Sten
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Sten is a two-component testosterone blend that is made only in Mexico.
It is manufactured by the firm Atlantis, and Sten is one of Mexicos
more inexpensive human-use testosterone products. The two active
steroids in this product are testosterone propionate (25mg),
testosterone cypionate (75mg). Each ampule also contains an added 20mg
of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Some references incorrectly list it
to contain 20mg DHT or dihydrotestosterone (another androgen). This is
just a confusion of the Spanish word for DHEA (dehidroisoandrosterona),
which at a quick glance looks similar to DHT. Holding the DHEA
irrelevant at the moment, this steroid basically contains 50mg of
testosterone per ml.
Many compare this item
to Sustanon, but consider it to be a low budget alternative. While it
does contain two testosterone esters with a sustained release effect,
Sten is active for a much shorter duration. The testosterone propionate
does provide a fast effect, as with Sustanon, but the blood levels from
the testosterone cypionate will drop about two weeks after each
injection. This is about half the duration seen with Sustanon, so
clearly there is a noticeable dtfference between the two compounds. Of
course they are both strong testosterone products, and the end result
difference would not be very great between the two.
If we used these two testosterone
esters separately, a cumulative dosage of 200-400mg per week would be
the most common. Therefore, 2 to 4 ampules of Sten are usually injected
each week. To reduce the volume of each injection, this amount is
usually broken up into two to four separate shots, each consisting of
2ml or one full ampule. Even with this separation we are taking 4 to 8
ml per week, which is quite a bit when compared to other products like
Sustanon. It makes it additionally difficult to add in another
injectable steroid, as the volume would no doubt be quite
uncomfortable. For this reason Sten is not in high demand, and
generally used only when other testosterone preparations are
unavailable.
The effect of this steroid would
be comparable to that seen with all injectable testosterone products.
It is well suited for a quick mass and strength gain, accompanied by a
number of androgenic and estrogenic side effects. Water retention of
course is common, as is the development of gynecomastia. Sensitive
individuals may find an antiestrogen necessary when taking this drug,
as is common with virtually all testosterones. Androgenic side effects
like oily skin, acne, facial/body hair growth and premature hair loss
are also likely. The addition of Propecia may prove useful to minimize
such effects, especially for those noticing the onset male pattern
baldness. And although some female bodybuilders do occasionally utilize
testosterone propionate, the cypionate present in this substance (being
much longer acting) makes for poor company. An unlucky female athlete
would have to wait a couple of weeks for testosterone levels to
significantly drop, which is obviously much too long when virilization
symptoms are developing.
In Mexico, 2 ampules are packaged
in a box along with a 3m! syringe (odd) and sells for about $5. Here on
the U.S. black market, a single loose ampule of Sten can sell for as
much as $10. There are currently no fakes.
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