There are plenty of anabolic steroids to choose from. But Anavar is one of the most popular options. It has earned its beloved reputation because it’s milder than other drugs. But don’t get the wrong idea. That doesn’t mean that the side effects are eliminated completely. As we’ll see, Anavar is still capable of causing you some discomfort.
The good news is that you can limit the Anavar side effects with a few simple tricks. Let’s look at some tips you can use to have a more comfortable Anavar cycle.
Why Do Bodybuilders Take Anavar
Let’s start by talking about why bodybuilders are willing to put themselves through the pain in the first place. What’s the appeal of Anavar? This drug is primarily used during the cutting cycle. People love it because it can deliver powerful weight loss impacts. It’ll help you shift any water weight you gained during your last bulking cycle.
Even better, it will enhance your performance in the gym. Expect your recovery time to drop, letting you spend more time hitting the weights. It can also boost your endurance, allowing you to achieve longer gym sessions. Most importantly, though, it will become easier for you to gain lean muscle. This, combined with weight loss, will enhance your muscle definition. By the end of the cycle, you should be ready to attend a bodybuilding competition.
There is one more bonus to keep in mind. Anavar works fast. Most of the time, the cycle will last for six to eight weeks. But you won’t need to wait that long to transform your body. Most people start to notice the changes within two weeks.
Risks Associated With Anavar
So far, Anavar sounds like the ideal way to enhance your performance in the gym. But there’s one big problem. It comes with a range of nasty side effects. The Anavar side effects you can expect will depend on your gender. Let’s break the risks down.
Side Effects For Males
Men might feel the worst of the Anavar side effects more acutely than women, as males need a higher dose. This can open the door to dozens of negative side effects. These can include:
- Changes to your appearance. Many men notice that their skin becomes oilier. You might also start to develop acne. Even worse, anabolic steroids are commonly associated with hair loss. How badly you’ll be affected by these symptoms is often determined by your genetics. Men with a history of balding can expect to lose a lot of hair. The worst part, though, is that these changes aren’t just cosmetic. They can destroy your self-confidence.
- Dangerous health effects. Anabolic steroids will take a heavy toll on your health. The impacts in this area can be divided into two categories. First, the short-term impacts. Expect to feel uncomfortable, with many people reporting headaches and nausea. Over the long term, though, the full extent of the drug will be revealed. This drug can raise your blood pressure. As you place more pressure on your heart, the risk of strokes and heart attacks increases.
- Mental health changes. Anavar might have an impact on your mental health. In particular, you might find that it’s harder to control your mood. Some people become prone to fits of rage when taking anabolic steroids. Some people report that the drug can also amplify their feelings of self-doubt, leading them to become depressed and anxious. This drug might also mess with your sex drive.
The more you use this drug, the worse the side effects will become. This is because your body will start to build resistance to Anavar. To get the results you want, you’ll need to keep increasing the dose. The more you take, the worse the Anavar side effects become.
Side Effects For Females
There is a profound difference in the way Anavar affects women and men. For example, men tend to use Anavar for cutting. For women, though, this drug works best in your bulking cycle. By the time the cycle ends, you should have put on plenty of lean muscle.
There are a few side effects women might share with men. Expect this drug to take a toll on your mental health, leading to rapid mood changes. It can also leave you battling headaches and nausea. Over the long term, the risk of heart attacks and stroke is high. On a more positive note, women usually don’t need to worry about getting acne or oily skin.
However, there is a new threat that women need to face. Though Anavar side effects are mild, they can still lead to virilization. This embarrassing side effect occurs when females start to develop male characteristics. Some of these changes can include; developing a deeper voice, growing facial or body hair, and developing an enlarged clitoris. How severely you will be affected can vary, depending on dose strength and genetics.
The good news is that most of the virilization effects will go away. As long as you stop taking the drug as soon as they appear. If you don’t, there is a chance that the virilization effects will become permanent. You might need to undergo an expensive and risky surgery to repair the damage.
Tips To Avoid Anavar Side Effects
It’s hard not to feel panicked when looking at that list of Anavar side effects. But don’t worry, as long as you take a few sensible precautions you should be able to avoid the worst of it.
Use The Right Dose
When you are using anabolic steroids, getting the right dosage is key. The dosage will depend on your intentions and your gender. Most women can take between five to 20mg of Anavar per day. This will allow you to start bulking. Generally, it’s best to stick to the lower end of this range. As you get more experienced, you’ll need to start increasing the drug dosage, as your body builds resistance. This cycle can continue for six weeks. Exceed these limits and you’ll pay the price, with a greater risk of virilization.
Most men must take between 50 to 75mg per day, which is ideal for the cutting cycle. Keep this cycle going for eight weeks. Men can also take Anavar for bulking. But this will require a very high dose of 75 to 100mg per day. At these levels, you’ll be feeling the full effects of this drug. Because of this, you’ll need a shorter cycle, usually just six weeks.
It’s also important to consider how you take this dose. It’s best to start slower and raise the dose over time. For example, women should take 5mg for the first week and then raise it to 10mg for the rest of the cycle. Men should stick with the lower dose for longer. Start with 15mg for the first three weeks. Jump to 20mg for the next three weeks of the cycle.
As always, these are just guidelines. The actual amount that you’ll need to take will vary. It’s best to start low, half the recommended dose. This gives your body a chance to get used to the drugs. Plus, you’ll get a better idea of how Anavar affects you, learning the types of side effects you can expect to receive.
Focus On PCT
It’s important to complete Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) at the end of your Anavar cycle. This is because Anavar replaces the effects of testosterone. Shutting down your body’s ability to produce the hormone naturally. This change occurs quickly. Men might lose testosterone production within days. The PCT process allows your body to restart production.
This is a particularly dangerous situation for men. There is a chance the lack of testosterone will cause you to develop gynecomastia. This will be an embarrassing condition, caused by the elevated levels of estrogen in your body. This is why some steroid users develop man boobs. This can also cause you to gain weight.
There are a few options you can explore for your PCT. First, you might want to take Tamoxifen. Use 40mg a day, split over two doses. Start taking the drug 57 hours after your last Anavar dose and repeat this process for 45 days. The most popular option, though, is to use Clomid. You’ll need to take 150mg per day, split over three doses. This PCT cycle lasts for 30 days.
Once you’ve finished with the PCT, you’ll need to give your body a break. The rule is to wait for the total length of the cycle. For example, if you took Anavar for six weeks and then did Clomid PCT for four weeks, you’ll need to wait for 10 weeks before starting your next Anavar cycle.
Consider A Natural Alternative
Even though it’s milder than other anabolic steroids, the Anavar side effects can still be dangerous. The good news is that you can avoid them entirely. Don’t take the drug. Choose a legal alternative instead. For example, Crazy Mass has A-Anolone. Because of the natural ingredients, you don’t need to worry about any nasty Anavar side effects. Even better, you can pair it with other supplements in our cutting stack to get even stronger results.
How To Get The Most Benefit From Anavar
Taking Anavar won’t give you the same huge muscular gains as some of the more powerful anabolic steroids, like Trenbolone. But there are a few tricks you can use to get the most out of your time on Anavar.
Add Anavar To A Stack
There are plenty of other anabolic steroids that you can stack with Anavar. Combining these will give you more powerful effects. There are a few cycle options to explore, including:
- Anavar and Testosterone. If you want to build strength and muscle, this is the combo for you. Combining the two is easy. Take 200mg of Testosterone per week for the first two weeks. Then up the dose to 300mg for the next five weeks. Keep Anavar at the same level you normally would, running a six-week cycle.
While this approach has some dramatic upside, there are also some major risks to consider. Specifically, this will make gynecomastia worse and will make balding and acne more likely. Plus, the high dose of testosterone will significantly raise the risk of virilization, which is why this cycle isn’t suitable for women.
- Anavar and Winstrol. If you are looking to build an amazing cutting cycle, this is the option for you. This will help you achieve the dry muscle look that bodybuilding judges prize. The dosage will depend on your gender. Men should take 20mg per day for the first two weeks. Then, increase the dose to 25mg per day for the next four weeks. Women only need a small dose of Winstrol, 5mg per day for the six-week cycle.
Again, this is going to be a powerful cycle, with potentially severe side effects. Because of this, it should only be attempted by people with experience using anabolic steroids.
There is one major downside to keep in mind, though. The more drugs you are taking, the worse the side effects will become. That’s why beginners should stick to an Anavar-only cycle, giving you a chance to get used to the drug.
Stick To A Healthy Diet
Bodybuilders should always watch their diet. But this is even more important during a cutting cycle. If you’re not burning more calories than you consume, you won’t be able to lose weight. Simple dieting apps can help you keep count of the number of calories you are eating, so you know how many you need to sweat off.
Conclusion
Getting in shape before a bodybuilding competition can be tough. You’ll often have to burn off some water weight you developed during a bulking cycle. The good news is that you can get powerful cutting results fast, with Anavar. This drug will burn off your fat and build your lean muscle, to show off your hard-earned gains. The downside though, is that you’ll need to deal with the Anavar side effects. I’d rather use a natural alternative, like A-Anolone. It’ll give me a lean, ripped figure, without requiring me to risk my health.
Gary David is the founder and CEO of CrazyMass, one of the nation’s leading supplement companies. Before starting CrazyMass in 2006, Gary was a bodybuilder and personal trainer for several gyms throughout Northwest Michigan, helping clients meet their fitness goals. Gary happily worked in this profession for over 15 years. He saw that most weight gaining products to increase muscle were made with ingredients that were dangerous or of poor quality. He knew there was a safer and healthier way to do this, so he created a special blend of herbs, amino acids, and nutrients to help bodybuilders slim down and gain muscle.
Although Gary no longer participates in bodybuilding competitions, he continues to be involved in the community, helping others prep for shows and attending events where he can advertise CrazyMass products. When Gary isn’t working long hours, he likes to spend his time working out at the gym, boating on Lake Michigan, traveling the trails around Northern Michigan by four-wheeler, and spending time with his family. He also loves to take a yearly trip to Europe with his wife and children.