Testosterone cypionate[edit | edit code]
Testosterone cypionate from Watson Pharma USA Cypionate from Gerth Pharmaceuticals (volume 10 ml, 250 mg/ml)
Testosterone cypionate
is one of the longest testosterone esters available today. Its half-life in the body is approximately 15 to 16 days (half-life 6 to 8 days). The drug is available in the form of an oil solution. Because it works over such a long period of time, it may cause water retention to a greater extent than other anabolic steroids. Most often it is used in combined courses to gain muscle mass.
In the body, testosterone cypionate acts as a natural hormone. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is responsible for many of the physical and emotional qualities of a man. It causes deepening of the voice, libido, aggression and muscle growth. Testosterone works through anabolic receptors, causing muscles to retain more nitrogen, which in turn creates muscle proteins.
The disadvantage of testosterone cypionate is that it aromatizes, or in other words, turns into estrogens. When too much estrogen is produced in the male body, female characteristics begin to appear: gynecomastia, water retention, female-type fat deposition, and a decrease in sexual desire and testicular atrophy occur. Most unwanted effects can be prevented if the drug is used correctly.
Steroid profile of Testosterone Cypionate
The steroid demonstrates:
- 100% anabolic and androgenic effects from testosterone;
- significant suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-testes chain;
- no toxic effect on the liver;
- high level of estrogen conversion.
Any form of testosterone acts through anabolic receptors. Cypionate is no exception. This allows you to significantly increase the hormone’s ability to retain nitrogen, which is the main building block for creating protein in the muscles.
Description[edit | edit code]
The rate of elimination from the body is comparable to enanthate.
Testosterone cypionate is especially common in the United States. Although testosterone enanthate is produced at an increasing rate throughout the world, cypionate is manufactured primarily in America. Therefore, it is not surprising that American athletes most often use it in their practice.
Many argue that the preferences of American athletes are associated not so much with the greater availability of cypionate compared to other esters, but with its greater anabolic effect. The disadvantages of the drug, including fluid retention, can be eliminated with the help of antiestrogens.
If we compare testosterone cypionate and enanthate objectively, we can conclude that the two steroids are interchangeable, and cypionate is essentially no better. Both are long-acting and oil-based, injectable. This allows you to maintain high testosterone levels for about two weeks. Enanthate may be preferable in terms of releasing the free form of testosterone, since there is one less carbon atom in this ester (the duration of action of the testosterone ester is longer, the longer the ester chain). Despite heated discussions on forums, in practice the difference is very insignificant, so the choice may be dictated more by availability than by pharmacological properties.
Effects[edit | edit code]
Like all injectable forms of testosterone, cypionate causes significant gains in muscle mass and strength during the cycle. Since testosterone is easily converted into estrogens, approximately 30% of the mass will be fluid, which is quickly lost after the end of the cycle.
For the same reason, testosterone cypionate is of little use for the cycle. Excessive levels of estrogen caused by this drug can quickly lead to the development of gynecomastia, which manifests itself as soreness, swelling, or hardness in the nipple area. To prevent this, auxiliary drugs (Nolvadex or Clomid) are used. Antiestrogens minimize the influence of estrogens and reduce the effect of anabolic steroids in a targeted direction. It is best to use aromatase blockers.
Since testosterone is the primary male androgen, significant androgenic side effects can also be expected. Their severity is largely related to the rate at which testosterone in the body is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This substance is a metabolite of testosterone, which is responsible for the development of the known androgenic effects that are associated with the use of testosterone cypionate. These include: increased sebum production, acne, hair growth on the body and face, and male pattern baldness.
Not everyone experiences hair loss on their scalp. Those who have a genetic predisposition (a case of baldness in the family) should be concerned about this primarily. To prevent this side effect, you can use the drug Propecia (Proscar), which blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Propecia significantly reduces the risk of alopecia, and also reduces the likelihood of other androgenic effects.
About drugs
Questions about the differences between these two means concern many. You can find a lot of conflicting information on the Internet. Some claim that Cypionate was made exclusively for the US market, and Enanthate for sale in Europe. Others say that Enanthate is a longer ester than Cypionate. Let's try to figure it out.
Both drugs were produced at almost the same time. The need for these esters arose at a time when many complaints arose about the short action of “Propionate”. In principle, the drugs are very similar. They have the same androgenic and anabolic activity, and some elements of these drugs are converted in the body into dihydrotestosterone. In addition, the drugs tend to turn into estrogens and retain water.
What then is the difference between “Enanthate” and “Cypionate”? And why produce two identical ethers? The drugs have different chemical structures. Cypionate has one more carbon atom than Enanthate. This suggests that the first drug works longer than the second. Enanthate can also release the free form of the hormone testosterone. In principle, these are all the differences between steroids. It is also more popular among athletes than Enanthate. And, according to reviews from athletes, it retains less fluid in the body.
Course[edit | edit code]
Despite the fact that the duration of action of the drug is quite long, injections are performed once a week to keep the concentration constantly high.
The average single dose is 250-500 mg per week, with the goal of gaining muscle mass. The drug gives good results when conducting a “solo” course. Practice shows that doses higher than 800-1000 mg do not lead to better results, but the risk of side effects increases sharply.
As noted above, to block the action of estrogens, it is necessary to use Tamoxifen (10 mg per day, starting from the second week of the cycle and ending 2 weeks after the end of testosterone intake). A more preferable option: use Proviron during the course. After the end of testosterone administration, Proviron should be replaced with Tamoxifen to restore the secretion of your own testosterone. The use of antiestrogens reduces the accumulation of fluid in the body and also suppresses the development of gynecomastia. Be sure to read the article about the PCT.
If the duration of the course exceeds 4 weeks, it is necessary to use gonadotropin 500 IU, 1 time per week throughout the course, starting from the 3rd week.
Combined course[edit | edit code]
The combined course of testosterone cypionate is not much different from the “solo” course. The drug is most often combined with Nandrolone at a dose of 200 mg per week. Cypionate dosage is on average 200 mg per week.
Recommendations for use of Nebido
The dose and number of injections are determined only after a complete examination. Hormonal medications with testosterone as the main active ingredient can negatively affect the process of spermatogenesis. And Nebido in this sense was no exception. Androgens may contribute to the development of prostate carcinoma. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is advisable to measure the level of tumor markers. Numerous studies have revealed the ability of the drug to significantly reduce the rate of excretion of sodium ions. Which in turn leads to swelling in one form or another.
Therefore, during therapy, special attention should be paid to the drinking regime and kidney function. Requires control measurements of general hormonal levels at least 2 times a month and testosterone levels at least 3-4 times a month. In the instructions for use, the manufacturer warns that it has not conducted clinical studies with patients:
- having problems with the liver and kidneys;
- under 18 years of age,
- taking other medications.
Medicinal properties
Steroid hormones (androgens) have an anabolic effect on the body. Protein synthesis increases. The drug blocks their premature decay. Cell activity increases during the breakdown of glucose. Strength increases and muscles grow. The total amount of subcutaneous fat decreases. The functioning of the sex glands is normalized.
The drug is not fast-acting, so you cannot expect immediate results. The effect is achieved after several weeks of injections. When testosterone levels reach normal levels, treatment should be stopped to avoid side effects.
The advantages of the drug include the complete absence of negative effects on the liver.
Indications for use
For men:
- sexual underdevelopment;
- functional disorders in the reproductive system (including impotence associated with endocrine disorders, eunuchoidism, oligospermia);
- menopause (the period after 50 years when men are no longer able to reproduce) and associated nervous and vascular disorders;
- prostatic hypertrophy;
- acromegaly (enlargement of internal organs, feet and hands, nose and lower jaw, metabolic disorders).
For women:
- breast and ovarian cancer in women under 60 years of age; dysfunctional uterine bleeding in elderly women;
- menopausal vascular and nervous disorders (if there are contraindications to estrogen or female sex hormones).
Medical applications
Testosterone cypionate is used primarily in androgen replacement therapy. It is currently FDA approved for the treatment of primary or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (either congenital or acquired). Its safety in andropause (with late onset hypogonadism in men) has not yet been established. Currently used off-label for breast cancer, mammary gland disorders, delayed puberty in boys, oligospermia (low sperm count), hormone replacement therapy in transgender men, and osteoporosis.
Society and culture
Family names
Testosterone cypionate
is the generic name of the drug and its USP.
The drug does not have a TIN, USAN or BAN. It is also referred to as testosterone cipionate
, as well as
testosterone cyclopentylpropionate
or
testosterone cyclopentane propionate
.
Trade marks
Testosterone cypionate is or has been marketed under various brand names, including Andro Cyp, Andronaq LA, Andronate, Dep Andro, Dep Test, Deposteron, Depostomead, Depotest, Depo-Testosterone, Depovirin, Durandro, Duratest, Jectatest, Malogen CYP, Pertestis, Test-C, Testadiate Depot, Testex Elmu Prolongatum, Testoject L.A., Virilon.
Availability
Testosterone cypionate is sold in the United States. It is not widely available outside the United States, although it has been sold in Canada, Australia, Spain, Brazil and South Africa.
Legal status
Testosterone cypionate, along with other AAS, is a controlled substance in the United States under the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Act in Canada under Controlled Drugs and Substances.
