Masteron is a type of chemical steroid traditionally used to treat breast cancer. The drug works by blocking and preventing estrogen production. Many types of breast cancer are estrogen dependent, so Masteron helps reduce the cancer's chance of survival. Masteron is also used illegally by athletes and bodybuilders to reduce water retention and increase lean muscle mass. Masteron contains dihydrotestosterone and produces masculinizing effects in female patients.
Masteron was first used in the 1980s as a treatment for breast cancer. Since the 1980s, many new drugs have been created and are often chosen over Masteron, which has both positives and negative aspects. A positive aspect of Masteron is that it aggressively decreases the amount of estrogen in the body, meaning it fights well against estrogen-dependent tumors.
The most notable negatives side effect is that Masteron can cause virilization, meaning it makes a woman appear more masculine. Signs of virilization include a deepening of the voice, enlarged clitoral tissue, increased facial and body hair, increased sex drive and cessation of the menstrual cycle. The negative side effects mean Masteron is not as common1y used in breast cancer treatments as medications such as tamoxifen.
Masteron is a common drug among bodybuilders and some athletes. It has the ability to decrease estrogen and increase testosterone, so Masteron is sometimes used before bodybuilding competitions help bodybuilders look leaner. Masteron will show up on a steroid test, though, and possessing Masteron without a prescription falls into the same category as possessing testosterone without a prescription — it is illegal in the United States and many other countries.
One reason Masteron is popular among bodybuilders is that it does not convert into estrogen. Many types of steroids, including testosterone, will convert into estrogen if the levels of testosterone are high. Estrogen can lead to water and fat retention, which can make a bodybuilder look less defined and less muscular.
Masteron is indicated for use in women, and it can cause unwanted side effects in men. Introducing a testosterone-based medicine such as Masteron can cause the body to stop producing its own testosterone. In men, testosterone comes from the testes, so using Masteron can cause the testicles to shrink until natural testosterone levels are restored. When a male stops taking any type of testosterone-increasing drug, his testosterone levels are low. While waiting for his levels to return to normal, a male may experience emotional and physical side effects such as decreased body hair, decreased sex drive and the development of breast tissue.