Testosterone is a male sex hormone, and it is also the name of a group of synthetic drugs known as testosterone injections. Artificial (synthetic) testosterone is also referred to as exogenous testosterone.
In the male body, testosterone is primarily produced by the testes. A small amount is synthesized by the adrenal glands. Testosterone produced by the endocrine glands is called endogenous testosterone.
The normal testosterone level for a healthy adult male is 12-33 nmol/L. On average, the male body synthesizes 15 mg of testosterone per day.
The female body also produces testosterone, but its level is 10-12 times lower than in men.
Testosterone is also called the male sex hormone because it is responsible for the male-type development of a boy's body.
It is testosterone that is responsible for the normal development of primary sexual characteristics, sexual behavior, libido, fertility (the production of a sufficient number of sperm for fertilization), and acts as a genetic growth stimulant: it promotes the growth of muscle tissue (anabolism) and the development of bone tissue.
Testosterone is a natural antidepressant, a kind of happiness hormone for men, and a psychological activator.
Men's psychological qualities such as dominance and leadership depend on the natural level of testosterone. The more testosterone, the more pronounced these qualities are in men.
Historical Background
By the 19th century, scientists understood that there was a sex hormone produced by the testes, on which sexual desire and muscle mass in men depended.
Animal testes extract was used to treat various male ailments from the late 19th century.
Applied research in hormone chemistry in 1935 led to the discovery of the "male" hormone, which was isolated in crystalline form from bull testes.
The hormone was named testosterone, derived from its origin: "testo" (testis) and "sterol" (steroid structure).
In the same year, the chemical structure of testosterone was described and synthesized from cholesterol. In 1939, the scientists who discovered testosterone were awarded the Nobel Prize.
Clinical trials of testosterone effects on humans began in 1937. The first synthetic steroids used in these trials were testosterone propionate (injections) and methyltestosterone in oral form.
Subsequently, testosterone drugs were widely used in medicine to treat severe conditions associated with muscle mass loss, such as burns and severe postoperative conditions.
Effects
In 2022, a large number of exogenous testosterone preparations are available for sale.
All of these were synthesized more than 70 years ago and are well-studied drugs, both for medical indications and for enhancing athletic performance.
Currently, in medicine, testosterone drugs are mainly used as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for men whose natural testosterone production is insufficient for normal body function and good quality of life.
In amateur and professional sports, as well as bodybuilding, testosterone is used to enhance athletic performance:
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Increase muscle mass
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Increase strength
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Increase cardiorespiratory endurance
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Improve speed performance
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Burn fat
In international sports classification, testosterone is a type of doping and is banned in professional sports.
Differences Between Testosterone Injection Drugs
The difference between various types of testosterone injections lies only in the release rate of the active substance into the blood and the half-life — the time required to reduce the concentration of testosterone in the blood by 50% after one injection.
For example, "pure" testosterone is completely eliminated from the body in a day. Injections of such testosterone need to be administered daily.
Therefore, prolonged-release testosterone drugs were developed for convenience.
The half-life of a particular testosterone drug depends on the ester to which the testosterone molecule is attached, to provide the necessary pharmacological properties — slow release into the blood from the injection site (depot).
The longer the half-life of the testosterone ester, the less frequent injections are needed to achieve the desired effect.
All testosterone esters, once in the body, act exactly like the testosterone produced by the human endocrine system.
However, the body produces a limited amount of testosterone.
Using exogenous testosterone in doses several times higher than physiological levels amplifies the biological processes regulated by testosterone several times over.
There is a direct relationship between the dosage of testosterone used and the amount of muscle mass gained.
To improve athletic performance, sports medicine professionals recommend using testosterone as the base for steroid cycles, regardless of the goals.
There are many testosterone esters, but the most commonly used in sports and bodybuilding are:
Popular Testosterone Injections in Bodybuilding
Propionate
The half-life of propionate is 1-2 days. Propionate injections are administered every other day.
This type of testosterone ester is most commonly used by advanced athletes during the cutting phase and competition preparation.
Primarily, short steroid cycles, lasting up to 6 weeks, are built on this ester.
Buying testosterone propionate is recommended for athletes who want to try sports pharmacology for the first time.
Enanthate
The half-life of enanthate is 5-6 days. Typically, steroid injections are administered once every 5-7 days.
This ester is purchased for longer cycles — over 8 weeks.
It can be used both for gaining muscle mass and for changing body composition. You can buy testosterone enanthate via the link.
Cypionate
Cypionate is a complete analog of enanthate, except for its longer half-life: 7 days. Injections are administered once every seven days. You can buy testosterone cypionate via the link.
Composite Testosterone Preparations (Steroid Mixes)
Testosterone mixes can include several testosterone esters, from 2 to 5.
Such "mixes" include drugs like Sustanon and Omnadren, which contain 4 testosterone esters of varying action durations. They remain active for about four weeks after injection.
Initially, these drugs were developed for medical use (HRT), but they are often used in bodybuilding and other sports disciplines to increase muscle mass and strength.
In 2022, testosterone preparations can be purchased in pharmacies in Ukraine only by prescription. Pharmacy chains offer only a few types of composite testosterone preparations and testosterone in propionate form.
However, the cost of "pharmacy" testosterone preparations is several times higher than that of quality analogs with the same active substance, which you can order from our store.
In our online sports pharmacology store "Pharma UA," you can buy exogenous testosterone: all popular testosterone esters in injections are available. Both ampoules and vials are available for order.
All presented drugs are of pharmaceutical (pharmacy) quality and have anti-counterfeiting protection.
If you are still unsure which type of testosterone to buy, our online consultant will help you choose the right one for your needs.
