How to Take Dianabol: Understanding Risks and Benefits

Co-authored by John Diaz and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: November 4, 2024 Fact Checked

Dianabol (also known as "Methandrostenolone" or "Metandienone") is an anabolic steroid.^{[1]
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Research source} If you're a beginning bodybuilder, you might be tempted by reports of massive gains, but the risks of this drug far outweigh the benefits.^{[2]
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Dianabol Overview

Dianabol, also known as metandienone and methandienone, is an androgen and anabolic steroid that helps to improve muscle mass. It’s a popular medication among people who need to bulk up and can be used to treat various hormonal issues that cause muscle loss.

Question 1 of 10:

What is Dianabol used for?

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Doctors prescribe Dianabol to treat hormonal problems and muscle loss. Patients recovering from cancer or AIDS, for example, may benefit from Dianabol. Bodybuilders and athletes, who are otherwise healthy, take Dianabol to increase muscle mass. The drug can also give you more energy and generally improve performance. Since they're not taking the drug to correct an illness or deficiency, this is considered "misuse."^{[3]
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- Bodybuilders and athletes typically take Dianabol in much larger dosages than a doctor would prescribe, which leads to more severe side effects.

Question 2 of 10:

What forms does Dianabol come in?

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Dianabol comes primarily in pill or injectable form. You can also take Dianabol through transdermal patches, or by rubbing a gel directly on your skin. However, pills and injections are by far the most common way to take the drug.^{[4]
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- You'll most commonly see Dianabol sold as a blue heart-shaped pill. These pills are illegal in the US and many other countries, even though they are common on the black market.^{[5]
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Question 3 of 10:

Is Dianabol legal?

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It depends on what country you live in. In the US, for example, Dianabol is not legal. In other countries, such as the UK, Dianabol is a controlled substance only available by prescription.^{[6]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

Go to source} If you're thinking about taking Dianabol, find out the drug's legal status in your country ahead of time.
- Dianabol is banned in competitive sports by national and international organizations. Even if it's legal in your country, don't take it if you participate in competitive sports.^{[7]
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- While there's plenty of Dianabol available on the black market, this isn't a very smart thing to pursue. You can never be sure that the drug is pure or contains the dosage specified, and you won't have medical support while taking it.^{[8]
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Question 4 of 10:

What happens if you're caught using Dianabol?

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Penalties for illegally using Dianabol include hefty fines and jail time. If you're caught with Dianabol, the criminal penalties are similar to those for any other illegal drug in the same class (the classification, though, differs among countries). The penalties are typically more severe if you get caught with a larger quantity or if you're illegally selling the drug as well as taking it yourself.
- If you're in competitive sports, testing positive for Dianabol can result in fines, suspension, or even a permanent ban from the sport.^{[9]
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Question 5 of 10:

Do women also take Dianabol?

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Yes, women also take Dianabol. While the female body may get some of the same benefits as the male body, including increased muscle mass and energy, side effects are often different. Women take Dianabol for the same reason men do, to build muscle and improve athletic performance.^{[10]
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- Although it's seldom covered in scientific surveys, women tend to use Dianabol and other anabolic steroids far less than men.^{[11]
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Question 6 of 10:

What are some common side effects of Dianabol?

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Common side effects include heart attack, stroke, and kidney or liver damage. Both men and women might also experience hair loss, high blood pressure, fluid retention, blood clots, and high cholesterol. Dianabol can also cause psychological side effects such as aggression, mood swings, paranoia, and hallucinations. Other side effects are different for men and women.^{[12]
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- Women may also experience facial hair growth and body hair, loss of breasts, swelling of the clitoris, a deepened voice, an increased sex drive, and problems with periods.
- Men may also experience reduced sperm count, shrunken testicles, erectile dysfunction, baldness, breast development, and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Question 7 of 10:

Can you avoid Dianabol's side effects?

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Not really, but users take other drugs to attempt to lessen side effects. Dianabol can wreak havoc on your body, especially your liver and circulatory system. Users add other drugs to the mix to support healthy liver function, attempt to speed up the recovery of natural testosterone production, and control levels of estrogen.^{[13]
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- The practice of taking other drugs along with Dianabol is known as "stacking." There is no scientific evidence that stacking or any other dosage practice reduces the medical harm caused by taking Dianabol.^{[14]
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Question 8 of 10:

How does Dianabol affect testosterone levels?

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Dianabol can suppress your body's natural production of testosterone. Studies have shown that in as little as 8 weeks, even a relatively low dosage of 15 mg a day can decrease testosterone production by 69%. Many users take supplemental testosterone to alleviate this side effect.^{[15]
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- As a result of lowered testosterone, men who take Dianabol for longer periods may have related side effects, including gynecomastia (the development of breasts), shrunken testicles, and erectile dysfunction.
- If you take Dianabol for an extended period, it can take as long as 4 months for your body's testosterone levels to return to normal.^{[16]
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Question 9 of 10:

Is Dianabol addictive?

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No, Dianabol is not physically addictive, but users might experience withdrawal. Users often become reliant on Dianabol to build their confidence and self-esteem, so that they end up feeling unworthy without the drug. Long-term users often experience depression and suicidal thoughts when they're no longer taking the drug.^{[17]
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- It's not uncommon for Dianabol users to combine the steroid with other drugs, such as testosterone, and anavar.
- Common withdrawal symptoms for people who stop using Dianabol include fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, sleep problems, depression, and decreased sex drive.^{[18]
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Question 10 of 10:

Are there legal alternatives to Dianabol?

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Yes, there are legal supplements that claim to have the same effects as Dianabol. One alternative, marketed as "D-Ball" or "D-Ball Max," contains Vitamin D-3, reported to improve muscle growth and stability, along with other herbs and chemicals that fight inflammation and support muscle growth.^{[19]
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Cancer Research UK
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- Other alternative products are typically marketed with some form of the word "testosterone" in their names, such as "TestoFueI" and "Testo-Max."
- Always be careful when taking nutritional supplements—remember, legality and safety aren't the same things. Talk to your doctor about your fitness and performance goals and why you want to take the supplements.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I get big as a woman if I take Dianabol?

John Diaz
Personal Trainer
John Diaz is a personal trainer and exercise professional with over 35 years of experience, based in Los Angeles, CA. John was first certified as a personal trainer in 1984 and later in 1989 co-founded Ultimate Health Medical Exercise Center with his sister Joanne. He creates prescriptive exercise programs designed specifically for his clients’ needs ranging from chronic pain relief, sports injury recovery, weight loss goals, and more. John has a degree in Exercise Science, is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, and is certified through the National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT). He also holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in martial arts and is a certified self-defense instructor.

John Diaz

Personal Trainer

Expert Answer

Well, the answer is yes, but with some important caveats. Dianabol is an anabolic steroid, and using it can lead to significant muscle growth beyond what you’d achieve naturally. Normally, women don’t get huge muscles from training alone because their natural testosterone levels are much lower than men’s. That’s why building muscle for women usually means gaining muscle tone without looking overly bulky. When you train, your muscles get stronger and more defined as they receive better nutrition and adapt to the workload. This process creates a firmer, toned look. But remember, taking anabolic steroids comes with serious side effects, especially for women. These can include things like voice deepening, changes in facial structure, and other irreversible effects. So, while Dianabol could help you gain size, it's important to understand whether these risks align with your goals.

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Warnings

Don't take Dianabol without medical supervision, or if Dianabol is illegal where you live.

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Avoid Dianabol and other anabolic steroids if you're also taking Acenocoumarol, Anisindione, Buproprion, Dicumarol, Pexidartinib, Phenindione, Phenprocoumon, or Warfarin.^{[20]
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If you have breast cancer, diabetes, enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, heart or blood vessel disease, kidney disease, or liver disease, taking Dianabol might worsen your condition.^{[21]
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Dianabol and other anabolic steroids are addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, anorexia, decreased sex drive, extreme tiredness, headaches, and pain in your muscles or joints.^{[22]
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