Anabolic steroids

Use of Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are derivatives of the testosterone. They were made in an attempt to synthesize steroids which will have a very pronounced anabolic effect (increasing muscle mass), and reduced androgenic action. These include steroids such as nandrolone, methandrostenolone, metenolone, stanozolol and so on.

Some anabolic steroids are used as androgen replacement therapy for delayed occurrence of puberty in boys to develop secondary sexual characteristics, and in men suffering from hypogonadism.

Anabolic therapy is additionally indicated after major surgery that represents a significant stress for the organism, as well as for treating patients with advanced HIV infection, causing loss of muscle mass.

They are also used, but rarely, for the growth induction in children with growth disorders and to stimulate the bone marrow.

They also may be helpful in reducing itching in chronic bile duct obstruction, in some forms of aplastic anemia and hormone-dependent metastatic breast cancer.

Anabolic steroids are the subject of abuse by recreational and professional athletes, who take them in order to increase muscle mass. The use of anabolic steroids strongly encourages increase of the muscle mass, promotes strength and aggression, the essential features of the sprint and athletic sports. However, increased amounts of androgens causes a decrease in natural production of testosterone and very often, athletes become impotent.

Side Effects

The application of anabolics in women is very dangerous. Its use first of all badly influence on reproductive organs, stops menstrual cycle, causes absence of ovulation, deepens voice, increases aggressiveness and hairiness, especially on the face.

Anabolic steroids eventually cause severe damage to both male and female body. They increase the probability of developing heart attack, increase blood cholesterol, develop atherosclerosis, damage the liver, lead to prostate hypertrophy and cause hair loss. In males gynecomastia (breast growth) may occur.

The Most Popular Anabolic Steroids

Methandrostenolone is considered one of the strongest anabolic steroids. It strongly encourages increasing muscle strength and mass, improves physical endurance and muscle glycogen super-compensation. However, methandrostenolone is toxic to the liver and can cause irreversible liver damage. Methandrostenolone in the body goes through the enzyme of aromatase to estrogen. These results in symptoms of feminization - breast growth (gynecomastia) and increased water retention in the muscles due to athletes gets "inflated" appearance, characteristic for the bodybuilders. It very badly effect on the ratio of LDL / HDL and increases the risk of atherosclerosis. It stimulates androgen baldness and also benign prostate hypertrophy.

Nandrolone is a derivative of nortestosterone. Nandrolone is most commonly applied in the form of nandrolone ester oil injection. After injecting the muscles slowly dissolve oil and ester gradually hydrolysis releasing nandrolone deaconate. In contrast to methandrostenolone, nandrolone doesn’t cause a dramatic increase in muscle mass but increase muscle strength, power and endurance. This anabolic far less aromatizes into estrogen, and side effects such as gynecomastia and water retention in the muscles are not specific to this steroid. But it strongly reduces testosterone production. Nandrolone has one interesting and very valuable property - encourages cartilage tissue reconstruction. It is therefore justified for therapeutic usage in patients who suffer from damaged joints and ligaments.

Anabolic steroids are very often combined and one of the most popular combinations is the one of methandrostenolone and nandrolone deaconate. By this increasing the muscles quantity (mass) and quality (definition) is achieved.

Stanozolol is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone. It shows strong anabolic effects and has moderately androgenic effects. Stanozolol does not cause water retention and excessive growth of muscle mass, but improves muscle quality (definition), promoting an increase of strength and explosiveness. But stanozolol is quite toxic to the liver.