Effect of real-world androgen abuse on body composition: a prospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Real-world androgen cycles produce marked short-term increases in fat-free mass, but most gains are lost within months after cessation.
Study context
- Population
- Adult men (median age 30 years) planning a self-initiated androgen cycle, general community; cycle median duration 10 weeks, median weekly dose 600 mg
- Participants
- 79 men
- Outcome
- Changes in total body weight, fat-free mass and fat mass by dual-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis
- Follow-up
- Baseline (T0), during the cycle (T1), and three months after cessation (T2)
Methodological detailsConducted 2022–2024; follow-up from baseline through three months after cycle cessation
- Conducted 2022–2024; follow-up from baseline through three months after cycle cessation
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Changes in body composition · T0 to T1 (during cycle)
Body weight increase, T0 to T1
4.9 kg
95% CI 3.9–5.9P < .001
Fat-free mass increase, T0 to T1
4.4 kg
95% CI 3.7–5.1P < .001
Mean retention of body weight at T2
1.6 kg
95% CI 0.5–2.6P < .001
Mean retention of fat-free mass at T2
1.2 kg
95% CI 0.4–2.0P < .001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Similar patterns were observed in intermittent and continuous androgen abusers
Original publication
Effect of real-world androgen abuse on body composition: a prospective cohort study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 31 March 2026. doi:10.
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