Effects of Steroids

Anabolic androgenic steroids, they’ll turn you into a raging behemoth of muscle mass with superhuman strength you will assuredly use in a lunatic fashion in-order to terrorize the world. Of course, such effects won’t last long; before you know it, anabolic steroids will cause your organs to rot from the inside out, you’ll simultaneously have a heart attack and stroke, your brain will be mutated into a something that resembles a pile of two month old boiled cabbage, your heart will explode and you’ll drop dead. While we’re sure that all sounds ridiculous, when it comes to the effects of steroids what was just stated is not that far off in-regards to what most people truly believe. Of course, none of what was previously stated is possible, none of it, but this leaves an important question, and it’s the only question to ask; what are the effects of steroids? In-order to answer this question, we first have to understand what anabolic androgenic steroids are; then and only then can we begin to understand the effects. With this in mind, let’s discover exactly what it is we’re dealing with, and then we can dive right into the precise effects.

Steroids 101

Anabolic androgenic steroids are synthetic hormones based on the primary male sex hormone or androgen testosterone. There are numerous variations of anabolic steroids, but each one can be traced and linked back directly to the testosterone hormone. Further, a lot can be understood by the name itself, as anabolic refers to muscle building and androgenic the male sexual characteristics; combined, you have anabolic androgenic steroids. These are not foreign substances to the body; for example, you’ve been making testosterone all of your life whether you like it or not, and you’ve been manufacturing it essentially so. As is the case, anabolic steroids cannot cause a reaction that is foreign to the body as is the case with traditional drugs; this includes those of a therapeutic and recreational nature. Of course, if they cannot cause such a reaction, this raises another important question; why use them? The purpose of anabolic androgenic steroid use is to provide more of a specific hormone; you are in-fact supplementing. This can be for the purpose of enhancing performance; there’s more of the hormone available to perform its intended tasks; therefore, performance is enhanced. Further, you could be suffering from a deficiency; you are lacking in specific hormones and in-order to cover the gap you must supplement. Then there’s the final purpose; you are suffering from an ailment and in-order to treat it you need more of a specific hormone so that more is available to perform specific tasks. That’s truly all there is to it, and when we understand this, then and only then can we begin to understand the effects of steroids.

The Positive Effects of Steroids

There are numerous positive effects of steroids, and they can range from a performance to therapeutic nature; in-fact, in many cases, there’s some strong overlapping. Even so, we know what you’re saying “just tell us the effects” but unfortunately, we can’t just say “XYZ, there you go.” There are numerous effects, and from the purposes of use you can begin to see how many there truly are. For example, one of the primary effects of steroids is muscle tissue promotion, and this can be due to a desire to simply hold more mass for appearance sake, or it could be because you are lacking in mass due to a severe muscle wasting disease; either way, the same steroids will promote the same end. With this in mind, we have listed the primary effects of steroids below and in doing so, we have explained how such effects exist:

  •  Decreased Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) – SHBG represents a glycoprotein that is responsible for binding some sex hormones; most notably testosterone. If SHBG levels are reduced, there is now more free testosterone available in the body; part of our total testosterone reading includes free testosterone, it is merely a portion of the total level, but that is a discussion for another day. In any case, as free testosterone levels increase, total anabolic activity as well as metabolic activity increases, as testosterone plays a role in both regards.
  • Enhanced Collagen Synthesis – collagen is a protein, the primary protein of most connective tissue, and this includes cartilage, joints, ligaments, the connective tissue inside the muscle tissue and tendons. As synthesis of collagen is enhanced, there is more available to perform the desired tasks.
  • Enhanced Glycogenolysis – the process by-which glycogen and glucose convert is referred to as glycogenolysis, and as this rate is enhanced, our carbohydrate intake is utilized to a greater degree.
  • Enhanced Nutrient Efficiency – there are three primary nutrients; carbohydrates, fats and proteins. When nutrient efficiency is enhanced, each nutrient becomes more valuable; specifically, we receive more from each nutrient than we would normally; the nutrients value increases.
  • Enhanced Protein Synthesis – protein synthesis refers to the rate by-which cells build proteins; proteins being the building block of muscles. As synthesis is increased, the anabolic atmosphere is enhanced.
  • Increased Bone-Mineral Content – the greater our bone mineral content, the stronger our skeletal structure; simple but true.
  • Increased Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) Production – IGF-1 is an extremely powerful anabolic peptide hormone that plays a role on nearly every cell in the body, and even in a regulatory action with many other hormones. As levels increase, anabolic activity as well as metabolic activity is increased; further, this is a hormone that is intrinsic to healing and recovery.
  • Increased Nitrogen Retention – when nitrogen retention is up, we are anabolic, and when it is down we are catabolic; as all muscle tissue is comprised of 16% nitrogen, this is an easy concept to understand.
  • Increased Red Blood Cell Count – the blood needs oxygen, and in-order to receive the oxygen it needs red blood cells must provide and carry such oxygen through the blood; as the count goes up, this results in a greater level of oxygenation.
  • Reduction in Glucocorticoid Production – the most well-known glucocorticoid is cortisol, and this is a group of naturally produced hormones that often exist on the basis of stress. Such hormones largely work in the opposite fashion of anabolic hormones, as they destroy muscle tissue and even promote fat-gain.

Through such effects, numerous things can be achieved, from promoting mass and strength, decreasing body-fat, improving conditioning and even increasing recovery time. Further, muscular endurance will go up, your energy levels will be increased and the end result will be a better you. Of course, you may be saying that’s all well and fine for performance enhancement, but what about therapeutic needs? In many instances, the same effects can be tremendously beneficial in a therapeutic sense, as such traits will fight muscle wasting disease, anemia, osteoporosis, edema, and of course, hormone deficiencies that are due to Andropause, low testosterone or menopause related. If that’s not enough, the effects of steroids can be used to combat obesity, and even certain types of breast cancer; truly, the effects of steroids are quite remarkable.

The Negative Effects of Steroids

As with all things in life, nothing is perfect, and this includes the effects of steroids. There are adverse reactions that can occur, but “Can” is an important word. For those who are supplementing due to a hormonal deficiency, the adverse effects are of little consequence; after all, you’re merely replacing what you are lacking. For therapeutic needs of a more serious nature, such as those where you are fighting cancer or aids, what’s worse, a few possible, bothersome side-effects or cancer or aids? At any rate, performance enhancement is where possible side-effects will be the most concerning as such enhancement requires large doses; however, such supplementation is quite possible without any bothersome or dangerous effects. Simply put, you can avoid most of the side-effects, and if they occur you can combat them. Further, as we’ll see, there are a few effects that are guaranteed, but they are of no consequence if proper procedures are followed. It must also be noted; there are a few adverse effects of steroids that can be unpredictable; however, they are rare, largely based on a poor genetic response to a specific hormone and can normally only be caused by a few specific anabolic steroids. With this in mind, we have broken down the adverse effects of steroids into several categories below; each category is based on the relation of such effects, remedy and even sex of the individual supplementing.

  • Group 1:

    • Gynecomastia (Gyno)
    • Excess Water Retention
       
    Cause:-
    Gyno is most commonly caused by steroids that aromatize; aromatization referring to the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. Aromatization is also the cause of excess water retention; however, progestin based steroids can also cause Gyno in men who are sensitive to the condition.
    Prevention:-
    The best prevention is the use of an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) and AI’s do exactly what their name implies; inhibit aromatase and they even reduce estrogen levels. Further, AI’s will also protect against Gyno that results due to a progesterone buildup.

  • Group 2:

    • High Blood Pressure (BP)
    • High LDL Cholesterol (LDL)
    • Low HDL Cholesterol (HDL)

    Cause:-
    High BP and LDL are often dose related; the dose goes too high and such results occur. A poor genetic response can also be a factor as can aromatase; excess estrogen can have a negative impact on BP and LDL. As for HDL reduction, this is normally due to testosterone or progestin based steroids, but even some DHT based steroids can have this effect.

    Prevention:-
    keeping your doses responsible and supplementing with an AI can help, but the best thing you can do is to live a healthy lifestyle that promotes the continuation of good levels. This should tell you right away, if your levels are not healthy you should not supplement; there’s simply no way around this. Further, eating plenty of omega fatty acids is advised as such fatty acids have been shown to have a positive effect on HDL.
     

  • Group 3:

    • Acne
    • Hair-Loss
    • Prostate Enlargement

    Cause:
    all three are most commonly caused by DHT based steroids, but can also be caused by a testosterone to DHT conversion; in either case, DHT buildups are necessary. As for acne, this will normally only occur in those who are sensitive; hair-loss can only occur in those who are predisposed to male-pattern baldness. Then we have prostate enlargement, and this will normally take a massive buildup of DHT for a long period of time; however, if you already have prostate issues you may have trouble sooner.

    Prevention:
    Acne – keep your skin dry and clean at all times, and if you’re really sensitive do not supplement with DHT steroids. Hair-Loss – if you’re concerned about your hair-line and are predisposed to male-pattern baldness, Finasteride can help, but avoiding DHT steroids will be best. Prostate – supplement responsibly; this is the best advice we can give you. If you supplement responsibly and your prostate was healthy to begin with, you should not have problems. Even so, if problems occur for any reason, this is where Finasteride can be truly useful; six months of Finasteride will reduce prostate enlargement.

  • Group 4:

    • Testosterone Suppression
    • Testicular Atrophy

    Cause:
    due to the fact that you’re a man supplementing with anabolic steroids. Suppression will vary from one steroid to the next, but 99% of all anabolic steroids are suppressive on some level, and as testosterone is manufactured in the testicles they will lose some of their fullness.

    Prevention:
    if you’re going to supplement with steroids, the above is going to occur, it is guaranteed, but all hope is not lost. Supplement with exogenous testosterone and no problems will occur; the form does not matter, simply provide enough for your body’s needs. Once all steroid use is complete, assuming you did not suffer from low testosterone beforehand and did not do any damage to your HPTA while supplementing due to irresponsible practices your natural testosterone production will begin again and your testicles will return to their normal size.

  • Group 5:

    • Body-Hair Growth
    • Deepening of the Vocal Chords
    • Clitoral Enlargement

    Cause:
    due to females supplementing with anabolic steroids; generally specific steroids that carry high virilization ratings.

    Prevention:
    supplement with low doses of anabolic steroids that carry low virilization ratings and most women will be fine. If virilizing effects still occur, discontinue use at their onset and they’ll fade rapidly; if ignored, they can become permanent.

  • Group 6:

    • Anxiety
    • Insomnia
    • Night Sweats
    • Rapid Heart Rate

    Cause:
    due to a poor response to a hormone based on the individual’s genetic nature; can only be caused by specific steroids in most cases.

    Prevention:
    do not supplement with anabolic steroids that cause such effects; pretty simple.

  • Group 7:

    • Liver Toxicity

    Cause:
    due to the use of C17-aa anabolic steroids; this includes most oral steroids and only a couple select injectable steroids.

    Prevention:
    liver enzyme values will increase with C17-aa use, but damage can be avoided assuming your liver was healthy to begin with. Supplement with proper doses for responsible periods of time and avoid alcohol consumption and all over the counter medications where possible.

  • Group 8:

    • Stunted Growth
    • Androgen Damage
    • Depression

    Cause:
    due to children supplementing with anabolic steroids.

    Prevention:
    children should not supplement except in extreme and we do mean extreme cases of therapeutic need.