With great power and speed come great side effects — and one of the most popular oral anabolic steroids, Dianabol, is not an exception from this rule. Here's what the sides of Dbol look like and how you can counter them. 

Why Dianabol Gives Side Effects?

Dianabol was never supposed to be side effects-free. Yes, according to the legend (or history), Dr. John Ziegler came up with the idea of a compound that would be more anabolic than testosterone and less androgenic as it is (meaning, in simple terms, “more benefits with less side effects”). 

However, complete elimination of any side effects would require lowering the anabolic properties of the compound. That’s why it was never considered. Want zero sides? Be a natty (or take Anavar). 

It's important that the initial idea behind Dianabol is partially true: it has LESS side effects than benefits. 

Dianabol Side Effects List

Here are some of the unwanted effects that the compound still can trigger. Watch out for them and keep your doses moderate:

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia occurs when a part of methandrostenolone is converted into estrogens – methylestradiol, which has 30% higher affinity to the estrogen receptors. To prevent this side — take aromatase inhibitors (Arimidex, Aromasin). In most cases they help to avoid the development of gynecomastia.

Liver Toxicity

Since methandrostenolone has a methyl group in the 17-α position, the drug produces a moderate toxic effect on the liver. The methyl group prevents Dianabol destruction in the liver, so that the drug can be taken by mouth (orally). 

Fluid Retention

It is another quite common side effect of methandrostenolone related to estrogens. Water retention occurs mostly in the muscles, creating the impression of bigger muscles. As soon as the cycle is finished, the excess fluid leaves the body, and you lose weight up to 10-50%.

Other side effects of Dianabol methandrostenolone

The list above is not definitive. In addition, depending on your personal tolerance and reaction, you can get some of these sides as well: 

  • Increased blood pressure. The problem can be solved by taking aromatase inhibitors during the course.

  • Increased libido during the course and temporally low sex drive after the course.

  • Testicular atrophy occurs in case of long cycles with high doses of Dianabol.

  • Acne during the course.

  • Heartburn, discomfort, fever, heat, burning sensation in the chest, spreading upwards from the upper abdomen (epigastric region) along the esophagus. Heartburns have periodic character.

  • Alopecia (hair loss)

  • Masculinization in women.

  • In case of overdose or genetic disposition there is a possibility of myocardial hypertrophy development.

  • Hypercoagulation state with hemorrhagic tendency, leukemoid syndrome (leukemia, pain in the long bones), iron-deficiency anemia.

  • The progression of atherosclerosis (increased LDL and decreased HDL concentrations), peripheral edema.

None of these are guaranteed to occur during your cycle but you should not be surprised in case you notice some of them. 

Dianabol PCT

The post-cycle therapy with Dianabol is defined by other compounds in the stack and the nature of your cycle. 

Dbol-only cycle PCT

You should remember that there’s no such thing as a Dianabol-only cycle and we just mean that in this cycle, Dianabol played the main role, while injectable Testosterone was just a safety measure. 

In this case, start PCT with Nolvadex 10-20mg ED right after the cycle ends. Especially if you were cycling Dbol in high doses. 

Dbol stack PCT 

In case you used Dianabol as a kickstart for the main compound in your cycle (Tren, Test, Deca Durabolin), you’re supposed to stop taking Dianabol long before your cycle ends. 

In that case, your PCT should start when all the compounds in the cycle wear off, not after Dianabol. 

Here’s an example of how it would work in a real-life situation:

  1. You run Dbol 20mg for 4 weeks, and Testosterone Enanthate in 500mg/week dose for 10 weeks. A good all-rounder;
  2. You started both at the same time to get some gains before the long-acting Enanthate ester will get active;
  3. When you drop Dianabol by week 4 — do NOT start the PCT: you’ll lose a significant portion of your gains and still will get suppressed when you drop testosterone by the end of week 10;
  4. Instead — wait for the cycle to end, wait for a few more days so exogenous testosterone can leave your system, and just then — introduce Nolvadex. 

We’d also recommend HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) as a PCT booster (that starts on cycle) and AIs (Arimidex or Aromasin) to minimize your chances for shutdown. 

Conclusion

It’s powerful, bloating, not that good for your liver, but insanely effective. In short, Dianabol is a classic bulker. The ultimate one. 

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