Sustanon: Anabolic steroid

Sustanon is an anabolic steroid containing a blend of 4 testosterone esters, which allows the hormone to be released gradually after injection. It's a powerful steroid, the purest form of testosterone, a unique and varied blend for consistent gains. Widely used by bodybuilders and athletes to gain muscle mass, build strength, reduce body fat and boost performance, this synthetic testosterone blend delivers remarkable results.

Sustanon was created by the Organon laboratory, the same company that produced the famous Deca-Durabolin. Initially developed for TRT, it has become one of the most widely used products and occupies a special place in the world of anabolic steroids.

If you're an athlete looking to optimize your performance, or simply curious about this anabolic, this article will answer all your questions. It looks at how Sustanon works, its advantages and disadvantages in sport, its effects on health and the associated risks. You'll find practical recommendations, an example of a cycle with Sustanon, and a user testimonial, for responsible and informed use of this popular steroid.

Key information

What is Sustanon?

Sustanon is a registered trademark belonging to the pharmaceutical company Organon. It is an injectable mixture of 4 different testosterone esters:

- Testosterone propionate (30 mg),

- Testosterone Phenylpropionate (60 mg)

- Testosterone Isocaproate (60 mg)

- Testosterone decanoate (100 mg)

In total, you get 250 mg of testosterone per ml, hence the name "Sustanon 250". The aim of this blend is to achieve a prolonged, stable release of testosterone into the bloodstream over several weeks after a single injection. It includes fast-release (propionate), intermediate-release (phenylpropionate and isocaproate) and slow-release (decanoate) esters. For sick people suffering from hypogonadism, this means that only one injection is needed every 3 to 4 weeks, instead of every 7 to 10 days with the classic testosterone enanthate or cypionate.

What are esters ? In fact, chemically speaking, esters are a kind of chain attached to the testosterone molecule which affect the speed at which the hormone is released in the body. An ester-free testosterone would be released very rapidly, with a blood peak reached within hours, but would quickly subside. A short, intense duration of action, and then nothing. Conversely, long-chain esters release the hormone slowly, enabling high levels to be maintained for several weeks. This is particularly true of testosterone enanthate or cypionate, and the slow-release versions isocaproate and decanoate. Between the two, propionate ester is a kind of intermediate that acts for a few days.

The result is more widely-spaced injections and a blend that achieves stable testosterone blood levels, maximizing anabolic effects while minimizing hormonal fluctuations - which generate side effects. And that's why Sustanon is so popular with bodybuilders and athletes.

Why do athletes use Sustanon ?

Sustanon had its heyday in the 1980s/1990s, in bodybuilding and strength sports. In its day, this product was readily available on the black market, which facilitated its rise. But it was above all its extreme versatility that made the difference, as it is suitable for all types of mass gain and even dry weight training.

The judicious mix of esters ensures good hormonal stability, so you don't get the roller-coaster ride with your testo levels, as is often the case with mono-ester testosterone, such as enanthate or cypionate. This means fewer problems and fewer side-effects on mood and energy levels. What's more, you benefit from a "kick-start" effect right from the start, as propionate takes effect from the very first days of the cycle.

Today, even though new products have appeared on the market, Sustanon remains popular and widely used in the muscle-building world. The truth is, testosterone is the most widely used anabolic steroid in bodybuilding. It's the basis. Low-toxicity, ideal for a first cycle and for topping up stacks in experienced users. If you've been taking testosterone, switching to Sustanon won't change the doses or possible combinations, and the side effects won't either. You'll need to take anti-estrogens like Arimidex or Aromazine to reduce estrogenic side effects.

As for gains, if you start a Sustanon 250 cycle, you'll gain around 10 kg, much of which will be retained after the water has been eliminated (around 2/3).

The advantages and disadvantages of Sustanon

Yes, Sustanon is a favorite of many athletes. But like any active substance, it has its advantages and disadvantages:

Plus points :

- Muscle gains : Sustanon boosts protein synthesis and nitrogen retention. You'll gain muscle mass like never before, with gains of 5 to 12 kg over a 10 to 12-week cycle. Exogenous testosterone increases the speed of myofibrillar protein synthesis by a factor of 3 to 5⁽¹⁾. Sustanon, both fast and slow, maintains a constant supra-physiological level of testosterone, and boosts nitrogen retention. With a good caloric intake, weight gain is remarkable, with a "full", voluminous appearance, perfect for off-season use.

- Strength gains : Explosive gains in the 2nd and 3rd week. Much faster than nandrolone or primobolan, which take 4 to 6 weeks to take effect. In terms of performance, expect gains of 20 to 40 kg in the squat, 15 to 30 kg in the bench press and 30 to 60 kg in the deadlift in just 4 to 5 weeks, even if you've been training for years.

- Recovery : Better recovery, so you can train more often without overtraining. Aches and pains disappear quickly. Excellent congestion and vascularization, as Arnold so aptly describes.

- Anti-catabolic effects : Sustanon is effective in preventing loss of muscle mass when dieting or drying. Many competitors use Sustanon at the end of preparation to maintain mass and reach the famous 5%.

- Libido: An increase in libido and general well-being is quickly noticed. Libido increases tenfold in the first few weeks, with greater self-confidence, positive aggressiveness in training and deeper sleep. On the other hand, excessive doses can have the opposite effect: irritability, insomnia and reduced libido.

Minuses:

Sustanon also entails risks, especially in the case of high doses or long periods of use. As a testosterone, it has all the classic side effects of exogenous androgens:

- Infertility: temporary infertility, testicular atrophy due to suppression of the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) axis, almost complete after 3 to 4 weeks⁽²⁾.

- Gynecomastia: development of male breasts through aromatization into estrogen.⁽³⁾

- Water retention : Strong water retention, especially with decanoate. Puffy face, hypertension⁽⁴⁾. Acne, oily skin, hair loss in predisposed individuals (DHT).

- Cardiovascular risks : Increased bad LDL cholesterol and lower good HDL cholesterol⁽⁵⁾.

- Hepatotoxicity : low with injectables, but risk with prolonged abuse or combination with 17-alpha-alkylated orals.

- Virilization in women: deep voice, hairiness, clitoral hypertrophy, even at low doses.

Sustanon: How do I use it properly ?

Are you planning a Sustanon cure? You need to take a careful approach during your cure, and be cautious to minimize the risks. Here's what to do and an example of a cycle.

- For dosing,For Sustanon 250, 250 to 350 mg/week for beginners, 500 mg/week for intermediates, and 600 to 750 mg/week for advanced. Inject twice a week to keep levels stable.

- For the duration, never less than 8 weeks, no more than 12 to 14 weeks, with an anti-estrogen (Arimidex) and a booster (PCT).

- Prevention : take a full blood test beforehand (total/free testosterone, estradiol, FSH/LH, liver and lipid levels, hematocrit). Use sterile syringes and good intramuscular injection technique.

- PCT : as Sustanon is a hypothalamus and pituitary suppressant, it will stop all endogenous testosterone production during the course of treatment. As a result, PCT will have to be performed retrospectively. and/or Nolvadex, possibly HCG.

- Frontload or kick-start : because of its long half-life, it is possible and recommended to start the treatment with a frontload.

- Stack ideas : With Deca-Durabolin, Dianabol, the combination of Sustanon will enable rapid mass gain. However, this is partly due to high water retention. With Parabolan, winstrol, Anavar, Primobolan, Sustanon stacked with one of these other steroids will deliver slower, but better-quality development.

Personal advice

- The blend of 4 testosterone esters with different half-lives (from short to long) offers a good synergy for a steady and increasing supply of Testosterone to the body. This is what has made Sustanon such a success and a staple for many anabolic users.

- Sustanon is effective even when used in relatively low doses, and is equally effective for people used to steroid cycles. Similarly, there's no need to increase doses each time, to achieve the same result, cure after cure.

- People with a tendency to fluid retention should prefer Sustanon to Testosterone alone.

- For women, testosterone injections are not recommended, as they significantly increase androgen levels, which can lead to virilizing effects. If it is used, however, the course of treatment should be short and the dosage very low.

Example of a Sustanon cycle

Here is an example of a 12-week Sustanon weight gain cycle:

A "dry" or "force" variant is possible with Sustanon :

Sustanon 300 to 400 mg/week + Primobolan 400 to 600 mg/week + Winstrol 40 mg/day for the last 6 weeks.

Can I take Sustanon any way I want ?

No, Sustanon is a prescription-only drug available in France, for specific medical indications such as hypogonadism, delayed puberty, etc⁽⁶⁾. If you possess or buy the product without a prescription, it is illegal, and you are liable to 5 years' imprisonment and a €75,000 fine. From a sporting point of view, the use of Sustanon is prohibited by WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, and all sports federations. If you test positive for testosterone, you risk a suspension of 2 to 4 years.

Testimonial from a Sustanon bodybuilding user

Testimony of Brice, 27, amateur bodybuilder:

"I started bodybuilding at 16, au naturel, not even protein powder. By the age of 27, I had reached 83 kg for 1.78m, and I began to stagnate completely. It was very heavy and I had to do something. On the advice of a pro at the gym, I tried my first cycle with 500 mg Sustanon and 40 mg Dianabol for 10 weeks. I literally exploded in mass and strength, gaining 11 kg of muscle while going from 140 to 190 kg of load in the Squat, 110 to 145 kg in the DC (bench press) without help. What a feeling of power and euphoria in the gym! It was incredible. But by week 8, I was having trouble with a rather painful gynecomastia under my left nipple. In fact, I took Nolvadex too late, and had to have the operation 18 months later back in France (I was living in Thailand). I also lost what little hair I still had, even though I was predisposed, a family flaw. In France, I came back as a natural since it's complicated to get products here and I no longer have any contacts. I weigh 78 kg. I still have mixed feelings about this experience, but I've lived through it and I know both sides of the coin, the good and the bad. I wouldn't advise anyone to start with the products. And if you are tempted, opt for a good medical follow-up."

FAQ about Sustanon

1. How long is Sustanon detectable ?

Aim for a fairly wide range, such as 3 to 4 months after the last injection. Modern controls are very good at detecting synthetic esters.

2. Does Sustanon give more gynecomastia than testo enanthate ?

No, the aromatization rate is the same, because it's still testosterone. But since water retention is more marked, it sometimes gives the impression of faster gynecomastia.

3. Is it really necessary to do a PCT relaunch after taking Sustanon ?

Yes, it's mandatory. Because without MDT, you'll remain hypogonadal for several months or even years. TRT is another option.

4. Can women take su Sustanon ?

It's best to avoid taking them, or to take them in micro-doses (20 to 50 mg every 10 to 15 days maximum). This is the choice made by some of the world's top bodybuilders. But the virilizing effects are often highly visible.

5. Is generic Sustanon any worse than the original Organon ?

The products are identical. Indian or Pakistani generics in the correct dosage are also valid.

6. Can Sustanon and Trenbolone be mixed ?

Yes, it's possible. "Tren" is very powerful, and the final mix rather risky because of the side effects. This kind of stack is for experienced top-level competitors.

Finally

After more than 50 years on the market, Sustanon remains one of the most effective and versatile anabolic steroids ever conceived. It's a classic that's guaranteed to help you achieve an outstanding physique. But the downside is significant, with health risks and fertility problems, not to mention possible legal repercussions if you're caught out. Its misuse for bodybuilding remains a high-risk practice, and the bill can be high. But as always, the choice is yours.

Recent studies on Sustanon

Study 1 - Many bodybuilders resort to anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) to improve their performance in a reduced time frame. This study adopts a descriptive-analytical method to assess the profile of bodybuilding athletes in the state of Sergipe, Brazil, and verify their level of knowledge and awareness of the health risks and impacts associated with the use of these substances. The study populations, of finite type and convenience, include individuals of both sexes, over 18 years of age, self-declared bodybuilding athletes, residing in the state of Sergipe and participating in regional and/or state competitions.

The results show that no significant relationship was found between gender, age, family income and medical consultations. However, for the variables level of education and medical follow-up (with or without consultations), a significant result was obtained, with 74.3% of individuals declaring to benefit from medical follow-up and 25.7% declaring to have none, the latter percentage representing mainly higher education graduates.

The substances most commonly used by athletes were Sustanon 250, Decanoate of

Nandrolone (Deca or Deca-Durabolin) and Testosterone. The most frequently reported acute side effects were acne (33.8%), irritability (32.1%), alopecia (hair loss) and nervousness (23.7%). The bottom line: many of the athletes studied have used or are using anabolic steroids, irrespective of their socio-economic profile.

What's more, the simultaneous long-term use of several of these substances, via different routes of administration (injectable and oral), was the behavior most frequently reported by athletes.

The level of education does not reflect a reduction in the use of AAS by athletes.

Furthermore, the groups that influenced and/or motivated athletes to use AAS were mainly friends and coaches. This suggests the need for greater awareness of AAS use and its harmful effects, both among bodybuilding athletes and the general population.

The level of education does not reflect a reduction in the use of AAS by athletes.

Furthermore, the groups that influenced and/or motivated athletes to use AAS were mainly friends and coaches. This suggests the need for greater awareness of AAS use and its harmful effects, both among bodybuilding athletes and the general population.

Source : The Use of Anabolic Steroids by Bodybuilders in the State of Sergipe, Brazil - May 2024

Sources :

1 - The Effects of Supraphysiologic Doses of Testosterone on Muscle Size and Strength in Normal Men

2 - Sustanon suppresses spermatogenesis and increases cell death

3 - Gynecomastia and hormones Mini Review

4 - Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes

5 - Atherogenic Effects of Anabolic Steroids on Serum Lipid Levels

6 - ANDROTARDYL 250 mg/1 ml, solution for intramuscular injection

7 - The Effect of Sustanon (Testosterone Derivatives) Taken by Athletes on the Testis of Rat

8 - Muscular responses to testosterone replacement vary by administration route: a systematic review and meta-analysis

9 -Effects of sustanon on the distribution of satellite cells and the morphology of skeletal muscle fibers during maturation