Stanozolol (Winstrol)

Description

• Medical Uses: Stanozolol has been used to treat hereditary angioedema (a condition causing severe swelling), certain types of anemia, and, in some cases, osteoporosis.
• Performance Enhancement: It is widely abused by bodybuilders and athletes to enhance performance, increase speed, and develop a “dry,” lean, and vascular appearance, particularly during “cutting” cycles.
• Veterinary Use: It has been used to treat weight loss, improve appetite, and enhance red blood cell production in animals 

• Administration: It is available in both oral tablet form and as an injectable aqueous suspension.
• Mechanism: It mimics testosterone to increase protein synthesis, but is a 17α-alkylated steroid, allowing it to survive first-pass liver metabolism when taken orally.
• No Estrogen Conversion: Unlike many steroids, Stanozolol does not convert to estrogen, meaning it does not cause water retention or gynecomastia (breast tissue growth in men).
• Metabolism: It has a relatively short half-life, with a 9-hour half-life for the oral version and 24 hours for the injectable form. 

• Liver Damage: Because it is a 17α-alkylated compound, it is highly hepatotoxic, which can cause liver damage, cholestatic jaundice, and in rare cases, liver tumors.
• Cardiovascular Issues: It is known to negatively impact cholesterol by drastically decreasing HDL (“good” cholesterol) and increasing LDL (“bad” cholesterol), which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Hormonal Imbalances: It causes suppression of natural testosterone, leading to infertility, impotence, and testicular atrophy in men.
• Virilization (Women): Women may experience irreversible masculine effects, including voice deepening, body hair growth, and menstrual irregularities.
• Musculoskeletal Risks: It may cause joint pain (dry joints) due to lack of water retention and can cause premature joint closure in teenagers.
• Psychiatric Effects: Potential for mood changes, aggression, and dependency. Legal Status and Testing
• Controlled Substance: Stanozolol is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance in the U.S..
• Doping Ban: It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and most sporting organizations.
• Detection: Advanced testing methods can detect metabolites of Stanozolol for long periods after use, even in retrospect.