Masteron
Also known as: Drostanolone, Mast, Drostanolone Propionate, Drostanolone Enanthate, Mast P, Mast E
Lower numbers = closer to natural. Higher numbers = more enhanced.
Why this rating?
Masteron is primarily a cosmetic finisher rather than a mass builder (rat-assay anabolic:androgenic ratio of roughly 62-130:25-40). While it provides noticeable hardening and definition at competition-level leanness on typical doses (300-600mg/week), community and clinical-adjacent consensus consistently describes it as adding little mass on its own. Its main value is aesthetic hardening/dryness and SHBG binding to free up other compounds in a stack. Still a clearly supraphysiological androgen dose no natural athlete could replicate, but less transformative alone than mass-building steroids like testosterone or primobolan, closer to Anavar in its standalone muscle-building contribution.
Overview
A DHT-derived compound used primarily as a cosmetic finisher for competition. Provides muscle hardness, dryness, and acts as a mild anti-estrogen.
Purpose & Use Cases
Competition Prep
Used in the final weeks before competition to enhance muscle hardness and dryness.
Estrogen Masking
Acts as a mild AI, helping to control estrogen-related side effects.
Aesthetic Enhancement
Improves muscle definition and vascularity for a more polished look.
Benefits
- Enhanced muscle hardness and density
- Increased dryness and vascularity
- Anti-estrogenic properties
- Increases free testosterone via SHBG binding
- No water retention
- Relatively mild side effect profile
Good to Know
What "DHT-prone" means and why Masteron is high-risk for hair
Male-pattern baldness is driven by DHT binding to genetically sensitive scalp follicles. Being "DHT-prone" means your follicles are unusually sensitive to androgens. Masteron is a DHT derivative and one of the harshest compounds on the hairline, if you are prone it can accelerate loss quickly, and unlike a testosterone cycle that loss cannot be softened with finasteride.
Finasteride does nothing for DHT-derivatives
Finasteride/dutasteride block the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. Masteron and the other DHT-derived steroids (Winstrol, Anavar, Primobolan, Proviron) are already past that step, so there is nothing to block. 5-AR inhibitors only protect the scalp/prostate on compounds that convert to DHT via 5-AR, mainly testosterone.
A finisher, not a builder
Masteron adds little mass. Its value is cosmetic hardness/dryness that only shows up when already lean (under ~12% body fat), plus SHBG binding that frees up more testosterone. At higher body fat you will barely notice it.
Dosage Guidelines
| Experience Level | Dosage Range |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 300 – 400 mg/week |
| Intermediate | 400 – 500 mg/week |
| Advanced | 500 – 600 mg/week |
Works best when already lean (under 12% body fat). Effects less noticeable at higher body fat.
Side Effects
Severe Hair Loss
very commonAs a DHT derivative, it accelerates hair loss significantly in predisposed individuals.
Consider avoiding if hair is a priority. Topical treatments have limited effectiveness.
Acne
commonIncreased sebum production leading to acne.
Good hygiene; benzoyl peroxide treatments.
Prostate Enlargement
uncommonCan exacerbate prostate issues due to DHT activity.
Monitor PSA levels; avoid if prostate issues exist.
General Mitigation Strategies
Monitor PSA levels for prostate health. Standard PCT required after cycle. Note that 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride/dutasteride) do NOT reduce Masteron's androgenic hair/prostate effects. It is already a DHT derivative with no 5-AR conversion to block.
Support Supplements
Ancillary supplements commonly run alongside Masteron to manage side effects, support the target tissue, or fill nutrient demands it creates.
Lipid support (omega-3 + citrus bergamot)
KeyDHT-derivatives are hard on cholesterol, Masteron notably suppresses HDL. Omega-3 helps triglycerides; citrus bergamot lowers LDL via statin-like flavonoids.
- Dose
- Omega-3 2-4 g/day; citrus bergamot 500-1,000 mg/day
- Timing
- With meals
- When
- Lipid strain compounds when Masteron is stacked with orals or other dry compounds, monitor a full lipid panel.
Blood pressure support (telmisartan / low-dose tadalafil)
Manages blood-pressure rise from a cycle; tadalafil also supports erectile function and endothelial health.
- Dose
- Telmisartan 20-40 mg/day; tadalafil 2.5-5 mg/day
- Timing
- Daily; titrate to readings
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
Standard SERM PCT (e.g. Nolvadex 40/40/20/20). Start timing by ester: ~2 weeks after the last Enanthate pin, ~3-4 days after Propionate. Masteron does not aromatize, so estrogen rebound is not the concern; restoring natural testosterone is.
How It Works
Masteron is a DHT derivative that does not aromatize and has anti-estrogenic properties. It binds to SHBG, freeing up more testosterone. Provides a hardening effect by reducing water retention.
Hormonal & Androgenic Profile
62-130:25-40 (drostanolone): moderate-to-high on paper, but rat-assay anabolic scores are known to overstate real-world mass-building potency; in practice it is regarded as one of the milder steroids for building muscle
Does not aromatize and acts as a mild anti-estrogen itself, no AI needed. Can actually help blunt estrogen from aromatizing stack-mates.
Already a DHT derivative, so finasteride/dutasteride are useless here. There is no testosterone-to-DHT conversion to block. Androgenic hair/prostate effects cannot be mitigated with 5-AR inhibitors.
Strongly suppresses HDL cholesterol like most DHT-derivatives; no water retention or estrogenic BP rise, but monitor lipids closely.
Fundamentals
Reference on the practices relevant to Masteron: how they are done and where they go wrong. Not a recommendation to use it.
Common Stacks
- Masteron + Testosterone + Trenbolone - Competition prep stack
- Masteron + Testosterone + Anavar - Cutting stack
- Masteron + Primobolan - Mild cutting stack
Legal Status
Schedule III controlled substance (USA).
Legal status varies by country and changes over time. This is a general summary, not legal advice.
WADA Status
Drostanolone (Masteron) is explicitly prohibited as an anabolic androgenic steroid.