Testosterone Propionate is one of the more commonly used anabolic steroids, and millions of people have seen benefits for a wide range of health issues.
But along with Testosterone Enanthate, it’s also one of the most commonly abused drugs in the bodybuilding and performance sports scene.
As a personal trainer, I have encountered many people who are dealing with serious issues from taking performance enhancers.
So I decided to spend some time with a medical doctor to get a full picture of what this drug actually does.
Quick Summary
- Testosterone Propionate is a fast-acting drug that is often used as testosterone replacement therapy in severe cases of hypogonadism.
- Because of the fast spikes, it has gained a lot of attention from bodybuilders, who often report significant impacts on muscle growth.
- Testosterone Propionate has severe side effects, which go unmonitored when bodybuilders self-administer it.
How Fast Does Testosterone Propionate Provide Results?
Testosterone Propionate can start providing results within about three days, and it’s a lot faster-acting than most other anabolic steroid drugs [1].
It means that patients can experience the benefits of higher testosterone levels within days of their first injection.
That fast-acting property is also one of the main reasons why many bodybuilders and other performance athletes resort to injecting it without medical advice and supervision.
And when the dosage and timing aren’t carefully monitored, then it can just as quickly lead to serious side effects.
The other interesting thing that my doctor mentioned is that because this drug peaks quickly and then drops quickly as well, it’s not suitable for long-term hormone treatments [2].
And that is another common error that athletes make, as they often only look for fast results without being fully aware of how much damage they could be doing.
What Does Testosterone Propionate Do?
Testosterone Propionate causes a fast increase in testosterone levels after being injected. And because it’s chemically almost identical to the naturally produced hormone in your body, it can bind to the same receptors.
The effect that athletes and bodybuilders look for is how these testosterone esters impact muscles and fat storage [3].
What happens here is that, given the same amount of physical effort, the body will send more signals to build new muscle fibers and burn off fat.
And while that is generally a very desirable effect, it can come at quite a steep price for your health.
More on that shortly.
The other common effect of sudden increases in testosterone is that it can impact your mood and mental stamina.
On the one hand, it can reduce stress, but with frequent injections, it can cause mood swings and even aggressive behavior, sometimes referred to as roid rage [4].
What Are The Side Effects?
Using Testosterone Propionate and other anabolic steroids can have effects that go far beyond benefits for your muscle mass.
There are certain indicators that doctors carefully monitor when putting a patient through hormone therapy [5].
The most important ones are the following:
- High Amount Of Calcium In The Blood
- High Blood Pressure
- Enlarged Prostate
- Cardiac issues
- Low Energy
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sleep Apnea
- Water Retention
- Redness Of Face And Neck
As you can see, the list of Testosterone Propionate side effects contains things from mild inconveniences to serious health issues that could leave you with lasting organ problems.
And the big problem when people self-administer these drugs is that nobody checks for these side effects. By the time you have symptoms, the worst damage might already be done.
Are There Alternatives To Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Yes, there are excellent alternatives to testosterone replacement therapy.
While there are very good reasons for having a doctor inject Testosterone Propionate or other steroids, most athletes should try other methods for dealing with low testosterone.
First of all, you should make sure you achieve a well-balanced diet along with a regular exercise routine [6].
“If you’re overweight, exercise can improve your testosterone levels by helping you shed pounds.”
- Stuart Bergman, MD at WebMD.com
But there are also some natural supplements that you can take as an alternative to Testosterone Cypionate, Testosterone Enanthate or Propionate.
These are based on minerals, vitamins, and herbs that trigger completely natural responses in the body leading to increased testosterone production.
Taking injectable testosterone shouldn’t be a decision based on esthetics or athletic performance.
That’s a decision only a doctor should make based on medical issues related to low testosterone.
How Do People Plan A Testosterone Propionate Cycle?
People plan Testosterone Propionate dosages and cycles around the starting testosterone levels and measured improvements.
It requires careful planning, medical testing, and constant supervision by a doctor to get such a steroid cycle right.
Unfortunately, many athletes simply follow generic guidelines they read on bodybuilding forums that recommend a certain milligram amount every couple of days.
They then continue such Testosterone Propionate cycles without monitoring the true health effects.
I’ve even heard of people gradually increasing the dosage during a cycle without actually measuring the improvements.
And my doctor pointed out that working with testosterone ester injections in that way is extremely dangerous.
Who Shouldn’t Take It?
Anyone with underlying liver and kidney issues or an enlarged prostate shouldn’t take Testosterone Propionate injections. And people who have issues with blood pressure should also be very cautious about taking testosterone drugs.
In such cases, it’s vital to talk to a doctor about possible alternative treatments.
They may still prescribe hormone therapy, but in those cases, there will be a lot more careful monitoring of the underlying conditions to ensure the drug doesn’t do more harm than good.
The other thing I would say is that men with low testosterone that isn’t at dangerously low levels shouldn’t immediately resort to testosterone treatments.
While a drop in testosterone production is perfectly normal from the age of 30, most of that can be made up with the right diet, workout routine, and natural supplements [7].
And finally, I would say that healthy athletes and bodybuilders should never use Testosterone Propionate due to its adverse effects.
FAQs
How Long Does Propionate Take To Work?
It can take a few weeks for Propionate to work fully. Even though taking Testosterone Propionate will cause a peak in testosterone after a few days, it may take weeks for it to trigger the different receptors in the body.
How Much Testosterone Propionate Should You Take A Week?
Most patients should take 25-50 mg of Testosterone Propionate per week, but the exact amount has to be calculated and administered by a doctor. You should never guess a dosage and self-administer this drug or other testosterone esters due to the serious health risks.
Avoid The Risks Of Anabolic Steroids
Athletes and bodybuilders should never take Testosterone Enanthate or Testosterone Propionate injections without consulting a doctor, as these are controlled substances with serious health risks.
If you’re dealing with low testosterone or want to get a natural boost, then I recommend trying out natural testosterone boosters for men. We thoroughly tested them with our clients.
These are based on natural ingredients like minerals, vitamins, and herbs that have been linked to increased T levels in various studies.
They don’t work as fast as hormone treatment, but all of our testing data shows that after several months, you could be looking at significant results.
References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/testosterone-propionate
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/testosterone-propionate
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9024227/
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roid%20rage
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-498/testosterone-propionate-intramuscular/details/list-sideeffects
- https://www.webmd.com/men/features/exercise-and-testosterone
- https://www.webmd.com/men/features/low-testosterone-explained-how-do-you-know-when-levels-are-too-low
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