Testosterone Cypionate is one of the longest esters of testosterone available today. Its half-life in the body is approximately 15 to 16 days (half-life 6-8 days). The drug is available in the form of an oil solution. Because it acts for such a long period of time, it can cause water retention to a greater extent than other anabolic steroids. Most often it is used in combined cycles to gain muscle mass results.
In the body, Testosterone Cypionate acts as a natural hormone testosterone and a male sex hormone that is responsible for many of the physical and emotional qualities of a man. It causes voice coarsening, decreased sex drive, aggression and muscle growth. Testosterone works through anabolic receptors, causing the muscles to retain more nitrogen, which in turn, creates proteins of the muscles.
The disadvantage of Testosterone Cypionate is that it is flavored, or in other words converted into estrogens. When too much estrogen is formed in the male body, female features begin to manifest themselves: gynecomastia, water retention, fat deposition by the female type, and there is a decrease in sexual attraction and testicular atrophy. Most adverse effects can be prevented if used correctly.
The Popularity of Testosterone Cypionate
Testosterone Cypionate is very common in the United States. Although Testosterone Enanthate is produced at an increasing rate worldwide, Cypionate is manufactured mainly in America; therefore, it is not surprising that American athletes often use it in their practice.
Many argue that the preferences of American athletes is associated not so much with greater availability of Testosterone Cypionate, compared to other esters, but with its great anabolic effect and results. Disadvantages of the drug, including fluid retention, can be eliminated with the help of antiestrogens.
Difference Between Testosterone Cypionate vs Enanthate
If we compare Testosterone Cypionate and Enanthate objectively, we can conclude that these two steroids are interchangeable, and Cypionate is essentially no better. Both are long-acting, oil-based and injected. This allows the body to maintain a high level of testosterone for about two weeks. Enanthate may be more preferable in terms of the release of the free form of testosterone, since in this ether there is one carbon atom less (the duration of the testosterone ether the longer the ethereal chain). Despite the stormy discussions on the forums, in practice the difference is very small, so the choice may be dictated by availability rather than pharmacological properties.
The Results from Effects of Testosterone Cypionate
Like all injectable forms of testosterone, Cypionate causes significant results including gains in muscle mass and strength during the cycle. Since testosterone is easily converted to estrogens, approximately 30 % of the mass will be accounted for by the liquid, which is quickly lost after the cycle ends.
For the same reason, Testosterone Cypionate is not suitable for the cycle. Excessive levels of estrogen caused by this drug can lead to the development of gynecomastia, which manifests itself as pain, swelling or compaction in the nipple area. To prevent this, auxiliary drugs (Nolvadex or Clomid) are used. Antiestrogens minimize the effect of estrogen, and reduce the action of anabolic steroids in a directed direction. It is best to use aromatase blockers.
Androgenic Side Effects
Since testosterone is the main male androgen, one can also expect the development of pronounced androgenic side effects. In many ways, their severity is associated with the rate at which testosterone in the body turns into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This substance is a metabolite of testosterone, which is responsible for the development of known androgenic effects that are associated with the use of Testosterone Cypionate. These include: increased sebum, acne, hair growth on the body and face, as well as male pattern baldness.
Loss of hair on the head is not likely at all. Those who have a genetic predisposition (in the case of baldness in the family) should be cautious of this side effect. To prevent this, you can use the drug Propecia, which blocks the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. Propecia significantly reduces the risk of alopecia, as well as reduces the likelihood of other androgenic effects.
