How to Take Dianabol: Understanding Risks and Benefits

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 References

Dianabol (also known as "Methandrostenolone" or "Metandienone") is an anabolic steroid.^{[1]
X
Research source} If you're a beginning bodybuilder, you might be tempted by reports of massive gains, but the risks of this drug far outweigh the benefits.^{[2]
X
Research source} Here, we've gathered answers to some of your most common questions about this drug so you can make an informed decision on how to approach your training.

Question 1 of 10:

What is Dianabol used for?

Doctors prescribe Dianabol to treat hormonal problems and muscle loss. Patients recovering from cancer or AIDS, for example, may benefit from Dianabol. Bodybuilders and athletes, who are otherwise healthy, take Dianabol to increase muscle mass. The drug can also give you more energy and generally improve performance. Since they're not taking the drug to correct an illness or deficiency, this is considered "misuse."^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services devoted to researching drug and drug abuse and educating the public
Go to source}
- Bodybuilders and athletes typically take Dianabol in much larger dosages than a doctor would prescribe, which leads to more severe side effects.

Question 2 of 10:

What forms does Dianabol come in?

Dianabol comes primarily in pill or injectable form. You can also take Dianabol through transdermal patches, or by rubbing a gel directly on your skin. However, pills and injections are by far the most common way to take the drug.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- You'll most commonly see Dianabol sold as a blue heart-shaped pill. These pills are illegal in the US and many other countries, even though they are common on the black market.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}

Question 3 of 10:

Is Dianabol legal?

It depends on what country you live in. In the US, for example, Dianabol is not legal. In other countries, such as the UK, Dianabol is a controlled substance only available by prescription.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} If you're thinking about taking Dianabol, find out the drug's legal status in your country ahead of time.
- Dianabol is banned in competitive sports by national and international organizations. Even if it's legal in your country, don't take it if you participate in competitive sports.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- While there's plenty of Dianabol available on the black market, this isn't a very smart thing to pursue. You can never be sure that the drug is pure or contains the dosage specified, and you won't have medical support while taking it.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}

Question 4 of 10:

What happens if you're caught using Dianabol?

Penalties for illegally using Dianabol include hefty fines and jail time. If you're caught with Dianabol, the criminal penalties are similar to those for any other illegal drug in the same class (the classification, though, differs among countries). The penalties are typically more severe if you get caught with a larger quantity or if you're illegally selling the drug as well as taking it yourself.
- If you're in competitive sports, testing positive for Dianabol can result in fines, suspension, or even a permanent ban from the sport.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}

Question 5 of 10:

Do women also take Dianabol?

Yes, women also take Dianabol. While the female body may get some of the same benefits as the male body, including increased muscle mass and energy, side effects are often different. Women take Dianabol for the same reason men do, to build muscle and improve athletic performance.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Although it's seldom covered in scientific surveys, women tend to use Dianabol and other anabolic steroids far less than men.^{[11]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Institute on Drug Abuse
  Agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services devoted to researching drug and drug abuse and educating the public
  Go to source}

Question 6 of 10:

What are some common side effects of Dianabol?

Common side effects include heart attack, stroke, and kidney or liver damage. Both men and women might also experience hair loss, high blood pressure, fluid retention, blood clots, and high cholesterol. Dianabol can also cause psychological side effects such as aggression, mood swings, paranoia, and hallucinations. Other side effects are different for men and women.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Women may also experience facial hair growth and body hair, loss of breasts, swelling of the clitoris, a deepened voice, an increased sex drive, and problems with periods.
- Men may also experience reduced sperm count, shrunken testicles, erectile dysfunction, baldness, breast development, and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Question 7 of 10:

Can you avoid Dianabol's side effects?

Not really, but users take other drugs to attempt to lessen side effects. Dianabol can wreak havoc on your body, especially your liver and circulatory system. Users add other drugs to the mix to support healthy liver function, attempt to speed up the recovery of natural testosterone production, and control levels of estrogen.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- The practice of taking other drugs along with Dianabol is known as "stacking." There is no scientific evidence that stacking or any other dosage practice reduces the medical harm caused by taking Dianabol.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Institute on Drug Abuse
  Agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services devoted to researching drug and drug abuse and educating the public
  Go to source}

Question 8 of 10:

How does Dianabol affect testosterone levels?

Dianabol can suppress your body's natural production of testosterone. Studies have shown that in as little as 8 weeks, even a relatively low dosage of 15 mg a day can decrease testosterone production by 69%. Many users take supplemental testosterone to alleviate this side effect.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- As a result of lowered testosterone, men who take Dianabol for longer periods may have related side effects, including gynecomastia (the development of breasts), shrunken testicles, and erectile dysfunction.
- If you take Dianabol for an extended period, it can take as long as 4 months for your body's testosterone levels to return to normal.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}

Question 9 of 10:

Is Dianabol addictive?

No, Dianabol is not physically addictive, but users might experience withdrawal. Users often become reliant on Dianabol to build their confidence and self-esteem, so that they end up feeling unworthy without the drug. Long-term users often experience depression and suicidal thoughts when they're no longer taking the drug.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- It's not uncommon for Dianabol users to combine the steroid with other drugs, such as testosterone, and anavar.
- Common withdrawal symptoms for people who stop using Dianabol include fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, sleep problems, depression, and decreased sex drive.^{[18]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Institute on Drug Abuse
  Agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services devoted to researching drug and drug abuse and educating the public
  Go to source}

Question 10 of 10:

Are there legal alternatives to Dianabol?

Yes, there are legal supplements that claim to have the same effects as Dianabol. One alternative, marketed as "D-Ball" or "D-Ball Max," contains Vitamin D-3, reported to improve muscle growth and stability, along with other herbs and chemicals that fight inflammation and support muscle growth.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- Other alternative products are typically marketed with some form of the word "testosterone" in their names, such as "TestoFueI" and "Testo-Max."
- Always be careful when taking nutritional supplements—remember, legality and safety aren't the same things. Talk to your doctor about your fitness and performance goals and why you want to take the supplements.

Warnings

Don't take Dianabol without medical supervision, or if Dianabol is illegal where you live.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Avoid Dianabol and other anabolic steroids if you're also taking Acenocoumarol, Anisindione, Buproprion, Dicumarol, Pexidartinib, Phenindione, Phenprocoumon, or Warfarin.^{[20]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you have breast cancer, diabetes, enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, heart or blood vessel disease, kidney disease, or liver disease, taking Dianabol might worsen your condition.^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Dianabol and other anabolic steroids are addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, anorexia, decreased sex drive, extreme tiredness, headaches, and pain in your muscles or joints.^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0