Deca-Durabolin is one of the most recognizable names in the bodybuilding world. It Has some very good muscle-building properties, helps with recovery, and even adds strength. Much like all other steroids, deca durabolin can give some sort of side effects when taken cautiously.
In this blog, we go over some possible side effects caused by Deca-Durabolin and, what is more important, how not to let that happen. Whether you are an advanced user or just get started with steroid cycles, it is really crucial to learn how to cut the risks while maximizing the results.
Here at Steroids Market, we commit to selling safe and high-quality steroids while educating you in the best practices of how to stay healthy.
What is Deca-Durabolin?
Deca-Durabolin is given through injection, being classified as an anabolic steroid. Basically, it is a derivative of testosterone. Its structure differs only a little, offering less liver toxicity and fewer side effects with estrogens. Deca has been praised in the field of improving muscle growth, helping the joints, and enhancing endurance by directly producing more red blood cells.
Deca-Durabolin also has possible side effects upon misuse or at higher dosages for a longer period.
Usual Side Effects with Deca-Durabolin
Being familiar with the side effects is important before proceeding with how to avoid them. These are among the common one brought by using Deca-Durabolin:
Suppression of Natural Testosterone
Deca-Durabolin suppresses the production of testosterone in the body quite a bit. In fact, only 100 mg dosage of Nandrolone can lower the level of testosterone by more than 70% within a couple of weeks.
Deca Dick (Erectile Dysfunction)
Among the most notorious, it is a condition quite aptly identified as “Deca dick,” a form of erectile dysfunction caused by natural testosterone suppression with accompanying increase of prolactin.
Estrogen Imbalance
Although Deca does not aromatize into estrogen as easily as many steroids do, it still can give way to higher levels of estrogen, resulting in such problems as gynecomastia and water retention.
Accumulation of Prolactin
Deca-Durabolin may also raise levels of prolactin, another hormone linked to ED and other sexual issues. High prolactin is most deleterious when combined with suppressed testosterone.
Cardiovascular Stress
Deca has an effect on the levels of cholesterol, mostly the reduction of HDL, or good cholesterol, and an increase in LDL, or bad cholesterol. This predisposes the user to heart and circulatory disease. Those users who took the steroid a bit longer reported an increase of the LDL level by 15-25% or more.
How to Avoid Deca Durabolin Side Effects
Fortunately, there are ways of minimizing or completely avoiding the side effects associated with Deca-Durabolin, and those proven strategies will be unveiled in this further text.
1. Use Moderate Dosages
One of the most important ways to avoid these side effects is the use of Deca-Durabolin in moderation. High levels of total dosages can give rise to high risks of testosterone inhibition, estrogenic side effects, and cardiovascular problems.
As previously stated, most users find 200-400 mg a week is sufficient to create gains at a steady, moderate pace. More absolutely does not mean better in this case, since there is a significantly higher risk of side effects when taking a higher dosage.
It has also been noted that users who took more than 600 mg a week showed well over more side effects, including heavy testosterone suppression and cardiovascular stress.
2. Stacking with Testosterone
Since Deca-Durabolin suppresses your natural testosterone production, it should be always stacked with an exogenous source of testosterone. Add testosterone to your cycle in order to avoid the low testosterone problems such as low sex drive, mood changes, and impotence.
This would be an average stack: a weekly dosage of 200-400 mg of Deca-Durabolin is combined with 300-500 mg of testosterone. This stack will ensure that you maintain stable levels of testosterone, hence minimizing the chances of developing Deca-related erectile dysfunction, popularly referred to as Deca dick.
In fact, it has been observed in research that users who had stacked their cycles with testosterone had sexual side effects 80-90% less than those who did not.
3. Utilize a Prolactin Inhibitor
A medication like cabergoline can be used alongside it as a prolactin inhibitor to avoid the buildup of prolactin, which could cause such ED and other sexual side effects. Cabergoline diminishes the levels of prolactin in the body so that they will not give rise to problems such as deca dick.
Typical dosing of cabergoline is 0.25 mg twice per week during the cycle. Studies indicate that at these doses, cabergoline may decrease prolactin levels 30-40%, thereby improving sexual function for the user as well.
This in turn, on being kept under control, can help you avoid many of the side effects related to libido that come with Deca-Durabolin.
4. PCT (POST CYCLE THERAPY)
Post Cycle Therapy becomes necessary after a Deca-Durabolin cycle to retain natural levels of testosterone. Not undergoing PCT after the cycles with Deca will lead to hormonal imbalance, which could be for quite a long time and may even cause depression with the suppression of libido.
Probably the most common protocol involving PCT incorporates either Clomid or Nolvadex into a stimulus for testosterone production.
You can also include hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your PCT to jumpstart your testosterone production.
A well-structured PCT should last for 4-6 weeks and can help bring your natural levels up, therefore reducing any risk of side effects once your cycle is over. In a study, it has been stated that users going through proper PCT brought back the levels of testosterone 60% sooner than those who did not.
5. Aromatase Inhibitors for Estrogen Control
Although Deca-Durabolin is only converted to a small extent to estrogen compared to Testosterone, it could still cause excessively high levels of estrogen. This can eventually lead to water and salt retention, followed by excessive bloating, and in extreme cases, gynecomastia.
You could thereby utilize an aromatase inhibitor such as Arimidex or Letrozole on a Deca cycle to inhibit the estrogen level from growing too high.
Dosage of Arimidex: 0.5 mg every other day may prevent estrogen levels from getting too out of check, therefore side effects such as water retention and gynecomastia should not be seen as much.
Some studies have concluded that 25-30% of users experience less estrogenic side effects when administering an AI during a steroid cycle.
6. Cardiovascular Status Assessment
Deca-Durabolin may alter your cholesterol, lowering HDL and predisposing you to develop cardiovascular problems like any AAS can; because of this, it will be good for you if you monitor cholesterol and blood pressure regularly in the cycle. Following are some of the ways to reduce factors of risk regarding cardiovascular diseases:
- Diet: Emphasize a heart-healthy diet rich in omega-3s, fiber, and antioxidants. Inclusion of fish, olive oil, and vegetables in your diet will help.
- Cardio: Doing a cardiovascular workout on a routine basis will keep your heart healthy. If it is done for 20 to 30 minutes three to four times a week, it will make the heart strong. It has been inferred from studies that 20-40% of all users face negative changes in cholesterol while on the drug; a healthy diet and the right amount of workout can decrease that risk by as much as a margin of 30%.
7. Keep Cycles Short
The longer you’re on Deca-Durabolin, the greater the possibility of side effects. Keeping your cycles relatively short will help minimize the risks associated with long-term testosterone suppression and cardiovascular strain you’re on Deca-Durabolin.
A standard Deca-Durabolin cycle typically runs for 8 upwards to 12 weeks in duration, though longer ones are also used. Yet, it is not advisable to prolong the said period because it will only increase the possibilities of some of the long-term side effects concerning cholesterol and hormonal imbalance.
Conclusion
Deca-Durabolin is one of the most potent and strong anabolic steroids, primarily used in muscle gain and recuperation, but may pose serious adverse events when badly handled.
At Steroids Market, we care about your health and safety, and that’s why we provide the best quality goods and education on how to use them responsibly. Remember, knowledge and responsibility are the keys toward minimizing any kind of side effects, and with these kinds of tools, you’ll be able to attain each goal with respect to fitness while your health is not compromised.
