Stanozolol, higher often known as Winstrol, is likely one of the most well-known steroids of all time.
Many individuals who begin a Winstrol cycle achieve this as a result of they’ve heard it might assist them construct muscle, achieve energy, and shed fats shortly—and for probably the most half, that’s true. Simply check out some Winstrol earlier than and after pictures, and also you’ll see spectacular transformations.
Mix this with claims that Winstrol’s uncomfortable side effects are milder than many different steroids, and it’s simple to see why so many bodybuilders are wanting to inject or ingest this highly effective drug.
However whereas the “advertising” is likely to be compelling, the truth is that Winstrol’s uncomfortable side effects are vital and outweigh the advantages for most individuals.
As an illustration, simply a few cycles of Winstrol can result in:
- Liver harm
- Coronary heart illness
- Lowered pure testosterone and testicle measurement
- Achy joints
- Zits
- Toxin publicity
- And extra
To be taught extra about these uncomfortable side effects, what Winstrol does, its advantages, and extra, maintain studying.
What Is Winstrol?
Winstrol, often known as “Winny,” is the model title of a artificial (man-made) anabolic steroid known as stanozolol (stan-oh-zo-lol). It often is available in two varieties: Winstrol capsules and as an injectable liquid known as “Winstrol Depot.”
Chemists developed Winstrol at Winthrop Laboratories 1962 by modifying a naturally occurring steroid known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in order that it produced stronger muscle-building results with fewer masculinizing uncomfortable side effects.
Within the Sixties, Winstrol was briefly permitted for treating circumstances like osteoporosis, muscle losing, and progress insufficiency in kids, however the FDA shortly banned it for all however a number of uncommon medical circumstances.
Winstrol is technically nonetheless permitted for sure medical functions, however no pharmaceutical corporations in the US have produced it since 2003.
Whereas Winstrol remains to be accessible in Europe below the model title Stromba, many of the Winstrol within the U.S. now comes from non-public labs “cooking” their very own steroids in locations like Mexico or Thailand.
What Does Winstrol Do?
The most important advantage of Winstrol is its means that will help you pack on muscle quickly.
However with so many anabolic steroids providing an identical profit, what does Winstrol try this units it aside?
To know why so many athletes cycle Winstrol reasonably than different anabolic compounds, you could perceive how steroids work.
How Steroids Work
Most of your physique’s cells have specialised proteins on their surfaces known as androgen receptors.
Consider these receptors as mailboxes that solely settle for messages from testosterone and comparable hormones circulating in your blood.
When a testosterone molecule or different steroid “attaches” to an androgen receptor, it delivers its message to the cell’s nucleus, giving directions on the way to behave.
Steroids sometimes inform cells to construct muscle, one thing researchers confer with as a steroid’s anabolic impact.
Nonetheless, additionally they ship different alerts known as androgenic results, which promote male traits, together with physique and facial hair progress, a deeper voice, a extra pronounced jawline, aggression, and pimples. These are often the uncomfortable side effects steroid customers wish to keep away from.
Researchers have identified for many years that every one steroids have each anabolic and androgenic results. To quantify the steadiness between these results, they developed the anabolic ratio, which compares a steroid’s muscle-building potential to its probability of inflicting undesirable uncomfortable side effects.
Testosterone is the baseline, and has an anabolic to androgenic ratio of 100:100.
Importantly, a lot of the research behind this ratio comes from research on rat muscle—particularly the sleek muscle surrounding the anus. Since people aren’t rats, and clean muscle isn’t the identical as skeletal muscle, we must always take this ratio with a grain of salt.
However, it’s nonetheless a helpful place to begin for estimating a steroid’s muscle-building potential versus its uncomfortable side effects.
Winstrol Advantages
Many bodybuilders and athletes love “Winny” as a result of they consider its advantages outweigh its uncomfortable side effects.
Nonetheless, Winstrol’s benefits aren’t at all times as clear-cut as they could appear.
Let’s break down the purported advantages of Winstrol and see how they stack up.
Much less Masculinizing
One in every of Winstrol’s most touted advantages is that it boosts muscle progress greater than testosterone whereas inflicting fewer androgenic uncomfortable side effects.
In observe, issues aren’t fairly this clear minimize, although.
Winstrol‘s anabolic to androgenic ratio is 320:30, however because of the arcane legal guidelines of steroid science, this doesn’t imply a Winstrol cycle will construct precisely 3 times extra muscle than testosterone (extra on why quickly).
What it does imply is that, milligrams per milligram, Winstrol is more practical at constructing muscle than testosterone and produces fewer destructive uncomfortable side effects.
That is significantly essential when discussing Winstrol for ladies, who typically keep away from extremely androgenic medicine (like trenbolone) attributable to their harsh, masculinizing uncomfortable side effects.
As an illustration, when females take extremely androgenic steroids, they will count on all of the issues males expertise, together with balding, elevated physique hair progress, pimples, deepened voice, elevated aggression, and infertility.
As well as, they might additionally expertise:
- Clitoral enlargement (clitoromegaly)
- Masculine jawline progress
- Menstrual irregularities
- Breast shrinkage
- Delivery defects
- Extreme despair
Which is why many feminine bodybuilders who’ve taken highly effective steroids for years find yourself wanting and sounding like, nicely, males:
Due to its low androgenic rating, Winstrol in ladies poses fewer dangers, making it a preferred selection for females who need the muscle-building advantages of steroids with out turning into jacked gargoyles.
That mentioned, there’s scant long-term analysis on how steroids have an effect on ladies (or males), so it’s unattainable to know what Winstrol uncomfortable side effects ladies would expertise in the event that they took it for years on finish.
No Estrogen Conversion
One other advantage of Winstrol is that your physique doesn’t convert it into estrogen, the first feminine intercourse hormone. That is in contrast to most steroids, which usually elevate estrogen ranges.
In males, the enzyme aromatase converts a share of our testosterone into estrogen via a course of known as aromatization.
Usually, males keep low estrogen ranges. However when steroids skyrocket your testosterone ranges, estrogen ranges improve proportionally, resulting in undesirable feminizing results like gynecomastia (“man boobs”), water retention, and fats achieve.
To counter these uncomfortable side effects, many athletes use estrogen blockers, however this strategy has its personal drawbacks.
Estrogen is essential for muscle restoration, because it helps muscular tissues absorb glucose, boosts anabolic hormone ranges, and increases the variety of androgen receptors in muscle cells. It additionally means that you can practice more durable by bolstering serotonin ranges, which will increase your arousal, focus, and skill to push your self in exercises.
So, how is a roider to reap the advantages of estrogen with out rising man boobs and getting bloated and fats?
Winstrol is a part of the reply.
As a result of it doesn’t convert into estrogen, you possibly can take it with out worrying about these uncomfortable side effects. That is why Winstrol is the steroid of selection amongst many athletes trying to maximize muscle mass, energy, and efficiency, with out the bloating and fats achieve that always accompany different steroids.
Nonetheless, there’s a trade-off.
Steroids that don’t improve estrogen ranges are typically much less efficient for muscle progress. That is why individuals who solely take a Winstrol cycle sometimes don’t make the dramatic measurement good points that folks taking testosterone, Dianabol, and different estrogen-producing steroids do.
In different phrases, Winstrol’s muscle-building properties are hamstrung by its lack of ability to boost estrogen ranges, which is why it’s not as efficient for constructing mass as pure testosterone, regardless of its increased anabolic rating.
Due to its lack of aromatization into estrogen, Winstrol additionally produces little if any water retention or fats achieve, which makes it a really perfect steroid for slicing or lean bulking (or sprinting, in case you’re Ben Johnson).
Enhances Different Steroids
Another excuse many bodybuilders and athletes cycle Winstrol is that it really works synergistically with different steroids to advertise muscle progress.
It does this by lowering ranges of sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) within the blood. SHBG is a protein that “blocks” the results of testosterone by binding to it, stopping it from delivering its muscle-building alerts to cells.
By lowering SHBG ranges within the blood, Winstrol makes the opposite steroids you’re taking stronger, too.
Though all anabolic steroids cut back SHBG ranges, Winstrol is especially efficient.
instance of this comes from a study carried out by scientists on the College of Hamburg. The researchers had 25 younger folks take a stanozolol cycle (Winstrol) of 0.2 mg/kg per day for 3 days.
It is a typical Winstrol dosage for a small bodybuilder.
The scientists measured everybody’s SHBG and hormone ranges earlier than and for a number of days after they began taking Winstrol.
The outcomes confirmed that Winstrol decreased SHBG ranges by a mean of 48% after only a week. As compared, testosterone often reduces SHBG ranges by round 30%.
The takeaway is that Winstrol not solely boosts its personal muscle-building results but additionally enhances the effectiveness of another steroids you’re utilizing. And that’s why most knowledgeable steroid customers take a Winstrol cycle along with different steroids, like testosterone.
Winstrol Facet Results
Now that you realize the “perks” of taking Winstrol, let’s have a look at its downsides.
The principle warnings you discover on-line are:
- Liver harm
- Coronary heart illness
- Lowered pure testosterone ranges and testicle measurement
- Achy joints
- Zits
- Toxin publicity
Sounds enjoyable!
Let’s go over every.
Liver Injury
Whereas stanozolol is accessible in each capsule and injectable varieties, most customers want to take Winstrol capsules.
Taking Winstrol capsules is extra handy than injecting it—you don’t must “pin” your self a number of instances weekly and capsules are simpler to hide than needles and needle marks.
Taking steroids in capsule kind has vital drawbacks, although.
Injectable steroids bypass the liver and go straight into the bloodstream, permitting extra of the compound to achieve your muscular tissues with out stressing your liver.
In distinction, whenever you swallow most steroids, an enzyme in your liver known as 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) breaks them down. Even in case you took an entire bottle of testosterone capsules, solely a tiny fraction would enter your bloodstream—in all probability not sufficient to fail a drug check.
To stop this from occurring, chemists mix steroids with carbon and hydrogen atoms in a course of known as alkylation. This modification permits the steroids to go via your liver intact and enter your bloodstream, the place they shortly start telling your muscular tissues to develop.
The issue is that this course of can harm your liver.
Scientists nonetheless aren’t certain precisely why or how this happens, however probably the most believable idea is that the liver is highly sensitive to anabolic steroids. When it isn’t capable of break down the steroids—which is the case with oral steroids like stanozolol—the surplus can cause liver harm and dysfunction.
The commonest type of liver harm from Winstrol use is cholestasis, a situation the place bile circulate from the liver to the digestive system slows or stops.
This causes a buildup of bile salts, bilirubin, and different digestive compounds within the liver and blood, which leads to every kind of issues together with:
- Clay-colored stool
- Amber-colored urine
- Jaundice
- Itching
- Nausea
- Abdomen ache
- Lowered urge for food
- Fatigue
- Loss of life of liver tissue
Extra extreme signs can embrace liver inflammation, peliosis hepatis (blood-filled cysts on the liver), internal bleeding, and numerous types of liver cancer.
Taking Winstrol capsules doesn’t mechanically lead to liver harm, after all, and there could also be issues you are able to do to reduce your danger.
As an illustration, a 2018 study steered train may provide some safety. It discovered that whereas Winstrol will increase the danger of liver harm in rats, train helped cut back a number of the dangerous results. It additionally discovered that the liver harm brought on by Winstrol is “dose-dependent.”
In different phrases, Winstrol-induced liver harm in all probability solely turns into a difficulty whenever you take excessive doses for lengthy intervals. That is why most knowledgeable steroid customers restrict Winstrol cycles to 8-to-12 weeks or much less earlier than giving their liver a break.
That mentioned, the dangers are nonetheless very actual. A number of case reports have detailed how in any other case wholesome bodybuilders have died of liver most cancers after taking oral steroids.
We additionally haven’t any long-term research investigating how completely different Winstrol dosages have an effect on the liver.
Moreover, we don’t totally perceive how combining Winstrol, steroids of different varieties, and fewer potent anabolic compounds like SARMs may have an effect on liver well being. This leaves us with an incomplete image of how a real-world steroid “stack” containing Winstrol impacts the liver.
Thus, irrespective of the way you slice it, Winstrol poses a severe danger to liver well being.
Coronary heart Illness
Winstrol can have severe results on coronary heart well being, significantly on levels of cholesterol.
It tends to decrease HDL (good) ldl cholesterol and lift LDL (unhealthy) ldl cholesterol, shifting the steadiness in a manner that will increase the danger of arteriosclerosis—a situation the place arteries harden and slim, resulting in coronary heart illness.
In a single study revealed within the journal JAMA, wholesome male weightlifters who took 6 mg of oral Winstrol every day for six weeks skilled a 33% drop in HDL ldl cholesterol and a 29% improve in LDL ldl cholesterol. Collectively, these adjustments put them at higher danger of heart problems.
Even injectable Winstrol isn’t protected for the center. In a study of 12 wholesome males, a single 50-mg Winstrol injection led to a 30% drop in HDL ldl cholesterol and a 33% improve in LDL ldl cholesterol. Worryingly, these adjustments remained elevated for 4 weeks.
Lowered Pure Testosterone Ranges and Testicle Dimension
Like each different steroid, Winstrol reduces your pure testosterone ranges. That is an unavoidable, intractable, inherent aspect impact of all steroids—you possibly can’t cut back, modify, or change it in any respect.
To know why, let’s have a look at how your physique produces testosterone:
- Your testes (or ovaries in women) produce testosterone. In case your “T” ranges dip, a portion of the mind known as the hypothalamus senses the lower and releases a hormone known as Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH).
- The pituitary gland detects the elevated GnRH ranges and produces luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which trigger specialised cells within the testes often known as Leydig cells to supply testosterone.
- As testosterone ranges rise, the hypothalamus produces much less GnRH, testosterone manufacturing decreases, and the cycle repeats itself.
Assuming somebody is in any other case wholesome, this method does a remarkably good job of conserving testosterone ranges inside a comparatively slim vary.
The whole lot adjustments whenever you introduce anabolic steroids, although.
The sudden surge in testosterone causes the hypothalamus to drastically cut back GnRH manufacturing, which shuts down LH and FSH manufacturing and halts pure testosterone manufacturing.
Inside days of taking steroids, pure testosterone ranges plummet, and over a number of months, your testicles shrink.
Within the case of Winstrol, the suppressive impact on testosterone is sizable. As an illustration, in a study revealed in Scientific Endocrinology, males given 10 mg of Winstrol every day for two weeks noticed their testosterone ranges fall by 55%.
The one approach to restore pure testosterone manufacturing and testicle measurement is to cease taking steroids. Even then, it might take a number of months earlier than testosterone ranges and testicle measurement return to regular.
Achy Joints
An web seek for Winstrol’s uncomfortable side effects will usually deliver up claims that it makes joints really feel achy, sore, and stiff. These claims are possible misguided.
Winstrol causes little to no water retention, which makes you look leaner, “fuller,” and “drier.” Bodybuilders usually mistakenly make the apocryphal declare that Winstrol does this by “pulling water out of your joints.”
They’re unsuitable.
Whereas Winstrol doesn’t trigger vital water retention like different steroids, it doesn’t dehydrate you or pull water out of your joints (or another a part of your physique).
There are two extra possible the explanation why bodybuilders complain of joint ache when taking Winstrol:
- They learn it on-line, anticipated it to occur, after which skilled joint ache due to the nocebo effect.
- They had been coaching more durable, extra usually, and with extra volume (units)—frequent advantages of Winstrol use. The elevated coaching quantity and depth possible precipitated the joint soreness, not the Winstrol itself.
In actuality, steroids typically promote tissue progress, therapeutic, and restoration, so that you’d count on steroids (Winstrol included) to make your joints extra sturdy, resilient, and robust whilst you’re taking them—not weaker.
Zits
Zits is caused by micro organism residing within the pores and skin’s oil. Scientists aren’t solely certain why or the way it flares up, however something that will increase oil manufacturing within the pores and skin—just like the surge in androgenic hormones in adolescence—tends to set off it.
Steroids like testosterone additionally enhance the pores and skin’s oil manufacturing, which might result in breakouts or make current pimples worse.
Sometimes, the pimples that accompanies steroid use is most extreme across the shoulders, chest, and higher again, like this:
And in case you’re pondering you’re protected since you don’t have pimples now, suppose once more.
Pete Rubish, a powerlifter who’s been open about his steroid use, additionally had clear pores and skin earlier than he began taking steroids. After a number of months of taking steroids he says, “It’s so unhealthy that if somebody actually simply pats you on the again you’re in horrible ache.”
Extra disturbingly, he mentioned it additionally received worse after he stopped taking medicine, and it didn’t go away till he went to a dermatologist and began taking pimples remedy.
There isn’t a lot direct analysis on Winstrol and pimples, nevertheless it seems to be milder than testosterone on this regard.
That mentioned, everybody’s response to Winstrol varies, and it’s attainable some folks may get roughly pimples than others.
Though pimples is a brief aspect impact of Winstrol use, it might trigger everlasting scarring.
Toxin Publicity
No corporations at the moment produce Winstrol for human use, so whenever you purchase it, you’re placing your well being and life within the palms of personal labs or people who receive it from pharmaceutical corporations making Winstrol for animals.
These merchandise endure no formal oversight, regulation, or testing, which suggests the product you find yourself with might be counterfeit, tainted, and watered-down.
Tainted steroids are significantly harmful as a result of they will contain toxins like heavy metals, pathogens, and numerous contaminants, which can trigger a protracted checklist of well being issues that won’t present up till years after you’ve stopped taking steroids.
We don’t know what share of steroids available on the market are tainted, nevertheless it’s possible vital. For instance, a study carried out by the Middle for Preventative Doping Analysis discovered that 34% of 70 anabolic steroids seized in police raids didn’t include the elements listed on the label.
Additionally they discovered that with out refined testing strategies, it’s usually tough to inform actual steroids from fakes.
In contrast to another medicine, there aren’t any dependable at-home checks to verify the purity of steroids. All steroid customers can do is attempt to discover a trusted provider, examine the packaging as rigorously as attainable, and hope for one of the best.
Different Facet Results
Right here’s a brief checklist of the a number of the much less extreme uncomfortable side effects related to taking a Winstrol cycle:
- Insomnia
- Night time sweats
- Elevated blood stress
- Hair loss
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
- Elevated aggression
- Elevated danger of prostate, mind, and breast most cancers
- Everlasting testicular atrophy
- Insulin resistance
- Nosebleeds
FAQ #1: How will you inform if somebody is on Winstrol?
Winstrol outcomes aren’t as hanging because the outcomes you get from different anabolic steroids, so it may be surprisingly tough to inform if somebody is “natty or not” in the event that they’re solely taking a Winstrol cycle.
For instance, right here’s an excellent instance of some Winstrol earlier than and after pictures of somebody who is comparatively new to weightlifting after an 8-week Winstrol cycle:
Whereas the man clearly made a lot quicker progress than you might obtain naturally, it’s not apparent he’s “on steroids.”
Listed here are 5 extra examples of athletes who had been caught taking Winstrol:
All of them look match and muscular, however none scream “enhanced athlete.”
The purpose is that this: Not everybody takes steroids to get jacked. Steroids additionally improve sports activities efficiency and recovery. For a lot of, muscle achieve is only a aspect impact, not the first purpose.
Until somebody is an IFBB professional or seems to be like one, it’s hardly ever apparent if somebody is on steroids in any respect, a lot much less what they’re taking. The one approach to know for certain is to take repeated blood checks over a protracted interval after they’re wanting and performing their greatest, and that merely isn’t possible.
Barring that, you possibly can estimate the probabilities somebody’s on steroids by their fat-free mass index (FFMI), a measurement of how a lot muscle they’ve per unit of peak. When somebody’s FFMI is above a sure threshold, the percentages they’re on steroids skyrocket.
If you wish to calculate somebody’s FFMI and be taught extra about this measurement instrument, take a look at the Legion FFMI Calculator.
FFMI will solely let you know whether or not or not somebody’s taking steroids, although—it might’t affirm what somebody is taking.
FAQ #2: Winstrol vs. Anavar: What’s the distinction?
Anavar, often known as oxandrolone, is an anabolic steroid chemically altered to supply fewer androgenic (masculinizing) uncomfortable side effects. This makes it a favourite amongst feminine bodybuilders, physique rivals, and Instagram health personalities.
Many individuals examine Winstrol vs. Anavar as a result of they have an inclination to have milder uncomfortable side effects than conventional steroids and so they’re taken orally in capsule kind. Though some steroid-users declare that Anavar produces fewer aspect results than Winstrol, no scientific research have in contrast the results of those two medicine.
FAQ #3: Is Winstrol authorized?
No.
It’s unlawful to make use of anabolic steroids like Winstrol in most international locations with no prescription. In the US, anabolic steroids like Winstrol are Schedule III managed substances, which suggests taking them comes with huge fines and potential jail time.
Winstrol can also be banned by most sports activities federations together with the US Anti-Doping Administration (USADA), the World Anti-Doping Administration (WADA), and the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC).
FAQ #4: Does Winstrol burn fats?
No, Winstrol doesn’t straight burn fats. Nonetheless, folks usually hyperlink Winstrol and fats loss.
This connection possible arises as a result of Winstrol doesn’t convert to estrogen within the physique, so it doesn’t trigger water retention like different steroids. Because of this, your muscular tissues seem “denser” and fewer “puffy” when taking Winstrol, which creates the phantasm that it burns fats.
Including to this false impression is the truth that bodybuilders usually use Winstrol throughout slicing cycles. Because it permits them to proceed constructing muscle with out water obscuring their outcomes, folks usually assume physique rivals use Winstrol for fats loss throughout these phases. This, nonetheless, is a misunderstanding.
Winstrol can also be widespread amongst athletes in sports activities the place staying lean is important, which possible reinforces the affiliation between Winstrol and fats loss. These athletes select Winstrol as a result of it promotes muscle progress with out including bulk to their physique within the type of water, which helps them keep peak efficiency.
+ Scientific References
- Davey, Rachel A, and Mathis Grossmann. “Androgen Receptor Structure, Function and Biology: From Bench to Bedside.” The Clinical Biochemist. Reviews, vol. 37, no. 1, Feb. 2016, pp. 3–15, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4810760/.
- Kicman, A T. “Pharmacology of Anabolic Steroids.” British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 154, no. 3, June 2008, pp. 502–521, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2439524/, https://doi.org/10.1038/bjp.2008.165.
- FALLIERS, CONSTANTINE J. “Anabolic Effects of Stanozolol.” American Journal of Diseases of Children, vol. 106, no. 4, 1 Oct. 1963, p. 388, https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1963.02080050390008. Accessed 20 Apr. 2022.
- Ramasamy, Ranjith, et al. “The Role of Estradiol in Male Reproductive Function.” Asian Journal of Andrology, vol. 18, no. 3, 2016, p. 435, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4854098/, https://doi.org/10.4103/1008-682x.173932.
- KNUDSEN, JAMES F., and STEPHEN R. MAX. “Aromatization of Androgens to Estrogens Mediates Increased Activity of Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in Rat Levator Ani Muscle*.” Endocrinology, vol. 106, no. 2, Feb. 1980, pp. 440–443, https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-106-2-440. Accessed 7 Dec. 2021.
- Hobbs, Curtis, et al. “Testosterone Administration Increases Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Levels in Normal Men.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 77, no. 3, 1 Sept. 1993, pp. 776–779, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.77.3.7690364. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
- Ho, Ken K.Y., et al. “Sex Steroid Regulation of Growth Hormone Secretion and Action.” Hormone Research, vol. 45, no. 1-2, 1996, pp. 67–73, https://doi.org/10.1159/000184762. Accessed 2 Feb. 2021.
- Weissberger, A. J., and K. K. Ho. “Activation of the Somatotropic Axis by Testosterone in Adult Males: Evidence for the Role of Aromatization.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 76, no. 6, 1 June 1993, pp. 1407–1412, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8501143/, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.76.6.8501143.
- Rance, Naomi E, and Stephen R Max. “Modulation of the Cytosolic Androgen Receptor in Striated Muscle by Sex Steroids*.” Endocrinology, 1 Jan. 1984, https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-115-3-862.
- Dickerson, Lori M., et al. “Premenstrual Syndrome.” American Family Physician, vol. 67, no. 8, 15 Apr. 2003, pp. 1743–1752, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12725453/.
- Selby, C. “Sex Hormone Binding Globulin: Origin, Function and Clinical Significance.” Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, vol. 27 ( Pt 6), 1990, pp. 532–41, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2080856, https://doi.org/10.1177/000456329002700603.
- GERNOT SINNECKER, and SIGRUN KÖHLER. “Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Response to the Anabolic Steroid Stanozolol: Evidence for Its Suitability as a Biological Androgen Sensitivity Test*.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 68, no. 6, 1 June 1989, pp. 1195–1200, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2723028/, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-68-6-1195. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
- Plymate, Stephen R, et al. “Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Changes with Androgen Replacement.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 57, no. 3, 1 Sept. 1983, pp. 645–648, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-57-3-645. Accessed 27 Apr. 2023.
- Labrie, Fernand, et al. “The Key Role of 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases in Sex Steroid Biology.” Steroids, vol. 62, no. 1, Jan. 1997, pp. 148–158, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0039-128x(96)00174-2. Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.
- Hinchliffe, S A, et al. “Cellular Distribution of Androgen Receptors in the Liver.” Journal of Clinical Pathology, vol. 49, no. 5, 1 May 1996, pp. 418–420, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC500485/.
- Krüskemper, Hans L., and Georg Noell. “Liver Toxicity of a New Anabolic Agent: Methyltrienolone (17α-Methyl-4,9,11-Estratriene-17β-Ol-3-One).” Steroids, vol. 8, no. 1, July 1966, pp. 13–24, https://doi.org/10.1016/0039-128x(66)90114-0. Accessed 18 Sept. 2021.
- Sánchez-Osorio, Magdalena, et al. “Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids and Liver Injury.” Liver International, vol. 28, no. 2, 27 Sept. 2007, pp. 278–282, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2007.01579.x.
- Nguyen, Ken D, et al. “Atypical Causes of Cholestasis.” World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG, vol. 20, no. 28, 28 July 2014, pp. 9418–9426, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4110573/, https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i28.9418.
- Štimac, Davor, et al. “Androgenic/Anabolic Steroid-Induced Toxic Hepatitis.” Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, vol. 35, no. 4, Oct. 2002, pp. 350–352, https://doi.org/10.1097/00004836-200210000-00013. Accessed 11 May 2020.
- Cabasso A. “Peliosis Hepatis in a Young Adult Bodybuilder.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 26, no. 1, 2022, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8133732/. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
- Winwood, P. J., et al. “Bleeding Oesophageal Varices Associated with Anabolic Steroid Use in an Athlete.” Postgraduate Medical Journal, vol. 66, no. 780, 1 Oct. 1990, pp. 864–865, https://doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.66.780.864. Accessed 12 Nov. 2019.
- Hernandez-Nieto L;Bruguera M;Bombi J;Camacho L;Rozman C. “Benign Liver-Cell Adenoma Associated with Long-Term Administration of an Androgenic-Anabolic Steroid (Methandienone).” Cancer, vol. 40, no. 4, 2015, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/198105/, https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(197710)40:4%3C1761::aid-cncr2820400454%3E3.0.co;2-c. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
- Evert, M, and F Dombrowski. “Hepatozelluläre Karzinome in Der Nichtzirrhotischen Leber.” Der Pathologe, vol. 29, no. 1, 6 Dec. 2007, pp. 47–52, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18057936/, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00292-007-0953-3. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
- Ozcagli, Eren, et al. “Stanozolol Administration Combined with Exercise Leads to Decreased Telomerase Activity Possibly Associated with Liver Aging.” International Journal of Molecular Medicine, vol. 42, no. 1, 1 July 2018, pp. 405–413, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5979936/, https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2018.3644.
- Gorayski, P, et al. “Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Recreational Anabolic Steroid Use.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 42, no. 1, 5 June 2007, pp. 74–75, https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2007.03932. Accessed 22 Mar. 2021.
- Hardt, Aline, et al. “Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Abuse in a Young Bodybuilder: A Case Report.” Case Reports in Pathology, vol. 2012, 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3420693/, https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/195607. Accessed 11 May 2020.
- Thompson, P. D., et al. “Contrasting Effects of Testosterone and Stanozolol on Serum Lipoprotein Levels.” JAMA, vol. 261, no. 8, 24 Feb. 1989, pp. 1165–1168, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2915439/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2023.
- Small, M, et al. “The Effect of Intramuscular Stanozolol on Fibrinolysis and Blood Lipids.” Thrombosis Research, vol. 28, no. 1, 1 Oct. 1982, pp. 27–36, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6891506/, https://doi.org/10.1016/0049-3848(82)90030-5. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
- Burger, Henry G. “Androgen Production in Women.” Fertility and Sterility, vol. 77, 1 Apr. 2002, pp. 3–5, www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(02)02985-0/fulltext, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(02)02985-0.
- Tyagi, Vineet, et al. “Revisiting the Role of Testosterone: Are We Missing Something?” Reviews in Urology, vol. 19, no. 1, 2017, pp. 16–24, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5434832/, https://doi.org/10.3909/riu0716. Accessed 12 May 2020.
- Rosenfield, R L, et al. “Acute Hormonal Responses to the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist Leuprolide: Dose-Response Studies and Comparison to Nafarelin–a Clinical Research Center Study.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 81, no. 9, Sept. 1996, pp. 3408–3411, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.81.9.8784105. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.
- Nedresky, Daniel, and Gurdeep Singh. “Physiology, Luteinizing Hormone.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539692/.
- Kerr, James B, and Richard M Sharpe. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Induction of Ley Dig Cell Maturation. Vol. 116, no. 6, 1 June 1985, pp. 2592–2604, https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-116-6-2592. Accessed 31 May 2023.
- Hoffman, Jay R, and Nicholas A Ratamess. “Medical Issues Associated with Anabolic Steroid Use: Are They Exaggerated?” Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, vol. 5, no. 2, 2006, pp. 182–93, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827559/.
- SMALL, M, et al. “ALTERATION of HORMONE LEVELS in NORMAL MALES given the ANABOLIC STEROID STANOZOLOL.” Clinical Endocrinology, vol. 21, no. 1, 1 July 1984, pp. 49–55, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6430603/, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.1984.tb00135.x. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
- Lynn, Darren, et al. “The Epidemiology of Acne Vulgaris in Late Adolescence.” Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, vol. 7, Jan. 2016, p. 13, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4769025/, https://doi.org/10.2147/ahmt.s55832.
- Király, C. L., et al. “Effect of Testosterone and Anabolic Steroids on the Size of Sebaceous Glands in Power Athletes.” The American Journal of Dermatopathology, vol. 9, no. 6, 1 Dec. 1987, pp. 515–519, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3445928/, https://doi.org/10.1097/00000372-198712000-00008. Accessed 16 Sept. 2021.
- da Justa Neves, Diana Brito, et al. “Incidence of Anabolic Steroid Counterfeiting in Brazil.” Forensic Science International, vol. 228, no. 1-3, May 2013, pp. e81–e83, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.02.035. Accessed 27 Aug. 2021.
- Abbate, V., et al. “Anabolic Steroids Detected in Bodybuilding Dietary Supplements – a Significant Risk to Public Health.” Drug Testing and Analysis, vol. 7, no. 7, 6 Oct. 2014, pp. 609–618, https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1728.
- Neves, Diana Brito da Justa, and Eloisa Dutra Caldas. “GC–MS Quantitative Analysis of Black Market Pharmaceutical Products Containing Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Seized by the Brazilian Federal Police.” Forensic Science International, vol. 275, June 2017, pp. 272–281, www.toxicologia.unb.br/admin/ckeditor/kcfinder/upload/files/2017%20FSI.pdf, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.03.016. Accessed 5 Sept. 2021.
- Câmara, Lucas Caseri . Anabolic Androgenic Steroids from Underground Market: Drug Quality and Implications for Research. July 2023, pp. 12(3):59-64, www.researchgate.net/publication/372647253_Anabolic_Androgenic_Steroids_from_Underground_Market_drug_Quality_and_Implications_for_Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.9734/AJRIMPS/2023/v12i3221.
- Thevis, Mario , et al. Analysis of Confiscated Black Market Drugs Using Chromatographic and Mass Spectrometric Approaches. Apr. 2008.