This page may reference and describe prescription drugs, steroids, or steroid-like substances that are not available without a prescription from a licensed physician, or sometimes, illegal in the United States. We are not under any circumstances endorsing or recommending you take such substances. We reference such substances for informational purposes or only to compare them with legal nutritional supplements. You can read up on the side effects of steroids to learn more.

Deca Durabolin and Trenbolone are some of the most popular Steroids in bodybuilding. In this article we’ll be listing the health risks of each compound, so users know why they should avoid them and what are the legal alternatives.

No steroid is safe without a medical prescription and doctor’s supervision. Make sure to avoid taking illegal steroids and aim for legal alternatives instead.

Deca vs Tren: Key Differences

Deca and tren are very different steroids. Lets start with the similarities: both steroids are injectables and are primarily used in bulking cycles to build muscle and pack on size. That’s about the only things in common with these two compounds.

Deca is an FDA approved steroid for the treatment of anemia. In contrast, many steroids are banned by the FDA and aren’t prescribed anymore, because they can cause unpleasant/dangerous side effects even in small dosages.

Tren (acetate) was never approved for humans, but was intended to help cattle bulk up. Thus, tren is not considered safe, even when used under medical supervision.

Typical Gains

Trenbolone is a very versatile steroid, helping users gain large amounts of lean mass when bulking; whilst also being very effective in cutting cycles. A tren-only cycle may help someone gain 20lbs of muscle in the off-season.

When used in a cutting cycle, tren will also speed up fat burning and increase muscle retention when eating few calories. Tren’s fat-burning properties are due to its high androgenic nature, with the AR (androgen receptor), having the ability to inhibit fat storage and promote fat loss in adipose tissue.

In comparison, deca is only used in bulking cycles, and its effects are mild when used alone. Bodybuilders will rarely take deca by itself, instead of stacking deca with more potent bulking steroids, to enhance deca’s effects in relation to strength and muscle size. When this is done, deca produces a very thick and huge look with intracellular fluid filling the muscles, plus increases in lean muscle.

In short, tren is a much better muscle-builder and fat burner than deca.

Fast vs Slow Gains

Trenbolone is a very fast-acting steroid with short esters, whilst deca is a slow-acting steroid with long esters.

Thus, results will happen fast on trenbolone; whereas deca works slowly, taking time to build up in a person’s system; hence why cycles can be longer.

Tren’s side effects usually get very uncomfortable by the 6th/7th week, thus cycles generally don’t last longer than 6-8 weeks. However, deca can be cycled for as long as 14 weeks.

Because deca has longer esters, it requires less frequent injections than tren. Typically deca will be injected once per week, whereas tren acetate requires an injection every day.

Which is Worse For the Heart?

Deca Durabolin can lead to a serious cardiovascular strain, which is a serious health concern. However, blood pressure is usually not affected significantly.

Research has shown that a high dose of deca, 600mg per week, taken for 10 weeks, caused a 26% decrease in HDL cholesterol (1).

Note: HDL is the good kind of cholesterol that you want high.

Trenbolone is an even more harsh steroid, that will spike blood pressure significantly. This is due to trenbolone’s sheer toxicity and lack of conversion into estrogen. Bodybuilders often don’t want testosterone to convert into estrogen, because it can cause gyno and water retention; however many don’t realize that estrogen provides protection to the heart (increasing HDL cholesterol). Furthermore, when there’s low estrogen, blood pressure often rises.

Androgenic Side Effects

Trenbolone is very androgenic, whereas deca is not (2).

Tren has an androgenic rating of 500, compared to deca’s 37.

Therefore, hair loss, acne, oily skin and an enlarged prostate are common issues on tren.

If someone is genetically prone to acne, tren is likely to cause bad outbreaks; due to an increase in sebum production blocking the pores. Back acne is particularly common on tren.

Because tren is very androgenic, users will notice the shoulders and traps blow up more than other muscle groups, due to them having more androgen receptors. However, on deca, the user’s shoulders will grow in relation to the rest of the body. Thus, people on tren are usually easy to recognize because of the artificial, 3D, photo-shopped look to their deltoids.

Gyno

Tren and deca are not estrogenic steroids. Tren does not aromatize, thus creating a very dry look. Although deca does aromatize, it is thought to be only 20% compared to testosterone. Some people, therefore, believe that gyno is very unlikely when taking each of these compounds – which isn’t true.

Tren and deca both raise progesterone levels, which is similar to estrogen in the way it acts. High progesterone can cause breast tissue to form like estrogen, making gyno still possible. The likelihood of gyno forming on tren and deca increases, when they are stacked with other estrogenic steroids, such as Dianabol, Anadrol, and testosterone.

Anti-estrogens are thought to be effective in preventing gyno, even from steroids which raise progesterone. However, anti-estrogens are likely to have a negative effect on blood lipids.

Testosterone Suppression

Both of these steroids are going to shut down testosterone levels. This effect may be slightly milder on deca; however, it’s still going to take several months for natural testosterone levels to come back after taking either of these steroids.

Thus, a PCT is recommended (Nolvadex/Clomid/HCG) to help test levels return to normal ranges after a cycle.

Note: testosterone suppression is a common side effect with all steroids, and is almost always severe. The only compounds which cause mild declines in testosterone are Anavar and Primobolan.

Psychological Side Effects

The psychological effects on tren can be as bad as the physiological effects. On tren, some users will experience paranoia, jealousy, irritability and anxiety. This can negatively affect relationships with partners, family and friends.

Tren will stimulate a user’s nervous system, giving them a burst of adrenaline that can produce euphoria, but also make them on edge and nervous. Due to such stimulation, insomnia can also occur, which may affect gains if someone becomes semi-nocturnal. In which case, lowering the dose of tren may help to improve sleep quality/duration.

Deca Dick

Deca may affect a user’s sex life worse than tren, with it being notoriously known for causing erectile dysfunction (impotence). This is due to deca lowering DHT levels, which is an important hormone for blood flow to the penis. Deca dick can be reversed by stacking deca with an androgenic steroid, such as testosterone, Anadrol or tren (which will spike DHT levels).

Tren Cough

Violent coughing instantly after injecting tren happens roughly in 1 in 5 injections. Such coughing can also be accompanied with a tight chest, typically lasting for several seconds.

Note: tren cough is not dangerous.

Such coughing can happen when injecting any steroid, especially when the needle hits a blood vessel. However it is more common with tren; due to it being an irritant. Thus, when it immediately enters the bloodstream, the lungs can become irritated; hence the coughing and metallic taste left in a user’s mouth.

What are the Risks For Women?

Women who take tren will almost certainly turn into a man, even if they take a small dose. This is because Trenbolone is highly androgenic, thus women often suffer from virilization symptoms.

Deca and Tren Alternatives

There are steroid alternatives for deca and tren, known as decadron and enroll. These are manufactured by Crazy Bulk and are 100% legal. All of Crazy Bulk’s steroid alternatives are 100% safe, FDA approved and cause no side effects. Their formulas are made up of several powerful herbs and natural ingredients, spiking anabolic hormones in the body.

Trenorol and decaduro can be bought online, instead of having to trust a potentially dodgy dealer on the black market, who may sell you a fake product instead of real tren/deca. Ordering from the official Crazy Bulk website can be done easily, without needing a prescription from your doctor.

Bodybuilders are buying steroid alternatives, in a bid to avoid the unwanted side effects that come with taking deca and tren.

Tren vs Trenorol

Tren is one of the worst steroids for side effects, which is why so many bodybuilders avoid it (despite the amazing gains).

In contrast, trenorol mimics the same anabolic effects in the body; but without elevating blood pressure, suppressing testosterone or causing mood changes.

Trenorol also comes in tablet form, thus is easier to take, compared to taking daily injections of trenbolone. Trenorol is not hepatotoxic (causes no damage to the liver).

This comes as good news to those who suffer from tren cough, and consequently are anxious to inject.

Deca vs DecaDuro

Deca durabolin is a relatively safe steroid, however it remains illegal in the United States when used for cosmetic purposes. Deca can also cause uncomfortable side effects such as: gyno and low testosterone.

In contrast, Decaduro increases protein synthesis and nitrogen retention, helping users to add size whilst bulking; whilst keeping endogenous testosterone levels stable. Decaduro will not interfere with sexual performance, with users able to maintain regular erections and orgasms throughout their cycle.

Crazy Bulk have received thousands of verified reviews through the Feefo platform; with a 4.4/5 rating, indicating that the majority of their customers are happy with their orders.

Crazy Bulk have a bulking stack which includes: Trenorol (tren), Decaduro (deca), D-Bal (dianabol) and Testo-Max (sustanon 250). This is the greatest legal stack for bulking and building muscle.

If fat loss is the number one objective, trenorol can be stacked with: anvarol (anavar), clenbutrol (clen) or winsol (winstrol); enhancing the metabolism and increasing fat burning.

Summary

Trenbolone will build significantly more muscle and burn more fat than deca. But tren can also aggravate hair loss, cause acne and spike blood pressure more than deca.

Either of the steroids will shut down the normal testosterone production and might lead to cardiovascular issues in the long-term. Because of this, make sure to avoid using illegal steroids and opt for legal alternatives instead.

FAQ

Can Deca Be Stacked With Tren?

Yes, it certainly can and to good effect when bulking. Size and strength gains will be increased as opposed to running tren alone.

The side effects also won’t be much more severe, compared to doing a tren-only cycle (other than exacerbated testosterone suppression).

A deca/tren stack isn’t the most popular combination, because trenbolone is typically a dry steroid; whereas deca causes some fluid retention. However, if users simply want to build mass from a cycle, instead of looking aesthetic; this is an effective cycle.

What Are the Best Steroids to Stack With Tren?

Testosterone is the best steroid to stack with trenbolone, because it doesn’t cause many side effects; yet produces great gains.

Anadrol is another common bulking steroid to stack with tren, but this is a very hardcore duo; and should only be considered by people who are very experienced and able to tolerate both compounds. Anadrol will exacerbate all of tren’s side effects, whilst also posing risks to the liver.

Deca vs Tren for Vascularity?

Tren is much better for getting veins to pop, turning you into a human roadmap (if you are already lean). This is due to tren’s diuretic effects, flushing water out underneath the skin; enhancing definition and bringing veins closer to the surface of the skin.

Also, tren’s fat-burning effects will help with vascularity, as the more fat a person carries, the more hidden their veins will be. Deca in comparison causes a smooth look, instead of a ripped one; hence how it’s commonly used in the offseason.

The post Deca VS Tren: What are the risks? appeared first on Muscle and Brawn.