Anavar Before and After Results

Anavar (oxandrolone) was created in 1962 to increase lean muscle in patients suffering from cachexia (muscle wasting).

However, it was not long before Anavar was used in bodybuilding due to its anabolic (muscle-building) and lipolytic (fat-burning) properties.

Anavar became utilized as a cutting steroid at the expense of some users experiencing cardiotoxicity (heart toxicity) and hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity). Although women and children may have experienced few side effects in clinical trials when taking therapeutic dosages (1, 2), bodybuilders typically cycle Anavar in higher dosages, causing adverse effects.

Some male and female bodybuilders take Anavar today to increase muscle mass and reduce their body fat percentage.

Despite Anavar being illegal to use for cosmetic purposes, gymgoers can purchase Anavar on the underground market due to the difficulty of getting a doctor to prescribe it for anything other than a muscle-wasting illness.

According to 2014 research, it is estimated that as many as 4 million Americans have taken anabolic steroids, including Anavar, during their lifetime.

Illicit purchases can cause additional risks to health due to unregulated manufacturing, providing no guarantee that the products contain oxandrolone. Legal complications can also arise, resulting in fines and/or potential prison time for individuals who purchase Anavar illicitly, in the absence of a doctor’s prescription.

So, we know that Anavar has been used for several decades in clinical research, but what do the results look like?

Anavar Before and After Results

A user’s results on Anavar can depend on their:

• Cycle
• Dose
• Genetics
• Diet
• Training routines

However, we see novices generally gaining 10–15 pounds of muscle mass and 7 pounds of fat loss from a 4- to 6-week cycle.

Users, particularly novices, who take high dosages for extended periods of time may experience inflammation of the liver, kidneys, and heart, medically referred to as:

• Hepatitis
• Nephritis
• Carditis

Below are the visual changes in body composition that men can experience after four weeks on Anavar. In our experience, these transformations demonstrate the typical results from a first Anavar cycle.

Male Anavar Before and After Picture: 4-Week Results

The above illustration is of a user who has cycled Anavar. See how he looks notably more muscular after one month, especially in his:

• Biceps and triceps (arms)
• Deltoids (shoulders)
• Latissimus dorsi (back)

Furthermore, his abdominals are more defined due to considerable fat loss. This user transformed from appearing bloated to lean and toned.

We have found this to be a typical transformation when combining Anavar with weight training. However, this before-and-after may be unrealistic if Anavar is taken by a sedentary individual.

Female Anavar Before and After Picture: 5-Week Results

This woman cycled 10 mg per day for 5 weeks. She lost a significant amount of fat, especially from the midsection, and gained notable amounts of lean muscle, which is evident by her body weight increasing.

These results are typical of Anavar’s effects in our experience. However, if users eat in a calorie surplus, fat loss is likely to be less than that illustrated above. Thus, diet remains an important factor in determining body composition on Anavar.

Studies have shown that an Anavar cycle can significantly enhance a person’s physique due to the steroid’s simultaneous muscle-building and fat-burning effects (3, 4).

Disclosure: We do not accept any form of advertising on Inside Bodybuilding. We monetize our practice via doctor consultations and carefully chosen pharmaceutical recommendations, which have given our patients excellent results.

How Much Strength Can Be Gained?

One benefit of Anavar supplementation, which is not obvious when looking at before and after photos, is the increase in strength. Despite being a cutting steroid that promotes lean muscle mass, research has shown Anavar to be a potent strength-enhancing steroid.

Generally, we see beginners experiencing as much as a 20% increase in lifts from an Anavar cycle. Thus, if users are currently benching 200 pounds, they could be lifting 240 after 6 weeks.

In a 2007 study, 51 burned children experienced significant increases in strength when taking 0.1 mg/kg per day of oxandrolone, in conjunction with exercise (5). The results were notably superior to those who combined exercise with a placebo.

In a 2005 randomized controlled trial, 32 men experienced the following average increases in maximal strength on the exercises below:

• Leg press – 6.3%
• Leg curl – 6.7%
• Chest press – 6.9%
• Latissimus pull-down – 4.8%

These results were recorded after six weeks of supplementation at a dosage of 20 mg/day. Their lean body mass also increased by an average of 2.7 kg at 72 years of age.

How Does Anavar Enhance Strength?

We find that the strength increase with Anavar is partly attributed to its distribution of fluid and increased uptake of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the muscle cells. ATP is an energy molecule that has been shown to increase muscular strength and endurance. Thus, gymgoers may feel stronger during workouts and be able to train more intensely, lifting heavier weights for longer periods.

When lifting heavy on Anavar, users may want to take ample rest in between sets, as pumps can become intense, especially in the lower back. We have had bodybuilders discontinue their workouts due to this painful sensation, which can be common during deadlifts.

A patient of ours experienced a hernia after performing tricep pushdowns while stacking Anavar with Anadrol. His strength increased significantly in a short space of time, and thus, the risk of injury can increase from taking Anavar or other anabolic steroids.

We warn users to slowly increase the weight during each workout and, preferably, to increase the number of repetitions to decrease excessive overload.

What Protocols Can Be Utilized to Maximize Results?

In terms of dosages, male beginners typically take 15–20 mg/day of Anavar, lasting for 6 weeks.

During a 1997 clinical study, burn victims gained an average of 14.5 pounds of weight, following three weeks of Anavar supplementation at 20 mg/day. The patients were given 10 mg of Anavar twice daily, in conjunction with a high-protein diet consisting of 1.3 to 1.4 g/kg/day.

Doses lower than 15–20 mg/day may diminish results. Furthermore, we find that doses over 20 mg/day are unnecessary and often increase the risk of side effects without experiencing further gains.

Flex Wheeler, a former IFBB bodybuilder, says that he used to take 30 mg per day of Anavar, along with other anabolic steroids, to enhance his physique. He states that heavy diuretic use likely contributed to the kidney issues he later experienced, potentially in conjunction with Anavar supplementation.

Research has shown that high doses of Anavar can cause cardiac remodeling via increased angiotensin-converting enzyme expression, causing vasoconstriction (6). This can increase the risk of atherosclerosis (stiffened arteries due to plaque buildup) and myocardial infarction (heart attack), causing potentially fatal outcomes in vulnerable or compromised individuals concerning cardiac health.

A study involving 14 hypolipidemic (high cholesterol) subjects found that 7.5 mg/day of Anavar caused a 36% reduction in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, indicating its potential for cardiotoxicity.

How Much Do Women Take?

Women, during a first cycle, commonly take 5–10 mg per day, lasting 5 weeks. One protocol we see is 5 mg/day during the first week to ease a woman’s body into a cycle and then 10 mg/day for the remaining 4 weeks.

During a 2015 randomized controlled trial, 29 women increased their lean body mass by 2.9 kg while experiencing notable strength increases following a dosage of 10 mg/day.

If a woman has taken Anavar before, she may start on 10 mg/day and extend her cycle to 6 weeks for further results. However, higher doses and extended cycles can increase toxicity and the severity of side effects.

Can Women Experience Masculinization?

In our experience, women taking more than 10 mg/day or cycling Anavar beyond 6 weeks dramatically increase their risk of virilization.

Low doses of Anavar can also cause virilization; however, they are less frequently observed in clinical research.

Researchers from the National Library of Medicine state that “mild virilization is uncommon in female patients suffering from Turner Syndrome.” This comment is based on a 2017 study where 133 girls, suffering from Turner syndrome, were treated with growth hormone or Anavar. 0.03 mg/kg of Anavar was concluded to be a “safe” daily dosage; however, 0.06 mg/kg impaired breast development in some subjects.

One of the reasons why some women take Anavar is that it can produce positive results without affecting their femininity. However, studies have shown that if high doses are utilized, women are at risk of developing:

• Vocal cord thickening (7)
• Breast atrophy or reduced development (8)
• Clitoromegaly (enlarged clitoris) (9)
• Hirsutism (excessive hair growth) (10)

Our patients commonly observe the fewest side effects when taking 5–10 mg per day for 5–6 weeks. We have had women describe the side effects as “manageable” on such doses, without experiencing high levels of cardiotoxicity or hepatotoxicity.

However, every individual is different, and with Anavar being banned for cosmetic use, it should be considered a high-risk drug, especially in supraphysiological doses and without expert medical supervision.

Some females choose to stack Anavar with other steroids for enhanced results, such as:

• Winstrol (stanozolol)
• Anadrol (oxymetholone)
• Deca Durabolin (nandrolone)

However, such stacking can significantly increase the risk of masculinization while potentially exacerbating cholesterol and endogenous testosterone levels.

What Are the Negative Effects?

Although Anavar may be a less toxic compound compared to other anabolic steroids, its benefits are not without risk.

Research has shown that Anavar can reduce HDL cholesterol notably, increasing the risk of:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Left ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the heart’s left chamber muscle)
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack) (11)

Dr. George Touliatos states that the greatest concern with Anavar is cardiotoxicity, based on his experience reviewing patient bloodwork. Therefore, he advises bodybuilders not to stay on oral anabolic steroids like Anavar for extended durations. Dr. Touliatos also says that “statins are not a solution to high blood pressure, as they can cause additional stress to the liver, especially in conjunction with oxandrolone.”

To reduce these risks, users may reduce saturated fat and salt consumption. Furthermore, we have found regular cardiovascular training to have a notable reductive effect on blood pressure in our patients. Although these protocols may prevent cardiotoxicity, they should not be considered a band-aid or a complete remedy for Anavar’s toxicity.

Research indicates that Anavar can cause nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) in supraphysiological doses (12). We have had patients develop rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure as a consequence of taking high oxandrolone doses. Such cases can be transient or long-lasting, depending on how promptly medical treatment is administered upon developing the following symptoms:

• Myasthenia (muscle weakness)
• Myalgia (muscle pain or soreness)
• Edema (swelling)
• Oliguria (reduction in urine volume)

Anavar can also cause transaminitis (elevations in liver enzymes), indicating hepatic stress. Thus, it is imperative for users with compromised livers to avoid Anavar and other oral anabolic steroids. However, users with normal functioning livers also remain at risk of developing cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or hepatic peliosis (blood-filled cysts or spaces in the liver tissue).

If an individual requires Anavar for cachexia but has compromised hepatic function, then injectable anabolic steroids may be more optimal. However, injectable steroids continue to pose significant risks to the heart.

Other Potential Side Effects

• Polycythemia (abnormal concentration of red blood cells)
• Chronic priapism (prolonged erection without sexual stimulation)
• Oligospermia (low sperm count)
• Increased CrCl (creatinine clearance)
• Epididymitis (inflammation of a testicular tube, known as the epididymis)
• Increased CPK (creatine phosphokinase) levels
• Extended prothrombin time (a test measuring the time it takes for blood to clot)
• Premature epiphyseal closure (early growth plate closure in children)

Can Anavar Cause Low Testosterone?

Users can also experience moderate endogenous testosterone suppression, which can result in temporary declines in:

• Testicular volume
• Energy levels
• Libido
• Well-being post-cycle

Such adverse effects can be experienced long-term in the event of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) dysfunction, causing hypogonadism (low testosterone) and infertility. We have found this to be particularly common in older users.

Anavar can also cause masculinization in women, which is more commonly observed in higher dosages. Furthermore, combining Anavar with other anabolic steroids such as Winstrol significantly increases the likelihood of masculinization.

Are Anavar’s Results Permanent?

The results of anabolic steroids typically are not permanent. However, users may retain the majority of their results from an Anavar cycle if they continue lifting weights and dieting diligently.

In our experience, there is not a substantial crash post-cycle from Anavar, unlike other anabolic steroids, creating a less catabolic (muscle wasting) environment for users to retain results.

A study has shown that muscle and strength gains can be entirely lost 12 weeks post-supplementation in sedentary older males (13). However, this is a different scenario compared to weightlifters, who typically remain active following an Anavar cycle. In this same study, fat loss results were largely retained long-term. Therefore, users may have to continue exercising to maintain muscle and strength results, whereas reductions in adipose tissue appear to be long-lasting. However, if, after a cycle, a person stops going to the gym and starts overeating, fat accumulation is likely to occur.

One temporary effect of Anavar is modified water distribution. Often, Anavar can flush out extracellular water and shuttle fluid inside the muscle. This can cause a dry and pumped look in the muscles. When a person stops taking Anavar, they are unlikely to look as dry, with their muscles being less full.

What to Avoid When Taking Anavar?

Due to Anavar’s potential hepatotoxicity (toxicity to the liver), it is not advised to combine Anavar with alcohol or other medications that can compromise hepatic health.

Also, users are advised to get their alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transferase (AST) levels checked pre-cycle to ensure they are in a normal range.

Research has shown that supplementing with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) can offer some protection to the liver, which may be advantageous when taking Anavar, with a dosage of 500 mg/day being effective in clinical literature (14). However, liver deterioration remains possible from Anavar even when taking liver support supplements.

If users are seeking the results of Anavar but do not want to experience the same level of side effects, we recommend buying a legal Anavar alternative, such as Anvarol.

Anvarol may not replicate the same level of anabolism or fat burning as Anavar; however, it is preferred by some bodybuilders due to a lack of side effects and its FDA-approved nature.

Contraindications

• Prostatic carcinoma (prostate cancer)
• Hypercalcemia (high calcium in the blood)
• Malignant tumor of the male breast (breast cancer in males)
• Nephrosis (a type of kidney disorder characterized by protein loss, swelling, and high cholesterol)
• Pregnancy
• Lactation (breast milk production)
• Neoplasm of the liver (abnormal growth in the liver)

Takeaway

We do not recommend the cosmetic use of Anavar due to its unregulated nature, potential toxic effects, and legal ramifications. Furthermore, significant results can still be achieved from natural bodybuilding if men and women work hard with an effective training program and nutrition plan, remaining consistent for several weeks and months.

Co Authors :