Optimal Weekly Amounts For Men and Women

When it comes to cutting cycles, Masteron (Drostanolone) stands out as one of the most effective and aesthetic-focused anabolic steroids. Originally developed for breast cancer treatment due to its anti-estrogenic properties, Masteron has gained a cult-like following in bodybuilding circles for its ability to deliver a dry, hard, and vascular look — especially when body fat is already low.

But here’s the catch: Masteron only works if you dose it correctly.
Take too little, and you’ll barely notice results. Take too much, and the risk of side effects like hair loss, aggression, and lipid damage increases significantly — without added benefit.

Whether you’re prepping for a show, looking to tighten up during a summer cut, or stacking it with testosterone for cosmetic edge, this guide will walk you through exactly how much Masteron you should take per week, depending on your goals, experience level, and cycle structure.

Let’s break it down.

What Is Masteron and How Does It Work?

Masteron (Drostanolone) is a DHT-derived anabolic steroid that was originally used in clinical settings to treat estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. What makes Masteron unique — and highly valuable in bodybuilding — is its anti-estrogenic effect, meaning it can actually help reduce water retention and estrogen-related side effects when stacked with aromatizing steroids like testosterone.

There are two main forms of Masteron:

• Masteron Propionate (Drostanolone Propionate)
  → Short-acting, fast-release ester
  → Injected every other day or 3x/week

• Masteron Enanthate (Drostanolone Enanthate)
  → Longer-acting ester
  → Injected 1–2x/week

Both forms deliver the same core benefit:
→ A hard, dry, and defined physique, particularly when body fat is already low (sub-10% for men).

→ Mechanism of Action

Masteron binds strongly to androgen receptors, enhancing protein synthesis and muscle retention without significant weight gain. It does not aromatize, meaning estrogen conversion is zero — making it ideal for cutting, recomposition, and contest prep cycles.

“Drostanolone exhibits mild anabolic properties and strong androgenic traits, helping create a leaner, more defined appearance without estrogenic side effects,” notes Garevik et al., Journal of Steroid Biochemistry.

→ Why Masteron Is Popular for Cutting

• Reduces subcutaneous water retention

• Improves muscle hardness and definition

• Supports fat loss through androgen receptor activation

• Enhances the effects of other steroids (e.g., Testosterone Enanthate, Winstrol)

Masteron Dosage for Men

For most male users, Masteron is used during a cutting or contest prep cycle where the goal is to maintain lean muscle mass, dry out excess water, and sharpen definition. Dosing depends on experience level, physique goals, and whether you’re using Propionate or Enanthate.

→ Standard Weekly Dosage for Men

• Beginner Cycle: 300–400 mg/week

• Intermediate Users: 400–600 mg/week

• Advanced or Contest Prep: 600–800 mg/week (only when stacked with other AAS)

These doses are typically split across the week, depending on the ester:

→ Cycle Duration

• 8–12 weeks is typical for most cycles

• Enanthate is often preferred for longer cycles

• Propionate is favored for shorter or contest-prep runs due to faster clearance

→ Cutting vs Recomp Dosing

• Cutting-only users tend to favor higher Masteron dosages for cosmetic benefits

• Recomposition cycles (stacked with moderate test and possibly Anavar) typically use 300–500 mg/week

“Drostanolone’s visual effects scale directly with leanness and dosage, making it a preferred cosmetic enhancer during peak phase conditioning,” explains Kicman, British Journal of Pharmacology.

Masteron Dosage for Women

While Masteron is not commonly recommended for female use due to its high androgenic potential, some experienced female athletes may choose to incorporate it cautiously for physique competition or advanced fat loss.

Because Masteron is derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a potent androgen — the risk of virilization (deep voice, facial hair, clitoral enlargement) is significant and should be carefully considered.

→ Safe Dosage Range for Women

• 25–50 mg per week, using Masteron Propionate only
  → Propionate clears faster, making it easier to manage side effects
  → Never use Enanthate due to its long half-life and prolonged DHT exposure

• Cycle length: 4–6 weeks max
  → Always start on the lower end to assess tolerance

→ Best Practices for Female Users

• Monitor for early signs of virilization: voice deepening, hair growth, acne

• Avoid stacking with other androgens (testosterone, Winstrol, Trenbolone)

• Consider safer alternatives like Anavar or Primobolan

“Women should approach Masteron with extreme caution, as even low doses can result in irreversible androgenic changes,” warns Gruber & Pope, Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

For safer and more controlled female cycles, see our full guide:
→ Safe Steroid Use for Women

Masteron Propionate vs Enanthate: Dosing Differences

Choosing between Masteron Propionate and Masteron Enanthate is more than just a matter of convenience — each ester affects injection frequency, cycle duration, and how quickly the drug peaks in your system. Understanding their pharmacokinetic differences is crucial for optimizing your dosing schedule and results.

→ Masteron Propionate

• Half-life: ~2.5–3 days

• Injection frequency: Every other day or 3x/week (e.g., Mon/Wed/Fri)

• Ideal for:
  → Shorter 6–8 week cycles
  → Contest prep (clears quickly before stage)
  → Women (shorter clearance = easier to manage virilization risks)

→ Masteron Enanthate

• Half-life: ~7–10 days

• Injection frequency: 1–2x/week (e.g., Mon/Thurs)

• Ideal for:
  → Longer 10–12+ week cycles
  → Users who prefer fewer injections
  → Stack-and-cruise protocols

→ Dosage Considerations

The total weekly dose stays the same, but the injection schedule must match the ester to avoid hormone fluctuations and maintain stable blood levels.

“Long-ester steroids provide more stable plasma concentrations but take longer to reach peak activity and clear the system,” explains Hartgens & Kuipers, Sports Medicine.

Stacking Masteron with Other Compounds

Masteron is rarely run solo. It shines brightest when stacked with other anabolic compounds to amplify definition, reduce estrogenic effects, and create a sharper, more aesthetic physique. Whether you’re cutting or recomping, stacking Masteron can enhance your cycle’s visual payoff.

→ Common Masteron Stacks

• Masteron + Testosterone Enanthate
  → Most popular stack
  → Balances anabolic and androgenic effects
  → Masteron may help offset estrogenic bloat from Test

• Masteron + Anavar
  → Dry, lean, hard gains with minimal water retention
  → Great for contest prep or photoshoot-ready cuts

• Masteron + Winstrol
  → Aggressively cuts water weight
  → High risk for lipid damage—run short term with liver and cholesterol support

• Masteron + Trenbolone
  → Ultra-dry, ultra-aggressive stack
  → Should only be used by advanced athletes with post-cycle therapy in place

→ Sample Stacking Dosages (Men)

“When stacking, Masteron’s anti-estrogenic properties can reduce the need for external aromatase inhibitors,” reports Llewellyn, Anabolics (2023).

For more stacking strategies:
→ Steroid Stack Guide: How to Build a Safe and Effective Cycle

Common Beginner Dosage Mistakes

Even though Masteron is considered a “mild” compound in terms of side effects, incorrect dosing or poor cycle planning can ruin your results — or worse, increase risk without reward. Here are the most common mistakes beginners make when using Masteron:

→ 1. Running It Too Early in a Bulk or Cut

Masteron only delivers visible results when body fat is already low (men: <10–12%). Taking it early in a cut or during a bulk is a waste — it won’t show off what isn’t already lean.

→ Fix: Use Masteron during the final 6–8 weeks of a cut or recomposition phase to maximize hardening effects.

→ 2. Dosing Too Low

Some users assume that because Masteron is DHT-based, a very low dose will still be effective. In reality, sub-300 mg/week doses rarely produce noticeable results in men.

→ Fix: Stick to 300–500 mg/week minimum, even for first-timers (unless you’re stacking with strong compounds like Tren).

→ 3. Ignoring Ester Differences

Propionate and Enanthate have vastly different half-lives, which affects how often you need to inject. Beginners often underdose or miss injections when using Propionate.

→ Fix:

→ 4. Running Masteron Solo

While technically possible, Masteron-only cycles are underwhelming for most users. Without a base like testosterone, energy, libido, and strength may suffer.

→ Fix: Run Masteron alongside a mild dose of Testosterone Enanthate (200–300 mg/week)

→ 5. Skipping PCT Planning

Even though Masteron has mild suppression, it still shuts down natural testosterone. Many first-timers don’t plan for PCT and crash post-cycle.

→ Fix: Always include a PCT stack using Clomid and Nolvadex.

Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) After Masteron

Even though Masteron isn’t the most suppressive steroid on its own, it still inhibits your body’s natural testosterone production — especially when stacked with other compounds. Skipping PCT can lead to hormonal crashes, fatigue, low libido, and muscle loss.

→ Why PCT Is Necessary After Masteron

• Masteron is a DHT derivative, which doesn’t aromatize to estrogen

• But it still signals the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis to shut down testosterone

• After a cycle, your body needs help restarting endogenous hormone production

→ PCT Timing Based on Ester

→ Effective PCT Stack

Here’s a standard PCT protocol after a Masteron cycle (especially if stacked with testosterone):

• Clomid
  → 50 mg/day for 2 weeks
  → Then 25 mg/day for 2 more weeks

• Nolvadex
  → 40 mg/day for 2 weeks
  → Then 20 mg/day for 2 more weeks

Optional Additions:

• → DHEA: 100 mg/day

• → ZMT by Swolverine: 6 capsules nightly to support natural testosterone, recovery, and sleep quality

• → Zinc, magnesium, ashwagandha for natural support

• → Liver and cardiovascular support if stacked with orals like Winstrol

“Effective PCT is critical even after moderate steroid cycles to avoid long-term suppression and support full hormonal restoration,” notes Rahnema et al., The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Masteron Dosage Compared to Other Steroids

When choosing a steroid cycle, understanding how Masteron compares to other compounds in terms of dosage, suppression, and aesthetic outcomes is key. Masteron is often selected for its dry, hardening effects and relatively mild side effect profile — but how does its dosage stack up against other popular anabolic steroids?

→ Masteron vs Testosterone

• Typical Masteron Dose: 400–600 mg/week

• Typical Testosterone Dose (Enanthate or Cypionate): 300–500 mg/week (TRT-level), 500–750+ mg/week (performance)

• Comparison:
  → Testosterone is more anabolic and suppressive
  → Masteron enhances physique without estrogenic bloat
  → Best when stacked together, with testosterone providing the hormonal base

→ Masteron vs Winstrol

• Typical Masteron Dose: 400–600 mg/week

• Typical Winstrol Dose (oral): 30–50 mg/day (210–350 mg/week)

• Comparison:
  → Both are used for cutting and muscle definition
  → Winstrol is hepatotoxic (oral), Masteron is not
  → Masteron is often better tolerated in long cycles
  → Many athletes stack Winstrol and Masteron for a shredded look

→ Masteron vs Anavar

• Typical Masteron Dose: 400–600 mg/week

• Typical Anavar Dose (men): 30–60 mg/day (210–420 mg/week)

• Comparison:
  → Anavar is milder and preferred by beginners
  → Both are DHT-based and promote hard, lean muscle
  → Anavar is often favored for women, while Masteron requires more caution

“Masteron shines in contest prep and lean cycles where definition and anti-estrogenic properties are crucial,” explains Roberts, Steroid Profiles.

Side Effects at Higher Doses of Masteron

While Masteron is often praised for its low estrogenic risk, increasing the dosage above clinical performance ranges (600–800 mg/week+) can quickly escalate unwanted side effects.

→ Androgenic Side Effects

“As a DHT derivative, Masteron does not aromatize, but higher androgen load can still trigger aggressive side effects in sensitive users,” notes Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

→ Lipid and Cardiovascular Impact

→ Testosterone Suppression

• The higher the dose, the stronger the suppression of natural testosterone production

• Without PCT, you risk long-term hormonal shutdown

→ Diminishing Returns

• Increasing the dose does not guarantee significantly better results

• In many cases, 400–600 mg/week is the sweet spot — anything more raises risk without proportional reward

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Dosing Masteron

Despite its relatively mild nature, Masteron still carries risks — and improper dosing can lead to poor results, side effects, or wasted time. These are the most common mistakes beginners and even experienced users make when running Masteron.

→ Mistake #1: Running Too Low of a Dose

• Masteron requires a clinical dose to work effectively for cutting or contest prep

• Doses below 300 mg/week are rarely effective for physique enhancement in men

• For performance results, the 400–600 mg/week range is ideal

→ Mistake #2: Not Running Testosterone Alongside It

• Masteron suppresses natural testosterone production

• Many users make the mistake of running it solo and experience low libido, mood issues, and poor recovery

• Always pair Masteron with a base dose of Testosterone Enanthate or Cypionate

→ Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Ester for Your Cycle Goals

• Propionate ester is ideal for short cutting cycles (6–8 weeks) or contest prep

• Enanthate ester is more appropriate for longer-term use (10–12 weeks)

• Choosing the wrong ester can cause unnecessary side effects or misaligned timing with other compounds

→ Mistake #4: Skipping Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)

• Many assume Masteron is “mild” and doesn’t need a PCT

• Even though it doesn’t aromatize, Masteron still suppresses natural hormones

• A complete PCT stack is essential to restore balance and keep gains

“Dosing and timing are everything. Even experienced bodybuilders can screw up a cycle by underestimating suppression or overestimating results from low doses,” notes Miller, Strength and Physique Journal.

Legal Status and Testing Concerns

Before running a Masteron cycle, it’s critical to understand where it stands legally and within athletic testing guidelines. Despite its popularity in physique sports, Masteron is tightly controlled and easily detectable in modern anti-doping protocols.

→ Controlled Substance in Most Countries

• In the United States, Masteron (Drostanolone Propionate or Enanthate) is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Anabolic Steroid Control Act

• It is illegal to possess, sell, or use Masteron without a prescription

• Similar legal restrictions apply in Canada, the UK, Australia, and most of Europe

“Non-medical use of anabolic steroids is prohibited in most Western nations and can result in fines, arrest, or customs seizure,” notes Griffith University Law Journal.

→ Detection Time and Banned Status in Athletics

• Masteron is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and most athletic organizations

• Detection window for Drostanolone is approximately 3–4 weeks, depending on the ester and testing method

• Its metabolites can be flagged during both urine and blood testing

→ Sourcing Risks and Underground Lab (UGL) Concerns

• Most Masteron on the black market is produced by underground labs (UGLs) — which vary in quality, sterility, and accurate dosing

• Risks include:
  → Underdosed or overdosed vials
  → Contaminated or non-sterile product
  → Wrong ester or counterfeit compounds

“A significant percentage of UGL steroids contain impurities or do not match the labeled substance,” confirms Evans-Brown et al., Drug Testing and Analysis

Conclusion: Are You Dosing Masteron Correctly?

Masteron can be a powerful addition to a cutting or contest prep cycle — but only when dosed and timed correctly. Whether you’re using the Propionate or Enanthate ester, the key is to stay within optimal ranges that deliver results while minimizing suppression and side effects.

→ Ideal Dosing Summary

• Men: 400–600 mg/week for cutting and physique refinement

• Women: 50–100 mg/week max, only with professional guidance

• Esters:
  → Propionate: Fast-acting, great for short cycles
  → Enanthate: Long-acting, better for smoother blood levels

→ When Masteron Makes Sense

• During the final 6–8 weeks of a cut to enhance dryness and vascularity

• For stacking with testosterone in lean mass or recomp phases

• When you need a compound with anti-estrogenic support that doesn’t aromatize

→ When It Doesn’t

• If you’re not already lean — Masteron won’t melt fat on its own

• If you’re avoiding injectables entirely

• If you’re a beginner not ready to manage suppression, injections, and PCT

“Masteron works best as a finishing agent, not a standalone cycle base. For the right user, it delivers a dry, grainy look no other steroid can replicate,” notes Swolverine’s complete guide to Masteron.

Need help choosing what to stack Masteron with? Check out our full Steroid Stack Guide.

Want to support your recovery post-cycle? Try DHEA and ZMT to promote natural testosterone, mood, and sleep during your PCT.