Overview of PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone)

PROVIMED 25 is the brand name for the androgen known as Mesterolone. This compound is not considered an anabolic steroid, because unlike other steroids, Mesterolone features very weak or even zero anabolic activity. PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is administered orally thus no mesterolone injection. This product was developed by Schering in 1934. This fact makes it one of the oldest steroids used alongside Methyltestosterone and TESTOMED P 100 (Testosterone Propionate) which manufactured and marketed for medical use. Methyltestosterone was created in 1935, while TESTOMED P 100 (Testosterone Propionate) in 1937. Those two compounds are best known, while PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is not so famous. The reason could be because the former two anabolic steroids were demonstrated as being very strong anabolic agents, while PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is not.

Despite the fact, that PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is known for a long time it is still a compound that is very effectively used in medicine. Besides, it can be proud of its impressive history of safety and tolerance among patients. In the medical PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) was used for the treatment of declining well-being in older males due to declining androgen levels, libido dysfunction in males, and infertility. PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is especially good as a fertility aid and this fact was outlined in the medical literature. This is so because while almost all anabolic/androgenic steroids are known to cause temporary infertility, PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) in normal therapeutic dosages barely suppresses endogenous gonadotropins (LH and FSH) when utilized. Anyway, PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is poorly misunderstood as a compound that increases LH, which it does not do. Opposite, research has demonstrated that PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) provides the androgenic effects necessary for spermatogenesis in specific areas in the testes.

Schering still manufactures Mesterolone and remains a major global supplier.  Mesterolone is sold worldwide under different brand names. PROVIMED 25 is one of them, other brand names include Pluriviron (in Germany by Asche), Vistimon (in Germany by Jenepharm), and Restore (in India, by Brown and Burke). A very interesting fact is that PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) was never approved for use on the prescription market in the United States.

PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is a modified derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) via the addition of a methyl group on its first carbon (1-methyl dihydrotestosterone). Being an extremely weak anabolic, PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is almost always referred to as an androgen (or androgenic steroid). Studies have shown the reason for its weak anabolic effects: PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) shares a similar property with its parent compound (DHT) – it is rapidly metabolized and broken down into inactive metabolites once it enters into muscle tissue. This is a common problem with dihydrotestosterone itself – once it enters muscle tissue, the enzyme 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (where it is in very high concentration in muscle tissue) binds to it and renders it inactive by converting it into a compound that has no anabolic effects.

There has been false information about PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) weak anabolic nature in circulation among bodybuilding communities that PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) “blocks the androgen receptor in muscle tissue”, but that is not so. The great benefit of PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) use is its ability to have a high affinity for SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin), which is a protein that binds to anabolic steroids in the bloodstream (namely, Testosterone) and renders them completely inactive once bound. The use of PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) in such cases together with other anabolic steroids may strengthen the activity and effects of other anabolic steroids through this pathway, leaving more unbound and free Testosterone to perform its job in the body.

Another well-known benefit of PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is also its ability to act as an anti-estrogen via its activity as an aromatase inhibitor. It should be outlined, that its activity as an aromatase inhibitor is not regarded as strong as other Als, such as AROMAMED 25 (Exemestane), ARIMIMED 1 (Anastrozole), and Letrozole, but it still works and can be successfully used. Its strength as an aromatase inhibitor can be compared to ARIMIMED 1 (Anastrozole), but slightly lower in terms of strength.

PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is a DHT-derivative, meaning it carries with it no risks at any dosage for estrogenic side effects. Instead, PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) acts as an anti-estrogen via its activity as an aromatase inhibitor in the body. This can result in the mitigation of estrogenic side effects from other compounds via the reduction of total circulating plasma levels of Estrogen.

According to research, because of this effect of PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone), it has been utilized medically in the treatment of gynecomastia and breast cancers because of its strong androgenic nature combined with its anti-estrogenic capabilities. PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is primarily an androgen, meaning it does carry with it the risk of androgenic side effects, and they are more present with higher dosages.

The androgenic side effects of PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) include: an increase in oily skin (as a result of increased sebum production/secretion), increased facial hair and bodily hair growth, as well as the increased risk of triggering MPB (Male Pattern Baldness) in those that are genetically sensitive or predisposed to it. Women users are also prone to virilization during the use of PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone), such as the development of male characteristics in females (i.e. deepening of the voice, facial hair growth, enlargement of the clitoris, etc.).

It is also important to understand that PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is already a derivative of DHT. Such products like Finasteride, Proscar, or Dutasteride can’t do absolutely anything to reduce PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) potential androgenic side effects. PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is not C-17 alpha alkylated (it is instead methylated on its first carbon), current studies have shown that it is not known to produce hepatotoxic effects, and liver problems are extremely unlikely with this compound.

PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) side effects include negative impacts on the cardiovascular system. Studies have shown that if you use 100mg of PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) daily for 6 months you will experience very significant negative effects on cholesterol values, both increasing the bad (LDL) cholesterol and decreasing the good (HDL) cholesterol by 65% and 35% respectively. It is also very common that PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) may have a suppressive effect on endogenous natural Testosterone production (though this is considered to be very weak). Again, according to studies, the PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) daily dosage of 150mg or less is no significant suppression of Testosterone results. In those same studies, higher dosages (300mg or higher per day) resulted in significant suppression of Testosterone levels.

PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is used in the medical world for the treatment of insufficient androgenicity, a single tablet of 25mg taken three times per day (for a total of 75mg per day) is used at the onset of treatment, followed by a reduction in dose later on to maintenance levels of a single 25mg tablet per day. During the process of the treatment of male infertility, the same dosages are usually used, though other fertility-boosting drugs are also included alongside PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone).

If we are talking about bodybuilders and athletes, PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is normally used between 50 – 150mg per day to either control Estrogen levels, reduce water retention (caused by estrogen), or to increase fertility following the conclusion of a cycle.

PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is not approved for use in females, but some female users in the athletic and bodybuilding community still use it. In this case, a single PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) dosage of 25mg per day is enough to alter the look of the physique. This cycle should be no longer than 4 – 5 weeks, otherwise, virilization effects will appear.

Because PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) is not an anabolic steroid and possesses extremely weak anabolic effects, it is not utilized in the form of cycles. It is instead normally utilized as an ancillary compound, as an adjunct to anabolic steroid cycles to minimize or mitigate the effects of Estrogen on the body. This compound is also used for its aesthetic effects in enhancing the ‘hard’ look of the physique both through its effects as an anti-estrogen, as well as its effects as a strong androgen. When used as an ancillary, PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) can be taken by male athletes and bodybuilders throughout their cycle length at 50 – 100mg per day, as there is no limit to how long it can be utilized for. Some users choose PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) as a PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) drug to reduce Estrogen levels and boost fertility. Although this still can be done, there are much better compounds for this purpose with similar (and stronger) effects for PCT. When the risk of even weak endogenous Testosterone suppression is thrown into the mix with PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone), it is advised to avoid the use of PROVIMED 25 (Mesterolone) for PCT purposes unless there are no other options available. During a period in which users are attempting to recover their natural endogenous Testosterone levels, any threat no matter how minimal to endogenous Testosterone production should be unwelcome and avoided at all costs.

[1 alpha-methyl-17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one]

Molecular Weight: 304.4716

Molecular Formula: C20H32O2

Melting Point: N/A

Manufacturer: Schering

Release Date: 1960

Effective Dose: 25-200mgs/day

Active Life: up to 12 hours

Detection Time: 5-6 weeks

Anabolic/Androgenic Ratio: 100-150:30-40