Winstrol (Stanozolol)

People who are on the fence about using steroids, but on the verge of hopping on, usually get the strangest ideas about oral steroids.

Oral only steroid cycles, oral steroid stacks without an injectable, running orals for up to 16-weeks.

And to top it off, for some reason, they believe that they can do orals and get away without PCT.

Oh its crazy, we tell you.

While researching orals, on most occasions, Winstrol is one of the first names that pops up.

It’s touted to be a mild steroid after all and has a nickname that sounds like it’s candy or something.

Winny! How harmful could something called ‘Winny’ be?

Look at messaging boards. It’s crammed with stuff like, ‘Ran Winny for eight weeks. Felt fantastic’

That doesn’t tell you shit about Winstrol or how or why to use it.

Let’s find out.

What is Winstrol?

Winstrol or Stanozolol is a Dihydrotestosterone-derived, oral anabolic steroid that is quite popular among athletes and seasoned bodybuilders.

Ben Johnson, the disgraced sprinter was caught doping with Winstrol when he beat American favorite Carl Lewis and that has been Winstrol’s two minutes of fame in the media.

In bodybuilding circles though, Winny has been a pre-contest staple for a while now.

Along with Primobolan and Anavar, it is believed to have been one of the most commonly used steroids in the golden age of bodybuilding.

For the ones interested in the scientific part of things, Winny is a C17-alpha alkylated (C17-aa) steroid with two modifications to the DHT molecule that allows it to bypass the liver in an active form.

However, it is also available in an injectable form, which is more difficult to source, even in UG labs.  

The results of a Winstrol Cycle

Winstrol’s main appeal lies in its ability to harden muscles and give you roadmap vascularity.

Something that’s not achievable with any other single compound, except Trenbolone.

The muscle hardener:

Winstrol will dry you out like no other compound. It makes your muscles appear harder and fibrous. You look leaner at the waist. The effect can also be seen in the deltoids. And if you club it with a mass gaining steroid like Testosterone, it will mask a lot of the water-retention and softness that comes with it. One of the best mass gaining steroid stacks includes Test-E, Deca Durabolin & Winstrol.

Strength increase:

Winstrol really shines in an athletic performance enhancement setting because it can give the athlete dramatic strength increases without a noticeable increase in muscle mass. Think about like being faster and stronger but as lean as you always were. Not a mass monster. Most people wouldn’t even realize that you are on a ped.

Reduces SHBG:

Winstrol’s action on reducing the level of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin is more pronounced than any other anabolic steroid. For this reason, the levels of free-testosterone in the body starts to increase from day-1 of your cycle. More test=More muscle.

The usual stuff:

Like any other DHT-derived anabolic steroid, Winstrol increases the production of RBC in the body and also enhances nitrogen retention. These are the building blocks of anabolism. Throw in extra calories to the mix and heavy weights and you are looking at some solid gains.

Collagen synthesis:

There are multiple clinical studies that have proven that Winstrol increases collagen synthesis, which in turn may help in healing sooner from injuries. However, there’s more to this than what meets the eye. We will discuss it when we come to the side effects section.

What are the side effects of Winstrol?

Winstrol’s side effects are synonymous with those caused by any 17aa oral anabolic steroid.

But the most widely discussed one is the muscle drying side effect. In fact, it has caused a dent in Winstrol’s popularity off late.

Dry joints:

We mentioned about Winstrol’s ability to increase collagen synthesis which should be great for achy joints. But Winstrol also cuts down the secretion of cortisol heavily. A nominal dip in cortisol levels should be beneficial for a bodybuilder because it is considered to be a catabolic hormone. But when the levels drop dramatically, it dries the joints out somewhat negating the collagen synthesis effect. This seems to be individual specific. But the ones who do feel it are unable to lift even a dumbbell when the cramps hit. It can be extremely painful. A workaround might be to club it with Deca or Primo, which are great for joint health.

Lipids:

At higher than normal doses, which means PED level doses, Winstrol can be very harsh on your lipids. Even injectable Winstrol can cause your HDL levels to dip by almost 50% and increase your LDL by an equal amount during an 8-week cycle. It is extremely important that you follow a cardiovascular exercise program and supplement with healthy fats like Fish oils.

Hepatotoxicity:

Being an oral 17aa steroid, Winstrol is stressful on your liver. But it’s not as bad as it is made out to be. With supplementation, you should be able to maintain your liver values close to normal. Also, alcohol should be avoided strictly while you are using orals.  

Suppression:

Winstrol will suppress you pretty bad. And that’s why it’s always better to club it with an injectable steroid, like testosterone or Deca Durabolin.

On a positive note, it does not aromatize and is not highly estrogenic in nature. This means that the chances of getting gyno is close to zilch when you are using Winstrol.

What is the recommended dose for Winstrol?

If you are using the oral form, start with 25mg/day for the first three weeks, 50mg/day for the next two weeks and bump it up to 100mg/day for the last three weeks. If you experience achy joints, reduce the dose to 50% or come off the drug for a few days to see if it subsides.

If you are using the injectable version, then one 50mg injection a day suffices and gives you great results.

Women can get good results from much smaller doses of Winstrol.

Closing thoughts

Winstrol can be a great choice for anyone looking for a strength increasing compound.

But it really shines in a contest-prep setting where it gives you that hard, chiseled finishing touch.