Nandrolone Decanoate
Also known as: Deca, Deca-Durabolin, Nandrolone Decanoate
Lower numbers = closer to natural. Higher numbers = more enhanced.
Why this rating?
Nandrolone is a highly effective mass-building steroid with strong anabolic properties (anabolic:androgenic ratio of 125:37). Studies show significant lean mass gains and nitrogen retention. The profound HPTA suppression lasting months, requirement for testosterone base, and significant muscle hypertrophy clearly place users well beyond natural limits. Rated slightly below trenbolone due to lower potency, but still firmly in the heavily enhanced category.
Overview
A slow-acting 19-nor steroid famous for mass gains and joint lubrication. Provides significant hypertrophic effects while offering therapeutic benefits for joint and connective tissue health.
Important Warnings
- •Never run without a testosterone base
- •Very long detection time for tested athletes
- •Recovery can take significantly longer than other compounds
- •Do NOT use finasteride/dutasteride to protect hair on Deca. They make nandrolone hair loss WORSE
- •Stacking with another 19-nor (Trenbolone) multiplies progestogenic/prolactin sexual side effects
Purpose & Use Cases
Mass Gains
Provides significant muscle hypertrophy with quality size gains.
Joint Relief
Increases synovial fluid and collagen synthesis, providing significant joint lubrication and pain relief.
Recovery Enhancement
Accelerates recovery between training sessions through enhanced collagen synthesis.
Benefits
- Significant muscle mass gains
- Joint lubrication and pain relief
- Enhanced collagen synthesis
- Increased bone mineral density
- Improved nitrogen retention
- Quality muscle gains with less water than testosterone
Good to Know
Finasteride makes Deca hair loss WORSE. Do not use it here
This is the counterintuitive one. Nandrolone is reduced by 5-alpha-reductase into DHN, a weaker, more hair-safe metabolite. Finasteride/dutasteride block that conversion, leaving the more androgenic parent hormone circulating, so on Deca a 5-AR inhibitor accelerates hair loss rather than preventing it. The opposite of how it works on a testosterone cycle.
A 19-nor progestin: why "deca dick" happens
Nandrolone has progestogenic activity and its metabolite DHN competes with DHT, which is why sexual dysfunction ("deca dick") is common. The fix is running testosterone at an equal or higher dose (and controlling prolactin if it rises), not more nandrolone.
Very long suppression and detection
HPTA recovery after Deca is slower than most compounds, so PCT is delayed and extended. Its metabolite 19-norandrosterone is detectable for up to ~18 months, one of the longest windows of any steroid, a real problem for tested athletes.
Muscle memory applies
The myonuclei added during a Deca cycle persist after you stop, so size returns quickly and your "natural" ceiling sits higher than someone who never used, the raised-limit effect the natty scale accounts for.
Dosage Guidelines
| Experience Level | Dosage Range |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 200 – 300 mg/week |
| Intermediate | 300 – 400 mg/week |
| Advanced | 400 – 600 mg/week |
ALWAYS stack with Testosterone at equal or higher dose to prevent "Deca Dick."
Side Effects
Deca Dick
commonSexual dysfunction and erectile issues caused by DHN competing with DHT.
Always run with testosterone at equal or higher dose. Some add Proviron or Masteron.
Extreme Suppression
very commonVery long-lasting suppression of natural testosterone, can take months to recover.
Aggressive PCT required; consider HCG during cycle.
Water Retention
commonSome water retention and bloating, though less than testosterone.
AI if needed; monitor sodium intake.
Prolactin Issues
commonCan elevate prolactin levels as a 19-nor compound.
Cabergoline if bloodwork shows elevated prolactin.
General Mitigation Strategies
Always stack with Testosterone at equal or higher doses. Use Cabergoline for prolactin control if needed. Extended PCT may be required due to long-lasting suppression.
Support Supplements
Ancillary supplements commonly run alongside Nandrolone Decanoate to manage side effects, support the target tissue, or fill nutrient demands it creates.
Cabergoline (or P5P) for prolactin
As a 19-nor progestin, nandrolone can raise prolactin, contributing to "deca dick" and gyno. Cabergoline is the strong tool; vitamin B6 (P5P) is a mild alternative.
- Dose
- Cabergoline 0.25mg 2x/week; P5P 100-200mg/day
- Timing
- Cabergoline dosed to prolactin bloodwork
- When
- Only add cabergoline if prolactin is elevated/symptomatic, running an adequate testosterone base fixes most Deca sexual issues on its own.
Lipid + blood pressure support (omega-3 / citrus bergamot / telmisartan)
Nandrolone is gentler on lipids than DHT-derivatives but still trims HDL and can raise blood pressure over the long cycles it is typically run for.
- Dose
- Omega-3 2-4 g/day; citrus bergamot 500-1,000 mg/day; telmisartan 20-40 mg/day if BP is high
- Timing
- With meals; BP meds titrated to readings
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
Due to very long detection and suppression, wait 3-4 weeks after last Decanoate injection before PCT. Recovery can be slower than other compounds.
How It Works
Nandrolone is a 19-nor testosterone derivative that converts to a weaker androgen (DHN) rather than DHT. It increases collagen synthesis and bone mineral content, providing joint relief. Strong anabolic effects with moderate androgenic activity.
Hormonal & Androgenic Profile
125:37 (nandrolone): strongly anabolic, mildly androgenic
Aromatizes weakly (~20% of testosterone's rate), so a dedicated AI is rarely needed and can crash estrogen. The bigger driver of gyno on Deca is progesterone/prolactin, not estrogen, manage prolactin with cabergoline, not an AI.
Nandrolone is 5-alpha-reduced to DHN (dihydronandrolone), which is WEAKER and more hair-safe than nandrolone itself. So finasteride/dutasteride are counterproductive here. Blocking that conversion leaves the more androgenic parent hormone active and makes hair loss WORSE, the opposite of their effect on testosterone.
Milder on lipids than DHT-derivatives and holds less water than testosterone, but still lowers HDL, can raise blood pressure and nudges hematocrit up over long cycles.
Fundamentals
Reference on the practices relevant to Nandrolone Decanoate: how they are done and where they go wrong. Not a recommendation to use it.
Common Stacks
- Nandrolone + Testosterone - Classic bulking stack (Test should be equal or higher)
- Nandrolone + Testosterone + Dianabol - Mass building stack
Detection Times
Nandrolone has the longest detection window of any common anabolic steroid. Its metabolite 19-norandrosterone has been reported detectable for 12-18 months after last use (up to ~78 weeks), depending on dose, cycle length, and individual factors. The IOC/WADA threshold for a positive test is 2.0 mcg/L of 19-norandrosterone in urine.
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
Nandrolone is explicitly prohibited. Has an extremely long detection window (up to 18 months) due to persistent metabolites like 19-norandrosterone.