In my decade-long fitness career, I’ve seen many gym mates use injectable testosterone to combat low-T levels.
Among them were testosterone cypionate and enanthate.
Out of curiosity, I decided to research how testosterone cypionate and enanthate work.
I went through a vast amount of studies and found that they do have similarities but differ in some crucial ways.
Here are my findings regarding testosterone cypionate vs. enanthate.
Let's dive in.
Quick Summary
- Testosterone cypionate and enanthate are commercial steroids used in bodybuilding to boost muscle mass.
- The ester chain of testosterone enanthate is a carbon atom shorter than testosterone cypionate’s, thus having a shorter active life.
- Because of its 7-carbon testosterone ester and one additional carbon atom, enanthate is lighter than cypionate and contains more testosterone per gram.
Testosterone Cypionate vs. Enanthate
The steroid hormone testosterone is a significant sex hormone and an anabolic steroid.
It is accountable for the growth of male reproductive organs, bone density, and secondary sexual traits such as muscular development, body hair growth, and reduced weight gain [1].
Commercial steroids such as testosterone cypionate and enanthate are used in bodybuilding to boost muscle mass.
Both steroids perform the same activities and produce the same benefits.
However, some researchers claim that cypionate has a prolonged impact compared to enanthate.
In addition, enanthate is better known and more frequently utilized since it is available even outside of the United States.
What Is Testosterone Enanthate?
Testosterone enanthate is an intramuscular testosterone treatment for low testosterone in men.
In females, it is also employed to combat breast cancer which has progressed to other body regions [2].
This medicine is administered into your buttock muscles and has a long half-life, so it is only needed once or twice per month.
Enanthate is sold under the brand name Delatestryl.
This medication is an androgen and an anabolic steroid [3]. It is the most often used and oldest synthetic testosterone and is suitable for men of all ages.
Testosterone enanthate plays a crucial role in muscle growth. By increasing testosterone levels in the body, it stimulates protein synthesis and promotes muscle tissue development.
Testosterone increases muscle strength, lean muscle mass, and athletic performance.
Some side effects of using T enanthate are acne, excessive hair growth, voice alterations, and increased/decreased sexual drive.
In order to get the best results, testosterone enanthate usage should be closely monitored by a healthcare professional.
What Is Testosterone Cypionate?
Testosterone cypionate is a synthetic hormone used to treat male hypogonadism, a disorder caused by low male sex hormone levels.
Testosterone cypionate is a self-injectable T found under the brand name Depo-testosterone [4].
Depo-testosterone treats both types of hypogonadism – primary and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
However, when compared to testosterone enanthate, cypionate has less testosterone.
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Diving into TRT – Cypionate and Enanthate Similarities
Testosterone enanthate and cypionate are two highly comparable and recommended therapy choices.
Let's explore the similarities between the two compounds:
- Both testosterone cypionate and enanthate are synthetic testosterone.
- Both steroids are injected into the muscles.
- Both are androgenic medicines, as well as testosterone esters.
- They are slow-responding synthetic testosterones.
- They may lead to adverse effects, such as headaches, nausea, nervousness, and acne.
Discover the similarities between testosterone cypionate and enanthate, but for a superior and optimized hormone therapy, check out our review of Fountain TRT, a product designed to help men boost their testosterone up to a healthy, normal level using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Fountain TRT
What Is the Difference Between Testosterone Cypionate and Enanthate?
The difference between testosterone cypionate and enanthate is in their chemical structure, half-life, and the type of carrier oil they use.
Let's look at the differences in depth.
Suitability
Testosterone cypionate is less adaptable, as only men above the age of 18 can use it.
On the other hand, enanthate is versatile and safe for men of all ages, even the elderly.
Chemical Structure
The ester chains of testosterone cypionate and enanthate are eight and seven carbons long, respectively.
Because of this difference, cypionate has a longer half-life than enanthate [5].
Moreover, enanthate is lighter than cypionate and has more testosterone per gram due to its 7-carbon ester and one additional carbon atom.
While the ester determines the active life of testosterone, the ester group determines its solubility in oil and water.
The more carbons any ester group contains, the more soluble it is in oil and the less soluble it is in water, thereby slowing its release into the circulation.
Carrier Oil
Another significant distinction is the carrier oil used in diluting both testosterone enanthate and cypionate.
Sesame oil thickens testosterone enanthate, making its frequent injections agonizing.
Long-term patient satisfaction with this treatment is also a concern since administering the injection takes time.
Additionally, some people may have painful lumps in the injection site due to testosterone enanthate's high viscosity [6].
Because olive oil and cottonseed oil are much more fluid, they simplify the process of injecting testosterone cypionate subcutaneously.
Subcutaneous injections are much less irritating than intramuscular injections.
Furthermore, the slower absorption promotes stability, reduces the conversion of testosterone into estradiol, and reduces the adverse effects of excessive estrogen production.
These may include mood swings, gynecomastia, and fluid retention [7].
"Testosterone Enanthate comprises the stabilizer Chlorobutanol, which is a recognized irritant in high quantities. Because of its possible irritative action, it is normally only used at concentrations of up to 0.5 percent."
- Robert Stevens, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
FAQs
Is Testosterone Cypionate the Same as Testosterone Enanthate?
No, testosterone cypionate is not the same as testosterone enanthate. They differ in structure, type of injection, and the carrier oil used.
Can I Switch From Cypionate to Enanthate?
Yes, you can switch between testosterone cypionate and enanthate. They both have the same effect on testosterone.
Which Testosterone Is Best for Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone cypionate is the best for testosterone replacement therapy, as it has a long half-life and is the most potent form of testosterone.
Which Form of Testosterone Is Most Effective?
The most effective form of testosterone is testosterone suspension. It has no ester and is known as a potent mass agent.
Should You Use Testosterone Enanthate or Cypionate?
While both enanthate and cypionate have the potential to raise your testosterone, they can cause irritation and pain to the injection site.
Moreover, their use may lead to side effects such as acne, hair loss, and prostate enlargement.
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References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526128/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4266340/
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Testosterone-enanthate
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Testosterone-cypionate
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/testosterone-ester
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9006970/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28379417/
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