The most standout quality of Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) is perhaps its interaction with the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, an androgen that is more potent than its parent hormone testosterone in causing androgenic side effects. In the case of Deca Durabolin, this steroid is converted into less potent compound known as dihydronandrolone. Consequently, this property of Deca Durabolin provides benefits for you since this means that an altered androgen metabolism is unlikely to arise. Altered androgen metabolism, specifically conversion from weak androgen (testosterone) into a potent one (DHT), as generally observed with other anabolic-androgenic steroids, results to mostly undesirable effects, including hirsutism in women and hair loss in men. This can also contribute to the development of acne on the face, chest and/or upper-back areas. Enlargement of the prostate, another potential side effect of anabolic steroids use linked with DHT, is likewise averted with Deca Durabolin. Because these physical symptoms are crossed out with Deca Durabolin, many bodybuilders typically opt for this steroid to get chemically enhanced.

Since Deca-Durabolin is less active in areas where the 5-AR enzyme is present (scalp, skin, prostate), it is able to apply most of its effects where they’re most wanted – in the skeletal muscles. This injectable compound binds really well with the androgen receptors in the muscles (reportedly much far better than testosterone), and this makes Deca-Durabolin a Class I compound under newly emerged classification of AAS. This means that Deca Durabolin exerts its anabolic effects via the androgen receptors. Class II steroids, in contrast, do their mode of action via non-AR-mediated anabolic effects.



Once it binds with the ARs in the skeletal muscles, Deca-Durabolin induces the muscle cells to store more nitrogen than it expends or releases, resulting to a positive nitrogen balance. A positive nitrogen balance is the optimal state for anabolism since this means that you body has sufficient proteins to fuel tissue repair and growth.

Deca-Durabolin exhibits both progesterone and estrogenic effects. As a progestin, this drug can cause sexual changes in both men and women. Likewise, it can have – or change that to it does have – inhibitory effect on the production of the luteinizing hormone (LH), the hormone that regulates ovulation in females and production of testosterone in males.

This AAS also aromatizes to estrogen; thus, water retention and gynecomastia can be an issue when you use Deca-Durabolin. Progesterone is also known to cause these side effects, so prepare to expect extreme fluid retention accompanied with the so-called bitch tits.

The recommended dosage of Deca-Durabolin is 200 mg to 400mg per week and there has been a scientific research suggesting that the most effective intake of this AAS is 2mg per pound of body weight. Beginners and women, of course, are advised to take more conservative dosing, about 50mg to 200 mg per week.

Since Deca-Durabolin is classified as Class I steroid (as mentioned above), it is advised to use it in conjunction with Class II steroids, which are usually oral agents like Dianabol are Anadrol, for better synergistic effects. The oral add-on will also kickstart your steroid cycle as injectables take longer period to kick in because they generally have longer half-lives, especially oil-based ones like Deca-Durabolin.