Anabolic steroids are hormonal drugs that contribute to hypertrophy of muscle tissue. In our country, the distribution and sale of these substances is punishable by law, since they are equated with potent ones. Depending on the amount of material found, an unlucky seller may face three to fifteen years. It is difficult to overestimate the harm of steroids to health - they literally before our eyes in a matter of weeks radically change the appearance and psycho-emotional state.
Anabolic steroids in bodybuilding
At one time, these drugs produced the effect of an exploding bomb in the world of sports. No one thought about the dangers of anabolic steroids - athletes without fear used any novelties to impress competitors in competitions with their strength, speed and endurance. As a result, in the middle of the last century, almost all medals in fact were obtained illegally. Today, all athletes undergo special tests before the competitions for the content of such substances in the blood.
In bodybuilding, steroids are especially loved and popular. These hormonal drugs allow you to achieve maximum muscle hypertrophy in a short time. The bodies twisted by veins and muscle tissue, which we see in numerous competitions such as "Mr. Olympia" - the result of taking such medications. In our country, many guys who are passionate about power sports also use anabolic steroids, which are harmful to their health.
Anabolic steroids for women
Girls are no exception. In recent years, such a sports direction as body fitness has spread. The female body, due to its anatomical features (in particular, low levels of endogenous testosterone), is not able to produce a sufficient amount of substances that are responsible for the growth of muscle tissue. As a result, girls take many steroids and anabolics to participate in competitions, the harm of which is even more for the female body than for the male one.
There are soft preparations for women. For example, Oxandrolone or Turinabol. But do not underestimate their effect on the body: these tabletted steroids, when taken continuously, cause irreversible changes in the female hormonal system.
Effect on hormonal status in men
Against the background of taking anabolic steroids in men, the production of their own hormones decreases, which inevitably leads to a decrease in the size of the testicles and problems with erection. To partially avoid such consequences after the course, the so-called post-cycle therapy is carried out. This is a reception of other drugs, which is designed to somehow solve the problem with the production of their own hormones.
For women, post-cycle therapy is not needed. The harm of steroids to women is irreversible.
General effect on well-being and psyche
The harm and benefits of steroids go hand in hand. With all the negative consequences, there is also a benefit. Due to the increase in testosterone in the body, a person's psycho-emotional state changes:
- increased self-esteem;
- increasing social significance in one’s own eyes;
- a person wants to compete with someone; he feels the need to be better than others;
- motivated (and sometimes not) healthy athletic aggression appears;
- He feels the need for everything around him to be what he wants.
Gain in muscle mass, strength and endurance
You can not ignore this factor, describing the benefits and harms of steroids. Two weeks later, the prima athlete feels completely different, not only in psychological terms, but also in the physical. In particular, body weight is growing (with proper nutrition and proper training) precisely due to muscles, while the fat layer is reduced. The appearance of a person changes before his eyes.
Stamina is becoming more, this is facilitated by special preparations that are intended to be used during the period of being on the “dryer”. This is Stanozolol, Oxandrolone. Increased stamina provides the ability to perform cardio training for one and a half to two hours.
Pills and injections also have a positive effect on strength gains. Athlete reviews indicate that ten days after the start of the course, working weights grow by at least five kilograms. So the harm and benefits of anabolic steroids are like two sides of the same coin. You can’t talk only about harm, forgetting about the benefits.
Corticosteroids and their effects on the body
Corticosterone and aldosterone are hormones that are produced by the human adrenal glands. Some athletes take aldosterone in tablet form.
Corticosterone helps to synthesize carbon, while the body receives the necessary energy reserves and can function normally. At the same time, a large amount of glycogen accumulates in the muscle tissue of a person.
Aldosterone is a steroid that is considered necessary for human life, since it is he who regulates the amount of potassium, sodium and electrolytes. Due to this, the distribution of fluid in the body occurs in normal mode.
Androgen and estrogen are the main hormones
Androgen is produced by the male testes, and estrogen by the female ovaries. These are essentially two different hormones that represent femininity and masculinity. Androgen contributes to the appearance of a low voice, stubble, body hair. Estrogen promotes the formation of body fat in the female type, high voice, fragility and female character traits.
When you try to introduce an imbalance in the hormonal system, a malfunction begins, which inevitably leads to a disruption of the entire system. As a result, women begin to see male features visually, and men - women. In some cases, this property is even useful. For example, when changing sex in transvestites. But athletes usually have completely different goals, and they don’t need side effects.
Synthetic and anabolic steroids: what is the difference
Synthetic steroids are not produced by the adrenal glands by themselves, but are taken orally in tablet or injection form. Representatives of the weaker sex use such substances to restore and normalize the menstrual cycle, and men to gain muscle mass and treat some inflammatory processes and diseases.
Anabolic steroids can also be obtained from the outside, according to the principle of action, they are as similar as possible to endogenous testosterone, only have a slightly different structural formula. These are the classic steroid drugs, which are most often discussed by professional athletes.
The harm of steroids and anabolics for women
Representatives of the fair sex with regular use of tableted or injectable steroids have the following changes in appearance and character:
- the voice sits and coarsens;
- there is a craving for competition and rivalry;
- there is a desire to engage in extreme sports;
- dangerous behavior on the road when driving a car is characteristic;
- male body hair begins to grow;
- the growth of stubble begins above the lip, and then on the cheeks;
- the clitoris and genitals increase.
All these processes in the body due to changes in hormonal status are called virilization. They are characteristic even when using the relatively safe and mild steroid "Oxandrolone", the synthesis of which uses special raw materials, and the cost of which is several times higher than conventional steroids based on testosterone.
Testimonials from bodybuilders and weightlifters about injectable testosterone
Despite the harm of steroids to humans, many amateur level athletes were satisfied with the effect of the drugs. The reviews are not all negative - some men carefully examined the principle of action and instructions beforehand, and this ultimately allowed them not to cause severe harm to their own health.
In positive reviews, people emphasize that it is very important to correctly compose the entire course - from the first day to the start of post-cycle therapy. Injection testosterone is often injected not by itself, but in conjunction with other drugs. Experienced athletes love to experiment. For example, a combination with the same Turinabol, which is considered a rather weak drug, can achieve significantly greater results. Reviews indicate that on such a bundle for a month with competent training, you can gain about three to five kilograms of net muscle mass, with virtually no fat.
Bodybuilder reviews on steroids during the drying period
During the period of fat burning, when athletes are preparing for the beach season or competitions and trying to get rid of the subcutaneous fat layer as much as possible, several other drugs are used. Popular "Winstrol", "Stanozolol". By the way, they can be purchased at the pharmacy - either foreign originals or structural analogues of domestic production. But such drugs are strictly prescribed. Therefore, unlucky athletes have to buy steroids of dubious quality from dubious "sellers". The harm of steroids to the body is the same during the drying period, and during the mass collection.
Reviews on drugs with anabolic effects during fat burning are different. They helped some people achieve their dream body and compete with dignity. But even more negative reviews from people who were not allowed to compete at all and who undermined their health and were forced to be treated for many months and even years.
Steroid Reviews Subject to Post-Course Therapy
If an athlete before the start of the intake assessed the possibility of the consequences of using steroids, correctly calculated the dosage necessary for himself, donated blood to identify the exact clinical picture of hormones and made a plan for post-cycle therapy, then the harm will be minimal. You should also remember to evaluate the condition of your liver. Usually this course involves a huge number of pills and injections - as a result, the liver suffers greatly, toxic hepatitis can begin.
The harm for male steroids, in the first place, lies in a change in the hormonal background, which, without drawing up a course of subsequent rehabilitation therapy, is deprived of the opportunity to be restored. In recent years, men have become thoughtful in drawing up a course. Thanks to this, the consequences of prolonged steroid use were avoided.
Reviews on bodybuilder-amateur forums confirm that more and more men use anabolic steroids to achieve muscle hypertrophy without harming their own health. But no one has yet studied the far-reaching consequences of such complex courses.
Doctors reviews about anabolic steroids
Doctors are all in one voice against the independent use of steroids. Medical professionals can be understood: no appearance is worth it once and for all to disrupt the functioning of the hormonal system. As a result of a rash choice of drugs "on the advice of a friend from a rocking chair", a person may remain disabled.
Yes, testosterone and other hormones are really vital for many people. But for the guys visiting the gym for the sake of an extra few centimeters in the volume of the biceps, such preparations are useless. This is the opinion of doctors. And if you add to it the possibility of instituting a criminal case for the acquisition and possible distribution of prohibited potent substances (which include anabolic steroids), then the event does seem too risky.