Equipoise is a popular anabolic steroid that is considered generally mild due to its high level of toleration among most men. In fact, this steroid’s mild nature makes it possible for some women to use without virilization effects; however, possible side effects of Equipoise do exist. While possible side effects of Equipoise exist, we will also find they are often easy to avoid. Overall, we will find the side effects of Equipoise to be very similar to testosterone, which isn’t surprising as this steroid is simply a modified version of the testosterone hormone. Nevertheless, with proper use we will find the side effects of Equipoise are very easy to avoid for most healthy adult men, and even some women.
*Estrogenic Side Effects of Equipoise:
The estrogenic side effects of Equipoise include gynecomastia and excess water retention. This steroid does aromatize; however, it only aromatizes at approximately 50% the rate of testosterone. This is enough to promote estrogenic activity, but it should be very easy to control. In fact, many men won’t have to do anything to control this factor, but some will need to use an anti-estrogen medication.
The estrogenic nature of Equipoise, although mild, is due to the testosterone hormone’s interaction with the aromatase enzyme. This leads the testosterone hormone to being converted to estrogen, and as estrogen levels rise this can promote the aforementioned effects. By including an anti-estrogen, such as an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) or Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) we can protect from these side effects of Equipoise. AI’s will be the most powerful as they directly inhibit aromatization, and as a result, lower serum estrogen levels. SERM’s do not inhibit aromatization or lower estrogen levels, but they do bind to the estrogen receptors preventing the hormone from binding. While AI’s are the most effective, many will find SERM’s are all they need, and this will be important to remember when we dive into the possible cardiovascular side effects of Equipoise.
*Androgenic Side Effects of Equipoise:
The side effects of Equipoise can include those of an androgenic nature, but such effects carry a very low probability. The androgenicity of this steroid is not very strong, but it does possess an existing level of androgenic action. This can promote hair loss, acne and body hair growth, but such side effects of Equipoise are highly dependent on genetics. If you are not predisposed to male pattern baldness you will not lose any hair. If you are predisposed, hair loss may be accelerated, you were going to lose it anyway, but it may happen sooner than later. However, keep in mind due to the low androgenicity of the steroid any androgenic effects are unlikely.
While dependent on genetics, the androgenic side effects of Equipoise exist due to the hormone being metabolized by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This is the enzyme responsible for the reduction of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), but in this case, the 5-alpha reductase enzyme reduces Equipoise (Boldenone) to dihydroboldenone. Dihydroboldenone is far more powerful than DHT, but the amount of dihydroboldenone activity appears to be extremely low. An important note – 5-alpha reductase inhibitors will not affect the androgenicity of Equipoise.
Due to the androgenicity of this steroid, although moderate, the side effects of Equipoise can include virilization in women. Virilization symptoms can include body hair growth, a deepening of the vocal chords and clitoral enlargement. By supplementing with low doses, many women will be able to avoid such effects, but individual response will dictate the final outcome. Regardless of the reason for occurrence, if virilization symptoms begin to show use should be discontinued immediately. If use is discontinued at their onset they will dissipate rapidly. If the symptoms are ignored and use continues, you may find the symptoms set up a permanent home becoming irreversible.
*Cardiovascular Side Effects of Equipoise:
The side effects of Equipoise can include high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but both should be easy to control. If the individual controls water retention, which should not be hard to do with this steroid, high blood pressure should not be an issue baring some underlying factor. Then we have cholesterol, and while this is not an extremely unfriendly steroid to cholesterol it can have a negative effect. The side effects of Equipoise revolving around cholesterol should be far less problematic than the majority of anabolic steroids, but significant suppression of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) is possible. This can be concerning to the individual as HDL cholesterol is largely what regulates LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).
In order to maintain healthy cholesterol, a cholesterol friendly lifestyle will be important. This means including daily cardiovascular activity into your routine. It also means limiting simple sugars and saturated fats in your diet and including plenty of omega fatty acids. Daily fish oil supplementation is advised.
An important note – the use of an AI can potentially exasperate the negative effects on cholesterol. AI’s do not appear to have a strong, statistical affect on cholesterol when used alone. However, when AI’s are used with aromatizing steroids they do appear to enhance negative cholesterol activity. Keep this in mind if an AI is needed.
*Testosterone Side Effects of Equipoise:
The side effects of Equipoise will include natural testosterone suppression in all men who supplement. Most all anabolic steroids suppress production to one degree or another, and with Equipoise it will be pronounced. Most all men are encouraged to include the use of exogenous testosterone with their Equipoise in order to avoid a low testosterone condition. If exogenous testosterone is not included, low levels will exist, you will open yourself to all the possible low level symptoms and a very unhealthy condition overall. Supplement with exogenous testosterone and this problem is solved.
Once the use of Equipoise and all anabolic steroids has come to an end, natural testosterone production will begin again. However, most men will want to implement a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) plan in order to facilitate a smoother recovery. A solid PCT plan will often include the SERM’s Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) and Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) the peptide hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). An important note – natural testosterone recovery assumes no prior low level condition existed. It also assumes no damage was done to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA) due to the improper use of anabolic steroids.
