Technically speaking, Finastride is an orally active testosterone Type 11 5-alpha- reductase inhibitor. There are actually two different 5-alpha- reductase enzymes:

TYPE 1 – This is predominant in the sebaceous glands of most regions of the skin, including the scalp and the liver. Type 1 5alpha-reductase is responsible for approximately one third of circulating DHT.
TYPE 11 – This is found primarily in the prostate, seminal vesicles and hair follicles as well as the liver, and is responsible for two thirds of circulating DHT.

From the above information it is clear that any substance that actively blocks type 11 alpha reductase is of great value. Finasteride is this substance. Using Finasteride can actually reduce your total DHT levels by around 65%.

So why should you be concerned about blocking DHT?

Well, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a breakdown product of testosterone and is produced in the prostate gland, hair follicles and adrenal glands. High levels of DHT trigger hair loss and prostate growth in genetically susceptible men. When you use 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like Finasteride you effectively block DHT production, which in turn shrinks enlarged prostate glands and prevents hair loss. Although hair loss could be considered merely cosmetic it can be distressing for many men and, it goes without saying, that prostate enlargement is nothing to be dismissive of as it can be a forerunner to prostate cancer.

FINASTERIDE AND MUSCLE GROWTH

It has often been reported that the use of drugs such as Finasteride may slow muscle gains during a cycle and even lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). In a recent report in the Journal Andrology, it was stated that 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors did not cause ED, even in men who took the drugs for as long as two years and reduced DHT levels by up to 93%. Little effect was also observed in skeletal muscle.

There have also been reports of drugs such as Finasteride inhibiting natural testosterone production due to its action on luteinizing hormone release. Studies have also been conducted to call this assertion into question. In this case Finasteride, when administered with testosterone, actually allowed luteinizing hormone release to continue without interruption. The speculation here is that you can use Finasteride on a cycle (1mg/day) and possible keep your LH levels normal (and thus your HPTA) therefore making recovery much easier on ceasing anabolic use.
This is merely speculation though.

DOSAGE

For men concerned about their hairline or those who have incidences of prostate issues in their family, then 1mg/day of Finasteride may be worth considering. Also, when using androgenic steroids (e.g. testosterone) this substance should be considered to ward off hair loss. Boldenone Undecyclate (Equipoise) is another drug that responds well to Finasteride.

SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects associated with the use of Finasteride are relatively uncommon and are primarily sexual in nature (e.g. decreased semen production, decreased sex drive, breast tenderness). When use is kept to the recommended 1mg/day this should not be of concern. In fact statistics reveal only one or two men in a hundred actually suffer any side effects and this is usually due to taking more than the recommended safe dosage.

N.B. Finasteride is currently on special offer from Maxi Medicine at: www.maximedicine.com

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag giving information on a variety of performance-enhancing drugs for educational purposes. While it is apparent that people are going to use these substances regardless of the health and legal risks involved, quality information is necessary and learning as much about them as possible can only assist an adult making a decision either way.

Nolvadex (tamoxifen citrate) is probably the most popular ancillary drug for male steroid users who wish to avoid the estrogen like effects caused by the use of anabolic steroids (e.g. gynecomastia). Nolvadex binds to estrogen receptors thus blocking the hormones action on target tissues and achieving an anti-estrogenic effect.

Also worth noting is the fact that Nolvadex is an estrogen agonist in the liver and is capable of mimicking estrogen in this organ. At first glance you may wonder why this could be considered a good thing, however, when you realize that estrogen positively effects HDL (good) cholesterol values in the liver its value in this instance becomes obvious. As you know, steroid use tends to suppress HDL levels and raise LDL levels significantly leading to increased cholesterol levels and cardiac risk. Adding Nolvadex may therefore form a protective function in this case, although it certainly does not save the liver from all the other hazards involved with the use of c-17 alpha alkylated orals.

Nolvadex also has the ability to increase production of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) in the male body. A higher level of LH stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce more testosterone therefore Nolvadex can actually have a positive influence on testosterone levels. This is particularly important when ending a cycle of steroid use, since most anabolic/androgenic steroids significantly reduce the production of natural testosterone. Adding Nolvadex can assist in returning testosterone levels to normal levels in most cases however, following longer cycles of stronger drugs the addition of HCG (a hormone which mimics LH) may be required to kick start the testes into action.

This needs to be done with care though since HCG also enhances the rate of aromatization in the testes (i.e. the conversion of testosterone to estrogen) and, in order to avoid unwanted side effects, anti- estrogens should not be discontinued until at least a couple of weeks after ceasing the use of HCG.

DOSAGE

Men should typically take 10 to 30mg/day depending on the amount of steroid used and the length of cycle. Starting at a low dosage and working up is recommended in order to avoid taking more than is necessary.

Women should air caution when using Nolvadex since they are more susceptible to side effects caused by reduced estrogen levels (i.e. hot flashes, menstrual irregularities and complications involving the reproductive system). With this in mind, anti-estrogens are more tolerable for women after the point of menopause. Many top-level competitors still favor its use prior to competition in order to reduce body fat levels in hips and thighs and prevent fluid retention (All influenced by estrogen levels). In this case it would be wise to stick to a low dose (10mg/day) and to carefully monitor effects.

WHEN TO BEGIN USE

The time to bring Nolvadex into your cycle depends on individual sensitivity to estrogens and the strength of anabolics being used. An athlete who is very sensitive to estrogen may need to begin its use soon after commencing a cycle (particularly where stronger drugs are going to be used). If estrogen is likely to be less of an issue, Nolvadex should be taken towards the end of a cycle and continued for some weeks after – when testosterone levels are deemed to be back to a normal level.

It is also worth noting that there have been reports of Nolvadex use actually inhibiting the gains made during a steroid cycle. This is because some estrogen is considered to be important when it comes to increasing the uptake and action of anabolics. With this in mind and, as mentioned earlier, it is wise to start on the low side with Nolvadex use and monitor the effects.

Individual sensitivity to estrogen is variable and may be influenced by factors such as age and body fat percentage (adipose tissue being a virtual factory for estrogen production). Many people have little trouble with excess estrogen – even when using the strongest drugs – whilst others find their estrogen levels rise just at the mere sight of a Dianabol tablet!
So monitor yourself and administer according to your needs.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.