Winstrol Results (Before-and-After Pictures)
Disclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and does not promote or endorse the use of illegal steroids. For any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is available for consultation.
Winstrol (stanozolol) is regarded in the bodybuilding community as one of the most potent cutting steroids on the market. It promotes lean muscle tissue (1, 2) while simultaneously burning fat and enhancing muscle definition.
- Winstrol is a diuretic, so it lowers the amount of water stored outside of cells, which ‘dries out’ the muscles. Consequently, users can experience enhanced vascularity and more visible muscle striations.
- This makes Winstrol a particularly advantageous steroid pre-contest, where water loss and fat loss are a priority for bodybuilders.
Winstrol is also used by some athletes for increased power and endurance due to its ability to increase strength (3) and muscle mass without causing excessive weight gain. Research indicates that Winstrol also enhances cardiovascular performance through erythrocytosis (increased red blood cell production).
Below are several Winstrol before-and-after photos, giving potential users a more thorough understanding of the effects this steroid has on body composition.
Winstrol Before-and-After Pictures
Zac Efron’s before-and-after transformation is an example of how a user’s body can change after a cycle of Winstrol. Body fat often decreases while muscle hypertrophy increases, in conjunction with enhanced muscle definition and vascularity.
During a typical Winstrol cycle, we find that users gain approximately 10–15 pounds of lean muscle, with a significant reduction in body fat.
The scale may not be a reliable tool to track progress if a user experiences simultaneous muscle growth and fat loss. Thus, taking before-and-after pictures can give users more insight into their results.
Furthermore, note how lean Zac’s physique appears due to Winstrol reducing extracellular water retention. Such diuretic effects, however, are only temporary, with normal fluid levels returning post-cycle.
However, the majority of Winstrol’s results, in terms of fat loss and muscle gain, can be maintained, assuming the user continues lifting weights with the same frequency and intensity.
- Our experience indicates that a user typically loses Winstrol results if they stop training or start overeating after a cycle.
- If someone ceases training, muscle memory can restore their previous muscle size once they return to lifting weights. Studies have shown that this is possible through permanent changes to myonuclei from anabolic steroids, giving them a long-term or permanent effect.
- One potential negative we see with Winstrol is reduced intracellular water retention (inside the muscle cells), which can cause a flat appearance to the muscles. However, this may be insignificant when accounting for the extra muscle size gained.
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Winstrol (Males)
Intermediate steroid users commonly utilize the above cycle. This is due to Winstrol being viewed as a toxic steroid, and thus, it is generally deemed unsuitable for beginners. However, if novices are adamant about taking Winstrol, a cycle of 8–10 mg/day for 6 weeks notably reduces side effects in our patients.
Winstrol can also be stacked with other steroids for further results, such as:
However, such stacks can significantly exacerbate side effects.
Winstrol (Females)
We find that women who use anabolic steroids for cosmetic purposes generally avoid Winstrol, as it can cause masculinization in moderate dosages.
However, competitive female bodybuilders may take Winstrol in an attempt to become leaner and more defined than their rivals (happily risking virilization side effects).
The above Winstrol cycle is tailored for women wanting to avoid masculinization side effects, hence the very modest dosage of 5 mg/day.
Doses as high as 15–20 mg/day can be taken by women who desire further gains at the risk of jeopardizing their femininity. In this case, the following side effects can occur:
- Deepened voice
- Clitoral hypertrophy
- Breasts atrophy
Adverse Effects
High Blood Pressure
Research has shown that Winstrol can be a cardiotoxic anabolic steroid, especially when used in supraphysiological doses.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol often rises significantly, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol declines. This occurs due to Winstrol failing to aromatize, as well as stimulating hepatic lipase in the liver. Hepatic lipase is an enzyme that has a detrimental effect on blood lipids.
Consequently, we find the risk of arteriolosclerosis and myocardial infarction increases from Winstrol use, and thus, men and women should take maximum precautions to minimize such damage. Regular checkups before, during, and after the cycle are advised, in conjunction with regular cardiovascular exercise, in a bid to reduce blood pressure while also stimulating further fat loss.
In a study, 6 mg/day of Winstrol for 6 weeks was enough for HDL levels to decrease by 33% and LDL levels to increase by 29% (4). Considering bodybuilders can take 4 times more than this dose, which demonstrates the potential toxicity of Winstrol.
Liver Toxicity
Winstrol is a C-17 alpha-alkylated steroid and thus passes through the liver before entering the bloodstream. As the workload of the liver increases, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes can rise, indicating stress and damage to the organ.
For most users, elevations in liver enzymes are transient, with hepatic health normalizing post-cycle. For others, they may sustain liver injury requiring medical treatment.
Therefore, users with compromised liver function or those planning on drinking alcohol or taking hepatotoxic medications in conjunction with Winstrol are at the highest risk of liver injury.
- We have found that supplementing with TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) notably reduces hepatic strain.
- For the duration of the Winstrol cycle, users may take 500 mg/day of TUDCA to minimize liver inflammation and damage. In studies, this has been an efficacious dosage for hepatoprotective effects (5).
Testosterone Suppression
Winstrol has a transient effect on testosterone levels, initially spiking and then dropping post-cycle. Thus, users can experience low testosterone symptoms for several weeks or months following Winstrol use.
The amount of time it takes for endogenous testosterone to recover can depend on:
- The user’s level of steroid use
- Whether the user takes lengthy breaks from cycles
- Dosages administered
- If PCT (post-cycle therapy) is utilized
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How Long Does It Take to See Results From Winstrol?
How long it takes to see results from Winstrol can depend on the type of ester being administered.
Research indicates that Winstrol is fast-acting, with a half-life of approximately 9 hours. Thus, we typically observe noticeable results transpire in the first week of a cycle.
However, injectable Winstrol is slow-acting, with a half-life of approximately 24 hours. Therefore, users may need to be more patient for injectable Winstrol to peak in the bloodstream.
Whether using oral or injectable Winstrol, the results by the end of the cycle are often similar, as it is the same compound.
Summary
Research has shown that Winstrol is an effective anabolic steroid for building muscle and burning fat. This is also evident anecdotally based on users’ results and before-and-after pictures. We have found Winstrol to be among the most potent cutting steroids on the market for those looking to reduce subcutaneous body fat while simultaneously adding lean muscle.
However, we consider Winstrol’s side effects to be harsh, especially on the heart and liver. Thus, users need to take maximum precautions should they take this steroid.
Co Authors :
Dr. O’Connor has over 20 years of experience treating men and women with a history of anabolic steroid, SARM, and PED use. He has been a board-certified MD since 2005 and provides guidance on harm reduction methodologies.
Dr. O’Connor is a clinical instructor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and has been featured in various media publications, including Generation Iron, Dr. Phil, National Geographic, The New York Times, Muscle and Fitness, and others.
Dr. O’Connor also co-authored the largest survey on anabolic steroid use, involving 2,385 men, published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Men’s Health.
