Dianabol Cycle Overview and PCT Guide

Dianabol, aka methandrostenolone, is the most popular oral anabolic steroid for bulking and strength-focused cycles. Dbol isn’t cut out for fat loss and getting your muscles-to-fat ratio in order ― water retention and increased appetite will get in your way.

Dianabol (Dbol) 20mg/50tabs - Apoxar

Dianabol is an oral steroid for muscle mass growth and strength improvement. Methandienone is its active agent. Usage: Men 40-60 mg/day Cycle Duration: 6-10 weeks for optimal results  Aromatization: Yes. Requires Arimidex -

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Though if you’re ready to pack on size and achieve new PBs, look no further. That’s the compound that will get you in the mood, bring out the pumps, and provide muscle gains. 

Dianabol Compound Profile

The drug was developed by Ciba Pharmaceuticals, under Dr. Ziegler’s supervision. Unlike most AAS, Dbol was designed for performance-enhancing purposes, specifically for competing strength athletes.

The objective was to create a steroid with less pronounced androgenic side effects (like prostate enlargement, acne, male pattern baldness) without compromising positive effects on muscle mass growth and strength boost. 

As you can guess, the objective was achieved. You can’t find Dianabol in the pharmacy anymore, but it remains the best oral steroid for bulking cycles on the market today.

Chemical structure

History

Dianabol (aka Methandrostanalone) is an oral anabolic steroid originally synthesized by Dr. John Ziegler and released in the US in the early 60’s. Initially, methandrostenolone was used for faster recovery, burns treatment and even as a tonic for women. Soon it became a frequent practice to resort to the drug in bodybuilding for muscle mass gain, until it was banned by the FDA.

Characteristics

Dianabol is a C17-alpha alkylated compound, meaning it IS hepatotoxic and can mess with your liver enzyme levels if you’re not adhering to administration guidelines. Remember:

• Dianabol isn’t an option for bridging (using the compound in between cycles to make hopping off the cycle easier);
• It REALLY shouldn’t be used for more than 6 weeks, even though some bodybuilders push their luck with 8-10 week cycles;
• Dbol can’t be stacked with other oral compounds, because it WILL put additional strain on your liver’s health. 

Dianabol is a testosterone derivative with mild estrogenic activity and a high anabolic index:

Estrogen control is essential on a Dbol cycle. Add Arimidex at 0.5-1 mg/EOD or Letrozole 0.25-0.5 mg/day. If you are prone to aromatization, better play it safe and start with a higher-end AI dosage from the second week of your cycle.

Dianabol effects

Dianabol is your go-to choice if you want to increase your muscle mass or strength stats. Most bodybuilders stack it with longer-acting compounds to kickstart the cycle (a classic example is Test & NPP 12-week cycle, Dianabol added for the first 4 weeks). 

Here’s what you’ll get with this oral:

• Rapid muscle gains: you can EASILY increase your muscle mass up to 20-30 lbs. Granted, it’s not ALL LEAN muscle mass ― water retention is a b##ch, especially when you run more than 30 mg/day;
• Pumps and muscle fullness: if you asked yourself why Golden Era bodybuilders ran Dbol, that’s the answer. Delts, biceps, triceps, and calves ― all your muscles will fill up nicely, making you feel BETTER & look BIGGER;
• Insane strength boost: Dbol is THE steroid for strength gains ― you’ll push through the strength plateaus and make new PRs by week #2. Then the week after, and some more (as long as your training regimen is okay);
• High libido and mood improvement: bodybuilders often report this over-the-moon feeling you get only on ‘roids ― the sheer confidence and its rightness, heightened sex drive, better mood. If you need some motivation to progress and reach your goals, Dianabol might be the answer;
• E2 management: Dbol is an aromatizable compound; therefore, it can be used for cycles with compounds that can crash your estrogen levels (EQ, Primobolan). It’s an affordable and effective tool for low aromatizers who want to try out new protocols.

Are Dianabol gains permanent?

As it is with all anabolic steroids, MUSCLE gains from a Dianabol cycle are permanent, they will stay with you even after compound cessation and PCT. However, not every pound you gain is muscle.

Dianabol can cause water, nitrogen, and glycogen retention. All of them affect how your muscles look and influence your weight. What you see on the scale isn’t just pure muscle mass. 

If you’re going to get upset over losing water weight post-cycle, that’s on you. 

The silver lining is: you can keep most of your muscle mass gains if you play your cards right. That means:

1. An adequate muscle stimulation: plan for intense training sessions, even after your cycle ends;
2. A proper diet: opt for clean bulking, say no to processed foods, skip “cheat meals”, maintain low sodium intake to minimize water retention;
3. A time-tested PCT protocol: don’t skip it. You need post-cycle therapy to keep what you’ve gained and restore your natural testosterone production.

There are no excuses. If Dianabol didn’t match your expectations, it was (VERY LIKELY) your mistake. We’re here to help you figure this out and get the most out of your next blast.

Will Dianabol increase libido?

Yes, Dianabol can increase your libido. Dianabol increases testosterone levels and affects your neurotransmitter balance (particularly serotonin and dopamine). Both of these mechanisms can lead to boosted confidence, elevated mood, AND high sex drive.

BUT LET’S CLEAR ONE THING UP: libido doesn’t mean better sexual performance. 

Dbol can’t help with erectile dysfunction or other disorders. For that, you can use Viagra or Cialis. Far better options, and yes, their administration is permitted on a Dbol cycle.

Is Dianabol better than Anavar?

Dianabol isn’t better or worse than Anavar. These two steroids are FUNDAMENTALLY different.

You don’t use Anavar for classic bulking cycles if it’s not a VERY lean bulk or a female-friendly cycle. You DO NOT use Dianabol for cutting. Simple as that.

There is no way to compare the efficiency of Anavar vs Dianabol. Simply because they’re not built the same:

• Want to retain muscle mass and get a strength boost on a calorie deficit, or improve your body composition? Anavar’s for you;
• Your goal is to build muscle mass, muscle fullness & pumps, and you don’t mind looking less defined on a cycle? Dianabol it is.

The “which is better” question doesn’t make any sense when the goal isn’t specified.

Dianabol side effects

Dianabol isn’t mild, but the side effects aren’t half as bad as some claim ― if you know what you’re getting into and how to counter them. Here are all the effects (from common to rare) that you can experience on a Dbol cycle:

• Estrogenic: water retention, hypertension, gynecomastia;
• Androgenic: acne, HPTA suppression, hair thinning, mood swings;
• Cardiovascular: cholesterol imbalance, blood thickening;
• Hepatic: elevated liver enzyme levels (AST, ALT, Bilirubin), dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite;
• Virilization: voice deepening, clitoral enlargement, facial hair growth, fat redistribution, amenorrhea;
• Other effects: headaches, backpumps, and insulin resistance.

Estrogenic side effects and HPTA suppression can be resolved by adding an aromatase inhibitor to the cycle and running post-cycle therapy with SERMs (Nolvadex or Clomid). It’s a pretty standard clause with most of the steroid cycles.

Since Dianabol can cause liver impairment, it’s important to monitor liver enzyme levels, add liver support, and stick to administration guidelines. As long as you don’t have a pre-existing medical condition and don’t prolong the cycle, you will be fine.

Can Dianabol cause acne?

Yes, Dianabol can cause acne. Even though this compound doesn’t have a high androgenic activity index. Androgenic side effects are inescapable when it comes to AAS.

Your testosterone levels still rise. Your HPTA reacts. Androgenic activity in this scenario is FAR from zero. That means your sebaceous glands will be stimulated, and acne can appear.

How bad it will get and whether you’ll have to deal with this side effect at all depends on your Dbol dosage and your genetics. If you’re prone to acne, you’ll probably have a breakout. It can be managed with Accutane at 10-20 mg/day.

Can Dianabol cause gyno?

Yes, Dianabol can cause estrogenic side effects, including gynecomastia (or “man boobs”). That’s something you DEFINITELY want to avoid ― if you miss the first signs, gyno can become irreversible without surgery.

And, honestly, man boobs won’t exactly complement your physique, no matter how big or defined you look.

So here’s how to prevent gyno: use AIs from the second week of your cycle. Femara, Anastrozole, whatever works for you. And don’t skip post-cycle therapy. 

Does Dianabol affect sleep?

Yes, Dianabol can affect your sleep. It’s not a common side effect, but some bodybuilders report insomnia or sleep disturbances on Dbol. 

Our take? It’s just how most potent steroids work. Your hormonal system isn’t in its “natural” state. You are agitated, your mood is better, and neurotransmitter balance shifts. Of course, it can alter your sleep patterns.

If it bothers you much, you can opt for Zopiclone or Lorazepam to counter this side effect.

Dianabol and prescription drugs

A word of advice ― if you’re currently on any medication (except TRT), get a consultation before getting into a new steroid cycle. Here are the most common and dangerous drug interactions:

• Dianabol and Warfarin (or any other blood-thinning agent): Dianabol thickens blood. Using it with anticoagulants is like trying to put out the fire by pouring gasoline on it. All it leads to is unpredictable clotting behaviour and unnecessary risks;
• Dianabol and Insulin: Dbol can cause insulin resistance. If you’re pre-diabetic or diabetic, you have to carefully weigh the benefits and risks.

If your medication is liver-toxic, Dianabol isn’t the best choice. It will put an additional strain on your liver health.

How to take Dianabol?

That’s the easy part. You just choose the dosage that aligns with your experience and goal, split it, and take half a dose every 12 hours. Doesn’t matter if you do it before or after a meal, no food interactions have been noted.

We ALWAYS recommend stacking Dianabol with Testosterone to avoid extra pressure on the HPTA system. 

By adding Testosterone Enanthate (or Propionate, whatever strikes you in the mood) at measly 200-400 mg/week, you’ll avoid problems AFTER the cycle, and your testosterone levels will bounce back to normal faster.

BUT, there are Dianabol-only cycle protocols. It’s just a matter of precaution. The dosages won’t differ whether you run it with Testosterone or alone:

There’s not much sense in taking more than 30 mg/day. You’ll get more side effects, but the muscle and strength gains won’t increase significantly. It’s just not worth the hustle.

Best Dianabol Bulking Protocol

The following cycle of Dianabol methandrostenolone works best for men over 21 for the muscle mass gain in the absence of contraindications (high blood pressure, heart diseases, prostate hypertrophy, liver disorders etc.).

Do not exceed the recommended daily dose of 30 mg. It should be divided into 2-3 intakes (e.g. 20mg in the morning and 10mg in the afternoon). Methane (methandienone) is toxic to the liver, that’s way the drug should better be taken after meals.

1. The cycle of Dianabol methandrostenolone starts with 10 mg and in 2-3 days the dose can be gradually increased up to 20-30mg per day (to check the tolerability). The cycle usually lasts for 6 weeks.
2. In a week time it is recommended to include aromatase inhibitors into the course. For example, you can take 0.5mg of Anastrozole every third day. It will suppress estrogen conversion and what is more important – eliminate the problems of fluid retention and edema.
3. In 2-3 days after the course PCT should take place: 20mg of tamoxifen for 2-4 weeks. During the last week the dosage is gradually reduced until the drug withdrawal.

Blood pressure needs monitoring. In case of increased blood pressure, you should reduce the dosage or start taking hypotensive drugs (e.g. 5 mg of Enalapril).

Each course can be followed by 3-4 weeks of testosterone booster cycles for the faster recovery of testosterone secretion in the body and the prevention of the rollback phenomenon.

How long until Dianabol to kick in?

Dianabol is a fast-acting oral steroid that kicks in from the first week. You’ll be in a better mood, more motivated, and some athletes note a minor strength boost. 

Most effects manifest at the 2nd week, including strength benefits, muscle gains, increased endurance, and recovery.

How often should you take Dianabol?

You should take Dianabol every day for the duration of your cycle. Keep it short: 4-6 weeks is a gold standard for C17-alpha alkylated compounds. Don’t skip your dose on rest days (better yet ― don’t do rest days).

It’s better to split the dosage in half and take Dbol every 12 hours. This way, its blood concentration will be more stable. However, it’s not a must, just a recommendation.

How to stack Dianabol?

When it comes to stacking Dianabol, there are three main rules:

1. Add a Testosterone base ― that will help you bounce back after the cycle without complications from your HPTA;
2. Stack it with BULKING steroids ― Deca, NPP, maybe EQ or Primo. The water retention will be there, and Dbol just not the right choice if you’re in for a “dry” look or a cutting stack;
3. Don’t throw in other orals ― that’s just liver sliding in its 2-weeks notice waiting to happen.

The most popular choice? A classic Test, Deca, and Dbol bulking stack. 

Testosterone and Dianabol bulking cycle

That’s the baseline. Simple and effective.

You can add Deca or NPP, you can include EQ or Primo. You can try to mitigate some of the water retention with Masteron. But Test + Dbol is a foundation your cycle should be built upon:

You can add Deca at 300-400 mg/week for 8-10 weeks. It will help you to pack on more muscle mass and will provide additional joint support.

Testosterone Cypionate 250mg/ml - Apoxar

Long-lasting anabolic steroid for significant muscle growth and improvements in strength and endurance. Good choice for Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Usage: Inject 500-750 mg once a week. For TRT - 250 mg once a week. Cycle

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Arimidex - Anastrozole (Estrogen Blocker) 1mg/50tabs - Apoxar

Arimidex (Anastrozole) is one of the most reliable aromatase inhibitors on the market today. The compound is suitable for on-cycle estrogen control. Reduces the risk of gynecomastia Keeps sex hormones in check Usage: 0.5-1 mg/day Cycle

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Clomid - Clomiphene (Anti-estrogen, PCT) 50mg/30tabs - NovoPharm

Clomid is one of the most popular PCT (post-cycle therapy) compounds. It keeps your estrogen in check and helps you restore natural testosterone levels after a cycle. Usage:50 to 100 mg ED (daily) Cycle Duration: 2-4

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Conclusion

Dianabol is a one-way ticket to muscle-town. You’ll get the gains, the strength, the muscle fullness ― everything a guy dreams of.

BUT you have to run it smart ― keep the dosage at 20-30 mg/day, don’t run it for more than 6 weeks (seriously, there’s really no point), check your E2 levels. Water retention can be somewhat managed with the right diet and the right compounds at hand.

Stick to the guidelines, don’t skip PCT ― that’s how you get the most out of your Dbol cycle without sacrificing the gains, complaining about water weight, or putting your health at risk.