7 Potential Winstrol Side Effects – What You Need To Know

Winstrol, the trade name for Stanozolol, has been a popular anabolic steroid since 1962.

Originally developed to treat conditions such as appetite stimulation and mass-building in elderly patients or those suffering from dwarfism by affecting the pituitary gland, it became better known in the 1970s for its many side effects.

Consequently, its widespread use for bodybuilding purposes soon became wrongfully prescribed and it is now classed as a controlled substance with legal implications for possession or usage.

However, despite certain risks associated with its consumption, Winstrol is still approved by the FDA as a treatment for hereditary angioedema due to its ability to increase C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH) and C4 proteins.

It is recommended however that patients are placed on the lowest effective dose due to toxicity concerns related to long-term use.

In this article, we will examine the potential side effects of Winstrol.

Winstrol Side Effects

Liver Damage

Winstrol is an anabolic steroid known for its hepatotoxic characteristics, primarily due to its c-17 alpha-alkylated oral form.

Although Winstrol can be a helpful tool for bodybuilders seeking substantial muscle gains, users need to understand the risks of liver damage that come with excessive use.

The hepatic processing of this steroid causes inflammation and raises the enzymes ALT and AST, which can ultimately lead to cirrhosis if not treated properly.

To combat these concerns, many bodybuilders take supplements such as TUDCA (500mg/day) during their cycles as a preventative measure.

Interestingly, TUDCA is an FDA-approved treatment for various cholestatic liver diseases making it a viable option for liver support while using Winstrol.

Changes in Cholesterol

When using certain oral anabolic androgenic steroids, like Winstrol, sometimes cardiovascular side effects can result due to alterations in the cholesterol profiles.

Specifically, LDL cholesterol levels increase while HDL decreases, and this increases the risk of myocardial infarction because of the rise in blood pressure.

The hepatic lipase stimulation that occurs with Winstrol use further reduces HDL cholesterol, making bodybuilders more vulnerable to cardiac damage.

Fortunately, individuals can modify their lifestyle accordingly and adopt measures such as taking fish oil supplements or engaging in regular cardio exercises to mitigate risks as much as possible; however, it is dependent on each individual’s genetics and susceptibility to heart disease.

Joint Pain

Water loss is a common goal amongst individuals seeking a more ripped physique, especially bodybuilders.

Yet, it has its risks due to the decreased extracellular fluid. Joint pain is an increased risk amongst elderly steroid users and thus careful consideration must be taken into account when creating their cycle.

While Winstrol provides water loss and gives a full vascular look during the cutting season, Deca Durabolin may offer even better protection for those wanting to bulk up in the off-season by increasing the synovial fluid production which can help protect the joint’s health.

Thus, athletes should consider stacking these two steroids together when going through a weight control cycle and taking into account joint health as a priority.

Testosterone Suppression

Winstrol, an anabolic steroid, has the potential to damage the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA), leading to suppressed testosterone levels.

Post-cycle therapy (PCT) can be used as a means of speeding up the recovery process and returning testosterone levels to normal.

Nolvadex, Clomid, or hCG are commonly prescribed medications for this purpose; Nolvadex or Clomid should usually be enough for single-steroid cycles while all three can be taken together if you’ve employed a potent stack.

Notably, hCG is mostly used to restore sperm count rather than test production itself. PCT can help reduce steroid side effects and ensure that users have minimal hormonal suppression once they complete a cycle with Winstrol.

Acne

Acne is a common side effect of steroid use, but Winstrol stands out in this regard as it has a marked potential to block pores due to sebum production.

The androgenic of Winstrol is much lower than other similar anabolic steroids, presenting some protection from more severe side effects that can be associated with the use of these products.

As such, users should be aware of the potential for acne manifestation when taking Winstrol but understand that the likelihood and severity of this side effect should be reduced significantly.

Hair Loss

Winstrol is an anabolic steroid oftentimes utilized for performance-enhancing drugs, but it has numerous side effects.

One of the lesser-known effects of Winstrol is hair loss due to its ability to increase dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the bloodstream.

For individuals who are predisposed towards male pattern baldness, DHT levels elevated by this drug can lead to thinning or receding hair on top of the scalp.

Finasteride, a medication typically used to inhibit hair loss, will not be effective against this problem as Winstrol itself is already a derivative of DHT and thus further conversion into it cannot take place.

It’s important when making decisions on whether or not to use Winstrol that the potential risks are considered with permanent effects such as hair loss high on the list.

Virilization

Taking Winstrol, a popular anabolic steroid can lead to virilization, which is the development of masculine characteristics in women.

This occurs because Winstrol has a low affinity for Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), resulting in heightened levels of free testosterone.

Due to the likelihood of virilization occurring, Winstrol is not recommended as a steroid option for women who wish to retain their feminine features, unless taken in minuscule doses that are unlikely to bring about desired results.

Anavar, on the other hand, is a better choice for female athletes because it doesn’t make them look more like men.

Women Specific Side Effects

Winstrol used medicinally and recreationally among bodybuilders, is considered one of the few safe anabolic steroids for use by women.

The drug offers several benefits when used for building muscle and strength, notably “dry gains” that do not lead to bloating or water retention.

However, at doses exceeding 10 mg/day, it can lead to masculizing side effects such as voice deepening, body hair growth, clitoral enlargement, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, and hair loss on the scalp.

Fortunately, most of these symptoms will disappear when Winstrol use is suspended.

Female users must be mindful of potential risks stemming from Winstrol use such as increased liver toxicity and alterations in cholesterol levels that are not gender-specific.

FAQ

Do Winstrol’s Benefits Outweigh the Side Effects?

Among bodybuilders, Winstrol has been used as a compound to increase muscle growth and strength.

However, there are mild and safe compounds that can produce better results than Winstrol without the extreme side effects.

Anavar is one such example, with bulking steroids being far superior when looking to build lean muscle.

For off-season use, testosterone is usually the preferred choice due to its greater safety profile compared to many other steroids.

Trenbolone stands out as arguably one of the best compounds for cutting cycles and fat loss while still maintaining muscle gains; plus it comes with less severe side effects than Winstrol.

Ultimately, many alternatives to Winstrol bring greater benefits with minimal downsides.

Can Winstrol Cause Gynecomastia (Gyno)?

Winstrol is often a first option for those looking to boost their physical performance, as it has minimal estrogen activity coupled with an excellent record of reducing excess body fat and water retention.

Unlike other types of anabolic-androgenic steroids, Winstrol is unlikely to cause gynecomastia because the aromatization process doesn’t occur or stimulate the estrogen receptors in this case.

However, when taking higher doses, especially for bodybuilding purposes, the progesterone levels may increase potentially leading to gynecomastia.

If this situation arises and nipples become puffy, anti-estrogen medications can be prescribed by a medical consultant; although care should be taken with these as they reduce healthy cholesterol levels and can exacerbate high blood pressure if taken without due consideration.

How Quickly Does Winstrol Work?

Winstrol Depot is an injectable form of the steroid stamina-enhancing drug Stanozolol, with a half-life of 24 hours.

This means that it may take longer for results to become visible than when using the oral version of Winstrol, which has a half-life of 9 hours and will often result in results appear within the first week of use.

On the flip side, the Injectable Winstrol is more biochemically available, which may mean slightly better results at the end of a cycle compared to the quicker-acting oral version.

Thus, depending on individual needs and preferences, both forms can be beneficial in different situations.

Does Winstrol raise blood pressure?

It has been noted in the medical literature that Winstrol can lead to elevated blood pressure due to its impact on the cardiovascular system.

One advantage of this particular steroid is that it does not possess any estrogenic properties so it does not cause fluid retention, which can often be a factor in increasing blood pressure.

Therefore, when considering taking Winstrol as part of your health and fitness goals, it is important to consider all possible consequences, particularly those associated with increased blood pressure.

Can Winstrol cause heart problems?

Winstrol is certainly not without risks, as one of its side effects lies in a negative impact on heart health.

Whereas it may increase bad cholesterol levels, it simultaneously lowers good cholesterol levels, making its extended use quite dangerous to your overall cardiovascular system.

This puts the user at extreme risk of developing heart disease or even stroke if left unchecked.

It is highly advisable to individuals who have either existing cholesterol issues or existing heart problems not to use Stanozolol in any capacity whatsoever.

The precautionary measure is necessary given the severity of the side effect and its possible consequences if one decides to proceed regardless.

Does Winstrol make you angry?

Winstrol is a popular anabolic steroid and, despite its reputation as a performance enhancer, it is not commonly associated with increased aggression, or so-called “roid rage.”

Still, mood changes and increased anger can be rare side effects of the steroid.

For some users, however, this heightened aggression could have a positive effect when it comes to workout performance in the gym.

On the other hand, depression can also be a possible side effect of Winstrol when taken over a longer period.

It is important to practice caution when taking any kind of steroid and monitor your physical and mental health throughout use.

Can Winstrol turn a woman into a man?

Anabolic steroids are commonly used by athletes around the world. Unfortunately, when used by female athletes, anabolic steroids can lead to masculinization in females as one of its possible side effects.

This essentially means that female features may be replaced with male physical features such as deepened voices and thick facial hair.

However, Winstrol can be safely used by women at much lower doses of no more than 15mg per day with minimal or no risks of these masculinizing side effects occurring at least at these low daily doses.

It is important to note though that this is not a guarantee and higher doses (of 15mg or more) can still cause virilization in women ending femininity and drastically changing their physical and vocal appearance.

Nevertheless, Winstrol will not turn a woman into a man due to the hormone levels present in the body; it may only cause physical masculinization to occur.

Summary

Winstrol is a powerful anabolic steroid that has become increasingly popular for its bodybuilding and performance enhancement benefits.

However, despite its recognizable results, it comes with a raft of health risks.

As this steroid can increase blood pressure, cause fluid retention, and adverse cholesterol levels, it is not generally considered safe for use.

Furthermore, those taking the drug may experience relatively minor side effects like acne, joint pain, headaches, hair loss and dizziness.

Given these considerations about Winstrol’s safety profile, potential users should always exercise caution when using this steroid.