To begin with, it is worth saying that the use of any medicines without the right reasons can upset the balance in the body and lead to irreparable consequences.

Now it is becoming fashionable to have a beautiful body and many young people who want to gain muscle mass in a short time start taking steroids. It is very dangerous to engage in hormone replacement therapy (use anabolic steroids) for no reason at the age of 14-17, not quite understanding what is happening inside. Often this leads to serious malfunctions in the body, and not everyone knows that the body grows much longer than it seems - it becomes a man at the age of 26-28, a woman at 24-26, and the phrase already works here: you start earlier, earlier finish.

General measures to prevent harm when using steroids:

• Do not use large doses of drugs. Always follow the dosage.
• Do not do too long courses (more than 2 months)

Since the first courses are read mostly by beginners, let's start with the side effects of AAS. So let's go.

1. Suppression of the production of your own testosterone.

This is where the feedback mechanism comes into play. The body is arranged very wisely and constantly strives for a state of balance: if the body notices (with the help of receptors) that there is a lot of a certain hormone, then the endocrine system instructs the organs to reduce the production of this hormone. Let's try to explain in other words. Imagine your body - this is a store that makes soda in the basement, and now you, as a director, decide to import soda from another manufacturer (at a lower price than your own production). Naturally, you will stop doing it in YOUR basement.

To sum it up - a lot of ALIEN (exogenously scientifically) little of OWN (endogenously).

This does not always suppress the production of one's own testosterone - it all depends on the predisposition of the body. It takes time to fully restore the normal functioning of the organs - usually several weeks.

2. Damage to the liver.

This is probably the most famous side effect. But its real threat is exaggerated. Everything that enters the body passes through the liver (this is still passed at school). And the liver has a very good property - regeneration, which allows it to recover on its own.

Also, alpha-17 alkylation helps to reduce the effect on the liver. It is used in oral forms of AAS, preventing the breakdown of the drug at the first stage of hepatic metabolism.

3. Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is an enlargement (overgrowth) of the mammary glands in men. It's not dangerous, but very annoying. This side effect is usually caused by stupidity, because it is very easy to avoid. Gynecomastia is caused only by those drugs, those drugs that cause the synthesis of prolactin, progesterone and estrogen, or are converted into the latter - methandrostenolone, testosterone, nandralon.

Let's go back to the store inside you. Your store operates on a hot beach. If you have a lot of soda (testosterone) and your store cannot sell it, then magic happens - soda turns into candy (testosterone is converted to estrogen) - candy on a hot beach is bad (estrogen in the male body is bad, but when there is a lot of it - even worse:).

The female sex hormone estrogen causes mood swings - for a man it turns out to be depression. (If you recall a woman with PMS, then this is a living example of a jump in estrogen).

This can be avoided by using aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase inhibitors belong to the class of antiestrogen - they do not allow testosterone to turn into estrogen.

Important! Aromatase is an enzyme that converts testosterone to estradiol (the most powerful estrogen). And androstenedione (another male hormone) is converted into - estrone (another estrogen).

4. Acne (acne)

Simply put, acne. Pretty common side effect. The reason for their appearance is the increased secretion of sebum under the action of anabolic agents, which leads to inflammation of the hair follicles and the formation of acne. Most of this side effect in highly androgenic drugs. Especially a lot of acne will be after the course (at the time of exit). Acne may go away on its own after a few months. But if you want to go faster, then a diet (less simple carbohydrates), personal hygiene and acne medications (Zinerit, Klinesfar) will help here.

5. High blood pressure

High blood pressure This problem occurs due to the fact that while taking AAS, the volume of blood circulating in the body increases, sodium is retained in the body, and the vessels narrow.

The most common side effect, but also the least easily preventable, is that high blood pressure is easy to normalize: for example, use B-blockers (metoprolol, 50-150 mg per day). When using aas, we recommend monitoring blood pressure.

6. Baldness

It comes mainly from dihydrosterone derivatives (masteron, winstrol primabolan and other drugs that are a derivative of dihydrosterone). But this side effect threatens those who have a predisposition to baldness.

7. Prostate hypertrophy

First of all, it must be said that AAS only in rare cases contribute to prostate enlargement, and this usually occurs after the age of 40, in the presence of a genetic predisposition.

8. Infertility. Don't play with it!

It would be more correct to say not infertility, but temporary sterility, which is associated with a change in the hormonal background in the body. Fortunately, this is a completely reversible condition. This is due to the fact that from taking steroids, spermatozoa become slow and simply “do not swim to the egg”. Severe sterility happens IN VERY RARE CASES - steroids as a means of contraception work very poorly.

9. Testicular atrophy

Due to the feedback mechanism, (the store is inside us :), the production of natural gonadotropin is reduced. This hormone is responsible for the stimulation of the testicles, and its reduced concentration leads to atrophy of testicular tissues. Testicular atrophy may be irreversible in severe cases (tumor formation). Usually HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is used as therapy and you are a man again.

Do not overdo it - this in turn can lead to impotence. Use hCG only if you are not on a cycle. As you can see, there are a lot of side effects, but all cases are isolated, it is not a fact that you will have any side effect. Basically it depends on hereditary predisposition.

As a conclusion

If you have fear or uncertainty, then it is better to refrain from using AAS - the passion will go away, but the sores will remain.

Attention! The portal does not sell, promote or encourage the use of steroids and other potent substances. The information is presented so that those athletes who nevertheless decide to take them do so with an understanding of the processes occurring in the body - as competently as possible and with minimal risk to health.

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Side effects of steroids frighten many beginners in bodybuilding, and experienced athletes involved in sports and using AAS are generally set on edge. However, fear has big eyes. After all, in fact, with many ailments and deviations caused by taking steroid drugs, you can cope with the simplest methods. And some of them can be avoided altogether by observing banal precautions.

Now we will try to figure out what side effects of anabolic and androgenic steroids are, which are manifested in men, which in women, how to deal with them, and why they are dangerous. So, let's begin.

Steroids: side effects, contraindications and methods of prevention

It will not come as a revelation to anyone if we say that steroids are among the most effective means of promoting muscle gain and increasing physical performance (strength and endurance, quality and volume of muscle mass, etc.). However, many, even experienced, athletes who have been using AAS for a long time do not know what side effects the drugs they use have, and how to properly deal with it.

As already mentioned, some anabolic side effects can be prevented or completely eliminated by following the banal recommendations related primarily to the choice of drugs, the duration of the course, dosages and PCT (post cycle therapy):

• First, try not to use excessive dosages;
• Secondly, do not use highly androgenic courses for a long time;
• Thirdly, try to choose those AAS that suppress the production of your own testosterone to a lesser extent or do not suppress it at all;
• Fourth, if possible, choose liver-friendly steroids;
• Fifth, do not save on PCT, in particular, if you need antiestrogens to prevent gynecomastia or some other abnormalities, use them.

Also, for all athletes who are concerned about the side effects of steroid drugs, it will be useful to know the contraindications to their use:

• Steroids are not recommended for use at the age of 18-21 years (some drugs are contraindicated before 25 years of age), because at too young an age they can cause irreversible consequences - changes in hormonal levels and stunting;
• Steroids are contraindicated in individuals who have or have experienced heart problems (side effects of steroids, both anabolic and androgenic, can exacerbate heart disease);
• People with liver and kidney failure are strictly prohibited from taking AAS drugs;
• Also, anabolics and androgens are not recommended for men with a benign prostate tumor;
• Women should not use highly androgenic steroids as they can cause virilization (these are the side effects of androgens such as hair growth, changes in voice and body shape);
• And the last - pronounced atherosclerosis is also the reason why you should not use anabolics and androgens.

These were general tips, recommendations, and some of the reasons why steroid side effects may occur. Taking note of this information, you can protect yourself, albeit not completely, from the manifestation of ailments and deviations on the AAS course. Now we will describe very specific “side effects” of steroids and ways to deal with them.

Decreased testosterone (decreased production) due to steroid use

Inhibition of the production of one's own testosterone is a fairly common side effect caused by taking AAS. Causes of low testosterone are simple: when hormones are introduced into the body, a signal occurs to the endocrine system about an excessive increase in their concentration in the blood, which in turn leads to a decrease in their production in the testicles. This is the so-called feedback mechanism. The body is always trying to achieve homeostasis, and if there is an increased level of a particular hormone, then it reduces its production in order to restore the natural balance. In this way, the secretion of almost all hormones in the human body is regulated.

Lucky for athletes decrease in testosterone levels is reversible, that is, the defect can be eliminated. In particular, to cope with it, you can use auxiliary pharmacology, for example, gonadotropin. This tool is able to effectively increase the secretion of natural testosterone and, as a result, can protect the athlete from testicular atrophy and some other abnormalities.

How does gonadotropin prevent low testosterone levels in men? Here again, everything is very simple. In our body, the production of testosterone occurs mainly in the testicles under the influence of the hormones LH and FSH (respectively, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone). During the cycle, there may be a decrease in the production of these hormones, which in turn can lead to testosterone deficiency. Gonadotropin, on the other hand, can positively influence the production of LH and FSH, improve testicular function and encourage the body to produce more testosterone.

How to take gonadotropin to overcome the decrease in testosterone levels? To begin with, we note that the choice of the dose of this drug largely depends on the course you are taking. If your cycle lasts about 4 weeks, and you use only one steroid on it, then there is no need for gonadotropin at all. If you plan to conduct a long course or are already doing it and using a combination of AAS on it, then you will most likely need gonadotropin at a dosage of about 500-1000 IU per week.

Gonadotropin intake lasts an average of about 3 full weeks, while it is best to start taking it in the middle or towards the end of the course. For example, on a course lasting 10 weeks, gonadotropin should be administered to prevent a drop in testosterone at 6-7-8 weeks (the opinion that gonadotropin should be used on PCT is fundamentally wrong, because by that time the testicles will already be reduced and the drug will already won't help).

By the way, in order to eliminate lower testosterone due to AAS, not only gonadotropin can be used, but also other pharmacological agents, for example, Tamoxifen. This antiestrogen drug, which helps normalize testosterone production, is usually used on PCT for 2-3 weeks at a dosage of about 20-30 mg per day. Order Tamoxifen tablets, if you have such a desire, you can quickly and easily in our store.

Gynecomastia and its treatment/removal

This ailment in men is characterized by an increase in the mammary gland with hypertrophy of the glands and adipose tissue. Gynecomastia in men is a very unpleasant disease, however, if desired, it can be easily avoided by taking auxiliary pharmacological preparations. By the way, it occurs mainly when using strongly aromatizing steroids, for example, Testosterone and its esters (steroids endowed with high progestogenic activity can also lead to this deviation).

For reference: the symptoms of gynecomastia, like the disease itself, can manifest themselves not only due to the intake of aromatizing anabolics and androgens, but also for other reasons. So, very often acne and rashes occur in male athletes due to a sharp decrease in physical activity or with constant psychological stress. And all due to the fact that under the influence of negative factors or in the absence of the body's usual physical. loads, the balance of testosterone and estrogen is shifted towards female sex hormones.

There are also the following reasons why gynecomastia can disturb a man:

• Klinefelter's syndrome;
• castration and hypothyroidism;
• testicular tumors;
• Tumors of the pituitary and adrenal glands;
• bronchial cancer;
• Reifenstein's syndrome, etc.

How to treat gynecomastia, or rather how to prevent this ailment, by taking aromatizing steroids? The best way, by all accounts, is to take antiestrogen. For example, for this purpose, so that gynecomastia does not bother you, Proviron and / or Tamoxifen, mentioned above in the text, are perfect. Both of these drugs, like other antiestrogens, can be easily purchased in our store, and you can find out about their use by visiting our Forum (Proviron is usually used from the second week of the course at a dosage of about 50 mg, and Tamoxifen on PCT at doses from 10 to 40 mg).

And how is the treatment of gynecomastia, when the disease has long made itself felt? Usually it is removed surgically, because in the later stages, hormone therapy does not always give positive results. On the contrary, in some cases, the opposite effect is possible, namely the development of the disease. The operation to remove gynecomastia is almost always effective. And, by the way, if the tumor has already manifested itself for a long time, and you only found out about it (it happens), you should not try to block it yourself. In particular, never bandage hypertrophic mammary glands with tight bandages to prevent their further growth. Such actions will only lead to a violation of blood metabolism and, as a result, to the occurrence of congestion, up to the formation of inoperable malignant tumors.

Liver damage due to steroid use

This is one of the most well-known side effects associated with taking AAS. However, his real threat is not as great as they try to show. The media and many other information resources usually focus on liver damage due to steroids, they talk about this problem as something inevitable and mandatory that haunts and will haunt all athletes using pharmacology. But it's not.

Firstly, toxic liver damage cause exclusively steroids in tablets, that is, oral steroids that have a methyl group in the 17 position. This group allows tablet AAS to avoid rapid destruction in the liver, but endows them with certain harmful effects.

Secondly, signs of liver damage, as well as the ailments associated with it, appear mainly with the use of high, very high or overestimated doses of steroids. That is, an athlete who listens to the recommendations is maximally protected from the toxic effects of AAS.

In support of this fact, we can cite the results of studies of drugs such as Danabol, Stanozolol and Fluoxymesterone on laboratory animals. During the tests, scientists found that serious liver damage and its symptoms occur in most cases when using steroids at dosages 10 times higher than recommended. For example, Methandrostenolone becomes truly harmful to the liver only at doses of about 80 mg and above, while its recommended dosage in sports is 5-50 mg (usually athletes use 30 mg per day).

Thirdly, toxic liver damage due to AAS intake is almost always reversible. This is evidenced by another study, but this time conducted on humans. The experiment involved two groups of athletes: some took steroids, others did not. At the end of it, it was found that men who used drugs of the AAS category nevertheless encountered certain disorders in the liver, however, no deterioration was recorded over the next 3 months, on the contrary, certain improvements were noticed.

Now the most interesting thing: how to make sure that liver damage on the course and after it bypasses you? Everything is extremely simple:

• To completely avoid this side effect, simply choose similar but safe injectables;
• If this is not possible, use 17-alkylated steroid tablets without exceeding dosages and without violating the recommended course duration;
• Reduce the load on the liver (do not drink alcohol and other harmful substances) and regularly undergo tests, take tests so that the condition of the liver is under your control.

Acne on the face in men and not only

This is another incredibly common side effect associated with taking certain AAS drugs. This deviation is characterized by seborrhea (increased oiliness of the skin or the so-called greasy skin), comedones (black dots on the face), pustules (red purulent acne) and ultimately scars.

Note that acne acne usually appear on those areas of the skin where there are more sebaceous glands, for example, on the face, chest and back. As a rule, this disease is inflammatory in nature, however, in some cases, inflammation may be absent. Much here depends on the form of acne and the causes of its appearance.

Speaking of forms, it will be useful for athletes to know what types of acne are, why they are remarkable and dangerous for appearance and health:

• The inflammatory form is acne conglobata, vulgaris and fulminans. It makes no sense to consider these three forms separately, since they arise for similar reasons, and they are treated in approximately the same way;
• Non-inflammatory form - these are comedones, that is, black dots on the face and not only. Also, follicular keratosis can be added to this group.

In general, acne and bodybuilding, and sports in general, go hand in hand. Why is that? There are several reasons. First, because intense exercise mostly involves a high-calorie, high-carbohydrate diet, which is one of the causes of acne. And secondly, because athletes often use steroids, which, due to their androgenic effect, can also lead to acne.

Now to the point: how to get rid of acne an athlete taking steroids? It all depends on the form of the disease, since inflammatory is treated in one way, and not inflammatory in another, and different therapeutic measures are needed there. We will describe only ways to combat the inflammatory form, since it is in most cases that worries athletes using AAS preparations.

Treatment and removal of the inflammatory form of acne:

• With the manifestation - the abolition of highly androgenic steroids or the transition / replacement with drugs of low androgenic activity;
• Reducing the amount of carbohydrates consumed;
• Exclusion from the diet of fatty foods, fried and spicy (eat more fiber);
• More frequent water procedures (wash your face more often, take a shower more often - use soap with a pH of 5.5 for washing);
• Reception of vitamin complexes, vitamins of group B are of particular value (brewer's yeast is recommended).

What are the therapeutic measures that can overcome inflammatory acne pimples and make the athlete's face clear of the rash:

• A visit to the solarium (sometimes ultraviolet baths help eliminate rashes and acne);
• Rubbing with salicylic alcohol 1-2 times a day;
• If alcohol does not help, use Skinoren cream, here you can add the drug Zinerit and Baziron, alternating their intake;
• If, despite all the procedures, high oiliness of the skin persists, take Accutane or its analogues;
• If this does not help, then it is necessary to resort to antibiotics, in particular traces of acne on the face and its symptoms will help to effectively clear the drug Clindamycin (used orally);
• In the most severe cases, if all the above measures have not helped, you can resort to blood purification (plasmapheresis procedure) or mechanical removal.

Virilization syndrome or virilization

This is quite common and what is most unpleasant is an irreversible side effect associated with long-term use of AAS. In sports, it threatens only girls who use steroids with a high androgenic index for long courses.

If we speak with facts, then virilization (masculinization) in women is a process of formation, development and accumulation of secondary sexual characteristics characteristic of the male sex in the female sex. These are such deviations from the norm as the appearance of excess hair on the female face and body, an excessive increase in muscle mass, a change / coarsening of the voice, changes in skin properties (loss of elasticity, the appearance of a rash, etc.), increased sexual desire, loss of hair on the head, etc.

Note that virilization in the female body occurs only with hormonal disorders or as a result of hormone therapy. In bodybuilding and other sports, this is primarily caused by the use of anabolic and androgenic steroids, since in their structure they are just male hormones.

Thus, so that the signs of virilization do not make themselves felt, female athletes should be as careful as possible when taking steroid drugs, because, as already mentioned, this process is irreversible. That is, women should either avoid steroids with a high androgenic component altogether, or take them in the lowest doses and for the shortest periods (but then the question arises of the usefulness of such a “minimal” course).

More specifically, the following steroids and preparations based on them pose a particular threat to girls: testosterone and its esters (except testosterone propionate), trenbolone, oxymetalone, mesterolone (in high doses), drostanolone (in high doses), stanozolol in injections and others.

And what steroids can girls use more or less safely so that the symptoms of virilization and the disease itself do not appear? There are not so many of them, but they are: oxandrolone, stanozolol in tablets, methandienone in the smallest doses, etc.

And in conclusion: a woman who still decides to use steroids with androgenic activity is simply obliged to take long breaks between courses so that the body has time to rest and the natural level of hormones is restored.

Harm of steroids and ways to deal with it

In addition to the above “side effects”, steroids can also in some cases increase the level of cholesterol in the body. More precisely, then the harm of steroids, some of them, is to lower good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) and increase bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). In theory, this can lead to atherosclerosis. However, in practice, everything is not so scary, since the cholesterol level gradually returns to normal at the end of the course.

How to prevent this defect? It's simple: during the course, take omega-3 fatty acids, limit the amount of animal fats and chicken yolks consumed.

The harm of anabolic and androgenic steroids may also be in an increase in blood pressure. This problem usually occurs due to the following reasons:

• The AAS drugs you take retain sodium in the body;
• Used steroids constrict blood vessels;
• The funds chosen for the course increase the total volume of moving blood.

To cope with increased blood pressure is quite simple: use 5 mg of Enalapril and 50 mg of Metoprolol (with low efficiency, you can increase the dosage of antihypertensive drugs).

Baldness is another common side effect of AAS. In this case, the harm of steroid drugs falls not so much on the health of the athlete, but on his appearance. By the way, baldness concerns only the scalp, while hair can be observed on other parts of the body.

How to get rid of such an unpleasant defect? First, choose those AAS that do not convert to dihydrotestosterone. Secondly, use auxiliary pharmacology, in particular, the drug Finasteride has proven itself well (Minoxidil cream also has high efficiency).

In some cases, anabolics and androgens can also lead to prostate hypertrophy. This happens very rarely, but it does happen. Usually, the harm of steroids to the body, expressed in prostate hypertrophy, affects athletes over the age of 40 and only with a genetic predisposition. Therefore, young athletes have practically nothing to fear. The cause of this disease, as in the case of baldness, is dihydrotestosterone. Therefore, in order to completely eliminate the possibility of hypertrophy, a course should be drawn up based on steroids with low androgenic activity (for prevention, the already mentioned drug Finasteride may be needed).

Growth arrest can also be of concern to athletes using AAS. The effect, unfortunately, is irreversible, however, such harm from anabolic steroids does not threaten everyone, but only persons under the age of 21 (in boys at a young age, the bone growth zones are not yet closed). Most often, this ailment manifests itself when taking aromatizing drugs, so young athletes should be especially wary of them. There is only one way to deal with this disease - do not use steroids during the development of the body, and if you decide to take them, then choose non-aromatizing AAS.

There are other possible side effects and phenomena associated with taking certain steroids. This is far from a complete list. However, at the moment, these are almost all the main and most frequent “side effects” that athletes face. Therefore, at this point, we will finish their description and proceed to the conclusion.

Side effects and effects of steroids: conclusion and results

And without our afterword, one could notice that almost all side effects of anabolic and androgenic drugs are reversible. That is, even with their manifestation, which happens infrequently, you can take the simplest measures and neutralize the potential threat to health.

Yes, and in general side effects of anabolic steroids in no case can be called deadly to health (although there are such). And even more so, they cannot be compared with the positive effects and benefits that are achieved by taking AAS. Virtually no other drug, no other method of training and training can contribute to the growth of muscles and increase physical performance (strength, endurance) as steroids do. Yes, in heavy courses, where anabolics and androgens are used in large dosages and for a long time, you have to deal with certain ailments and deviations. However, the result is worth it anyway.

What is the conclusion from all of the above? Simple: use steroids carefully, do not neglect the recommendations and listen to the advice of more experienced “colleagues”, and then the side effects of anabolic steroids will not bother you. And if they are disturbed, then almost always you can easily cope with them, either with the help of auxiliary pharmacological agents, or using certain therapeutic techniques.

Source: AthleticPharma.com

Steroid drugs are banned for use in sports by the World Anti-Doping Organizations.

I do not think that it is a secret for anyone that steroid drugs pose a great danger to human health. Athletes who have come to use this kind of drugs often regret the use of anabolics. Against the background of their reception, a whole range of side effects often occurs. It should be noted that steroid drugs are prohibited for use in sports and for self-administration without a doctor's prescription. During the ongoing hormonal treatment, side effects may also occur, usually due to an incorrectly selected drug, excessive duration of the course of treatment, lack of background therapy, and other possible factors. All information is taken from trusted medical sources.

General prevention
side effects

• Do not prescribe large dosages of steroid drugs;
• Do not use drugs with a high degree of androgenic effect for more than 8 weeks;
• The drugs of choice for hormone therapy should be steroid drugs that do not inhibit testosterone production;
• Patients should be prescribed those drugs that do not have a strong toxic effect on the liver;
• When possible, if necessary, use antiestrogen agents to normalize endogenous testosterone production and prevent estrogenic side effects in male patients.

Contraindications for use

• Steroids should not be prescribed to patients under 25 years of age, since the effect of anabolic drugs on a young body can lead to irreversible consequences: endocrine disorders, growth retardation, short stature, erectile dysfunction, depression, etc.
• You should think several times before prescribing high-androgenic steroid drugs to women. Virilization (the appearance of secondary male sexual characteristics) is irreversible;
• Congenital and acquired heart defects are also contraindications, since the use of steroid drugs can exacerbate the disease;
• Violations of the liver and kidneys;
• Hypertonic disease;
• Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.

Special cases

Product oppression
endogenous testosterone

Suppression of the production of one's own sex hormone is inevitable when using steroid drugs. When hormonal substances enter the body, an endocrine response is formed in response to an increase in the concentration of hormones in the blood, which contributes to the inhibition of testosterone production in the testes. This process is carried out using a feedback mechanism. The human body is always striving to maintain energy and balance, so if the level of any of the hormones begins to increase, the hormonal system of the body suppresses the production of this hormone to restore its own balance. The result of this is the normalization of the level of all endogenous hormones. For example, when nandrolone is introduced into the body, the amount of own testosterone in the blood begins to decrease, after the completion of taking anabolic drugs, as a rule, a complete restoration of the hormonal background should occur, but this process can last for months, which can affect the quality of human life.

Prevention

To prevent side effects from steroids, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) should be used - an effective drug for normalizing the secretion of endogenous testosterone and preventing the development of testicular atrophy. In the human body, gonadotropic hormones (FSH and LH - follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones) are produced regularly. Both of these hormones ensure the correct course of spermatogenesis and endogenous testosterone production processes. With prolonged use of steroids, the production of gonadotropic hormones decreases and, as a result, testicular atrophy develops. The use of hCG, acting on the principle of gonadotropic hormones, helps to restore the endocrine balance and maintain the performance of the testicles. The dosage of hCG depends on the degree of androgenic and anabolic activity of the steroids taken. If the duration of the course is less than 45 days and one hormonal drug is used, then hCG can not be used. With a duration of hormonal treatment of more than 45 days against the background of the use of two or more drugs, and even at higher dosages, additional use of hCG is extremely necessary (500 IU weekly during hormone therapy; dosages of all prescribed drugs should be calculated by the doctor). Often you can stumble upon information that the introduction of hCG should be carried out after the course of treatment, however, this point of view is incorrect, since with combined courses, the testicles may not be stimulated for a long time by gonadotropic hormones, which, accordingly, will lead to atrophy of the sex glands. The use of hCG throughout hormone therapy helps to balance the levels of all hormones in the human body and maintain sexual activity at peak levels. It should also be noted that the need for taking hCG is not associated with the synergistic effect of gonadotropin, but with the prevention of the negative effects of steroid drugs on the body. Antiestrogenic drugs can often be used to normalize the production of endogenous testosterone.

Toxic influence
on the liver

The toxic effect of steroids on the liver is the most common side effect; in practice, the negative effects of drugs can be avoided. Some sources claim that absolutely all anabolic drugs harm liver functions, while taking any other medications is also harmful to liver tissues, especially when dosages are exceeded and long-term use of drugs. First of all, serious violations of the liver occur when taking oral steroid drugs, which have a methyl group in the 17-alpha position in the chemical structure. Methyls significantly slow down the half-life of the active substance, but this fact is also a significant disadvantage, since, in this case, the destruction of liver tissues occurs. Plus, side effects in relation to the liver develop only when the prescribed dosages are exceeded. Proof of this are the results of many experiments involving animals on which methandrostenolone, stanozolol and other steroid drugs were tested. Experts have found that the destruction of liver cells develops only with the introduction of 10-fold dosages of anabolic drugs into the body. For example, the toxic effect of taking methandienone is fixed only when the dosage is increased to 80 mg per day or more, despite the fact that the average therapeutic dosage is 5-10 times less. Later, clinical trials were conducted with the participation of athletes, which were divided into 2 subgroups: some participants used steroids, other subjects were engaged in exclusively natural training. Blood samples were taken from both subgroups during the experiment to assess the functionality of the liver. In participants using steroid drugs in high dosages, there were negative changes in liver tissues. Given that the liver tissue is “renewed” every 12 weeks (in the absence of other negative factors), after this period, liver functions are fully restored. Based on such observations, it can be assumed that the negative side effects in relation to the liver are completely reversible.

Prevention

• Adhere to the dosages prescribed by the doctor;
• Do not use alkylated steroids;
• Injectable forms of drugs do not have a toxic effect on the liver.

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia- Enlargement of the mammary glands in men. This side effect can be avoided by the correct selection of drugs for hormone therapy. Gynecomastia develops, as a rule, due to the use of easily aromatizing steroid drugs, which are quickly converted into estrogens (methandienone, testosterone esters, etc.). The selection of the drug should be considered for the prevention of gynecomastia.

Prevention

When included in the course of treatment of easily aromatizing drugs, antiestrogen agents that block the aromatase enzyme should also be added. Taking antiestrogens will prevent such an irreversible side effect without surgical intervention as gynecomastia. Often, in various scientific sources, you can get information that antiestrogen drugs should be started after the first symptoms of breast enlargement in men have appeared. This is a big mistake, so drugs that block the action of estrogen in the body must be used during the entire period of hormone therapy. At first, gynecomastia is reversible, and the best treatment, in this case, is prevention. The best option in this case would be the systematic testing of estrogen levels with further adjustment of dosages of antiestrogen drugs.

Acne

Dermatological manifestations, in particular acne, occur due to the fact that steroids increase the work of the sebaceous glands in the skin, which contributes to the development of an inflammatory reaction and the appearance of acne. In most cases, this is due to the intake of drugs with androgenic activity.

Prevention

• Regular washing of the skin, taking a shower at least once a day, and preferably after waking up and before going to bed.

Increasing concentration
cholesterol

Steroid drugs can lower the level of "good" cholesterol (or high-density lipoprotein), as well as increase the concentration of "bad" cholesterol (or low-density lipoprotein). Theoretically, both of these factors contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. In reality, this is not observed, especially in young patients. During the period of hormonal therapy (30-60 days), the rise in the concentration of "bad" cholesterol does not contribute to the development of any negative changes in the vessels, moreover, after the end of steroid treatment, cholesterol is completely normalized (again, if no vascular problems). It should be noted that an increase in the concentration of cholesterol does not develop often, since not all steroid drugs have this side effect.

Prevention

• During treatment, take omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids in the form of capsules or from food;
• Reduce your intake of yolks and fatty foods;
• Take to lower your cholesterol.

Cardiovascular diseases

It is no secret that the use of anabolic drugs contributes to the development of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. In all likelihood, this is due to their effect on cholesterol levels. In addition, excessive use of steroids contributes to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. It should be noted that strength work also contributes to this.

Prevention

• High doses of steroids should not be given to patients;
• You should go in for sports (with the normalization of health), while focusing on aerobic activity;
• You must follow the recommendations of your doctor;
• Take medications to strengthen the heart muscle.
• Use herbal preparations, for example, the drug protects the heart muscle to a greater extent from hypoxic damage and normalizes blood flow in the main arteries.

High blood pressure

This side effect is noted due to the fact that steroid drugs:

• Accumulate sodium ions inside cells;
• They have a vasoconstrictor effect (reduce the vascular lumen);
• Increase the volume of blood in the body.

A blood pressure of 120 over 80 mm Hg is considered normal. Art., normally elevated are numbers up to 140 by 90 mm Hg. Art. To monitor blood pressure indicators, it must be measured regularly. At home, you need to have a tonometer and measure your blood pressure, preferably 2 times a day (morning and evening).

Kidney disorders

The renal pelvis filters the blood and excretes unwanted metabolites in the urine. The use of steroid drugs may increase the burden on the kidneys, but they do not have a nephrotoxic effect.

Prevention

• Maintaining normal blood pressure levels.

Consequences for the psyche

Excessive aggressiveness when using steroid drugs is quite rare and, as a rule, when using high dosages. In one of the studies, it was proved that the use of anabolic steroids was not involved in the appearance of aggressiveness, often only temperament affects it.

For a stable psyche, as well as with constant stress on the body, it is recommended to take the herbal preparation "Nervo-Vit", which will help a person in a difficult struggle with stress and eliminate its consequences.

Alopecia (hair loss)

Steroid drugs contribute to the occurrence of alopecia in males, especially at an older age. Very good hair loss is noticeable on the parietal part of the head. Experts suggest that alopecia is due to heredity, so steroid drugs can lead to baldness if your next of kin in the male line already has alopecia. Anabolic steroids can exacerbate this process. The main factor in alopecia is the presence of a large amount of dihydrotestosterone in the blood, therefore, in order to avoid this, it is necessary to use such anabolic agents that are not converted to dihydrotestosterone.

Prevention

• Steroids that convert to dihydrotestosterone should not be used as the drug of choice for hormone replacement therapy;
• To prevent alopecia, the drug Finasteride is well suited, which is used quite often, but has a lot of side effects;
• Minoxidil cream is also effective against alopecia.

Thrombosis

The use of steroid drugs increases the prothrombin index, or in other words, leads to the formation of blood clots in the vessels. In some cases, in people from the older age group, rapid platelet aggregation increases the likelihood of stroke and heart attack, which develop just because of too intense blood clotting in the main vessels.

Taking the drug "Dandelion-P" prevents the occurrence of thrombosis and enhances vascular blood flow. Another herbal preparation "Hondro-Vit" also contains dandelion root, and the cold processing technology allows you to save all the therapeutic properties of dandelion.

Prevention

To reduce the negative impact of steroid drugs, people over 45 years of age are recommended to prescribe anticoagulants against the background of hormone replacement therapy. A good option would be to take acetylsalicylic acid in low and moderate dosages, but do not forget that the frequent use of aspirin-based NSAIDs can lead to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Masculinization

Masculinization is a whole range of irreversible side effects from taking steroid drugs associated with the development of secondary sexual characteristics: a deep chest voice, breast atrophy, enlargement of the external genital organs, a "male" face, hirsutism, etc. Such symptoms develop quite often when women use hormonal agents with a high degree of androgenic activity.

Deceleration of bone growth
in length

Unfortunately, growth retardation is already an irreversible process. This side effect is important only in puberty, since active bone growth occurs at this time. Therefore, it is not recommended to use and prescribe steroid drugs to persons under 20 years of age. Preparations with a high risk of aromatization have the greatest effect on growth.

Osteomed, a natural-based preparation, will help you prevent growth retardation and strengthen bone tissues.

Hyperplasia
prostate

First, it should be noted that anabolic drugs only occasionally lead to prostatic hyperplasia and, as a rule, this is observed only after 45 years, and this is often due to heredity. The main reason for the development of this pathology is the presence of too high levels of dihydrotestosterone in the blood.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of prostatic hyperplasia, the drugs "Leveton Forte" and "Eromax" are used.

low fertility
in men

100% infertility after taking steroids is rare. Usually, against the background of the use of anabolic drugs, a short-term decrease in fertility develops, up to its complete absence. Fertility is completely normalized after the abolition of hormonal drugs.

Prevention

To quickly normalize testosterone levels in the body, herbal preparations Leveton and Eromax are used.

testicular atrophy

Through the feedback mechanism, there is a decrease in the production of endogenous hCG. This hormone regulates the functionality of the testicles, therefore, if the level of hCG decreases, then the tissues of the testicles gradually atrophy. Testicular atrophy, by the way, may be irreversible, especially with prolonged use of illegal drugs. The consequence of all this is the occurrence of erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and, in some cases, testicular cancer.

Prevention

To prevent atrophy, hCG is used at 500 IU weekly. A similar condition occurs against the background of exceeding the prescribed dosages and duration of treatment.

To prevent atrophy on the course and quick recovery during the "rollback", the drugs "Eromax" and "Leveton Forte" are used. Their effectiveness has been repeatedly proven by many independent studies.

Hello dear readers. Alexander Bely is with you. Today we will touch on a very topical topic, what harm steroids do to an athlete's body. There are many opinions on this matter. Are they that harmful and do they have serious side effects? Could it cost a life? Or is it quite possible to afford to indulge in pills and, thereby, calmly and easily build muscle mass? Such questions come up frequently. So now we will try to understand them.

What are anabolics

Anabolic steroids are drugs that are a synthetic copy of the hormone testosterone. They help build muscle mass, make a person stronger and more resilient. It is for this reason that anabolics have become widespread among bodybuilders.

It should be noted that initially steroids were invented for treatment. They have been used and are still being used for faster fusion of bones in case of fractures, for increasing body weight in case of dystrophy, general weakening of the body, and in other cases. The muscle building effect was liked not only by doctors, but also by bodybuilders who literally fought with their bodies for every gram. So steroids entered our daily life.

If you have ever read the annotations to the drug, even to the same "Citramon", then you definitely know about the "side effects" column. Not without these very actions and steroids. Of course, many say that if you take the drug for a short time, then it will not affect the functioning of the body. But after all, muscles begin to grow when using anabolic steroids, right? This means that the body responds to them. Consequently, in the future, he will either have to wean from them, or receive them no longer as a muscle supplement, but as a medicine. And this is no longer a joke.

How do they affect a person

So that you know exactly what to expect from taking anabolic steroids, just read the material below.

1. Decreased testosterone. If you start taking artificial testosterone, your endocrine system signals to the body that there is too much of this hormone. It ceases to be produced, and you yourself plant yourself on an eternal needle. Of course, testosterone production can be restored, but this is a very long and complicated process.

2. Gynecomastia. This is breast enlargement. The chest of a man does not “swing”, but simply sags. This disease is also treated, but in some cases there are not enough pills, surgery is necessary.

3. Damage to the liver. If your liver is playing tricks, so to speak, then it is better not to think about taking anabolic steroids. They have a very negative effect on this organ, especially for drugs in tablets. Destruction occurs quickly, and it is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to completely restore an organ.

4. Depression and depression. When taking steroids, addiction occurs. That is, the body gets used to the intake of the hormone and stops producing it. If you take the drug for a while, and then abruptly stop doing it, you will notice that you have become less active. The mass will stop gaining, and may even begin to decrease, hormones will not be enough, as a result of which you will be haunted by depression, which can lead to depression and other nervous disorders.

5. Acne (blackheads, pimples). When taking steroids, pimples often appear on the face and body, especially in men. The fact is that the skin begins to secrete more sebaceous acid, which leads to similar skin diseases.

6. Virilization. This side effect of steroids extends to girls who are engaged in bodybuilding and take anabolic steroids. Virilization is the appearance in women of the secondary sexual characteristics of men. For example, hair on the face and body begins to grow, acne appears, the voice becomes rough. In some cases, the male reproductive organs may even begin to develop. So, dear women, be very careful with steroids!

7. Stopping growth. Before the age of 25, it is not safe to take steroids, as the body grows, all its systems are formed. Violation of this process can lead to stunting or impotence at an early age.

In addition to all of the above, anabolics have other side effects:

• increased cholesterol levels;
• increased blood pressure;
• violation of the thyroid gland;
• convulsions;
• headache;
• decreased sex drive.

And now, after reading the article, think about whether you need to take steroids? Their harm has been proven by science, and if there are no indications for their use or doctor's recommendations, then it's better to just start eating right, go to the gym and grow muscles naturally.

Using steroids, you do not guarantee yourself a beautiful body, but health problems will arise in the near future. Of course, everything can be cured later. But here a legitimate question arises. Is it worth it? Is it worth it to take pills for two weeks, so that at the age of 25 you can treat impotence or restore a falling off liver? In my opinion, the answer is obvious.

Summing up

Athletes and bodybuilders themselves say that everything needs to be approached wisely. For a beautiful body, you need to practice, whatever one may say. Don't believe? Then watch programs about the same bodybuilders. They count every gram of food, calculate fats, proteins and carbohydrates, constantly correct training programs and their schedule. They adhere to the opinion of Mendeleev: there are no harmful substances, there are harmful quantities. And they combine anabolics with training.

If you are a beginner, then the harm of anabolic steroids is obvious to you. Better try yourself in the gym, and after a year or two of training, and decide for yourself what you really want. For now, just accept the fact that steroids are bad.

It would be much better to use sports nutrition, which is based on whey protein and allows you to pump up healthy and strong muscles. Proteins, amino acids, gainers - all this will help you when playing sports and, most importantly, will not harm you.

I will end with this. All the best! Be healthy.

Are you thinking about whether to take steroids? Read this article first. You will learn the consequences, harms and side effects of taking steroid drugs.

Are there safe steroids? This question worries many people involved in sports. Before we answer it, let's find out what steroids are. In medicine, this term refers to a class of drugs with high biological activity and used to treat various diseases. Steroids are used to preserve male sexual characteristics in patients who have undergone testicular surgery; adolescents suffering from disorders of the pituitary gland; persons after major operations and oncological diseases that caused a significant loss of muscle tissue. These drugs are also used for:

• improving reproductive function,
• metabolism activation,
• improving the functioning of the immune system,
• stimulation of bone formation,
• treatment of inflammatory and other diseases,
• a set of muscle mass (unfortunately, professional bodybuilding without steroids is now simply impossible).

Anabolic steroid

The term "anabolic" refers to agents that cause tissue growth. "Anabolism" refers directly to the growth of tissues, including muscle. Anabolic steroids (full name - anabolic androgenic steroids) - class synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of the testosterone hormone. Testosterone is made in the body from cholesterol. He, like other steroid hormones, affects the tissue. Testosterone enters the cell and attaches to a receptor that passes through the cell nucleus, activating protein synthesis. An increase in protein synthesis leads to tissue growth, faster recovery of the body and faster recovery from illness and injury. In medicine, steroids are used under the close supervision of doctors in dosages that approximately correspond to the natural synthesis of hormones in the human body. In this case, one steroid drug is used during treatment. On steroid cycles, athletes usually take megadoses, sometimes tens and even hundreds of times higher than medical dosages. In addition, they often use several drugs at the same time. Most steroid users (especially beginners) receive instructions for use from sellers or friends, often without asking questions about the side effects of the drugs or the correct dosages. Many steroids available on the black market are of dubious quality and often contain only small amounts of the active ingredient. In some of them, only water and dye were found, or just peanut butter. Read also:

Side effects of steroids

Steroids have many side effects. They may even contribute to the development of cancer. However, a large number of people ignore information about side effects, believing that only the abuse of steroids causes side effects. But it's not. Any drug that alters the homeostasis (self-regulation) of the body can lead to undesirable consequences. Let's look at how steroids can affect each individual part of the body.

Brain

Studies have shown a relationship between high testosterone levels and aggressive behavior, which is that steroid users often commit acts of a violent nature. Often, steroids or the mention of them are a catalyst for aggressive behavior. People who use high doses of drugs suffer from psychotic syndromes and high levels of anxiety. Other psychiatric side effects include disturbed sleep, feelings of euphoria, high levels of paranoia, depression of various stages, etc. Some patients suffer from extreme mood swings and personality changes. Many athletes become addicted to steroids.

Face

The use of steroids leads to water retention in the body. This causes swelling, the person has a rounded face and swollen cheeks. Women may experience side effects such as bad breath, facial hair growth, and a hoarse and rough voice. Steroids also have a negative effect on the skin of the face and body, causing blackheads (acne).

Eyes

Long-term use of steroids can be harmful to the eyes. Cases of development of eye infectious diseases, cataracts and glaucoma are known.

Hair

Male pattern baldness is common for both men and women. This is due to the conversion of excess testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), leading to the degradation of the hair follicles, which begin to produce very thin hair. With prolonged use of steroids, the follicles generally die off. As a result, baldness occurs.

Heart

Cardiovascular pathologies are among the most serious side effects of steroids. However, drug users usually ignore worsening health conditions. This leads to very serious consequences. The use of steroids leads to an increase in the level of total cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol builds up on the walls of blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke. In addition, steroids have been shown to increase "bad" cholesterol and lower "good" cholesterol. It is also possible to increase blood pressure and form blood clots, which disrupt blood flow and damage the heart muscle, leading to a heart attack.

Stomach

During the use of steroids, stomach problems can occur, namely, a feeling of fullness and nausea, sometimes causing vomiting of blood. Steroid users experience increased production of stomach acids, reduced stomach mucus, and irritation of the stomach wall.

kidneys

The kidneys are responsible for cleaning the blood of “garbage” and regulating the water-salt balance. Another important function of the kidneys is the regulation of blood pressure. High blood pressure can also cause thickening of the walls and narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces the blood supply to the kidneys and impairs their filtering function. Kidney problems usually occur with oral steroids, suppression of clotting factors and prolonged bleeding after injury. This paired organ experiences an increased load while taking steroid pills, as it has to filter the blood more thoroughly. People taking steroids usually consume higher doses of protein, several times the norm. Combined with heavy strength training, this can lead to kidney stones. Kidney stones block the urinary tract and cause urinary problems.

Liver

The liver is the largest organ in the body and is used to cleanse the blood of toxins and store certain nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. In addition, the liver plays an important role in regulating protein, cholesterol, and sugar levels. It produces bile, which helps digest food. It has been proven that the use of steroids can cause irreversible liver damage and even malignant tumors of this organ. Oral steroid medications impair the metabolic function of the liver, reducing its ability to filter waste. Some fake steroids contain viruses and bacteria that impair the functioning of the body. If the liver begins to filter the blood poorly, hepatocellular jaundice may occur - a disease that manifests itself in yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Breast

Breast enlargement (gynecomastia) is a very common side effect of long-term steroids or high doses of drugs. With gynecomastia, there is an overgrowth of breast tissue, which manifests itself in the form of bumps under the nipples. Usually, the pathology is eliminated with the help of surgical intervention. In women, the opposite effect is observed - the breasts can decrease in size. This photo shows a man with gynecomastia.

Bones

The use of steroids by adolescents and men under the age of 25 who have not yet completed growth can lead to cessation of growth due to premature closure of the epiphyseal plates (also known as "growth plates"). Another possible side effect of steroids is bone pain.

Muscles and tendons

Steroid users may feel stronger than they really are. They try to lift excessively large weights, which leads to muscle damage. In addition, muscles gain strength faster than tendons. This increases the risk of rupture of the latter.

Leather

Steroids can negatively affect pores and make the skin rough. Another side effect is oily skin with red patches and acne on the face and back. Stretch marks occur due to rapid muscle growth and/or thinning of the skin. As mentioned above, steroids are bad for the liver, causing jaundice, which in turn leads to yellowing of the skin and eyes.

The immune system

Steroids can disrupt the immune system. Negative effects are especially visible after the end of taking the drugs.

Edema

Edema is accumulation of fluid in organs and extracellular spaces of the body. Most often, this side effect manifests itself in the form of swollen fingers and ankles.

Prostate

The prostate is a male organ located just below the bladder. The main function of the prostate is to produce prostate fluid, a component of seminal fluid that improves sperm activity. Steroids are known to cause prostate enlargement. Because the prostate surrounds the bladder, changing its size can interfere with urination. In addition, the growth of the gland can adversely affect sexual function. Also, steroid drugs can cause a decrease in the number of sperm in the semen or an increase in the percentage of abnormal male germ cells.

Blood poisoning

Some people use non-sterile syringes to inject steroids. This can cause blood poisoning and various infectious diseases. The injection site sometimes swells up. Abscesses occur that require painful medical intervention.

Impotence

Due to the use of steroids, the testicles begin to produce less hormones. After stopping the course, it takes some time for the pituitary gland to again begin to send a signal to the testicles to resume the production of endogenous (own) testosterone in a normal amount. In the case of high doses or prolonged use of steroids, the testicles can completely stop producing hormones or even atrophy. As a result, restoring their function takes a long time. Impotence occurs after the course is stopped, and prolonged use of drugs impairs erection. Read also:

Steroids for women - side effects

Many women use anabolic steroids to improve performance, muscle growth and strength performance. Most of the side effects of steroids in the fair sex are identical to those in men. But there are additional ones: facial hair growth, male pattern baldness, deepening of the voice, breast reduction and infertility. Also, anabolic steroids for women can cause menstrual irregularities and clitoral enlargement.

Thus, the use of steroids suppresses the natural production of hormones by the body. The body is trying to restore its normal hormonal levels, however, a violation or increase in the amount of natural hormones leads to various physiological and mental disorders. Some people suffer severe health problems due to steroids, others experience minimal side effects. But in the end, serious side effects occur in all users of steroid drugs.

We will give advice to those who take steroids or plan to do so to improve their appearance, satisfy their ego or make it easier to achieve sports goals. Stay away from steroids. With short-term use, minor side effects occur, but the positive effect is not impressive. People want more by continuing to take drugs and increasing dosages. And this is very dangerous for health.