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What is a Deca Cycle?

By Troy Holmes
Updated Feb 17, 2024
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Deca-Durbolin is an anabolic steroid that is designed to promote muscle growth by simulating testosterone and protein synthesis. Bodybuilders who use this anabolic supplement typically cycle it in intervals of usage with a few weeks of non-usage. Deca is a slow-acting, muscle-building steroid that can be used for a longer cycle period than other supplements. A Deca cycle is typically between eight to 12 weeks.

Deca can be used for either mass building or definition cutting. It is important to include a non-usage phase within the deca cycle because long-term usage can lead to a complete shutdown of natural human testosterone production. This could cause permanent long-term libido damage, including erectile dysfunction disorder.

This anabolic steroid can be used at a constant dosage level throughout the ten- week cycle. A typical dosage is two milligrams per pound (0.45 kg) of body weight per week. Most bodybuilders take Deca supplements twice per week at about a 200 milligrams dosage. This dosage level has been shown to produce the least side effects.

When considering using anabolic supplements, one should consider the side effects that come with this type of program. Anabolic steroids pose serious health risks and should be used with extreme caution. Many athletes have reported irreparable harm to their hearts, kidneys, and livers from taking these supplements. Most doctors recommend a healthy diet and lifestyle verses using these illegal substances to gain muscle.

An anabolic steroid is used for either bulking or cutting. While Deca can be used for either phase is best cycled during the bulking stage because it causes some water retention. Many bodybuilders stack a Deca cycle with other bulking steroids included Dianabol during the bulking phase of a program.

A Deca cycle is normally stacked with testosterone and other bulking steroids. This steroid reacts better with additional supplements. Unlike other fast-acting bulking supplements Deca-durbolin takes several weeks before any noticeable weight gain will be detected.

The primary side effects of using this supplement are an over production of testosterone, which can lead a complete shutdown of human testosterone production. Many bodybuilders have reported higher blood pressure, acne and irritability. These symptoms are representative for standard testosterone injections.

This anabolic steroid stays in the blood stream for several months after usage. A standard anabolic drug test will pick up trace amounts of Deca if used in the last 12 months. An athlete that is planning on using a Deca cycle should be aware that most school-sponsored sports teams test for anabolic steroid usage.

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Discussion Comments

By anon1005487 — On Sep 08, 2021

Can testosterone injections cause high blood pressure?

By umbra21 — On Jan 12, 2013

@browncoat - It's a nice idea, but I think the reality is more complex. For starters, you get a lot of people who will say, that's all very well on a level playing field, but if everyone else is using steroids, I need to use them too, just to get to that level, so I have a chance to win.

Then, there are also people who don't really care about the competition itself, but just see it as a career. And like a lot of people, they will do what it takes to get to the top of that career ladder, so that they can reap the benefits.

Nobody uses deca steroids in amateur competitions. They know those things are dangerous. They use them when they are going to get a payoff of some kind, whether that's money or endorsements, or whatever. Because, to them it's not an issue of right or wrong. It's more like weighing the risk of getting caught against the financial gain.

By browncoat — On Jan 11, 2013

@bythewell - I've always found that to be somewhat disturbing as well. To me, there's just no point in winning if you cheat. I mean, yeah, you could also cross the finish line first in a marathon if you cycle the whole way, but that's not the point of the race, right? I just don't see the point in using steroids to do all the work.

By bythewell — On Jan 10, 2013

My father was heavily involved in sports when I was a kid, including being the fitness instructor for several prominent teams and coaching one of our local basketball teams as well. I can remember him saying that so-and-so was obviously a steroids user, whenever certain celebrity sportsmen came onto the TV. He had all kinds of signs that you can look for to tell whether their muscle mass was "fake" or real. I'm not sure if he learned it from experience (of having to police that in his own teams) or if it was something he learned when earning his physiology degree.

It actually made me kind of sad that so many prominent athletes were cheating, as sometimes it seemed like more were than weren't.

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