would be in Primobolan and Primobolan Depot. Effects of Winstrol Winstrol has never been a steroid anyone would call a “bulking” steroid. You will rarely find a bodybuilder who uses this hormone in his off-season stack. Winstrol is best used for athletic purposes and cutting cycles. Theoretically it could be used during a bulking phase in order to take advantage of the reduction of SHBG. However, due to this steroid’s high level of toxicity this would be considered highly irresponsible use. For the athlete, this is one of the best strength increasing steroids available, even more so for an athlete since it’s not known for adding a lot of mass. If mass is what you’re looking for this is the wrong steroid. Winstrol will help the athlete with speed and power. No, it will not give you athletic talent and you will still have to work just as hard. The misconception by many is taking a steroid like Winstrol and you’ll perform better with less required work. But reality is taking a steroid like Winstrol so that you can do what you’re doing right but a little better. Athletes and bodybuilders alike should find recovery is improved as is muscular endurance. Bodybuilders will also enjoy the strength traits of the steroid during a cutting cycle as strength is often lost during this phase. Winstrol may be able to help you maintain more strength during the period of low calorie consumption. Myth: Athletes should avoid Winstrol because it weakens the tendons. Truth: Data has shown Winstrol strengthens the tendons, and it’s also good for our bones. It wouldn’t be used to treat osteoporosis if this weren’t the case. Myth: Winstrol makes your joints hurt. Truth: There’s nothing structural about Winstrol that will make your joints hurt. Most who use it do so when cutting, therefore they’re leaner, which often results in achy joints. Some also train harder when using this steroid (increased endurance and recovery) they also train heavier (recall increased strength). All of these things can cause joint pain. The effects of Winstrol while greatly appreciated by many athletes can be seen at their peak during cutting cycles, especially those of an extreme nature such as a competitive bodybuilder. This steroid can help preserve lean mass that is often lost when dieting. We can’t call it the best steroid for this purpose, but it does carry this ability. Where the effects of Winstrol truly shine is in its ability to make the physique appear harder, more vascular and far more defined. This will not occur with a thick covering of fat over the body. This steroid works best in cutting cycles when introduced at the back end of the plan once the individual is already fairly lean. This is one of the best steroids on the market for physique shaping and defining purposes.

Side Effects of Winstrol
There are several possible side effects of Winstrol We cannot call this the most dangerous anabolic steroid by any means, but we also can’t call it the most side effect friendly. Most healthy men should be able to avoid the side effects of Winstrol that are of consequence, and this will also hold true for some women with low dose use. However, as with all things in life genetic response will be the primary factor along with understanding the possible negative issues. In order to help understand the possible side effects of Winstrol we have broken them down into their respective categories below.

Estrogenic:
There are no estrogenic side effects of Winstrol This steroid cannot convert to estrogen, which means it cannot cause gynecomastia or water retention. This also means high blood pressure associated with extreme water retention cannot occur. However, high blood pressure is still possible in some individuals.

Androgenic:
Androgenic side effects of Winstrol are possible despite this steroid’s low androgenicity. Hair loss and acne are both possible. Acne is dependent on genetic sensitivity. Hair loss can only occur in those predisposed to male pattern baldness, meaning you were going to lose your hair at some point anyway. If you are predisposed to male pattern baldness there is a very good chance Winstrol will speed it up.

Important Note: The 5-alpha reductase enzyme does not metabolize the Stanozolol hormone, which is the enzyme responsible for reducing testosterone to DHT. Stanozolol (Winstrol) is already DHT; therefore 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (Finasteride) will do nothing to combat the androgenic side effects of Winstrol

Women are also susceptible to the androgenic side effects of Winstrol as it pertains to virilization. Virilization symptoms may include a deepening of the vocal chords, clitoral enlargement and body hair growth. Women can use this steroid without virilization symptoms if low doses are used, but some women will be too sensitive at any dose. This can be a decent choice for some female athletes, but we can’t label it the top choice. If it is used and symptoms occur, if use is discontinued at their onset they will fade away. If the symptoms are ignored and use continues they may become irreversible.

Cardiovascular:
The cardiovascular side effects of Winstrol are the most concerning. This is a steroid that’s well known for having a significant negative impact on cholesterol by lowering HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and increasing LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). As mentioned in the estrogenic section it can also have a negative impact on blood pressure in some users.

Important Note: If you suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol or any cardiovascular related condition you should not use this anabolic steroid.

If you are healthy enough for use the cardiovascular side effects of Winstrol can be avoided if a healthy lifestyle is lived. There will be those are sensitive despite a healthy state making keeping an eye on your health during and after use very important. Regular cardiovascular activity is strongly recommended with a cardiovascular friendly diet being highly important. Diets should be rich in omega fatty acids and low in saturated fats and simple sugars. The use of a cholesterol antioxidant is also a good idea.

Testosterone:
The use of Winstrol will suppress the production of natural testosterone in all men. Genetics will not protect any man from this. For this reason the use of some form of exogenous testosterone is extremely important when using Winstrol or the individual will put themselves into a low testosterone state. Low testosterone is not only very unhealthy but carries with it numerous possible bothersome symptoms.

Important Note: The form of testosterone used is inconsequential.

Once the use of Winstrol has come to an end and all anabolic steroids have cleared the system natural testosterone production will begin again. This will not occur overnight, but Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) programs are recommended. A PCT plan will not be the end of the solution, time itself will still be needed, but a PCT will increase the chances of a sound and solid recovery.

Important Note: Natural testosterone recovery assumes no damage was done to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA) and that no prior low level condition existed.

Hepatotoxicity:
Like all C17-aa anabolic steroids Winstrol is toxic to the liver. Compared to other C17-aa steroids this steroid’s toxicity falls somewhere in the middle. Liver enzyme values will go up during use. With proper use they should return to normal once use is discontinued.

Important Note: This steroid should not be used if you have liver disease or any existing liver issue. This steroid should only be used if healthy enough for use and only if the following can be applied:

1. Use must not extend past 6-8 weeks.
2. Excess alcohol should be avoided if not all alcohol.
3. No other C17-aa steroids should be used.
4. Over the counter medications should be avoided when possible as many are also liver toxic.
5. Liver cleansers should be used.