Which Has Fewer Side Effects: Prohormones or SARMs?
Prohormones and SARMs are popular among people who want to gain muscle, lose fat, and get stronger. Many people use them instead of steroids because they are thought to be safer. However, both Prohormones and SARMs can have side effects, and it’s important to understand what those are before using them.
In this article, we’ll compare Prohormones and SARMs, look at how they work, and see which one has fewer side effects. We’ll also answer common questions to help you make an informed choice.
Key Takeaways
- SARMs generally have fewer side effects compared to Prohormones.
- Both Prohormones and SARMs can cause health problems if not used correctly.
- Always use Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) to help your body recover after using these substances.
What Are Prohormones?
What Are Prohormones?
Prohormones are chemicals that turn into hormones once they enter your body. These hormones help build muscle, get stronger, and even burn fat. But since they change into hormones, they can also have side effects.
History of Prohormones
Prohormones became popular in the 1990s because they were easier to get than steroids. But they had strong side effects, which led to many of them being banned by the U.S. government in 2014. You can learn more about the different strength gains between Prohormones and SARMs here.
How Prohormones Work
Prohormones don’t work right away. When they get into your body, they need to be activated by enzymes. This process then helps you build muscle and get stronger.
Types of Prohormones
| Type | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Bulking | For gaining muscle | M1T, 1-Andro, 4-DHEA |
| Cutting | For losing fat and keeping muscle | 11-OXO, Epistane |
| Recomp | Gain muscle while losing fat | Halodrol, Superdrol |
How Are Prohormones Different from Steroids?
- Similar: Both Prohormones and steroids help increase muscle.
- Different: Prohormones need to be converted into hormones by your body, while steroids are already in their active form.
What Are SARMs?
What Are SARMs?
SARMs stands for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. This means they are designed to work only on specific parts of your body—like your muscles and bones—without affecting other organs like your liver or heart. They are often compared in terms of muscle-building benefits, risks, and best practices.
Why Were SARMs Made?
SARMs were first made to help people who had diseases that caused muscle loss or weak bones. People in the fitness world liked them because they could build muscle without many of the bad side effects that steroids have.
How Do SARMs Work?
SARMs target certain parts of the body. They attach to receptors in muscles and bones, making them stronger without impacting other organs.
Types of SARMs
| Type | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Bulking | For gaining muscle | RAD-140, LGD-4033 |
| Cutting | For losing fat | Ostarine, Andarine |
| Recomp | Gain muscle and fat loss | MK-677, S4 |
How Are Prohormones and SARMs Different?
Interaction with the Body
- Prohormones: Turn into active hormones that affect the whole body, causing many different side effects.
- SARMs: Work by attaching to specific areas like muscles and bones, which means they usually cause fewer side effects. For more details, see our comparison of cutting cycles with Prohormones vs. SARMs.
Conversion into Hormones
- Prohormones: Have to be converted by the body to become active.
- SARMs: Work directly and do not need to be converted.
What This Means for Side Effects
Because Prohormones affect the whole body, they can have serious side effects, including problems with your liver. SARMs only affect specific areas, making them less harmful in general.
Side Effects of Prohormones
Short-Term Side Effects
- Hormonal Changes: Prohormones can change into estrogen, which can lead to side effects like:
- Gynecomastia: Breast tissue growth in men.
- Water Retention: This can make you feel bloated.
- Skin Problems: Prohormones can cause acne and make your skin oily.
- Mood Changes: Prohormones may cause aggression and irritability.
Long-Term Side Effects
- Liver Damage: Prohormones can be very hard on your liver, leading to serious liver problems over time. Read more about liver health when using Prohormones vs. SARMs.
- Heart Health: Prohormones can affect your cholesterol levels, which may increase the risk of heart problems.
- Low Testosterone: Using prohormones can make it hard for your body to produce testosterone on its own, which can affect things like fertility.
Side Effects of SARMs
Short-Term Side Effects
- Hormone Changes: SARMs can lower your natural testosterone levels while you use them, but the effect is usually not as strong as with prohormones.
- Fatigue and Nausea: Some people feel tired, nauseous, or get headaches when they start using SARMs.
Long-Term Side Effects
- Liver Health: SARMs are not as toxic as Prohormones, but some can still raise liver enzymes, which can be a sign of liver stress.
- Cholesterol: SARMs can affect cholesterol levels, which is not good for your heart.
How to Reduce Side Effects
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
After using SARMs or Prohormones, it’s important to do a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT). This helps bring your hormone levels back to normal. You can find more tips on effective Post Cycle Therapy for Prohormones vs. SARMs here.
- PCT usually includes Clomid or Nolvadex to help restart natural testosterone production.
Supplements for Liver Health
- Use Milk Thistle, N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), or TUDCA to help protect your liver during and after using these compounds.
Dosage and Cycle Length
- Keep It Short: Limit cycles to 4-8 weeks.
- Start Small: Begin with lower doses to see how your body reacts.
Which Has Fewer Side Effects: Prohormones or SARMs?
Organ Health
- Prohormones can be very toxic to the liver, while SARMs are generally safer in this regard.
Hormonal Balance
- Prohormones are more likely to cause long-term hormone problems, like testosterone suppression.
- SARMs are less likely to cause these problems, though PCT is still needed.
Overall Safety
SARMs are usually seen as the safer option because they target specific parts of the body, while Prohormones can affect multiple organs and systems.
Conclusion
SARMs are generally safer than Prohormones because they have fewer side effects and are less toxic to the liver. However, both can cause health problems if not used properly. Always use PCT, take liver support supplements, and make sure to stay within safe dosages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are SARMs Safer Than Prohormones for Beginners?
Yes, SARMs are generally safer for beginners because they have fewer side effects than prohormones and don’t cause as much damage to the liver.
What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Prohormones?
The most common side effects of Prohormones include liver damage, acne, water retention, and aggression.
Do SARMs Require Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)?
Yes, PCT is needed after using SARMs to help restore natural testosterone levels and prevent long-term hormone issues.
Can I Use Prohormones or SARMs Without Damaging My Liver?
Both Prohormones and SARMs can damage your liver, but SARMs are generally less toxic. Taking liver support supplements can help reduce this risk.
Which Has More Impact on Testosterone: Prohormones or SARMs?
Prohormones usually have a bigger effect on testosterone levels and can cause more serious suppression than SARMs.
Can Women Use SARMs or Prohormones?
Women can use SARMs like Ostarine in small doses, but Prohormones are not recommended due to the risk of masculinization (like deeper voice and body hair growth).
How Long Do Side Effects Last After a Cycle?
Side effects can last from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the compound, how much you used, and if you did PCT.
Are There Legal SARMs or Prohormones on the Market?
Most Prohormones are banned, while SARMs are sold for research purposes only. Be sure to check the legal status in your country.
How Do I Minimize Side Effects from SARMs or Prohormones?
- Use PCT to help restore your hormones.
- Take liver support supplements like TUDCA and NAC.
- Stick to recommended doses to avoid overuse and potential health issues.
