Side-Effects of Testosterone-Enanthate
If you’re a healthy adult male, and you’re looking for an anabolic steroid that’s not only powerfully beneficial but extremely well-tolerated the odds are strong Testosterone-Enanthate is the steroid for you. When healthy adult males supplement with Testosterone-Enanthate, if they do so responsibly they will rarely have the first problem; sure, there are possible side-effects, but they can be controlled. Of course, to achieve such an end, you must understand what responsible supplementation means, and then you must actually understand the side-effects of Testosterone-Enanthate. Of course, it actually helps to understand the full hormonal compound itself and all of that can be found in the profile section; here, we are merely concerned with the side-effects of Testosterone-Enanthate. With this in mind, we want to discuss all the aspects of responsible supplementation, what it means and what you need to do to ensure it. From there, we’ll look at the actual side-effects, the cause and effect, and most importantly, what you can do to combat them, and with such information, successful supplementation will be within your grasp.
Responsible Supplementation:
Testosterone-Enanthate most certainly carries some possible side-effects, but this is not something unique to this steroid or steroids in general, but anything we put into our body. Every last mediation, prescription or over the counter carries possible side-effects; even vitamins carry possible side-effects, and some of them can be quite harsh. As is the case, when we put something in our body, responsible use is always the ultimate key to success; after all, if you’re causing your body damage this cannot be deemed successful. This raises a question many ask; how do we define responsible use? In short, responsible use is any use that does not cause your body harm; it may sound simple, but that’s the only logical definition. As it pertains to the side-effects of Testosterone-Enanthate, the next question is how do we ensure responsible supplementation? Using proper doses is a good place to start; there is a strong risk to reward ratio that exist; the more you take the greater the benefits can be, but the more you take the greater the risk. As is the case, there are standard dosing ranges that are the easiest to control; once again, this can be found in the profile section. Then we must understand the possible side-effects of Testosterone-Enanthate; we must understand what causes them, and what we can use to ensure they do not become a problem for us. You better believe it, for the healthy adult male this can be a strong reality, and it will be for the majority of men who follow the recommendations below.
Aromatization:
Aromatization is the process by-which testosterone converts into estrogen, and this will play a massive role as it pertains to the side-effects of Testosterone-Enanthate. This is a compound like all testosterone compounds that aromatizes heavily, and as a result excess estrogen levels can become quite problematic. Of course, and this should go without saying the more Testosterone-Enanthate you supplement with the more aromatization there will be to potentially exist, and that’s no good for anyone; again, this makes proper dosing important. The primary two side-effects excess estrogen may cause include gynecomastia and excess water retention, and both are 100% avoidable with proper use. Gynecomastia is a condition that is commonly referred to as male-breast enlargement, and it occurs by excess estrogen binding to the receptors. In-order to stave off such a condition, you have two options; Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) or Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s). SERM’s, such as Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex) function by binding to the receptors in the place of estrogen thereby preventing it from binding; they do not lower your estrogen levels. AI’s such as Anastrozole (Arimidex) or Letrozole (Femara) function by inhibiting aromatase from occurring in the first place, and they even reduce your total estrogen levels. Obviously, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see AI’s are far more efficient; SERM’s can work, but in many cases, they’re simply not enough. Further, AI’s will help combat other possible side-effects of Testosterone-Enanthate, and as it pertains to these other effects SERM’s will have little to no affect.
As excess estrogen levels rise due to the aromatizing factor, this can cause excess water retention, and not only can it get to an uncomfortable state, it doesn’t look that good either. Once again, an AI, the same AI you’d use to combat gynecomastia will protect you here; after all, it remedies the same problem that causes water retention. Of course, there are those who enjoy such a positive response that gynecomastia and water retention never occur, but this is normally only with mild doses; you get into higher end performance doses and they will be a concern. Further, when it comes to water retention, controlling your diet is huge; many hold water when supplementing and blame the aromatization, but excess carbohydrates will make you even more sensitive; after all, excess carbohydrates will cause you to hold water with excess estrogen or not. If you control your diet and use an AI and ensure you do not overeat you will not have a problem.
We’ve taken care of the first two side-effects of Testosterone-Enanthate, and now it’s time to take care of the remaining possible effects. The use of any testosterone compound can have an adverse effect on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels; LDL cholesterol levels can rise and HDL levels can fall. Excess estrogen can have a negative impact on blood pressure and LDL levels, but the primary culprits will be doses larger than you can handle coupled with a poor diet or genetic predisposition to such conditions. For this reason, not only is controlling your diet important, but it should be done so in a way that gives extra effort to maintaining healthy and proper levels. Further, ensuring you consume plenty of omega fatty acids can be quite beneficial; omega fatty acids will increase your HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol, and as HDL regulates LDL extensively it has two positive effects. It must be noted; if you already suffer from high blood pressure or cholesterol, you should not supplement with Testosterone-Enanthate or any anabolic androgenic steroid. Further, if you are supplementing for the purpose of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) all of the above effects will be of little concern. In the case of TRT, you are merely replacing what your body is now lacking; side-effects are still possible, but they normally won’t be a large concern until you reach performance level doses.
Testosterone Suppression:
When we supplement with anabolic androgenic steroids, in most cases, our natural testosterone levels will be suppressed; suppression will vary from one steroid to the next, but the side-effects of Testosterone-Enanthate definitely meet the extreme suppressive end. Fortunately, since you’re supplementing with a testosterone compound, you’re not at risk of falling into a low testosterone condition; however, as your natural production has been suppressed your testicles will atrophy. The reason for the atrophy is the body no longer has a need to manufacture its own testosterone; after all, you’re providing all it needs in exogenous form. Fortunately, assuming you do not do something to damage your HPTA during supplementation and you won’t if you follow proper protocol, and assuming you did not suffer from low testosterone prior to supplementation, you have nothing to fear. Once all anabolic steroid use is complete and the exogenous steroidal hormones have cleared your system, your testicles will return to their normal size as your natural testosterone production will once again be in effect.
If you’re going to be off-cycle for an extended period of time, it is recommended that you follow a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) program in-order to stimulate your natural testosterone production. A sold PCT plan will speed up your recovery; it will not complete your natural testosterone recovery, but it will cut the time down significantly, and ensure you have enough natural testosterone to function properly while your levels continue to rise. In most cases, a five to six week PCT plan is all that is needed, and should include the SERM Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex) or Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid); either one will work with the possible addition of the potent peptide hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin prior to SERM use. It should be noted; by being off-cycle for an extended period of time, this means you are going to be off-cycle for at least 8 weeks, and this 8 week off period does not include the PCT program. If you’re going to be off-cycle for less than 8 weeks, a PCT program isn’t recommended as you will be stimulating natural testosterone production only to immediately shut it down again.