Considering bulking up and wondering about Anadrol vs Dbol – which is more effective for muscle gains and what are their side effects?
Based on what we’ve noted, the most effective steroids for bulk-building are Anadrol (Oxymetholone) and Dianabol (Methandrostenolone). Both share characteristics as they are potent, oral, and cause increased fluid retention; yet, they exhibit some notable differences discussed below.
Anadrol: Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits:
- Significant enhancements in strength
- Substantial muscle mass gains
- Pronounced growth of the trapezius and deltoids
- Intense muscle pumps
- Feasible option for female users
Drawbacks:
- Can cause elevated blood pressure
- Highly toxic to the liver
- Hair loss is a frequent issue
- Acne outbreaks are common
- May decrease appetite
- Pronounced water retention
Dianabol: Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits:
- Pronounced gains in strength
- Significant muscle mass increase
- Reduced likelihood of hair loss compared to other substances
- Intensive muscle pumps
Drawbacks:
- Risk of high blood pressure
- Toxic to the liver
- Can cause water retention
- Not recommended for female users
Commonalities
Gains in Muscle Size and Body Weight
Anadrol and Dianabol have Both the ability to drive substantial weight gain, typically 20–30 lbs for those new to these substances, with around 30% being water weight. We have observed that most of the muscle gained can be maintained after the cycle if regular weight training is continued.
Enhancement in Strength
Between the two, Anadrol might offer a slight edge in terms of strength gains, given its derivation from DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a powerful androgen. Users may see a 30–50+lbs increase in their primary lifts, with Anadrol contributing to the upper end of this range and Dianabol to the lower.
Muscle Pumps
Both steroids foster increased water retention within cells and glycogen storage, boosting muscle pumps both during and outside workouts. However, this can sometimes be a hindrance, as users might experience muscle pumps so severe that they interfere with training. Strategies to mitigate this include taking longer rest periods between sets and using potassium and taurine supplements.
Elevated Blood Pressure
Both Anadrol and Dianabol can significantly raise blood pressure, partly because they are c-17 alpha-alkylated compounds which boost hepatic lipase activity impacting cholesterol levels. Their propensity to cause water retention also presents a cardiovascular risk, as it can lead to increased blood viscosity, hindering blood flow.
Liver Toxicity
As oral steroids, both substances pose a threat to liver health, leading to potential inflammation and damage. Some success in mitigating liver inflammation has been seen with a TUDCA supplement at a dose of 500 mg/day. Although liver enzyme levels typically rise during the cycle, they frequently revert to normal post-cycle, unless dosing is high or cycles are overly prolonged.
Potential for Gynecomastia
Dianabol can be aromatized by enzymes into estrogen, increasing the risk of gynecomastia. Anadrol, though it doesn’t aromatize, still activates estrogen receptors. While aromatase inhibitors (AI) can be effective for preventing gynecomastia with Dianabol, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM) like Nolvadex are advisable for Anadrol to directly inhibit its estrogenic effects in breast tissue.
Distinctions
Targeted Muscle Hypertrophy
The trapezius and deltoids, having an abundance of androgen receptors, often experience more substantial growth from Anadrol due to its increased androgenic activity compared to Dianabol.
Intensity of Side Effects
Anadrol is generally associated with more severe side effects, like greater increases in blood pressure and liver enzymes, because it’s often taken in larger doses—50–100 mg/day compared to Dianabol’s 20–40 mg/day. Therefore, while Dianabol is more potent milligram for milligram, Anadrol’s typically higher dosages can lead to more pronounced side effects.
Additionally, Anadrol can exacerbate acne and speed up the process of male pattern baldness due to increased DHT levels.
Some beginners who try Dianabol may not experience severe side effects, while others starting with Anadrol might have significant liver and heart issues.
Appetite Effects
Anadrol’s suppression of appetite is a sign of its harsh liver impact. In response to the liver strain caused by Anadrol, the body may decrease hunger to lighten the organ’s burden. Conversely, with Dianabol’s lower liver impact, users might experience an increased appetite.
Muscle Gain
Individuals commonly use substances like Anadrol or Dianabol to bulk up, and an excess in calories can boost their muscle-building results. Consequently, an increase in hunger can be beneficial in this context.
Fat Loss
All forms of synthetic testosterone, including all anabolic steroids, promote the burning of subcutaneous fat due to their fat-dissolving properties.
Our observations suggest Anadrol slightly outperforms Dianabol in fat reduction, because of its higher androgenic nature and interaction with the androgen receptor (AR), which is vital in the reduction of fat tissue.
This stronger capacity for fat loss with Anadrol might go unnoticed by some, as it can be masked by water retention during a cycle.
Also, it’s common for users to consume more calories than needed when bulking with either steroid; hence, dietary fat gains are typical. In such scenarios, Anadrol is more efficient at keeping fat accumulation at bay, even with a high calorie intake.
Anadrol is frequently chosen for cutting phases due to its dual ability to incinerate fat and enhance muscular fullness—traits prized by men’s physique contestants. To counter water retention, they typically reduce their sodium intake since it’s the merging of estrogen and moderate sodium that drives the increase of extracellular water.
Suitability for Women
Our findings show that Dianabol tends to cause virilization effects in women, such as an enlarged clitoris and a more masculine voice (1).
Conversely, Anadrol appears quite tolerable for female use according to our experiences. Studies have indicated that women didn’t exhibit virilization symptoms, even at high doses of 100–150 mg/day over a continuous span of 30 weeks (2).
Anadrol’s apparent minimal virilizing effects could stem from its weak binding to SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin). Elevated SHBG can lead to masculinizing effects in women, as it frees up testosterone to become more bioavailable (3).
In contrast, Winstrol’s strong affinity for SHBG binding often results in increased virilization in females (4).
Anadrol vs Dbol: Which is Superior?
Selecting between Anadrol and Dianabol hinges on the user’s goals. For instance, for optimal growth of the deltoids or trapezius muscles, Anadrol is the superior choice.
Yet, for those prioritizing hair retention and minimizing hair thinning, Dianabol is preferable due to its lower androgenic effects (5).
Dianabol is generally the favored option for men in our practice, matching Anadrol’s muscle augmentation capabilities but typically involving milder side effects.
For women, Anadrol stands as the only viable choice between the two.
The decision is a stark Anadrol vs Dbol contest rather than a combination of the two, as our evaluations indicate that taking both compounds concurrently leads to a dangerous rise in liver and cholesterol figures.
REFERENCES
(1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7153061/
(2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8785183/
(3) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/sex-hormone-binding-globulin
(4) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0091674981901810
(5) https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methandrostenolone
Dr. Grant Fourie, a specialist in male hormones, is based in Cape Town, South Africa. He provides comprehensive treatments for conditions related to low testosterone, such as erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and mood changes. His methods include hormone replacement therapy and other modern treatment options.
Contact me via email or phone to book personal appointment in my clinic: The Village Square, Cape Town - South Africa