When used at high doses that are likely by bodybuilders and athletes, we see one of those same problems that come with anabolic steroid use: suppression of natural testosterone production. High dosages and long cycles bring about this condition in males and is why following up with PCT, just as with steroids, is needed in these circumstances.
Very short term or low dosage use of Ostarine may not always come with this side effect. Ostarine won’t suppress testosterone totally like steroids do and the effect of this can vary between individuals. While SARMs do not aromatize there is some evidence that slight rises in estrogen can still occur, but for most people this won’t be enough to require the use of an anti-estrogen.
- Estrogenic Side Effects – There is no aromatizing activity with Ostarine so you can expect no estrogenic related side effects that are common with steroids like breast tissue growth in males and water retention. It can come as some surprise though that despite the lack of aromatizing activity it is still possible for Ostarine to raise estrogen levels a small amount. This will be mild enough that you won’t need to use an anti-estrogen drug and in fact can have some benefits in males as men do require small amounts of estrogen – making use of an anti-estrogen drug in this case can eliminate all estrogen and bring about hormonal imbalances therefore it is not recommended nor is it required.
- Androgenic Side Effects – Acne and hair loss and any other androgenic effects are not an issue when using Ostarine. This is because Ostarine, as a SARM, is very specific in the androgen receptors it binds to, and it does not impact areas that bring about negative effects that are so common with steroids. Additionally, female Ostarine users are not at risk of developing masculine features like hair growth or deepening of the voice.
- Liver Toxicity – No liver toxicity is associated with Ostarine and this is one of its biggest advantages over a lot of steroids that do pose a great risk to the liver. So, you won’t need to worry about the extra cost of supplements to support the liver.
- Cholesterol – Compared with anabolic steroids which are known to often cause very serious impacts on cholesterol, Ostarine’s effect on cholesterol is at worst only mild. In some people it might slightly reduce levels of good cholesterol but for most people this is unlikely to be a concern or even noticeable.
- Testosterone Suppression – Ostarine can potentially cause some level of testosterone suppression. This will vary between people depending on dosage and individual health factors, so some will need to do PCT, and others will be able to come off Ostarine and maintain normal testosterone function. Ostarine won’t suppress testosterone to the level that steroids do, which can often shut it down completely, but for some guys it can be enough to encourage the addition of an additional testosterone booster to the cycle, such as in the form of a supplement. New users to Ostarine can evaluate its impacts on testosterone by starting a low dose and adjusting as needed.
Ostarine, like all SARMs, is still in research phase by its developer and as such, there are still aspects that remain unknown about both its short-term benefits and potential long term side effects. Over $35 million dollars has been put into research and trials of Ostarine so far.
Like all SARMs, Ostarine is prohibited by the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). There have been several high-profile positive drug tests for this SARM among professional athletes over the past several years with many claiming to have unknowingly taken the ingredient when it was not labeled on supplements. Ostarine has a half-life of 24 hours and can be taken once daily.
Most users of this SARM will experience little to no side effects. Some people might notice mild side effects. As Ostarine, like all SARMs is a relatively new substance, its full spectrum of possible side effects – especially at doses used for performance enhancement – are not yet fully discovered and much of the current knowledge comes from the personal experience of users themselves. This means there may be possible unknown side effects for individuals.
