Description
Pharmaceutical Name: Oxandrolone (OXA)
Chemical Structure: 5 alpha-androstan-2-oxa-17 alpha-methyl-17 beta-ol-3-one
Molecular Weight Of Base: 306.4442
Effective Dose: 20-40 mg/day for men, 10-15 mg/day for women
Anavar
(Oxandrolone)
One of the mildest and perhaps the most efficiently well-tolerated anabolic steroid on the marketOxandrolone has become very popular among performance enhancers, especially in the female community but remains a staple in the treatment of many muscle wasting diseases. Originally developed in 1964 by Searle Laboratories, (absorbed by Pfizer in 2003)the same manufacturer who brought us other well-known items such as Celebrex, Ambien, Dramamine and NutraSweet, Oxandrolone hit the shelves under the trade name Anavar and has been a favorite of many ever since. While Anavar is not a very powerful steroid, milligram for milligram it is one of the weakest ever made, it holds the distinction as being the most side-effect friendly with the strong majority of effects being only of a positive nature.
Anavar:
A member of the Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) family, Anavar is comprised of the active hormone Oxandrolone and possesses only a very slight androgenic nature; so slight it is almost non-existent but it is with its mild anabolic nature that many find use for this particular hormone. By design Anavar is a C17 alpha-alkylated (17-aa) anabolic steroid simply meaning the 17th carbon position has been altered in order to allow the medication to survive the first pass through the liver; without the 17-aa characteristic the medication would prove to be useless, as is common with most oral anabolic androgenic steroids. However, by its design Anavar is able to survive ingestion and enter into the blood stream where it becomes active and performs its varying functions within the body. As the 17-aa alteration is necessary for the hormones survival it is not without its disadvantages as this slight alteration is toxic to the liver; however, it is very important to note the toxicity of a particular 17-aa steroid will vary from one to the next and in the case of Anavar we have a 17-aa of a very mild toxic nature. Anavar is so mild in-terms of liver toxicity most who supplement or medicate with the Oxandrolone hormone experience little to no increases in liver enzyme readings during their period of use and any elevation will generally return to normal once use is discontinued. As an oral anabolic steroid, once ingested Anavar becomes active within the blood very rapidly, as is a very common trait among most oral anabolic steroids and especially those who carry with them a DHT nature. While initial activity is very fast total active duration is consequently very short as Anavar only possesses a half-life of approximately 9 hours making frequent dosing a necessity. With a 9 hour half-life most will find a twice daily administration of the hormone to be optimal if peak levels of the hormone are to be maintained within the blood. No, twice daily administration is not an outright necessity, once daily can still provide many benefits and many women whose doses will be fairly low often opt for this route, as well as many clinical patients. However, it is when we enter the world of male performance enhancement that multiple dosing per day proves to be more efficient, especially when we consider most men require a large amount to reap any reward.
The Benefits of Anavar:
Perhaps the greatest benefit revolving around the Oxandrolone hormone is its ability to treat muscle wasting diseases such as aids as it will greatly stave off muscle disintegration that is both common with such ailments and often one that causes a devastating end. Anavar can also be very useful in the treatment of burn victims enabling them to regain lost tissue but in some cases it may prove to not be enough and stronger anabolics are needed. While its medical purposes remain very simple, in the world of performance enhancement Anavar is not so cut-and-dry; in-fact, for the male performance enhancer looking to bulk up in size this is perhaps the last option he should ever consider. No, Anavar will not provide massive piles of muscle but what gains in size it does provide will be pure lean tissue and if you understand anything about performance each pound of lean tissue is worth its weight in gold. Even so, in the world of performance enhancement Anavar holds distinct qualities in both men and women but in many ways it is women who benefit the most, so much so in many circles it is often referred to as The Girl Steroid. Without question the greatest benefit to the Oxandrolone steroid is within its ability to preserve lean muscle tissue while simultaneously increasing total metabolic activity. With that in mind one can easily gather that during dieting or when intense activity is a regular basis this will be when the hormone proves to be the most useful. Anavar by its very nature greatly preserves lean tissue and as hard dieting often risk the loss of such tissue this trait is invaluable. Further and of equal importance, the Oxandrolone hormone actively increases metabolic efficiency, meaning the rate in-which we burn fat will be increased. These two primary effects prove to be very useful, especially when we consider them in total conjunction, for example:
- The more muscle tissue we have the greater our metabolism
- Dieting risk the loss of muscle tissue
- Anavar preserves muscle tissue
- We now hold more muscle tissue while dieting, thereby maintaining greater metabolism
While Anavars metabolic and tissue preserving qualities are truly great, when we examine the hormone we can hardly say these are the greatest traits of all. Beyond a shadow of a doubt it is the hormones function within the female user that is such a welcomed one; so much so we will discuss it in detail in its own section below.
The Side-Effects of Anavar:
Anabolic Androgenic Steroids carry with them the potential for negative or adverse side-effects, this much is true but when it comes to Anavar the potential is low, very low. It is important to understand, Potential does not mean guaranteed, it does not mean the likelihood is great; it simply means a possibility exists and this is the case with all medications of every nature; when you buy anything at your local RX, from cough syrup to Aspirin and everything in between there is a potential for negative side-effects. As it pertains to Anavar not only is this steroidal hormone very side-effect friendly, as is with most anabolic steroids side-effects are largely avoidable when responsible use is implored. As abuse or mega dosing often increases risk ones sensitivity to the hormone also plays a large role and this is true with all things in life; some people cant take Tylenol because it makes them sick, other take it every day; some people cant eat eggs or they become deathly ill, while others eat eggs every single day. When we look at the side-effects of anabolic steroids in general the first thing we notice is most are estrogenic in nature and this is due to the conversion of estrogen in the body brought on by the presence of the active hormone. If youre supplementing with Anavar there is good news, Anavar does not possess this trait, meaning, there is no estrogen conversion and such related side-effects are non-existent. Why is this important? Because there is no conversion process or what is better known as the aromatase process there is no risk in Gynecomastia, water retention, there are fewer risk in-terms of blood pressure and cholesterol and to top it off only a mild suppression of natural testosterone production. As we understand anabolic steroids suppress natural testosterone production, many suppress it to such a strong degree that its non-existent when the hormones are being used. Keep in mind, while Anavar does not suppress testosterone greatly it still suppresses it and if a man were to supplement with Anavar for the purpose of performance enhancement he will necessarily supplement with quite a bit thereby decreasing natural testosterone production quite handedly.
Anavar and Women:
The Girl Steroid is this really a true or fair name? Sure, men can supplement with Anavar and do so successfully but when we consider the limited nature of anabolic steroids women can use and how well they tolerate and respond to Anavar then absolutely The Girl Steroid is the perfect name. The majority of anabolic androgenic steroids have strong virilization effects when taken by women that can range from deepened vocal chords, body-hair growth and clitoral enlargement to name a few. Obviously these are not welcomed traits as they are in the face of a womans very femininity but with Anavar these traits simply do not exist when responsible use is implored; in-fact, most all women will find the steroid to be side-effect free. As it is so well-tolerated many female athletes around the world supplement with the hormone but unlike men many women have found a very suitable bulking agent in the Anavar hormone; while mild most women simply require a lessened boost if you will to see phenomenal gains. However, it is in the world of competitive physique sports that is perhaps this particular steroids greatest and most welcomed home, as it is not only a favorite but in many cases an outright necessity to the majority ofbodybuilding, figure, fitness and even many bikini competitors.
Anavar Cycles and Doses:
While Anavar will never be our primary recommended steroid for most men they can use it successfully and it can be quite useful especially when dieting; however, due to its mild nature most men will require a large amount and as it is one of the more expensive steroids on the market this can prove to be often inefficient. In any case, most men will find 50mg per day to be the perfect starting point and in most cases this should be viewed as a minimum dosing but the majority of men will reap very little reward until they approach 80mg per day. Keep in mind, Anavar normally comes in 10mg tablets and often $2 per tablet is considered a good deal; as you can see, this can get very expensive. As we have discussed women are far more sensitive to the steroids attributes and therefore require far less; most women will find 10mg per day to be the perfect dose and often all the Anavar they ever need with 20mg being a good rule of thumb in-terms of maximal dose. While 20mg can be used safely we do not recommend you start there as while side-effects may indeed be very mild its always best to play it safe; besides, if you can get all you need out of 10mg then upping the dose proves to be pointless and simply a waste. In either case, both men and women, Anavar can be used for far longer than most oral anabolic steroids due to its low liver toxicity rating and further as it does not appear to taper off in benefit as fast as many other oral anabolic steroids. The majority of Anavar users will supplement for 6-8 weeks but longer durations of 12 weeks are not uncommon, especially during female contest preparation time. Keep in mind, the leaner you are the greater the results will be, meaning, they will be far more pronounced; for this reason most women will choose Anavar during the latter half of their diet to reap the greatest reward.
Effects of Anavar
Generally mild and relatively safe, the effects of Anavar are highly desired by many performance enhancers for those very reasons. Of course it remains, while generally understood by many the true effects of Anavar are often a mystery to most as most simply do not understand anabolic androgenic steroids in the first place. It is here we will clear up any confusion you may have so as to provide you with the means of proper and efficient supplementation. On that basis we will discuss the effects of Anavar, not in a specific hormonal structure sense, although we will touch on that briefly but more in-terms of practical application; after all, thats really the information you need and desire.
General Understanding:
The anabolic steroid Anavar is comprised of the active steroidal hormone Oxandrolone, a potent Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derived hormone of a C17-aa nature. Rapidly acting the effects of Anavar begin to manifest themselves very shortly after administration but as so rapidly acting the total duration of activity is approximately 9 hours; a very short half-life. For this reason most men who supplement will need multiple doses throughout the day, although women will normally suffice with one. By its nature the Oxandrolone hormone does not aromatize and as such any lean tissue built due to its use will be that of pure lean muscle tissue. While this remains true its primary role will far more largely revolve around tissue preservation and repair; this shouldnt be all that surprising as the hormone was originally intended for burn victims and those suffering from muscle wasting diseases. As such most men will find this to be a poor bulking agent and will find use more apt to dieting phases; while women will also see this steroid highly beneficial when dieting, as they are more sensitive it can have a larger positive effect during off-season training.
Practical Effects of Anavar:
The effects of Anavar will be most pronounced when used as part of the dieting or cutting process. In the grand scheme of action largely we can sum up the effects of Anavar with three words, greater metabolic efficiency. Through proper use the Oxandrolone hormone can provide the following:
- Greater Muscle Tissue Preservation
- Enhanced Muscular & Cellular Regeneration
- Increased Rate of Lipolysis
- Decreased Release of Glucocorticoid Hormones
Of course traits such as increased nitrogen retention and protein synthesis will all be in play but the practical effects of Anavar can largely be summed up in the list above. In the end these effects lead to a leaner and harder physique and as most supplement for physique related purposes this can make Oxandrolone a fine choice.
Dosing & Duration:
To maximize the effects of Anavar youre going to need the correct dose and time frame of use. Most women will find 10mg per day to be perfect with 6 weeks of continuous use to be more than sufficient. As for men things become a little trickier. As a very mild anabolic steroid and we do mean very mild, most men will need a fairly large dose to reap a reward if they are to truly take advantage of the effects of Anavar. Most men will find 50mg per day to be a solid dose with many going as high as 80mg per day. Generally 6-8 weeks of continuous use at the end of a cutting phase will be optimal. Of course as this is a very expensive steroid and one most men will use as part of a total stack this can get very expensive. In any case, man or woman, the Oxandrolone hormone can be a welcomed addition to a cycle and is worth strong consideration.
Anavar Side-Effects
When supplementing with anabolic steroids one of the primary concerns is adverse side-effects and necessarily so; after all, if you fall prey to serious problems this can make the benefits you receive rather pointless. Of course as there are hundreds of various anabolic steroids and there are significant differences with each and every one we cannot simply say steroids carry these side-effects; in actuality we must go even deeper. Each anabolic steroid will carry its own list of possible side-effects and while there will often be strong similarities there can also be a level of uniqueness. Further, it is important to understand possible means possible, not guaranteed and moreover we must consider the total rate of probability. We cannot say if you supplement with XYZ steroid youll suffer from 123 side-effects; there are issues to consider such as total dosing, individual response and even the potency of the steroid at hand. With all of this in mind we want to discuss Anavar side-effects. Oxandrolone is a very popular DHT derived anabolic steroid commonly sold under the trade name Anavar. A mild steroid but one that can be very beneficial, Anavar side-effects are also very mild and it is for this reason the steroid remains so popular. When examining Anavar side-effects we will find this is perhaps one of the friendliest anabolic steroids of all; perhaps the friendliest of all time; in-fact, even women can supplement with this steroid very safely and effectively. Lets take a look and see what we can find.
Aromatase Anavar Side-Effects:
Many anabolic steroids aromatize causing a buildup in estrogen throughout the body. This increase in estrogen is often responsible for many of the most common anabolic steroid related problems but in regards to the Oxandrolone hormone there is some very good news. Anavar side-effects of an aromatase nature are non-existent as this steroid will not aromatize at all. As it will not aromatize this makes Gynecomastia and water retention, two commonly feared side-effects impossible when the Oxandrolone hormone is in play. As aromatase will not occur protection that is often needed when other steroids are in play is not needed here; of course if youre supplementing with other steroids with your Anavar this can change things; here we are only concerned with the Oxandrolone hormone.
Possible Anavar Side-Effects:
As aromatase cannot occur this factor is moot but there are possible Anavar side-effects we must be aware of in order to protect ourselves. The good news is as a mild steroid most who supplement will have very little concern but as with all things we put into our body there is a possibility. While there is a possibility the probability of adverse Anavar side-effects is very low with responsible use; in-fact, the rate of probability is so low that most men who take high doses will not have any problems. Possible Anavar side-effects include:
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Hair-Loss
- Acne
Almost all who live a healthy lifestyle will never see their blood pressure or cholesterol change, not even slightly. As for hair-loss, only those who are genetically predisposed will carry this risk but as the hormone is so mild the odds will be in their favor. The same can be said of acne; only those who are predisposed to acne will have any problems and as a mild hormone its still a long shot.
Female Anavar Side-Effects:
The same Anavar side-effects discussed above are a possibility in women but in the case of the female athlete we must add to the list. The overall concern regarding females and anabolic steroid use is virilization as virilization can destroy a womans femininity. However, Oxandrolone in reasonable and responsible amounts will almost never cause this; in-fact, we can almost guarantee it. While this is true it must be stated; those who take large amounts do increase their risk. Further, there will be those who are simply extra sensitive and even at a low dose problems may arise. If you find you are one of the unlucky few you should discontinue use immediately. If you discontinue use at the very onset of virilization symptoms they will fade away quickly and no damage will be done. It is when the symptoms are ignored that problems will arise.
The End Game:
As you can see this is a very mild steroid and while there are some Anavar side-effects worthy of note the list is rather simple and easy to control. Of course it is also important to note that while a mild steroid Oxandrolone will suppress your natural testosterone; for some reason over the years a myth has started stating this isnt so. Rest assured, while a mild steroid and one that does not suppress greatly, natural testosterone production will be suppressed none the less. In the end responsible use will always be our best friend and if you can hold to this we can assure you youll more than likely enjoy your experience.