Anavar is one of the mildest and well-tolerated anabolic steroids. For this very reason, it is common as an introduction to anabolic steroids, used by women and can be used by men in cutting and bulking cycles for fairly long periods with little or no adverse side effects. An Oxandrolone cycle is common amongst those who have never used anabolic steroids and want a compound that causes little side effects and is also orally active. This is where an Anavar cycle comes in nicely.

Anavar (Var, Var 15) was first developed in 1962 by pharmaceutical giants G.D. Searle & Co (Now Pfizer) and was sold in the United States and the Netherlands under the Anavar trade name. It is a DHT derived anabolic steroid, similar to Masteron and Winstrol. It is an orally active 17-alpha-alkylated compound, giving it the ability to survive the “first pass” of liver metabolism and allowing it to be ingested effectively. It is a versatile androgen and can be used in both cutting and bulking stacks/phases. 

For years (and currently), women choose Anavar because it doesn’t cause any permanent side effects and is probably the most common anabolic steroid used by women currently. 

Used by women in low doses where it becomes far more cost-effective than it does in men, it’s a staple within the elite athlete community and female bodybuilding circles. A safe and orally ingestible compound for females, it is used in doses of around 10-20mg every day. Unfortunately, due to its versatility and low side effects, it’s an extremely expensive steroid when compared to other androgens, and because of this, Oxandrolone is one of the most counterfeited steroids currently. With a high price, the dealer’s choice to pass on a mixture of other steroids as Oxandrolone or Anavar, as you can imagine this can cause a serious problem with those who are wanting to importantly use an Anavar cycle.

Medical Uses Of Anavar

was originally developed in the 1960s and was shown to have a number of therapeutic applications. It was used to treat those with loss of weight because of injury or disease. These included the promotion of lean tissue growth during catabolic illness, infection, trauma, or prolonged corticosteroid administration, the promotion of lean tissue growth following surgery, or the support of bone density in patients with osteoporosis or bone density issues. In the 1980s, this production has slowed considerably from pressure from the FDA, and Anavar was taken off the shelves in 1989. International markets then followed suit, and Anavarlooks destined to be another steroid to disappear.

In the United States, Anavar continues to be sold but is now sold by Savient (formerly BTG). It is currently approved by the FDA for adjunctive therapy to facilitate weight gain after weight loss after extensive surgery, chronic infections, or extreme trauma and to offset the protein catabolism associated with extended corticosteroid administration in certain patients who fail to gain or maintain normal weight without definite pathophysiological reasons, and for the relief of the bone pain frequently accompanying osteoporosis.” Generic versions of the drug are now available in the U.S. Which has reduced the price of oxandrolone therapy for those in need.

Anavar Side Effects?

Oxandrolone is a DHT (dihydrotestosterone) derived anabolic steroid, which means the user may experience side effects associated with an increase in DHT levels. Because DHT is a potent regulator and hormone in males and females, its imbalance or change can have fairly serious effects. First off, DHT is responsible and a contributing factor to acne. This is when androgen production stimulates sebaceous glands and causes them to enlarge and secrete more oil. This inflammation and increase in use cause acne in both sexes. Acne usually appears on the oiliest areas of the body, such as the face, back, and chest area, but can also spread to the upper arms. Obviously, not everyone will experience acne, but those who are sensitive to DHT may well do. The effective way to avoid acne is to wash regularly, and you can use vitamin B5 at 2-3g every day as well.

Male pattern baldness (MPB) is also a common side effect of DHT 

related steroids, as it remains with DHT, becoming a factor in side effects. It does this by having a negative impact on your hair follicles (mainly the head). As with other androgens (lots of them) affect DHT in some sort of way, MPB is not evident because Anavar speeds the process. What does that mean? Well, it means if you experience hair loss from steroids or DHT derived steroids, it’s because you’re going to lose your hair, but steroids will speed the process. It is hard to avoid hair loss on steroids, but it can be done at a price. Finasteride and Dutasteride, which are 5-AR inhibitors, will offer protection. The price is your health. These compounds are very suppressive to endogenous testosterone and may increase the risk of getting gynecomastia, so one has to ask, is it really worth it?

DHT is also the main contributor to prostate enlargement in males. When DHT’s are used, they can cause the prostate to enlarge or cause issues in this region. Unfortunately, when it comes to prostate enlargement, there is a double-edged sword. That is that DHT and estrogen are both factors when it comes to prostate enlargement and issues. DHT is a potent inhibitor of estrogen, and estrogen can also be a problem. So that means that too high a DHT level will cause prostate enlargement over time, and also too low. Therefore a high estrogen level will also cause problems. To put this into perspective, massive doses of Anavar will have to be used for prostate problems and for long periods as it’s still a mild compound, although DHT derived.

Anavar Side Effects in Women

Often favored by women in bodybuilding and steroid-using circles because of its mildness, it is a very friendly compound compared to other more toxic steroidal agents. Due to its not anabolic and androgenic nature, probably the most permanent side effects in women, virilization, are not apparent or common in small doses. This is basically masculinization by order of symptoms, such as deepening of the vocal cords, and clitoral enlargement, body-hair growth, and even in some cases hair-loss on the scalp and finally the jawline thickening. However, although these nasty side effects are evident in those who abuse Oxandrolone hormone if women stay in the acceptable ranges of 10-20mg every day and use Anavar responsibly, these effects will not be associated with its use. If you decide to use more than 20mg every day, then understand your instances of getting these side effects, often permanent, are vastly increased. Ignore these symptoms (however small), and you, again, are increasing the instance of experiencing permanent damage.

All About Anavar cycle?

Due to its diversity, Oxandrolone can be used alone and in combination with other steroids, oral or injectable. Originally given to a wide range of patients and given to them alone with little adverse sides, it can also be used effectively alone nowadays and is. Used alone as an “Anavar only cycle,” it’s effective at what goals you have in mind but more suited for cutting in males and bulking/cutting in females.

Oxandrolone can also be used efficiently in combination with other androgens; if they’re toxic or non-toxic, it doesn’t matter much. It can also be used by both sexes to break through a plateau or sticking point after months of continued use of steroids. Because Anavar increases strength dramatically, it is suited to this role well in both men and women.

Used alone in an Anavar only cycle

As previously stated, Anavar is a very versatile compound when compared to other orals. Although Anavar will almost certainly cause a reduction in endogenous testosterone levels when used, even in small doses, it can still be used alone. Why? There are two main reasons.

  • It doesn’t decrease endogenous testosterone that much. This means a user can maintain a moderate level of testosterone even in male doses of 80mg every day and not worry about losing their sex drive or ability to sustain an erection. A decreased level of testosterone or low testosterone can cause other side effects, such as lack of strength, muscle mass, impaired health, gynecomastia from an estrogen imbalance, loss of confidence, and onset of fatigue. Most of these sides will not be experienced in an Anavar cycle, so the user does not need to worry.
  • Anavar, otherwise known as Var and Oxandrolone, is a DHT derived steroid. What does that mean? It means that the side effects discussed above are even less of a worry because DHT derived steroids will cause an increase in sex drive energy, erections, strength and limit estrogenic side effects because of their primary androgenic nature.

An Example of an Anavar or Oxandrolone only cycle would be 60-80mg every day for 5-6 weeks in males and 10-20mg every day for 4-5 weeks in females. A well-balanced diet is also key, high in protein, regular cardio, blood tests, balanced training program, and intake of plenty of water to limit organ stress. 

A “kick start” Anavar cycle

It’s when a steroid user is going to use something other than the “kick-starting” steroid in their cycle as the main steroid or the backbone of it. 

This is a testosterone derived steroid; such as Sustanon or Testosterone Enanthate, which is used for far longer than the “kick start” (8-10 weeks). This is done because often, the primary steroid takes a number of weeks or months to fully become active in the blood and give the user its main positive effects. So a secondary steroid is used that “kicks in” far quicker and is often an oral, such as Anavar. At a dose of 80mg, every day for the first 5-6 weeks of the steroidal cycle is common or used for the duration of the cycle (if 6-8 weeks) when cutting. You can also increase the dose of Anavar overtime to compensate for the tolerance the body will begin to build if need be. 

Breaking through a plateau

When using anabolic steroids for a number of weeks, their effects become less apparent; why? This is because the body adapts (being the clever organism it is) and begins to build a tolerance to the steroid’s positive effects. 

Muscle gains and fat loss slow; the effects of the steroid used for 6-7 weeks lessens if the dose is not increased or breaks are not taken. The ways to increase these effects and not experience this loss of gains is to increase the dose of the said steroid(s), take a well-earned break as the body grows in spurts, or introduce another steroid. This is where Oxandrolone comes in.

Clinical data states introducing more anabolic and androgenic steroids can help us bust through this plateau or taking a break from the said steroid(s). This isn’t the only way; changing your diet and also training style will help. Using HIT instead of high volume would benefit the user, adding a strength phase where 1-3 heavy reps are used with warm-ups also, but it’s best to change a lot of variables, and adding something like Anavar will really benefit you. 

Anavar For Cutting

This is where Anavar is most productive and beneficial because it improves lipolysis and thermogenesis, metabolic rate, T3 uptake, and fat oxidation, meaning that it burns away unwanted adipose and visceral fat like butter.

Oxandrolone is a steroid able to preserve muscle mass/tissue when calorie-restricted or dieting phases too. It is such a powerful anabolic steroid for fat loss that has been shown to reduce fat and increase the fat-free mass (muscle) in untrained individuals; not many other steroids can claim that accolade. So now we know it’s perfect for cutting that fat and getting a six-pack, how do we use it for cutting? Simple, can be used alone at 60-80mg every day in males and 10-20mg every day in females for 5-7 weeks or in combination with other androgens that will complement its effects, More on that later.

Anavar For Bulking

I am afraid there isn’t going to be much in this small chapter as Anavar is not ideal for bulking in males, but it can be done. The reason it isn’t because it’s a relatively weak steroid so large doses are need of upwards of 80-100mg every day and for sustained periods of 8 or so weeks, which means toxicity will build. It’s also an expensive androgen anyhow, so large doses are going to burn even more of a hole in your pocket. For women, it’s a totally different animal; it’s ideal due to its low anabolic and androgenic nature; it’s mild, not toxic, and doesn’t cause much virilization. Doses are 10-20mg every day, but more will cause an increase in muscle growth, but also side effects. 

Anavar Stacking

Oxandrolone can also be stacked with other anabolic steroids in synergy because they complement each other. It is the ideal anabolic agent to use with other steroids such as Sustanon, Testosterone Propionate and can be used with other orals in low combined doses like Dianabol, Winstrol, and Anadrol, though this isn’t advised. Anavar, because of its wide variety of effects, can be applied to your goals whether you’re cutting, bulking, or you’re male or female. It’s one of the mildest compounds available to the steroid user, and for that reason, it can be used for a long period if blood work is done and organs and blood pressure is checked regularly. It is not unheard of to run Anavar for ten or so weeks increasing the dose over time to prevent the onset of a tolerance building up with a testosterone preparation, such as Sustanon. 

Using Anavar During PCT

This is a fairly recent concept that as Anavar does not significantly inhibit the natural testosterone system, it can be used effectively during post-cycle therapy (PCT). It’s not a new idea; the rationale comes from Dianabol being used at a small AM dose of 10mg daily during PCT. This theory could hold some water due to Anavar not being over-ally suppressive to natural testosterone production. We can not say how much Anavar can suppress the body’s own testosterone due to genetic predisposition, so it can prove troublesome. In my view, PCT is a time when testosterone restoration is paramount, and inducing additional suppression with a small, barely noticeable dose of Anavar seems poorly thought out.

If on an appropriate Oxandrolone dose, you are able to maintain a moderate testosterone level, then good, but many are not, which means this theory and protocol is counterproductive.