(Oxabolone cypionate)
What Is Steranabol Ritardo?
Steranabol Ritardo is a vintage anabolic steroid formulation that was most commonly found in Italy and parts of Europe during the 1970s and 1980s. The term “Ritardo” means “delayed” in Italian, referring to the long-acting nature of its ester. The active ingredient in Steranabol Ritardo is oxabolone cypionate, not nandrolone as often assumed. Oxabolone is a derivative of 19-nortestosterone, sharing similarities with nandrolone, but with a slightly different chemical structure that gives it unique properties.
Though no longer in regular production, Steranabol Ritardo remains a subject of interest due to its uncommon profile, mild anabolic action, and limited androgenic effects.
What Was It Used For?
Steranabol Ritardo was originally developed for medical purposes. It was used in the treatment of muscle-wasting disorders, recovery from injury, and certain cases of osteoporosis and anaemia. Oxabolone cypionate helps to promote protein synthesis and nitrogen retention, both of which are essential for maintaining lean body mass during catabolic stress.
Bodybuilders and athletes later began using it off-label for its ability to support muscle preservation and mild strength gains during dieting or recovery phases. It was rarely used as a mass-gaining compound but was appreciated for its subtle and sustained effects.
How Does It Work?
Oxabolone cypionate is a long-acting injectable steroid. Once administered, it slowly releases oxabolone into the bloodstream. This sustained release provides a consistent level of anabolic activity over several days, allowing users to inject less frequently—typically once every 7 to 10 days.
Oxabolone interacts with androgen receptors in muscle tissue, encouraging protein synthesis and preventing muscle breakdown. It does not aromatise into estrogen, which significantly reduces the risk of water retention and gynecomastia. Because it has very low androgenic properties, it produces fewer side effects related to aggression, acne, or hair loss compared to more potent steroids.
What Are the Benefits?
The effects of Steranabol Ritardo are modest but useful, especially for users seeking a milder anabolic experience. Some of its reported benefits include:
Gradual lean muscle gain
Improved recovery and muscular endurance
Preservation of muscle during calorie deficits
No estrogenic side effects
Minimal water retention
Low risk of androgenic complications
These qualities made it suitable for people looking to recover from illness or injury, as well as for those wanting a bridge between cycles or a soft performance boost without dramatic hormonal shifts.
Are There Side Effects?
While oxabolone cypionate is milder than most anabolic steroids, it is still a synthetic hormone and carries risks. The most common side effects include:
Suppression of natural testosterone production
Mood changes such as fatigue or reduced libido
Mild acne or oily skin in sensitive individuals
Possible menstrual disruption in female users
Injection site irritation
Long detection time in anti-doping tests
Because of its long-acting ester, any side effects that do occur may take time to wear off after stopping use. Post-cycle therapy is typically recommended following use to help restart natural testosterone levels.
Is It Still Available?
Steranabol Ritardo is no longer manufactured by major pharmaceutical companies. It is considered discontinued and is now found only rarely through underground markets, often as vintage stock or counterfeit copies. Due to its obscurity and the risk of fake products, it is not a practical option for most users today.
Legally, it is a controlled substance in many countries and is banned in all tested sports by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
How Does It Compare to Other Steroids?
Steranabol Ritardo is unique in that it offers a very mild anabolic effect with almost no androgenic impact. Compared to popular compounds like testosterone or nandrolone, it is much less aggressive in both benefits and side effects. This makes it less effective for rapid size or strength gains, but more suitable for those who prefer gentler, long-term support.
It is sometimes compared to Primobolan or low-dose nandrolone, but with its own slower, quieter profile. For that reason, it is sometimes referred to as a “soft steroid” that can be used as part of a bridge, during recovery phases, or in female users under close supervision.
Final Thoughts
Steranabol Ritardo is an interesting part of steroid history, known for its use of oxabolone cypionate—a long-acting, low-androgenic anabolic agent. Its mildness, low risk of estrogenic or androgenic side effects, and infrequent injection schedule made it an appealing option for therapeutic use and cautious bodybuilders alike.
Although it is no longer widely available, it remains a notable compound for those studying vintage steroids or looking for alternatives with a gentler hormonal profile. Like all anabolic steroids, its use carries risks and should only be considered with full awareness of the health and legal implications.
Additionally, Steranabol Ritardo is acknowledged for its efficacy as a cutting steroid, ideal for integration into a testosterone regimen utilizing cypionate, propionate, or enanthate bases. It synergizes well with other cutting agents like Oral Turinabol, Primobolan, Trenbolone, Anavar, Winstrol, and Clenbuterol, making it a versatile component in bodybuilding stacks focused on lean muscle preservation and definition enhancement.
Raw Data
Chemical Composition
19-norandrost-4-en-4, 17b-ol-3-one/4,17beta-Dihydroxyestr-4-en-3-one
Molecular Weight (Base): 290.4016
Molecular Weight (Ester): 132.1184
Formula: C26H38O4
Detection Time:
Anabolic/Androgenic Ratio: 50-90/20-60
