Equipoise is one particular anabolic steroid that possesses a very advantageous profile consisting of Estrogenic activity, androgenic strength, and anabolic strength which favors very low Estrogenic activity, very low androgenic strength, and retains the exact same anabolic strength as Testosterone. This presents an interesting dynamic in terms of Equipoise side effects. The majority of compounds that have been modified in order to provide decreased Estrogenic and androgenic activity also tend to suffer from a decrease in anabolic strength (Masteron and Primobolan, for example). However, Equipoise happens to retain the exact anabolic strength to that of Testosterone. With this having been established, various Equipoise side effects do still present themselves as potential risks and these must be explained in detail as well as any proactive solutions one can take to minimizing or avoiding them.
Estrogenic Side Effects of Equipoise
Equipoise does exhibit a low measure of activity with the aromatase enzyme, which is the enzyme responsible for the conversion of androgens into Estrogen. This is in contrast with Testosterone, which possesses a moderate level of Estrogenic activity in the body. Equipoise in particular has been found in studies to exhibit approximately half of the rate of aromatization into Estrogen that would be seen from Testosterone[1]. Therefore, the frequency and/or severity of Estrogenic side effects as a result of Equipoise alone should be significantly less than Testosterone, but a small measure higher than Nandrolone. Equipoise side effects do not generally present any significant Estrogen-related side effects unless doses are continually increased and begin to rise to levels that would promote significant amounts of aromatization. Therefore, sensible and moderate doses of Equipoise should not exhibit strong Estrogenic effects (depending on user sensitivity), but the risk of these Estrogenic side effects will indeed increase as higher and higher doses of Equipoise are used. Increasing doses will mean increased rates of aromatization of the anabolic steroid into Estrogen, and this must always be kept in mind. Equipoise doses normally venturing higher than 200 – 400mg weekly will often be associated with increased Estrogenic side effects.
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Should individuals for whatever reason experience intolerable Estrogenic side effects from Equipoise, the use of an aromatase inhibitor will likely become necessary. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) serve to disable the aromatase enzyme so that Testosterone cannot be converted into Estrogen, effectively controlling Estrogen increases as the root cause. The other possible option is the use of a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) such as Nolvadex, which serves to block Estrogen from attaching to receptor sites in breast tissue. SERMs such as Nolvadex will only serve to remedy the issue of gynecomastia caused by Estrogen, and will not actually reduce serum Estrogen levels in the body (an aromatase inhibitor is what is required for actual reduction of Estrogen levels).
Estrogenic side effects include the following: water retention and bloating, blood pressure elevations (as a result of the water retention), increased possible fat retention/gain, and gynecomastia.
Androgenic Side Effects of EQ
Equipoise exhibits a reduced androgenic strength rating in the body, which is very good news for individuals that might either be very concerned about androgenic side effects, or for individuals very sensitive to androgenic side effects. However, although Equipoise exhibits a lower androgenic strength rating in comparison to Testosterone (reduced to roughly half), Equipoise does still exhibit androgenic effects (though to a lesser degree). Androgenic side effects are still a concern with this compound, especially in individuals very sensitive to androgenic effects. Equipoise itself has been found to interact with the 5-alpha reductase (5AR) enzyme in the body, which is responsible for the conversion of Testosterone (or any qualifiable androgens) into more potent and stronger androgens, such as Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Equipoise in particular interacts with the 5AR enzyme to convert not into Dihydrotestosterone, but into a much stronger androgen, Dihydroboldenone – however, the rate at which this occurs in the body has been found to be very low in comparison to Testosterone’s conversion into DHT[2]. This would mean that the use of 5AR blockers, such as Finasteride, Proscar, or Dutasteride would be of little value. What this means for the user is that the androgenic strength associated with Equipoise should be the androgenic strength that one should experience fairly consistently throughout use from this compound.
Androgenic side effects include the following: increased sebum secretion (oily skin), increased bouts of acne (linked to increased sebum secretion), bodily and facial hair growth, and the increased risk of triggering Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) in individuals in possession of the genetic trait required for the condition to manifest itself. This also includes virilization effects in female users, where the following may possibly develop over prolonged or excessive use: the development of male secondary sex characteristics (deepening of the voice, growth of body and facial hair), clitoral enlargement, and menstrual irregularities.
HPTA and Endogenous Testosterone Production Side Effects
All anabolic steroids will cause the well-known and well-documented side effect of endogenous Testosterone production suppression and/or shutdown. Equipoise side effects are no exception to this rule for each and every anabolic steroid in existence. Possible complete and permanent shut-down of these endocrine systems can result as well, especially resultant from excessively long cycle lengths. Following the end of any cycle, a thorough and proper Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) program is always necessary, where Testosterone-stimulating ancillary compounds such as Nolvadex and/or HCG should be utilized in order to facilitate the normalization of the HPTA and endogenous Testosterone production as quickly as possible. Failure to do so can result in permanent damage to the HPTA, whereby the individual produces insufficient levels of Testosterone, and medical treatment in the form of TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) for life will be required.
Hepatotoxic Side Effects
Equipoise is not an oral anabolic steroid that possesses the C17-alpha alkylation chemical modification, and so there are no associated risks of hepatotoxicity with Equipoise.
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Cariovascular Side Effects
An additional well-known and well-established fact is that all anabolic steroids exhibit negative impacts on cholesterol levels, as well as cardiovascular strain in the human body. This involves the reduction of HDL (the good cholesterol) and increases of LDL (the bad cholesterol). The result of such changes involves an increased risk of arteriosclerosis, and the degree to which these changes occur for the worse are usually dose-dependent (with higher doses increasing the negative changes and the risks). Other factors that affect these negative cholesterol changes are: duration of use, and route of administration. It is imperative considering this particular effect of anabolic steroids on the body that any users of anabolic steroids no matter the preparation (oral or injectable) take exquisite care to make proper adjustments in their dietary habits which favor positive cholesterol maintenance and changes, especially when running cycles of anabolic steroids.
