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Trestolone — 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT); potent synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid investigated as a male contraceptive and for hypogonadism
A potent synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) — 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone, developed by the Population Council as an experimental long-acting MALE CONTRACEPTIVE and androgen-replacement agent. It has real (small) human-trial data: subdermal MENT-acetate implants potently suppress LH, FSH and testosterone and drive sperm counts toward azoospermia (von Eckardstein 2003; Walton 2007) — which is the entire point of a contraceptive — and a 20-man crossover trial in hypogonadal men found MENT and testosterone enanthate both raised erections, and in half the men sexual interest and mood, with only minor differences between the two (Anderson 1999). Pharmacologically it is an unusually potent androgen-receptor agonist that is NOT 5α-reduced but IS aromatized to a potent estrogen (7α-methylestradiol), so it carries estrogenic effects (gynecomastia). Trestolone’s metabolism does not establish protection from prostate effects. It can suppress gonadotropins and sperm production; this does not prove reliable contraception for every user or permanent infertility. SupStack does not recommend self-directed use. It is used in bodybuilding for muscle, where it shuts down the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, raises hematocrit and lowers HDL. It is a research chemical, it is NOT a dietary supplement, and NOT a longevity drug. Described for harm-reduction information only — not a recommendation.
Research compound — not a dietary supplement
Trestolone (MENT) is a research compound, not a regulated dietary supplement. It is sold for research or off-label use. The evidence below is largely preclinical (animal and in-vitro) or early-stage, so no evidence score is assigned. This page is provided for transparency and education — it is not a recommendation to use. Consult a qualified healthcare provider, and be aware that purity, dosing, and legal status vary by jurisdiction.
What the evidence says
Trestolone (MENT) doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.
Most evidence is from medium-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1995–2013 with a typical study size of 45 participants.
Based on 9 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 5 RCTs · 74 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidenceBy outcome
Trestolone (MENT) has genuine but small human-trial data from its development as an experimental male contraceptive and androgen-replacement agent: subdermal MENT-acetate implants potently and reversibly suppress LH, FSH and testosterone and drive sperm counts toward azoospermia (Noé 1999; von Eckardstein 2003; Walton 2007), and a 20-man crossover trial in hypogonadal men found MENT and testosterone enanthate both raised erections, and in half the men sexual interest and mood, with only minor differences between the two (Anderson 1999). Pharmacologically it is a potent androgen-receptor agonist that is NOT 5α-reduced but IS aromatized to a potent estrogen (Sundaram 1995). But it aromatizes to estrogen (gynecomastia risk), and it is a grey-market research chemical used in bodybuilding, not a dietary supplement and not a longevity drug. Trestolone’s metabolism does not establish protection from prostate effects. It can suppress gonadotropins and sperm production; this does not prove reliable contraception for every user or permanent infertility. SupStack does not recommend self-directed use. Real small-trial signal, weighed down hard by fertility-suppression/estrogenic harms — hence the low score.
No trials currently enrolling · 1 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
Registered trials show research momentum for Trestolone (MENT), not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Nov 2026
Trestolone — 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone, almost always shortened to MENT, and delivered as the ester MENT acetate — is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid developed largely by the Population Council from the 1990s onward as a candidate long-acting MALE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE and androgen-replacement agent.
It is a 19-nortestosterone (nandrolone) derivative with a 7α-methyl group; that methyl group makes it an unusually potent androgen-receptor agonist (in receptor-binding and transactivation assays MENT is more potent than testosterone, DHT and 19-nortestosterone; Kumar 1999) and, crucially, sterically blocks 5α-reduction, so MENT is NOT converted to a more potent androgen in the prostate the way testosterone is — the property the Population Council hoped would let it suppress sperm production without prostate stimulation.
Unusually for the grey-market androgens in this collection, MENT has genuine (if small) human-trial data, all from its development as a contraceptive/replacement drug.
In healthy men, subdermal MENT-acetate implants produce dose-dependent, sustained and fully reversible suppression of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone (Noé 1999 reported mean suppression of ~97% LH, ~95% FSH and ~93% testosterone with two to four implants).
A randomized clinical trial of MENT-acetate implants in 35 men (von Eckardstein 2003, Population Council/International Committee for Contraception Research) showed dose-related decreases in testosterone, LH and FSH and dose-related suppression of sperm counts — eight of twelve men in the four-implant group reached azoospermia — demonstrating MENT can inhibit spermatogenesis as a potential male contraceptive, with the androgenic side effects (raised hematocrit/hemoglobin, lowered SHBG) reversible.
A second randomized trial combining MENT implants with the progestogen etonogestrel (Walton 2007) cut sperm counts below 1 million/mL by 12 weeks in 8 of 10 men, against 13 of 16 on a testosterone/etonogestrel regimen, but the effect was NOT maintained because MENT release from the implants declined over time, and several men noted loss of libido — illustrating that the engineering of a durable delivery system, not the molecule's potency, was the limiting problem.
On the replacement side, a small crossover trial in 20 hypogonadal men (Anderson 1999) found MENT-acetate implants and testosterone enanthate injections both raised sexual interest and activity, spontaneous/nocturnal erections and mood in the 10 Edinburgh men, while in the 10 Hong Kong men both raised only waking erections, with only minor differences between the two treatments, supporting MENT as a potential androgen-replacement therapy.
The honest counterweight is why it scores low and is described for harm reduction rather than recommended. First, the human evidence is real but small (tens of men), all in development-stage contraception/replacement studies — its development stalled at the delivery-system stage.
Second, the headline pharmacology cuts both ways: the very effect studied is potent, near-complete suppression of the HPG axis and spermatogenesis (the contraceptive endpoint), which for anyone wanting children is a hazard, not a benefit, and the suppression of endogenous testosterone is profound.
Third, although MENT is not 5α-reduced, it IS aromatized to 7α-methylestradiol, a potent estrogen (Sundaram 1995), so estrogenic effects such as gynecomastia are an expected consequence of use rather than an avoidable quirk.
Fourth, it is sold on the grey market as a 'research chemical' and used in bodybuilding for muscle anabolism, entirely outside the supervised, monitored, dose-controlled conditions of the contraception trials — bringing the shared anabolic-steroid harms (raised hematocrit, suppressed HDL, HPG shutdown, virilization, mood effects) without medical oversight, and grey-market products may have unreliable identity, strength or quality.
The score reflects this split: real but small human contraceptive/hypogonadism trial data and a genuinely potent androgen pharmacology, set against the facts that the studied effect is fertility suppression, that it aromatizes to a potent estrogen, that non-medical/bodybuilding use is unmonitored, and that it is a research chemical — not a dietary supplement, and not a longevity drug.
Trestolone’s metabolism does not establish protection from prostate effects. It can suppress gonadotropins and sperm production; this does not prove reliable contraception for every user or permanent infertility. SupStack does not recommend self-directed use.
MENT (7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone) is a synthetic 19-nortestosterone derivative that binds and activates the androgen receptor with higher affinity and transactivation potency than testosterone, DHT or 19-nortestosterone, driving the anabolic, muscle-building and androgenic signalling that underlies both its replacement-therapy and its performance use.
The 7α-methyl group sterically blocks 5α-reductase, so MENT is NOT converted to a more potent androgen in the prostate. However, MENT IS aromatized to 7α-methylestradiol, a potent estrogen — so it carries estrogenic activity (and gynecomastia risk) rather than being estrogen-free.
As an exogenous androgen, MENT signals the hypothalamus and pituitary that androgen levels are sufficient, suppressing LH and FSH and shutting down endogenous testosterone and sperm production. In implant trials this suppression was potent (≈95-97% of LH/FSH), dose-dependent and reversible — driving men to azoospermia. Trestolone’s metabolism does not establish protection from prostate effects. It can suppress gonadotropins and sperm production; this does not prove reliable contraception for every user or permanent infertility. SupStack does not recommend self-directed use.
How Trestolone (MENT) works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Avoid — a research chemical, not a supplement; it aromatizes to a potent estrogen, raises hematocrit and lowers HDL, and grey-market products may have unreliable identity, strength or quality.
Avoid — MENT potently suppresses the HPG axis and spermatogenesis (it is a contraceptive candidate). Men who want current or future fertility should discuss alternatives with a fertility specialist.
Do not use — a potent androgen with virilizing effects that can be irreversible; no contraceptive or replacement role in women.
Avoid entirely — androgenic; risk of fetal virilization.
Stacking androgenic agents (common in non-medical use) compounds HPG suppression, the rise in hematocrit, the fall in HDL and the estrogenic load; the combined harm is additive and uncharacterised outside clinical care.
Because MENT aromatizes to a potent estrogen (7α-methylestradiol), non-medical users sometimes add aromatase inhibitors to manage gynecomastia; over-suppressing estrogen harms bone and lipids, and this combination is unvalidated for MENT.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids can potentiate warfarin and raise bleeding risk; INR and dosing would need monitoring under a clinician.
Androgens can alter insulin sensitivity and glucose, potentially requiring adjustment of diabetes medication.
Tip: Potently suppresses LH, FSH, endogenous testosterone and sperm production — the contraceptive endpoint, and a hazard for anyone wanting children. Suppression was reversible after implant removal in trials, but recovery timing in non-medical use is uncharacterised; seek endocrine care for persistent post-use hypogonadism.
Tip: MENT aromatizes to 7α-methylestradiol, a potent estrogen, so gynecomastia and fluid retention are expected.
Tip: Like other androgens, MENT raises erythrocyte count, hematocrit and hemoglobin (seen in the human implant trials), increasing clot/stroke risk; this needs hematocrit monitoring that non-medical use lacks.
Tip: HDL ('good') cholesterol fell in the human trials, an adverse cardiovascular shift with no proven offsetting benefit. Reversibility depends on discontinuation.
Tip: Androgenic and virilizing (irreversible voice/hair changes in women); androgens can also affect mood and libido. Avoid non-medical use; women should not use it.
Tip: Trestolone is sold as a 'research chemical' that may have unreliable identity, strength or quality. Unknown contents add unquantifiable risk on top of the pharmacological harms.
Trestolone (MENT) has an evidence score of 3.4/10 — emerging evidence based on 9 indexed studies. A potent synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) — 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone, developed by the Population Council as an experimental long-acting MALE CONTRACEPTIVE and androgen-replacement agent. It has real (small) human-trial data: subdermal MENT-acetate implants potently suppress LH, FSH and testosterone and drive sperm counts toward azoospermia (von Eckardstein 2003; Walton 2007) — which is the entire point of a contraceptive — and a 20-man crossover trial in hypogonadal men found MENT and testosterone enanthate both raised erections, and in half the men sexual interest and mood, with only minor differences between the two (Anderson 1999). Pharmacologically it is an unusually potent androgen-receptor agonist that is NOT 5α-reduced but IS aromatized to a potent estrogen (7α-methylestradiol), so it carries estrogenic effects (gynecomastia). Trestolone’s metabolism does not establish protection from prostate effects. It can suppress gonadotropins and sperm production; this does not prove reliable contraception for every user or permanent infertility. SupStack does not recommend self-directed use. It is used in bodybuilding for muscle, where it shuts down the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, raises hematocrit and lowers HDL. It is a research chemical, it is NOT a dietary supplement, and NOT a longevity drug. Described for harm-reduction information only — not a recommendation. Representative study: PMID 14602755.
Dosing for Trestolone (MENT): Trestolone (MENT) is an investigational research chemical; this library does NOT provide a contraceptive, replacement, or body-composition dosing protocol. For context only: the human trials used SUBDERMAL MENT-ACETATE IMPLANTS (ethylene vinyl acetate implants releasing roughly 400-500 µg/day of MENT acetate per implant, one to four implants), administered under medical supervision in clinical-trial settings — not a self-administered intramuscular dose. Grey-market trestolone acetate sold for bodybuilding may have unreliable identity, strength or quality. Individual needs vary, so check the right dose for you with a healthcare provider.
Timing is flexible for Trestolone (MENT) — consistent daily use matters more than the time of day. There is no validated supplement timing.
Trestolone (MENT) should be used with caution — talk to a healthcare provider before taking it. Reported side effects include counterfeit / mislabeled grey-market product, suppression of reproductive hormones and sperm production, estrogenic effects (gynecomastia, fluid retention). How often they occur is not established for all of them. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Anyone seeking it for muscle, performance or anti-aging — trestolone is a research chemical; it is not a dietary supplement, and laws on supply, possession, import and use depend on the country and circumstances; Men actively trying to conceive — MENT potently suppresses the HPG axis and spermatogenesis (it is a contraceptive candidate); Known or suspected hormone-sensitive cancer (prostate or male breast carcinoma).
What side effects does Trestolone (MENT) have?Don't take this if…
Testosterone (TRT)
Too few graded studiesThe primary male androgen and a prescription medicine with US FDA-approved products for specified causes of male hypogonadism, and a Schedule III controlled substance in the US. For men with genuinely low testosterone, randomized trials show real benefits: the Testosterone Trials (TTrials) improved sexual function, mood, anemia and bone density in older hypogonadal men, and the large TRAVERSE trial found TRT non-inferior to placebo for major cardiac events. But those benefits were modest and indication-specific, NOT a longevity or anti-aging result. It is prescription-only in Germany and Austria. Non-medical, supraphysiologic and 'anti-aging' use is not established as safe or effective for longevity and carries serious harms — erythrocytosis, suppressed sperm production/fertility, cardiovascular and psychiatric risk. This is a harm-reduction reference, not a recommendation, and testosterone is NOT a dietary supplement.
Yohimbine
Too few graded studiesThe purified alkaloid (not crude yohimbe bark) — an alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist with modest evidence for erectile dysfunction and fasted fat loss, but real anxiety and cardiovascular risks and supplement potency that may differ from the label.
Oxandrolone (Anavar)
Too few graded studiesA prescription oral anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) — brand Anavar/Oxandrin — and a DEA Schedule III CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. It has genuine randomized-trial evidence in formerly FDA-approved (withdrawn June 2023), supervised muscle-wasting settings: it adds lean body mass, speeds wound healing and shortens hospital stay in severe burns, raises body weight in HIV-associated wasting, and modestly increases adult height in Turner syndrome. But it is 17α-alkylated and hepatotoxic (dose-related transaminase rises, cholestasis, and — with anabolic steroids generally — peliosis and liver tumours), it sharply lowers HDL and raises LDL cholesterol, and it suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and virilizes. It is NOT a dietary supplement and NOT a longevity drug; non-medical bodybuilding use is unsupervised and carries real liver, lipid, and endocrine harm. Described for harm-reduction information only — not a recommendation.
Nandrolone (Deca-Durabolin)
Too few graded studiesAn injectable anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) — brand Deca-Durabolin, the long-acting decanoate ester of 19-nortestosterone — and a DEA Schedule III CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. It has genuine randomized-trial evidence in supervised, catabolic-illness settings: it adds lean body mass and weight in HIV-associated wasting, adds muscle mass and physical function in dialysis patients, and raises hemoglobin in dialysis anemia (a historic FDA-approved indication, since largely replaced by erythropoietin). But it suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis — and because it is a long-ester 19-nortestosterone with progestogenic activity, that suppression and the resulting sexual dysfunction ('deca dick') can be prolonged. It worsens the lipid profile (lowers HDL), is associated with cardiac remodelling/cardiomyopathy and premature atherosclerosis in long-term high-dose users, and virilizes. It is NOT a dietary supplement and NOT a longevity drug; non-medical bodybuilding/performance use is unsupervised and carries real cardiovascular, endocrine and sexual harm. Described for harm-reduction information only — not a recommendation.
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 9 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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