Contraindications: Contraindicated in individuals with confirmed androgen-sensitive prostate or breast carcinoma.
Not for use by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant — androgenic compounds carry teratogenic risk.
Individuals with polycythaemia, untreated severe hypertension, or active hepatic impairment should not use injectable androgens without specialist clearance.
Hypersensitivity to any component of the oil vehicle (typically sesame or grape-seed oil) is a contraindication.
Side Effects: Androgenic: accelerated scalp hair loss in genetically predisposed individuals, acne, and increased body hair.
Estrogenic: gynecomastia and subcutaneous water retention if estradiol rises above individual threshold — more manageable with propionate than long esters due to the short half-life.
Injection-site discomfort is more common with propionate than with longer esters; rotating sites and warming the vial to body temperature before drawing reduces post-injection pain.
Cardiovascular: suppression of HDL cholesterol and elevation of LDL are dose-dependent; lipid panels should be reviewed at the mid-point of any cutting cycle.
Monitoring: Full blood count (haematocrit/haemoglobin) every 6–8 weeks during use; polycythaemia risk rises with duration.
Serum estradiol and total testosterone measured at cycle week 2–3 to confirm aromatase inhibitor titration is effective.
PSA screening for males over 40 before cycle initiation and at cycle end.
Liver enzyme panel (ALT/AST) at baseline and mid-cycle, especially if stacked with oral co-administration.
PCT: Begin SERM-based post-cycle therapy 3–5 days after the last Propios injection, leveraging the short ester's rapid clearance.
Standard SERM protocols (tamoxifen or clomiphene) run 4 weeks; tamoxifen 40 mg/day for weeks 1–2, then 20 mg/day for weeks 3–4 is a commonly referenced framework.
HCG use during the cycle (e.g. 250–500 IU twice weekly) can be considered to maintain testicular sensitivity, particularly in cuts exceeding 10 weeks.
Monitor LH, FSH, and total testosterone 4 weeks post-PCT to confirm hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis recovery.