They are preventable but they are risks.

The best way to prevent them is to avoid steroids. Your risk factor is based on your individual genetics. If you are dead set on running a cycle, bloodwork before, during, and after is crucial. Bloodwork can be done cheaply at Hello Good Labs online.

I developed gyno once a while ago, combatted it with various methods, and it returned briefly during my last cycle but to be fair my last cycle was an experiment to see how high I could get my test without side effects and discovering what side effects I get and around what levels I get them. It was truly a waste of gear for the sake of curiosity and I won’t be doing it again. I know what my limits are now and that’s all I wanted.

I used the same methods to combat gyno from last time and it seems my gyno is gone. I did experience some hair loss this cycle but I’m also pushing 40 so that’s to be expected around this stage of life anyway. It really wasn’t much and it’s drastically slowed now that I’m cruising.

Like others have said, avoiding compounds that convert to DHT is one good way to help protect the hairline. However, since this is your first cycle, running test only and watching bloods closely will give you the best foundation for knowing your limits and knowing what your body does in response to the exogenous testosterone. Controlling the variables by introducing only one new compound per cycle will let you know exactly what compounds your body likes.

You will want to have a good AI on hand before your first pin. If you plan on coming off gear, pct supplies should also be acquired prior to first pin. The AI and pct supplies along with bloodwork will allow you to control estrogen should things go out of range or should gyno symptoms arise.

I personally wouldn’t use finasteride or minoxidil if hair started falling out. I’d simply cut the dose back or hop off entirely or embrace the bald. I hear ghk-cu can also help regenerate hair follicles so maybe a good run of ghk-cu afterwards or during cycle may help.

I guess the bottom line is that they are preventable, they are treatable, risk can be mitigated by choosing compounds wisely, and ultimately your genes dictate your risk level. Bloodwork can detect things out of whack prior to symptoms which is the ideal way to find out but the sooner you can treat the symptoms the better.

Everyone will be different.

Let’s talk hair first:

For some, a modest dose of test will clog the shower drain. Others can blast anything and everything with a full head of hair the entire time.

If you are genetically predisposed to MPD, AAS will accelerate the rate of loss.

There are things you can look into like Minoxidil or Finasteride that can help, as well as prioritizing compounds that do not convert to DHT - like deca, due example.

Ultimately, only you know if you’re predisposed to baldness and only you can weigh if AAS use is worth accelerating it.

Now for gyno:

Again, genetics will play a role but on the whole this is 100% preventable for 99.99% of people. You will want to keep your e2 in a normal range, which can be assessed with regular bloodwork, and that can be done by one of two ways:

1) taking a low enough dose of test that whatever is aromatized does not amount to enough to cause side effects like gyno.

2) take an aromatose inhibitor like exemestane or anastrozole in conjunction with your blood test results to dial in the e2 level to a place where you don’t see sides like gyno.

Some people need a decent AI dose on TRT amounts of test. Others can blast a gram and have problems.

It’s all extremely individual.

Don’t use steroids