Primobolan. Champagne or Sham?

What is it?

Primobolan is the brand name for an anabolic steroid called methenolone. It is commonly available in two esters: methenolone enanthate and methenolone acetate. Methenolone enanthate is available as an injectable solution and most commonly arrives in a 100 mg/ml oily preparation. Primobolan can be mixed at greater strengths, but there is a reason only 100 mg/ml is used and that is because the solution tends to be too coarse if prepared any stronger—increasing the risk of corking and site reaction. Not only that, but the raw ingredients for Primobolan are bulshit expensive—only about 10-20 times more expensive than testosterone raws. This is one of the reasons why it is commonly accepted that Primobolan is often faked. I hate to reinforce this rumour, but I can tell you first hand it is quite true. Methenolone acetate is available in an injectable solution or as an oral. Oral Primobolan tends to come in 10 mg tablets and the solution as 50 mg/ml or 100 mg/ml.

Wherever there is scarcity, there is allure.

Much like rHGH, Primobolan has received its premium title because of its scarcity and price tag. You know those artworks that are splatters of paint that a kindergarten kid could have created—only they sell for 37.5 million USD? Well, sales psychology is no different in the performance enhancement world. An item is worth what people are willing to pay for it. In a nutshell, this is Primbolan in the world of anabolic steroids. However, there is a caveat I will get to at the end of this blog post that makes Primobolan particularly valuable for some.

Is there anything different about Primobolan compared to other anabolic steroids?

Like all AAS, they are derivatives of testosterone. Although many AAS look similar to testosterone or DHT from a chemical standpoint, we know clinically that these seemingly “minor” differences in chemistry can exhibit significant differences in clinical effects. Also, like all AAS, not enough human research has been conducted to accurately determine the differences in clinical effects from one AAS to another. We are essentially left to an n = 1 experiment to find out what is going on. With that said, Primobolan shows an anabolic : androgenic ratio in favour of its anabolic potential (in rats at least. Once again, no human data so take this with a pinch of salt). What this mean is that comparatively to testosterone, for every mg of Primobolan you administer, you will have a greater anabolic effect, with a lesser androgenic effect. Androgens are responsible for the “man sides” which is why a low dose of Primobolan is regarded as a good choice for a female. I would agree it is. Perhaps in the neighbourhood of 50-100 mg weekly for a female. Again, I do not like to make blanket statements of what will be a highly individualised dose. Some women want to look big, proper big. So you girls may need a little more than that! Women should also be aware that a low androgenic rating does not mean a “no” androgenic rating, so if you take enough Primobolan, your clitoris may resemble more of a penis—and no, that was not one of my awesome jokes. I am dead serious ladies. Proceed with caution. The danger is in the dose.

Comparatively to many other AAS, Primobolan also exhibits a favourable ratio. The comparative of Primobolan to testosterone is below:

Testosterone Cyp, Enanthate, Prop, Suspension, and Sustanon
Anabolic/Androgenic ratio:100/100

Primobolan:
Anabolic/Androgenic Ratio: 88:44-57

But Primobolan is not the only AAS with a contextually favourable ratio, so what else makes it unique? Well, Primbolan seems to be of low toxicity. When we couple the allure of the price tag, the scarcity, the favourable anabolic : androgenic ratio, the low toxicity and the fact that Primobolan was reportedly one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s favourite contest preparation drugs—then we have the perceived perception of Primobolan being the champagne of steroids. From an evidence bases point of view however, Primobolan is hardly special.

So there is nothing special about Primobolan at all? A waste of money?

Here’s the kicker, or caveat I was referring to previously. Now, because Primobolan is relatively of low toxicity and does not exhibit a high activity of androgens per given mg, this gives reason to a high dosing schedule of Primobolan being potentially advantageous. One of the main reasons AAS users are stopped from using high dose stacks is because of the side effects that set in. The higher the dose, the higher the chance of side effects and toxicity. With Primobolan, this drug is reportedly “side-effect free” at doses all the way up to 1000 mg weekly and beyond. As a coach myself who has treated 1000 + users, for those who have access to legitimate Primobolan and cost ($) is not an issue, I have seen these high doses of Primobolan be very effective; particularly when preparing for a competition. No aromatisation, low risk of side effects and at 1000 mg weekly—quite solid anabolic potential. The other consideration is as I said previously:

Although all AAS look similar to testosterone or DHT from a chemical standpoint, we know clinically that these seemingly “minor” differences in chemistry can exhibit significant differences in clinical effects.

This above statement is perhaps the “magic” some users are referring to. From someone who is perhaps the biggest sceptic out there in this space, I am always open to the n = 1, especially in the absence of evidence. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence either and so if some users swear by their high dose Primobolan cycles, then I think it is fair to believe them. If you have had an experience with Primobolan, please share it below in the comments section.