Primobolan A Popular Steroid Amongst Athletes for Its Limited Side Effects

By Iliriana Bisha Tagani MD | Published on February 9, 2019
Reviewed By Gilmore Health | On: December 16, 2023

All You Need to Know About Primobolan

Primobolan is nowhere near the most popular or powerful anabolic steroid on the market. But it is still popular, maybe for a different reason. The compound seems to hold the potential for great results if used for the correct purpose. It is said to be one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s favorite steroids. You may conclude the benefits are obvious in that case if the rumors are true.

Primobolan

In this article, we attempt to provide you with all you should know before using this drug. Learn about its pros, cons, and usage.

What is Primobolan?

Primobolan is a popular trade name for the anabolic and androgen steroid methenolone. This compound is familiar to many experienced steroid users, who often call it “Primo.” It has a mild nature that makes it more tolerable to use compared to many other steroids.

Methenolone is a synthetic androstane steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is a structurally altered form of the testosterone by-product, with the addition of a double bond at carbon atoms 1 and 2 of the latter. The substance also has an extra 1-methyl group for protection against metabolism and breakdown in the liver.

Primobolan shares several qualities with its parent substance. A major quality is that the aromatase enzyme does not aromatize it into the female hormone estrogen. This makes it less likely to produce estrogenic side effects, such as fluid retention and gynecomastia.

This drug is often compared to another popular anabolic steroid Anavar. But Primobolan is actually milder than Anavar. It has an androgenic rating between 44 and 57 and an anabolic rating of 88. Both ratings are even lower than those of testosterone.

Primobolan was originally released by Squibb into the U.S. market in 1962. The injectable form known as methenolone enanthate was the first compound available on the market for commercial use. An oral form, methenolone acetate, later emerged in the same year. The company sold it under the brand name Nibal.

The injectable variant is now sold under the brand name Primobolan Depot. The oral form is usually simply referred to as Primobolan.

Why Do People Use Primobolan?

Methenolone was originally released for medical use. It is mainly used in the treatment of anemia resulting from bone marrow failure. It is also used in the treatment of medical conditions whose symptoms include muscle wasting. This steroid is also known to promote weight gain in premature infants.

One of the major traits of Primobolan is its ability to boost the immune system. As an immunostimulant, it enhances the ability of the body to fight infections. Its use in the treatment of people with AIDS is reported to prevent muscle wasting.

A key reason Primo has been adopted in the athletic and bodybuilding circle has to do with cutting. It is a favorite product for many users. This steroid puts your body in a state that helps you burn fat faster. It enhances your metabolic rate.

You may be aware that as metabolism improves there is also a risk of lean muscle mass loss. That actually explains why many users find Primobolan fascinating. It helps with protein synthesis and nitrogen retention, thus proving beneficial for gaining muscle mass.

Athletes also use methenolone, although it is not usually a favorite for performance enhancement. It only gives a moderate boost in strength and endurance.

It is not very common to find Primobolan in the off-season bulking cycle. The compound is not as effective as some other anabolic steroids in packing on mass. But that’s regarding men. The story is a little bit different for women as they are typically more sensitive to this type of compound.

How is Primobolan Used?

As we mentioned, methenolone is available in both oral and injectable forms. The latter variant is more popular among non-medical users, as this form tends to stay longer in the body.

But methenolone acetate hasn’t always been an oral steroid. It was at one time offered by the German drug company Schering in injectable form. That was the favorite in the bodybuilding community until its production was halted in the 1990s. It is now extremely difficult to obtain, which explains the preference for Primobolan Depot these days.

The ideal doses of the steroid will depend on the form, gender, and purpose of use. In therapeutic settings, the typical dosage for a first-timer is 200 mg. This is followed by a dose of 100 mg to 200 mg every one or two weeks, depending on the condition. Most oral dosages fall in the range of 100 mg to 150 mg per day. There is no standard guide on dosing for female users.

Dosing in the bodybuilding and athletic circle is somewhat similar to that of medical uses. Dosing often starts at about 50 mg per day for males and could be as high as 200 mg per day. Safe dosage for female users will range from around 25 mg to 50 mg per day.

Daily doses usually apply to the oral form of methenolone. There is no need to split them into smaller amounts. For the injectable variant, users typically use it once every week or every two weeks because of the longer half-life. The oral form is preferable for female users.

Bodybuilders stack methenolone with testosterone (enanthate or propionate form). The steroid also stacks with Trenbolone, Winstrol, Anavar, or Masteron. It is standardly used for about 6-8 weeks.

Legality and Availability

Primobolan is a Schedule III controlled substance in the U.S. It has not been manufactured in the country since Squibb ceased production in the 1960s. The drug stopped selling in America since then, although it remained on the list of drugs approved by the FDA. It is considered a “European anabolic steroid,” having been manufactured in Europe.

Schering, which acquired rights to methenolone, pulled the drug from most markets following the rise in illicit use. It is legally available in a handful of countries, including Turkey, Japan, and Spain.

What all this means is that it is rather tough getting quality Primobolan, compared to some other steroids. However, the injectable enanthate ester is easier to get than both oral and injectable acetate ester variants.

If you live in the U.S., you will be breaking the law by buying anabolic steroids online.

Risks and Side Effects

Primobolan ranks among the safest anabolic steroids. It has a mild nature and lower androgenic strength, making it less likely to produce side effects.

But there is still a risk of side effects. It is still strong enough to cause androgenic issues in female users, especially when taken in high doses. Possible problems include facial and body hair growth, clitoral enlargement, and deepening of the vocal cords.

Primobolan can suppress the natural production of testosterone, although to a lesser extent compared to other steroids. Exogenous testosterone is advisable when using the compound.

The drug has almost no effect on blood pressure. But high doses, as often seen in performance circles, can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.

Methenolone is somewhat unique among orally active steroids. It is not a C17-alpha alkylated compound. This is one of the reasons why it is used by many people. It means that this steroid is less harmful to the liver.

Conclusion

Primobolan is an anabolic steroid usable for almost all users due to its mild nature. It is more commonly used in cutting cycles. The compound is effective in promoting a cut, well-chiseled appearance. But non-medical use is usually considered illegal.

Side effects are still possible from the use of methenolone, especially for physique and performance improvement. You could promote fat loss and enhance performance by boosting your growth hormone levels naturally. Legal HGH releasers may be better or at least safer when looking to enjoy similar benefits.