Steroids and their effect on the human body

In American bodybuilding, the use of anabolic steroids by ordinary gym goers is quite common. Like, for example, using protein or creatine.

In the post-Soviet space, it was mainly coaches and their athletes who knew about the existence of “prohibited” drugs, using them quietly.

They have become widespread in gyms relatively recently. And despite the abundance of information, there are still many questions about steroids. We will now consider some of them.

Application in sports

In short, over the 70-year history of the existence of anabolic steroids, a more effective means for gaining muscle mass and increasing strength has not yet been invented.

Just one example: all world and Olympic records in strength sports froze at around the 70s of the last century. And all because there is strict doping control and in the last 20-30 years, anabolic steroids have almost completely disappeared from the training of Olympians.

No, they are still using illegal hormonal drugs. But only those who are not caught during doping control. For example, growth hormone, insulin and peptides. However, they are far from steroids in terms of increasing strength and muscle mass.

And the opposite example is modern bodybuilding , strongman and powerlifting - non-Olympic sports that officially fight steroids. But in practice the situation is the same as in “big” sports in the 70s. Athletes continue to take anabolic steroids, getting the necessary results, and no one punishes them for this.

Bodybuilders nowadays are much bigger and more defined, and strongmen demonstrate cosmic levels of strength and continue to break records every month. And all this thanks to regular use of anabolic steroids.

Allergies and hormones

Allergic rhinitis, which, according to statistics, affects 15 to 20% of Russians, is about to explode the walls of clinics and pharmacy counters. Sniffling and sneezing citizens will again look for pills that will help them survive during the stormy summer beauty. And, having heard from the lips of a doctor or pharmacist that the best choice is hormonal medications, they will fall into despair and prefer a painful existence. But in fact, topical corticosteroids are one of the safest drugs.

Medicines as a deterrent

Hormonal drugs are different: oxytocin and birth control pills, insulin and anabolic steroids. But most often the term “hormones” refers to glucocorticosteroids (GCS) or corticosteroids - synthetic analogues of steroids that are synthesized by the adrenal cortex. They began to be used back in the 40s of the last century.

Corticosteroids have three powerful effects simultaneously: they reduce inflammation, counteract allergies, and reduce pain.

They are indispensable for inflammatory diseases, severe allergic processes and even cancer.

And everything would be wonderful if it weren’t for the side effects. GCS remarkably personify folk wisdom, which claims that we treat one thing and cripple another. Decreased immunity, weight gain, mental disorders and menstrual irregularities are an incomplete list of symptoms accompanying treatment. And all this is true when we talk about injectable and tablet forms. So how can you treat allergies?

Steroids in aerosols

At the end of the 80s of the 20th century, Western scientists began to talk with might and main about a new dosage form of GCS - nasal aerosols. At the same time, large-scale trials of these drugs began, which shocked the medical world. The headlines of numerous scientific publications simply screamed that steroids in the form of a nasal spray are more effective than all hitherto known antiallergic drugs. Double-blind, randomized and other serious studies, invented by scientists to prove to themselves what is difficult to prove, have confirmed that new drugs are a breakthrough in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

In addition to their high effectiveness, steroids amazed scientists with their safety: it turns out that when instilled into the nose, GCS are practically not absorbed into the systemic bloodstream.

What side effects can occur when less than 1% of the drug enters the bloodstream? How can you gain even a couple of kilograms from a drug that no analyst can find in plasma?

For example, mometasone, a worthy representative of modern GCS, used as a local nasal spray, has a bioavailability of less than 0.1% and is not detected in the blood. Are you still afraid of nasal sprays with hormones?

Is it possible without hormones?

Why replace the usual anti-allergy pills with hormones, albeit the safest ones? Why not get by with diazolin, familiar from childhood, or other inexpensive medicines that are not in doubt? Undoubtedly, it can be done. But the effect of treatment may not be noticed.

Today little and very rarely is said about the first generation of antiallergic drugs, to which the notorious diazolin belongs. By taking them, you will fall asleep without any problems in the evening, during the day, and even in the morning, but you will not sneeze and sniffle less. Modern means, which for the most part belong to the second generation, are an order of magnitude more effective. They do not cause drowsiness (with the exception of cetirizine), are well tolerated and reduce the manifestations of allergies. But not everyone does.

Not easy, but quite possible

Only in the advertising blocks, a pretty woman with a reddened nose and a handkerchief in her hands, who a few seconds ago was listening in horror to the bright herbs, takes a pill, turns pink and chirps cheerfully about the beauty of flowering meadows. Anyone who has experienced allergies has experienced that advertising does not necessarily reflect reality.

In fact, anti-allergy pills work well for those who are more fortunate. If your allergies occur occasionally and are mild, perhaps one tablet of loratadine per day is enough to live like a human being again. When the picture is not so rosy, treatment can take a long time. Patients eat pills in the hope that today or tomorrow the itching in the nose will stop. But a day passes, another, a week flies by, and the situation remains sad.

Leaving everything to chance means taking the first step towards bronchial asthma. Therefore, it’s time to put aside prejudices and start proper treatment with steroids.

If your case can be called severe, a combination of tablets and hormonal sprays is the regimen that should be used first.

The only thing you need to remember when starting treatment with hormonal nasal aerosols is that the time for the onset of effect is calculated not in hours, but in days. Do not expect that 30 minutes after using the medicine your health and good spirits will return. In the best case, relief will occur within 12 hours. And you will feel the full effect only two to three days after you start taking it. You will feel and ask the only question: why didn’t you start using steroids earlier?

Marina Pozdeeva

Photo thinkstockphotos.com

Products by topic: [product](mometasone), [product](loratadine), [product](cetirizine), [product](diazolin)

List of steroids for gaining muscle mass

Medicines in the form of anabolic steroids are synthetic, that is, artificial, analogues of the male sex hormone - testosterone. In the male body, it is produced in the testicles, in an amount of approximately 5-7 mg per day.

The main function of testosterone is sexual. It is responsible for libido and the development of primary sexual characteristics, and also stimulates the growth of muscle mass and strength.

When taking medicinal anabolic steroids, the level of testosterone in the body increases several times. Accordingly, the rate of growth of muscle mass and strength accelerates several times.

Absolutely all types of steroids help increase muscle volume and strength. And if you follow a strict diet, they also have fat-burning properties.

However, there are a large number of varieties that specifically affect the development of one physical quality.

Let's name the best anabolic steroids for gaining muscle mass:

1. Testosterone (testosterone enanthate, cypionate, mixes of testosterone esters - Sustanon 250 and its analogues)
2. Nandrolone decanoate (Deca-durabolin, Retabolil) and nandrolone-phenylpropinoate
3. Methandienone (Dianabol, Anabol, Naposim and their analogues)

This is the “golden three” of the most powerful anabolic steroids for the fastest muscle growth.

Next come the drugs, which are also quite effective, but still inferior in terms of results in terms of weight gain:

1. Oxymethelone (Anaprol 50 and its analogues)
2. Chlordehydromethyltestosterone (Turinabol)
3. Trenbolone acetate (Parabolan) and trenbolone enanthate
4. Boldenone undecylenate (Boldenone, Equipoise)
5. Stanozolol (Winstrol - injection form)

Steroids for strength development

Steroid medications to improve strength levels include the following:

1. Testosterone
2. Methandienone
3. Nandrolone decanoate
4. Trenbolone
5. Stanozolol (tablets and injections)
6. Turinabol
7. Drostanolone propinoate (Masteron)

As you can see, the top three steroids for strength are the same - Testosterone, Methane and Deca.

And this is not surprising, since they contribute to the gain of muscle mass, and according to science, muscle strength is directly proportional to its physiological diameter.

That is, the larger the muscle, the stronger the person. That is why in strength sports there is a division into weight categories. The bigger and more massive the athlete, the stronger he is.

If you are limited in weight gain (a certain weight category) or need an increase in strength without a significant increase in muscle mass, then your option is Trenbolone, Winstrol, Turinabol and Masteron.

These drugs increase strength without significantly increasing muscle mass.

The best steroids for relief[edit | edit code]

Yuzhakov Anton BEST DRUGS AND COURSES FOR DRYING

• Oxandrolone (Anavar)

One of the safest anabolic steroids. The advantages and distinctive features of Anavar are its mild anabolic effect, low toxicity and low androgenic effect. Anavar in recommended doses practically does not disrupt the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and does not require the use of antiestrogens and PCT.

• Stanozolol (Winstrol)

A popular steroid that is used only during cutting. It is not recommended to use Winstrol for weight gain, since, despite the fact that this steroid has the ability to accelerate protein synthesis, it does not have a pronounced effect on muscle mass. Winstrol can be considered a cheap replacement for Anavar. Winstrol is toxic to the liver. It should be noted that the tablet form of the drug is less effective and at the same time more toxic, so it is better to use the injection form. Winstrol increases strength and enhances venous definition.

• Testosterone propionate

One of the testosterone esters, used mainly for drying. The disadvantages are the need for frequent injections, as well as their pain.

• Trenbolone

High affinity for androgen receptors, as well as the ability to increase the level of insulin-like growth factor, allows Trenbolone to be used not only as an anabolic agent for gaining muscle mass, but also for burning fat.

• Drostanolone (Masteron)

An anabolic steroid with a pronounced androgenic effect, therefore it often causes side effects. Used to get relief before competitions. Masteron is similar in properties to dihydrotestosterone; it promotes muscle hardening due to its diuretic effect. This drug is not recommended for amateur athletes to use.

Open voting[edit | edit code]

Vote only if you are familiar with the effects of at least three drugs.

List of steroids for relief

Among the most effective drugs are the following:

1. Testosterone propionate
2. Stanozolol (Winstrol tablets and injections)
3. Trenbolone acetate (Parabolan)
4. Oxandrolone (Anavar)
5. Turinabol
6. Drostanolone propinoate (Masteron)

As you can see, other drugs are already leading here - Testosterone propionate, Winstrol and Trenbolone. These are classic steroids for drying the body in bodybuilding. As a rule, they are taken directly in this bundle, that is, simultaneously.

The peculiarity of such drugs is that they do not retain water in the body, unlike mass-gaining drugs. As a result, the muscles take on a more rigid appearance.

Acne (blackheads)

This is also a very common side effect of steroid use. Anabolic steroids can cause acne or make existing acne worse. Human skin has the ability to destroy androgenic hormones, which are found in it in very small quantities. When exogenous steroids are used, the concentration tends to increase beyond what the skin can handle, allowing bacteria to multiply. When this is combined with increased oiliness of the skin, which is inevitable with steroid use, the situation becomes even more unfavorable.

There may be a genetic predisposition to acne. The extent of acne damage to the skin depends on the androgenicity of the steroids taken. Severe acne on the back, chest, shoulders, neck and face is a sign that some athletes are on a cycle.

The most versatile steroid

If you rank steroids, testosterone will be in first, second and third place in any case.

Any of its esters (propionate, enanthate, cypionate, mixes) has the most powerful effect on the body compared to other types.

The thing is that any anabolic steroid, with any active ingredient, is converted into testosterone in the human body.

When absorbed in the body, an anabolic drug that is not initially testosterone loses some of its working properties. It also increases the load on the organs that perform this transformation (liver and kidneys).

So it turns out that all other steroids are an order of magnitude weaker than testosterone in its pure form. Strength, mass, relief - this drug will be number one everywhere.

Its only drawback is its injection form.

The prospect of injecting yourself on a regular basis discourages many people from using it.

True, they even produce testosterone patches and gels, but they have a very low concentration of the active substance, which is unsuitable for building muscle mass and strength.

The effect of steroids on blood lipoproteins and the heart

Most studies of the effects of anabolic steroids in humans have focused on the risk factor for cardiovascular disease and especially their effects on blood pressure and plasma lipoproteins. In most studies, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not significantly different between steroid users and avoiders. However, during a course of steroid use, total cholesterol levels tend to increase, while high-density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol) drops below normal levels. Low-density lipoprotein (cholesterol) levels fluctuate slightly, rising slightly or remaining the same. An experiment was conducted where ten strength athletes taking steroids were compared with their sports colleagues who did not use steroids. The control group included ten men who did not engage in sports at all. Using electrocardiograms and ultrasound video equipment to measure density, the scientists found that the athletes who used steroids had significantly higher diastolic pressure and greater left ventricular hypertrophy than subjects in the other two groups. This gave reason to conclude that steroids negatively affect the heart muscle and heart function.

There is other evidence that steroids cause structural changes in the heart and reduce ischemic tolerance. An echocardiographic examination of bodybuilders taking anabolic steroids revealed slight hypertrophy of the left ventricle of the heart. Some scientists associate cases of cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction and other cerebrovascular diseases with steroid use. There is compelling evidence that injected steroids are safer than oral steroids.

Side effects from use

People probably know even more about the side effects of taking anabolic steroids than about their benefits. But in fact, this is the same group of drugs as any other.

Synthetic steroids were created for medical use to treat people for a number of diseases.

Like any other medicine, their use may or may not provoke negative reactions in the body.

To minimize the risk of side effects (and maybe even avoid them completely), there are medical recommendations for use that relate to dosages and duration of use.

The problem with bodybuilding is that doses taken here are several times higher than medical ones.

Well, the higher the dosage and duration of the course, the greater the likelihood of developing negative reactions in the body.

The most common side effects from taking steroids include:

1. Increased blood pressure
2. Increased blood viscosity (risk of cardiovascular disease)
3. Additional stress on the liver and kidneys
4. Acne
5. Gynecomastia (breast enlargement)
6. Suppression of the production of your own testosterone
7. Testicular atrophy
8. Premature baldness
9. Negative effects on the psyche (steroid rage)

If you decide to use these drugs, take the issue seriously. Consult your doctor and plan a course with a competent specialist.

The effect of steroids on the male reproductive system

The use of steroids leads to high physiological concentrations of testosterone or its derivatives. The synthesis and release of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone are reduced. Long-term use of high doses of anabolic steroids leads to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with reduced concentrations of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones, as well as testosterone in plasma.

The duration of use, dosage and chemical structure of steroids affect the plasma concentration of gonadotropins. And its slight decrease causes a decrease in sperm production and testicular atrophy. In athletes taking steroids, the number of degenerative sperm increases, which reduces the ability to fertilize. It may take several months for these functions to return after stopping the drug. A well-studied side effect of steroids is the development of female-pattern breasts (gynecomastia).

This is a common side effect of steroid use, and you can always tell who is using or has used steroids by its presence without drug testing. Bill Phillips claims that at least nine Mr. Olympia contestants in recent years have undergone surgery to remove fatty tissue that has accumulated around their nipples. This occurs due to increased circulation of the female sex hormone estrogen in the body. Estrogens estradiol and estrone are formed in men by peripheral aromatization from anabolic steroids. Elevated levels of available estrogen stimulate the proliferation of breast tissue. Breast changes are usually irreversible. Sometimes this is even accompanied by milk secretion!

Some experts associate increased estrogen levels in the body of men who use steroids with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Steroids can affect your sex drive. Although several experiments have shown an increase in sexual desire, cases of erectile dysfunction are becoming more frequent. There is a contradiction here, but it is easy to explain. Sexual desire depends on androgens, but erection does not. Due to an increase in aggressiveness along with an increase in sexual desire, an athlete taking a steroid may commit a sexual crime.

Are there safe anabolic steroids?

There are no completely safe steroids. There are “soft” drugs that were created for the treatment of children and women. Such, for example, as Anavar and Primobolan.

If healthy men take them in medical dosages, there are no side effects at all. But the growth of muscle mass and strength is very weak. The results are comparable to taking sports nutrition supplements (creatine, protein, etc.), and essentially not worth it.

To achieve a pronounced effect from mild drugs, it is necessary to increase the dosage several times compared to medical ones. And this is where the risk of adverse reactions increases.

As for the most effective anabolic steroids for gaining muscle mass and strength, the use of Testosterone, Methane and Deca is a 100% guarantee of side effects to a greater or lesser extent (depending on your luck).

In general, the following pattern is observed: the better the steroid works, the higher the risk of developing negative consequences. And vice versa, the less gain in mass and strength the drug provides, the lower the risks.

Rating of the best steroids[edit | edit code]

Data analysis shows that there are no modern and safe steroids

. Recently, no new drugs have been developed, with the exception of a separate class of SARMs, the effect of which is only being studied. Otherwise, the diversity is due to the fact that different manufacturers give their own trade names, so you always need to evaluate the active ingredient. For example, the well-known methandrostenolone has about 50 different trade names.

This article contains comparative data on the effectiveness and safety of anabolic steroids from open sources. The use of potent drugs is possible only as directed and under the supervision of a medical specialist.

due to the risk of side effects.