The Ultimate Guide To Prohormones – Updated For 2026!
What are the strongest supplements on the market? The answer is simple – Prohormones. Since they were originally introduced they have been the subject of considerable controversy and numerous FDA crackdowns ever since. Controversial because some bodybuilders and potential users question how safe and “natural” they really are. The FDA has cracked down because in the eyes of the FDA (and the media) all supplements are evil. In the updated Ultimate Guide To Prohormones, we will look briefly at the history of prohormones and give you a complete rundown of what’s available in 2026. Let’s jump right in!
A Brief History
Prohormones were first introduced to the supplement market in 1996 by chemist and ErgoPharm founder Patrick Arnold. He developed the original androstenedione. I can still remember the original product and the attention it received; it took the bodybuilding world by storm! At that time, the only thing that came close to Andro was creatine, and it was really not much of a contest.
The Launch Of 1-AD
Of course, the success of Andro opened the door for other prohormones. These included androstenediol, norandrostenediol, 1-4-androstenedione, and 5 alpha androstenediol. It wasn’t long before ErgoPharm introduced 1-AD, which converted into a hormone known as 1-testosterone. This was really the first prohormone that was considered comparable to real steroids. In fact, it was a mild version of Trenbolone Acetate.
Methylated Prohormones – M1T
Eventually, the famous methyl-1-testosterone (M1T), a methylated hormone, was introduced. Methylated meant that the liver could not break it down, yet it produced rapid gains in muscle and strength. Of course it was the strongest prohormone on the market at the time. However, it also had the potential to cause negative side effects such as high blood pressure and liver toxicity.
Here Comes The FDA
At this time Patrick Arnold and others in the supplement industry felt that the increase of available methylated prohormones like M1T would result in significant negative publicity. As noted, these products were borderline steroids, and many felt they should not be sold as supplements. Congress got involved and passed the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004. This effectively classed all prohormones on the market at the time as illegal drugs on virtually the same level as anabolic steroids.
By early 2005 they were gone from retail shelves everywhere. This started a cycle of supplement companies finding loopholes so they could get some form of prohormones back on the market. That worked until the government caught on and closed the loophole. This went on until 2014 when the Designer Anabolic Control Act was passed. This bill expanded the list of banned substances, creating more problems for the supplement industry.
Fast Forward To 2026
What is available in 2026 are prohormones that are much safer than what was originally available. You still have to understand what they are and how to use them, of course.
Definition of Prohormones and Mechanism of Action
A prohormone can be defined as “a precursor of a hormone, such as a polypeptide that is split to form a shorter polypeptide hormone or a steroid that is converted to an active hormone by peripheral metabolism” (1). In simple terms, a prohormone is a compound that is converted in the body into an anabolic hormone. Prohormones stimulate an effect that’s similar to but milder than anabolic steroids. These effects include accelerated muscle and strength gains and rapid fat loss. The effects are milder than steroids because of a rate-limiting effect that’s caused by the conversion.
Side Effects
While not as pronounced as they used to be, side effects may include:
- Liver Stress
- Hair Loss
- Gynecomastia (Gyno)
- Swollen Prostate Gland
- Higher Blood Pressure Levels
- Sore Joints
- Headaches
- Gastric Discomfort
These side effects can be controlled with a proper post-cycle therapy program. This approach gives you the best results. It’s important to have your PCT in place before starting a prohormone cycle.
Also note that Hi-Tech has come out with a prohormone that can be used as long as desired with no cycling and no PCT necessary.
Cycling Prohormones
Always make sure you take only the recommended doses when using prohormones. This ensures you’ll experience the best results with the least side effects. An average prohormone cycle will last 6-8 weeks. Beginners should use 1 prohormone for their first cycle. Advanced users will usually stack 2-4 prohormones and take on-cycle support. A 4-6-week PCT program will follow this. The two main types of cycles are bulking and cutting.
What Does A PCT Program Look Like?
When you end your prohormone cycle, your natural hormones are out of balance. This imbalance happens because the body thinks it doesn’t have to produce and release testosterone. After all, test levels surge during a prohormone cycle. When you’ve finished your cycle, your natural test levels are low while your estrogen levels are high. You’ll need to control the excess water retention and fat gain caused by excess estrogen. Also, you’ll need to balance out your test and estrogen levels. Plus, you’ll need to control the catabolic effects of cortisol. This is how you keep your gains and you do this by stimulating natural testosterone production. That’s why you must run a PCT program immediately after your cycle is over.
The Available Prohormones in 2026
By the time you read this, the list of available products may have changed. Also, I do not intend to present an in-depth technical explanation of everything. Instead, I want this to be easy to understand and a great resource for new bodybuilders trying to understand how it all works.
1-Andro
This prohormone undergoes a two-step conversion in the body. This process converts 1-Andro into 1-Testosterone. 1-Andro is a non-methylated prohormone, meaning it doesn’t convert into estrogen or DHT. You won’t experience any unwanted side effects such as bloating or gyno. Additionally, there’s little to no liver toxicity.
What To Expect
- Lean Muscle Increases
- Strength Increases
- Good For Bulking and Cutting
Side Effects
Negative effects may include acne, hair loss, prostate growth, testicular atrophy, cardiovascular problems, and increased liver and kidney values.
1 Andro Products Include
Prohormone Blends Include
- Hi-Tech Anavar
- LG Sciences Bulk Andro Kit
- Hi-Tech Halodrol
- Blackstone Labs Metha-Quad Extreme
- Hi-Tech Primobolan
Also Known As
- 1-Androsterone
- 1-androstene-3b-ol-17-one
- 1-DHEA
- 1-Dehydroepiandrosterone
- 3b-hydroxy-5a-androst-1-en-17-one
- 3b-hydroxy-androst-1-ene-17-one
- 3-hydroxy-5-androst-1-en-17-one
4-Andro
4-Andro undergoes a two-step conversion process to become the target hormone, testosterone. This is a “wet” prohormone which means there’s a chance of estrogen conversion. Due to possible water retention, 4-Andro is a good choice for bulking.
What To Expect
- Impressive Muscle Mass Gains
- Increased Strength Gains
- Ideal For Bulking
Side Effects
Potential side effects include water retention, fat gain, and gynecomastia. Additionally, there are reported side effects of acne and hair loss.
4-Andro Products Include
- Hi-Tech Andriol – It needs to be noted that this is a patented prohormone that does not need to be cycled. Also, no PCT is required.
- Blackstone Labs Brutal 4ce
Prohormone Blends Include
- Hi-Tech Anavar
- Hi-Tech Halodrol
- Hi-Tech Halotestin
- Innovative Labs Helladrol
- Blackstone Labs Metha-Quad Extreme
- Hi-Tech Sustanon
Also Known As
- 4-Androsterone / 4-Andro
- 4-androstene-3b-ol-17-one
- 4-DHEA / 4DHEA
- 4-Dehydroepiandrosterone
- 3b-Hydroxy-4-androsten-17-one
- 3β-hydroxyandrost-4-en-17-one
- 3β-hydroxy-D4-androsten-17-one
19-NorAndro
19-NorAndro is a prohormone precursor. It will convert through a two-step conversion to Nandrolone (Deca). 19-NorAndro has milder effects than most other prohormones.
What To Expect
- Good Mass Gains
- Increased Strength
- Good For Stacking
- Promotes Healthy Joints
- Milder Than Other Prohormones
Side Effects
19 NorAndro is relatively mild so the risk of side effects is lower than those associated with testosterone-based compounds. However, water retention and decreased libido have been reported among users.
19 NorAndro Products Include
- Blackstone Labs Abnormal
- Hi-Tech Decabolin
- Hi-Tech Deca-Durabolin
- Hi-Tech Osta-Plex
- Hi-Tech Trenabol
Prohormone Blends Include
Also Known As
- 19-Nor-Andro
- 19 NorAndrosterone
- 19 Nor Dehydroepiandrosterone
- 19-Nor-DHEA
- NorAndrost-4-ene-3b-ol, 17-one
- 19-Norandrost-4-ene-17-on
1,4-Andro
1,4-Andro will go through a two-step conversion and convert to Boldenone. One effect of Boldenone is that it increases your appetite. This makes it a great choice for bulking. 1, 4 Andro is an ideal option for those looking to increase mass with little to no water retention.
What To Expect
- Increases Appetite
- Promotes Muscle Gains
- Increases Strength
- Great For Bulking
Side Effects
There are no major side effects from 1,4-Andro.
1,4-Andro Products Include
Also Known As
- 1,4 AD
- 1,4-Andro
- 1, 4-androstadiene-3, 17-Dione
- 1,4-Androstadienedione
Epi-Andro
A metabolite of DHEA, Epi-Andro is a popular cutting prohormone. Epi-Andro is milder than most other prohormones.
What To Expect
- Promotes Dry, Lean Gains
- Mild
- May Promote Energy
- Milder Than Other Prohormones
Side Effects
Epi-Andro may convert to DHT, and some users report joint discomfort.
Epi-Andro Products Include
Prohormone Blends Include
Also Known As
- 5a-Androstan-3a-ol-17-one
- 3Beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one azine
- 3-hydroxy-androstane-17-one
- 3-Epiandrosterone
- 3B-Hydroxy-5a-androstan-17-one
- Isoandrosterone
- trans-Androsterone
17beta-{1-Ketoethyl}-androstane-3-one, 17a-ol
Considered a hydroxy progestin, this is a prohormone class similar to 1-Testosterone. This compound converts into an active steroid in the body.
What To Expect
- Supports Recovery
- Promotes Dry, Lean Gains
- Increases Strength
- Increases Appetite
Side Effects
There are no real side effects with this compound, but it is still a good idea to use a liver support product.
Prohormone Blends Include
Also Known As
- 5aOHP: 17beta {3ketoethyl}-androstane-3-one, 17a-ol
- 1,4-OHP: 17beta {3ketoethyl}-androsta-1,4-diene-3-one, 17a-ol
What About Training and Nutrition?
Regarding training, I suggest using a mass program that emphasizes progressive overload and heavy, basic exercises. You can include intensity techniques such as drop sets, rest-pause, and partial reps.
That might mean performing 3 heavy sets (after warming up) of an exercise followed by 1-2 intensity sets. Working out using this approach means you shouldn’t have to do endless sets. Instead, you can work out effectively and save some time.
As far as nutrition, eat a clean, higher calorie, higher protein diet if muscle mass is your goal. However, if you are on a cutting cycle, I advocate a carb cycling approach, with 50% of your daily carbs ingested in the hours around your workouts. I also advocate a high protein intake, at least 1 gram per pound of protein.
Of course, use a good protein powder and a good pre-workout. It’s never a bad idea to use creatine, BCAA formulas, and glutamine. And, if you want to ensure estrogen levels stay in check, get a good anti-estrogen, and get a good PCT. Stop by illpumpyouup.com and stock up!
Who Should Use Prohormones
Whether or not you choose to take prohormones is a choice you should make based on your goals, your progress, and your research of these products. If you are under 21, a beginner, or have less than 1 year of training experience, I would not suggest prohormones.
Why, you might ask? Beginners tend to rush everything. They quickly jump into the super-advanced routines typically used by steroid-using Pro Bodybuilders. Then they wonder why they aren’t making progress. I understand the excitement and desire of the beginner. Yet many of them never gain the foundational knowledge and experience they need before they take the next step. This means the use of prohormones. Having said that, the choice is yours and yours alone to make.
Terms You Should Know
Anabolic
This is the positive or building stage of metabolism. You want to be in an anabolic state as much as possible if you want to build muscle mass. Referring to prohormones, it means the growth of muscle tissue with little or no masculinization (deepening of the voice, facial hair, etc.).
Androgenic
Pertains to the development of male sex hormones and is responsible for things such as body hair and muscle mass.
Aromatase
Aromatase is an enzyme that converts an androgen into an estrogen. When the body has an excessive level of testosterone in the body, it can also increase estrogen to balance out high hormone levels.
Bulking
The process of being in a caloric surplus to gain as much quality mass as possible. This process includes intense weight-lifting sessions. Any bulking program should be a “clean” bulk. That is, eat high-quality foods, and don’t just pig out on junk and fast food.
Catabolic
This is the tearing down or destructive phase of metabolism. A catabolic state is not where you want to be if you want to build muscle.
Cutting
The process of being in a caloric deficit to lose as much body fat as possible while also holding on to as much muscle tissue as possible. Burning calories through cardio and weight training, as well as strict dieting, is the focus throughout this period.
Cycle
The length of time you plan to use a prohormone.
Cycle Support
A combination of ingredients taken during the cycle to counteract potential negative effects of and protect bodily organs.
Dry
A compound that typically results in lean gains, causes very little to no water retention/bloat, and has a minimal conversion to estrogen. Typically, these are more anabolic than androgenic.
PCT, or Post Cycle Therapy
After a cycle of prohormones, this protocol brings your hormones back into balance and restores normal production.
Recomp
Body recomposition is the process of burning fat and building muscle at the same time.
Stacking
The use of two or more compounds taken within a cycle.
Wet
A compound that has some conversion to estrogen and can cause some water retention. Typically, these are more androgenic than anabolic and usually serve as a base compound within a stack.
A Note About Estrogen
Note that not all prohormones convert to estrogen and some can reduce estrogen. Don’t let the fear of side effects scare you away from a cycle. Do your research and understand what would be best for you as an individual. AI or aromatase inhibitors help reduce the amount of estrogen in your body.
Summary
Prohormones have changed a lot since they first stormed the market back in the day. They’re definitely nowhere near steroids. Still, they can be helpful in your quest for size and strength. The choice to use them is yours. I hope this guide helps you make an informed choice.
Updated For 2026 by Jim Brewster
References:
- Prohormone. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2017, from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/prohormone
- DHEA. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/dhea/background/HRB-20059173
- Prohormone Guide. (2017, January 02). Retrieved February 15, 2017, from http://leavingweakness.com/prohormone-guide/