Why is Primobolan so expensive?

Two reasons: (1) the raw material (methenolone) is expensive to synthesize, few UGL labs can produce it cleanly; (2) counterfeiting is extremely common – many UGL Primos are actually Anavar or Winstrol. Bayer Primobolan Depot original DE/ES Rx black-market price ~€150-250/ml. Oral Ac is even pricier because daily cost is high due to the 50-100 mg/day requirement.

Is it really a "mild" AAS as they say?

Yes, among classical AAS one of the gentlest in terms of hepatotoxicity and cardiovascular profile. BUT due to its mildness do NOT expect spectacular muscle mass gains – Primobolan is a cutting and conditioning agent, NOT a bulker. Pope-Kanayama 2014 highlights: the user expectation-reality gap is a major frustration source.

Why is oral acetate bioavailability so low?

The acetate ester (17β-OH-acetate) RAPIDLY hydrolyzes in the portal vein to free methenolone, which is then rapidly metabolized by the liver (NOT 17α-alkylated, so no first-pass protection). Hence oral Primobolan bioavailability is only ~6% – compared to e.g. Anavar's 30-40% due to 17α-alkylated first-pass protection.

Why do women also use Primobolan?

Low androgenic potential (44% vs testosterone) means virilization risk is among the lowest of AAS (Anavar and Primobolan are the classical "female-friendly" AAS pair). BUT virilization is NOT zero – at higher doses (>10 mg/day oral or >50 mg/week Enan) voice deepening and hirsutism are documented. Any virilization symptom = immediate cycle discontinuation.

Is it true Arnold Schwarzenegger used it?

Yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted in several interviews that during 1970-80s bodybuilding competitions (Mr. Olympia) he used Primobolan and Dianabol, then still legally available as prescription drugs. This tradition made Primobolan a "classic pro-bodybuilder steroid" in the culture.

EmergingResearch compound

Primobolan (Methenolone)

Name: Primobolan (Methenolone)
Creator: MolekulaX

Methenolone, 1-methyl-DHT-derivative "mild" AAS in two ester formats: oral acetate (short, low bioavailability) and injectable enanthate (Bayer Primobolan Depot, prescription in Germany + Spain). Classic cutting steroid.

Available at

DRIADA-10% coupon: MOLEKULAX

DEUSPOWERProduct page

PCTZONE-10% coupon: MOLEKULAX

The links above are labelled third-party affiliate links. MolekulaX does not sell and does not verify product quality.

WHAT IS PRIMOBOLAN (METHENOLONE)?

Detailed overview

Primobolan (Methenolone) is a 1-methyl-dihydrotestosterone derivative synthesized by Schering AG in 1962. Two marketed forms: the acetate ester (Primobolan, oral tablet, originally 5 mg) and the enanthate ester (Primobolan Depot, IM oil 100 mg/ml). Original FDA approval (1962) was for anemia, osteoporosis and severe debilitating illness recovery; withdrawn from the US market by 1965, but Bayer still manufactures Primobolan Depot as a prescription in Germany and Spain (anemia, premature infant catabolic states). Anabolic:androgenic ratio 88:44, indicating moderate anabolic and low androgenic profile. NOT 17α-alkylated, so hepatotoxicity is minimal. Does NOT aromatize. AR affinity is low (~28% vs testosterone in vitro), BUT in muscle tissue indirectly raises free-T levels via SHBG suppression. Oral acetate bioavailability is only ~6% (rapid hepatic metabolism of the 17β-OH-acetate ester), so extremely high doses (50-100 mg/day) are needed to match injectable 100 mg/week enanthate effect. WADA-banned year-round.

Mechanism

AR agonist, 1-methyl-DHT, NOT aromatized

Anabolic:Androgenic

88:44

Half-life

4-6 h (Ac oral), 5-7 d (Enan IM)

Onset

1-2 h (Ac oral), 48-72 h (Enan IM)

Legal status

Bayer Primobolan Depot DE/ES Rx, USA: discontinued

Data console

Lab data

/lab/molecular-data.jsonLIVE
> Androgenic:Anabolic88:44
> AR bindingModerate AR affinity (~28% vs testosterone in vitro). High …
> Active half-life~24 h (depot-driven)
> Detection windowUrinary: 4-6 months (extra long, enanthate ester + 1-methyl metabolite family). WADA-accredited GC-MS and LC-MS/MS.
> Aromatizationnone
> Hepatotoxicityvery-low

Safety

Side effects, stop signs, contraindications

Side effects · 7

Androgenic skin and hair effects: methenolone is a DHT structural analog, so it can accelerate hair loss in those genetically prone to androgenetic alopecia, plus acne and oily skin (5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride do NOT protect, as the molecule is already 5-alpha-reduced).
Virilization in women: although methenolone has one of the lowest androgenic potentials among AAS, the risk is NOT zero, higher doses can cause voice deepening, hirsutism, clitoral enlargement and menstrual disruption, some of which is irreversible. Any virilization sign warrants immediate cessation.
Adverse lipid profile: HDL cholesterol falls and LDL may rise (roughly 15-25% HDL drop expected during a cycle). The effect can be more sustained with injectable enanthate due to longer cumulative exposure than with the short-half-life oral acetate.
HPTA suppression and impaired fertility: methenolone suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, lowering LH/FSH and thereby endogenous testosterone production and spermatogenesis. Though milder than with testosterone-based steroids, post-cycle therapy (e.g. clomiphene + tamoxifen) is advised in men for recovery.
Oral acetate form: hepatotoxicity is low (NOT 17-alpha-alkylated), but because of the very low oral bioavailability (~6%) the high daily dose required (50-100 mg) can cause mild liver enzyme elevation (ALT/AST), so liver panel monitoring is warranted.
Injectable enanthate form: the oily IM injection can cause local reactions, post-injection pain (PIP), redness, swelling, and with non-sterile technique a risk of abscess or infection.
Prostate stimulation: as a DHT analog, methenolone can stimulate androgen-dependent prostate tissue, potentially worsening prostate enlargement (BPH symptoms) in older men; PSA monitoring is advised above age 30-40.

Contraindications · 7

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: methenolone's androgenic action is teratogenic and can virilize a female fetus, absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.
Prostate or breast carcinoma (in men): in androgen-dependent tumors AAS can promote tumor growth, so known or suspected prostate or male breast cancer is a contraindication.
Family history of androgenetic alopecia: as a DHT structural analog it accelerates genetically determined hair loss, which cannot be prevented even by a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
Cardiovascular disease or dyslipidemia: due to the HDL-lowering, LDL-raising effect, it should be avoided with pre-existing heart disease, high LDL or uncontrolled hypertension.
Significant liver dysfunction (especially the oral acetate form): with pre-existing elevated ALT/AST or active liver disease the high-dose oral form should be avoided; concurrent alcohol and paracetamol increase the burden.
Concurrent coumarin-type anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin): AAS can potentiate the anticoagulant effect and bleeding risk, requiring close INR monitoring and dose adjustment.
Competitive sport under WADA testing: methenolone is banned year-round (S1.1), and the injectable enanthate's metabolites are detectable in urine for up to 4-6 months, contraindicated for tested athletes.

Related Performance Compounds

Same therapeutic category

Studies

Related research and clinical findings

Endocr Rev. 2014;35(3):341-75.

Adverse health consequences of performance-enhancing drugs: an Endocrine Society scientific statement

Pope HG Jr, Wood RI, Rogol A, Nyberg F, Bowers L, Bhasin S.

PMID: 24423981Open

Sports Med. 2004;34(8):513-554.

Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes

Hartgens F, Kuipers H.

PMID: 15248788Open

Clin Chem. 1996;42(7):1001-20.

Metabolism of anabolic androgenic steroids

Schänzer W.

PMID: 8674183Open

Addiction. 2009;104(12):1966-78.

Anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence: an emerging disorder

Kanayama G, Brower KJ, Wood RI, Hudson JI, Pope HG Jr.

PMID: 19922565Open

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(5):1715-1744.

Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline

Bhasin S, Brito JP, Cunningham GR et al.

PMID: 29562364Open

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MolekulaX Editorial Team·Source-verified · PubMed · FDA · EMA

Updated: June 19, 2026

The information here is for educational and scientific purposes only. Performance-enhancing compounds (AAS, prohormones, stimulants, doping agents) are illegal without prescription in Hungary and most of the EU, and carry serious health and legal risks. WADA bans them in competitive sport. This is NOT a usage guide, and we do not encourage any illegal use. If you do use them, medical supervision and regular bloodwork are ESSENTIAL. Severe endocrine, cardiovascular, hepatic and psychiatric side effects are possible.