Testosterone Propionate

Testosterone propionate is a commonly manufactured, oil-based injectable testosterone compound. The added propionate ester will slow the rate in which the steroid is released from the injection site, but only for a few days. Testosterone propionate is therefore comparatively much faster acting than other testosterone esters such as cypionate or enanthate, and requires a much more frequent dosing schedule. While cypionate and enanthate are injected on a weekly basis, propionate is generally administered (at least) every third day. Figure one illustrates a typical release pattern after injection. As you can see, levels peak and begin declining quickly with this ester of testosterone. To make Testosterone Propionate even more uncomfortable to use, the propionate ester can be very irritating to the site of injection. In fact, many sensitive individuals choose to stay away from Testosterone Propionate completely, their body reacting with a pronounced soreness and low-grade fever that may last for a few days. Even the mild soreness that is experienced by most users can be quite uncomfortable, especially when taking multiple injections each week. The standard esters like enanthate and cypionate, which are clearly easier to use, are therefore much more popular among athletes.

Those who are not bothered by frequent injections will find that propionate is quite an effective steroid. It is of course of powerful mass drug, capable of producing rapid gains in size and strength. At the same time the buildup of estrogen and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) will be pronounced, so typical testosterone side effects are to be expected. Some do consider Testosterone Propionate to be the mildest testosterone ester, and the preferred form of this hormone for dieting/cutting phases of training. Some will go so far as to say that propionate will harden the physique. while giving the user less water and fat retention than one typically expects to see with a testosterone. Realistically however, this is nonsense. The ester is removed before testosterone is active in the body, and likewise the ester cannot alter the activity of the parent steroid in any way, only slow its release. We can say that propionate might be the favored testosterone among female bodybuilders (for those who insist on testosterone use!) as blood levels are easier to control with it compared to other esters. Should virilization symptoms develop, one would not wish to wait the weeks needed for testosterone concentrations to fall after a shot of enanthate for example.

During a typical Testosterone Propionate cycle one will see action that is consistent with a testosterone. Users sensitive to gynecomastia may therefore need to addition an antiestrogen. Those particularly troubled may find that a combination of Nolvadex and Proviron works especially well at preventing/halting this occurrence. Also unavoidable with a testosterone are androgenic side effects like oily skin, acne, increased aggression and body/facial hair growth. Those who may have a predisposition for male pattern baldness may also find that propionate will aggravate this condition. To help combat this we also have the option of adding Proscar, which will reduce the buildup of DHT in many androgen target tissues. This will help minimize related side effects (particularly hair loss) although it offers us no guarantees. And as with all testosterone products, propionate will also suppress endogenous testosterone production. The use of a testosterone stimulating drug like HCG and/or Clomid is therefore almost a requirement in order to avoid enduring a post-cycle crash.

The most common dosage schedule for Testosterone Propionate (men) is to inject 50 to 100 mg, every 2nd or 3rd day. As with the more popular esters, the total weekly dosage would be in the range of 200-400 mg. As with all testosterone compounds, this drug is most appropriately suited for bulking phases of training. Here it is most often combined with other strong agents such as Dianabol, Anadrol 50 or Deca-Durabolin, combinations that prove to be quite formidable. Propionate however is sometimes also used with non aromatizing anabolics/androgens during cutting or dieting phases of training, a time when its' fast action and androgenic nature are also appreciated. Popular stacks include a moderate dosage of propionate with an oral anabolic like Winstrol (15-35 mg daily), Primobolan (50-150 mg daily) or Oxandrolone (15-30 mg daily). Provided the body fat percentage is sufficiently low, the look of dense muscularity can be notably improved (barring any excess estrogen buildup from the testosterone). We can further add a non-aromatizing androgen like Trenbolone, which should have an even more extreme effect on subcutaneous body fat and muscle hardness. Of course with the added androgen content any related side effects will become much more pronounced.

Women who absolutely must use an injectable testosterone should only use this preparation. The Testosterone Propionate dosage schedule should also be more spread out for a female bodybuilder, with injections coming every 5 to 7 days. The dosage obviously would be lower as well, generally in the range of 25 mg to 50 mg per injection. Androgenic activity should be less pronounced with this schedule, giving blood levels time to sufficiently decrease before the drug is administered again. In order to further reduce any risks, the duration of this cycle should not exceed 8 weeks. Should a stronger anabolic effect be needed, a small amount of Durabolin (Deca-Durabolin if unavailable), Oxandrolone or Winstrol could be added. Of course the risk of noticing virilizing effects from these drugs may increase, even with the addition of a mild anabolic. Since many of the masculinizing side effects of steroid use can be irreversible, it is very important for the female athlete to monitor the dosage, duration and incidence of side effects very closely.