Anabolic Steroids. Are there Alternatives?
Steroids are probably one of the most misunderstood drugs around,full of many misconceptions and exaggerations. Most have not tried it or even know anyone (at least to their knowledge) that has tried them. People fear more what they do not know or understand and the media and politicians,have taken advantage of that for their own gains.
Steroids are much more prevalent than people are aware. They think they will be able to “tell”,but unless you done steroids yourself,it is unlikely you will know for sure if someone else around you is doing it. Usually people who are around someone a lot,won’t notice rapid weight gains as someone who hasn’t seen you in weeks.
The media plays into this hype because they love manipulating the “ignorant masses”and sensationalizing things. Having some past experience with various steroid compounds and spent years studying them,I can help answer some some common questions.
1) Steroids will turn you into a raving lunatic A.K.A “Roid Rage”
This is mostly false. The longer the cycle and the type of drugs used,such as tren or high doses of testosterone,can make this more likely. In general,Steroids will make you slightly more agressive and more confident. They give you a sense of well being and confidence. However,they will not make you an unprovoked angry psycopath that is classic of media propoganda called “roid rage”. I have previously written an article on Roid Rage:Real or Myth?,citing research on the issue to help back my arguments.
2) It causes Suicide/Depression and Sexual problems
When you go on long steroid cycles and your body comes off it,it has completely stopped producing testosterone. You have a hormonal imbalance of low testosterone and high estrogen. This hormone change,causes depression and moodiness postcycle. Men will essentially feel like a 10 year old depressed girl scout off a long steroid cycle. Over multiple steroid cycles,you get used to coming off,but psychology it is hard to deal. When you get off steroids you will feel weaker and less confident. To make matters worse you will probably will have,erectile or libido problems temporarily.
With all these things going on,it is obvious that they could increase the likelihood of suicide or depression,in susceptible individuals. What usually happens though,is people just tough it out for a few weeks and then jump on another cycle. In other words,it becomes a roller coaster of addiction. It is psychological addiction though and not physical. But you can get psychologically addicted to lots of things such as junk food,porn,etc.
Yes,your testes will definitely shrink within a few weeks of cycle. If you were using testosterone steroid,once you get off you will lose your sex drive. In rare cases some people lose their sex drive for many months after a steroid cycle. They have to resort to HCG,in order to “jumpstart”the bodies natural testosterone production.
In the world of performance enhancing drugs,hCG is increasingly used in combination with various Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) cycles.
When AAS are put into a male body,the body’s natural negative feedback loops cause the body to shut down its own production of testosterone via shutdown of the HPTA (hypothalamic pituitary-testicular axis). High levels of AASs that mimic the body’s natural testosterone trigger the hypothalamus to shut down its production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. Without GnRH the pituitary gland stops releasing luteinizing hormone (LH). LH normally travels from the pituitary via the blood stream to the testes where it triggers the production and release of testosterone. Without LH,the testes shut down their production of testosterone,causing testicular atrophy (“shrunken balls”).
In males,hCG mimics LH and helps restore / maintain testosterone production in the testes. As such,hCG is commonly used during and after steroid cycles to maintain and restore testicular size as well as endogenous testosterone production. However,if hCG is used for too long and in too high a dose,the resulting rise in natural testosterone will eventually inhibit its own production via negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary.
Source:Wikipedia
3) Steroids are bad for your heart
This is true. Steroids decrease your HDL while increasing your LDL. HDL is the “good cholesterol”which acts like draino on your arteries for cleaning up plaque buildup. LDL is the “bad cholesterol”which puts cholesterol on your artery. So as you can see long term use of steroids is not a good idea. Short cycles and infrequent use would be best for your health if you choose to use them. The massive weight and water gain also puts pressure on the heart and is not a good thing to be doing frequently over your lifetime. Steroids also increase the harmful protein homocysteine according to this study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) –A new study provides more evidence that long-term use of anabolic steroids can cause heart and blood vessel disease,and may even boost the risk of sudden death.
UK researchers found that bodybuilders who used the muscle-building steroids had increased levels of homocysteine,a protein tied to increased mortality,heart disease risk and blood vessel damage,compared with bodybuilders who didn’t use the performance-enhancing drugs.
Three steroid users died suddenly during the course of the study,and all had homocysteine levels that were higher than the average for steroid-using study participants.
“The findings of this study suggest that anabolic-androgenic steroids are detrimental to cardiovascular health and appear to be implicated in cardiovascular mortality in long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse,”Dr. Michael R. Graham of the University Glamorgan in Pontypridd,Wales and colleagues conclude.
There have been reports suggesting that steroid users face an increased risk of sudden death as well as acute clotting-related health problems such as stroke and heart attack,Graham and his team note.
To determine whether steroid users might have increased homocysteine levels,which could contribute to the risk of heart and blood vessel problems,the researchers measured levels of homocysteine and several other substances in the blood in bodybuilders who had been using steroids for more than 20 years.
They were compared to steroid-using bodybuilders who had abstained from the drugs for three months,bodybuilders who had never used steroids,and sedentary,non-steroid-using men.
Current and past steroid users had higher homocysteine levels than other study participants,as well as “dramatically elevated”levels of hematocrit.
As mentioned,three of the steroid-using bodybuilders died during the study period and all of them had significantly higher levels of homocysteine than the average for the steroid-using group.
Sudden death and acute clotting events “may represent under-appreciated risks”of anabolic steroid use,the team warns.
Source:British Journal Sports Medicine
However Folic Acid and Vitamin B break down homocysteine protein in the body so a simple diet change could help offset that.
Homocysteine levels are strongly influenced by diet,as well as by genetic factors. The dietary components with the greatest effects are folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12. Folic acid and other B vitamins help break down homocysteine in the body. Several studies have found that higher blood levels of B vitamins are related,at least partly,to lower concentrations of homocysteine. Other recent evidence shows that low blood levels of folic acid are linked with a higher risk of fatal coronary heart disease and stroke.
Source:Ammerican Hear Assoc.
There have also been studies showing the permanent thickening of the ventricular wall in steroid users vs natural powerlifters. Although there are questions about that study as it has obvious flaws.
4) Steroids are bad for your liver.
This is true. There is a definite scientific link between steroids and liver damage or liver cancer. However,it is usually exaggerated. First off alchohol or many prescription drugs,are probably just as toxic,if not more,to the liver. It is hard to determine what is caused by a person using alchohol and/or other drugs compared to steroid use in their life.
Secondly,it depends on what type of steroids you use. In the bodybuilding community it is also recommended not to focus on “oral”cycles which use the more dangerous methylated compounds and are much more hard on the liver. Injectables do not use methylated steroids and are taught among reputable bodybuilders to be not only the best mass builders among bodybuilders,but also the safest on your liver.
5) Steroids cause bad acne and hair loss
This is true. Your acne will increase especially cystic acne in your back and chest and face. Acne is related to your hormones and the androgenic nature of steroids cause your cystic acne to increase. If you are really susceptible to cystic acne,you will get many large acne cysts.
Steroids will increase hair loss. The thinning and receding is mainly permanent,so it is best to help prevent it while on cycle. As with acne,the severity of your hair loss will depend on your genetics. Nizoral shampoo 2%,anti dandruff shampoo (with zinc),rogaine,Spiro,are all easy to get and proven to help combat/prevent against thinning “alopecia”for MPB (Male pattern baldness). Prescription drugs such as propecia and duasteride also help against the androgenic side effects,but will only help against testosterone,so it won’t help if your taking Tren and dianabol for example. Propecia and duasteride will also reduce the effectiveness of testosterone since it works on the body’s conversion to DHT,which is very anabolic too
Steroids cause prostate cancer
This is so complex of a topic,that it inspired me to write an indepth article on the issue seperately here. You do not want to miss reading it.
Conclusion
I hope that clears up the many myths about steroids and sets some of the facts. There may be new studies over time that show new evidence contrary to what is said here,but this is what we know today. In the meantime,if you are seeking anabolic steroid-like products for musclebuilding,look into the newest trend in bodybuilding supplements called “legal steroids”. These products are designed using all legal ingredients,but they are potent muscle builders that are getting fantastic reviews all over the internet. “Legal Steroids”are safe,legal and effective.
About the Author
Muscle Labs USA is an industry leader in the advancement,study,and production of Bodybuilding supplements,“Legal Steroids”,Muscular Site Enhancement Oil,Athletic Enhancement Products &Steroid Alternatives. We Specialize in the study &development of Hormonal and Glandular Constituents,Anabolic Cloning ,Molecular Manipululation and ProHormone-Precursor Technology.
Do testostorone blockers affect body hair growth?
To people familiar with HRT*
Alrighty,well,I’ll be starting Spiro in 5 days,and I was wondering is it the SPIRO/anti androgen that slows/gets rid of the body hair,or is it the estrogen,or a combination of both? Will I need to go on the estrogen hormones before I notice any loss in my body hair growth? Because I can’t go on estrogen for 6 months,and I have to shave QUITE a bit of body hair often,which leaves me all pruned up in the shower.
My endo said it would stop the testosterone yatta yatta yatta,but I forgot to ask about the body hair sugas.
Thanks for the info Connor and Clones.
@Connor,yes I am MtF,lol.
@Clones,I’ll be crossing my fingers!
Contrary to what Connor said it CAN happen pretty quickly. I started estrogen in a February and didn’t start Spiro until June that year and it made a big impact on body hair,specifically the legs for me. Instead of shaving being like an industrial mower used on the side of highways,it almost became,dare I say,easy.
Now I have to give a disclaimer this was MY experience,YMMV (your mileage may vary).
Get on estrogen ASAP and the combination SHOULD at least help the body hair situation. Eventually I did some laser on my forearms because I still had more hair than I wanted there. But I didn’t do the laser until after more than 2 years on HRT.
So start the Spiro and cross your fingers. If that doesn’t work start the estrogen and that should at least help. I know people who had fantastic results with body hair reduction from HRT. But if that isn’t you,remember there is always laser if you need it.
Is There Anything That I Can Take To Make My Hair Shedding Stop? Do Any Vitamins,Herbs Or Supplements Help?
I sometimes get emails that ask for advice on “what to take to stop hair shedding.” Specifically,people want to know if there’s a shampoo,pill,herb,essential oil, or vitamin that can stop or diminish their hair shedding. The answer is going to depend on the reason for their shedding in the first place. I’ll elaborate more in the following article.
Can You Take Or Use Something To Stop TE (Telogen Effluvium) Shedding?: That depends on what is the cause of the TE. I’m sure you know this,but telogen effluvium is caused by some abrupt changes in the body (changing medications,illness,giving birth,having surgery,new scalp issues,etc.) In some instances (like pregnancy),you can take biotin and a multi vitamin to support your hair as it is regrowing,but this isn’t going to stop the shedding by itself. Time is just needed for that. Your body will adjust as your hair follicles reset to growing rather than resting –and this will happen in a few weeks or months.
If the TE is caused by a medication,you can likely try something new to see if it is more hair friendly. If you’re suffering from a medical issue,you can work with your doctor to come up with a solution. Very often, effluvium is caused by hormonal fluctuations. I realize it can be tempting to try new birth control pills or bio identical hormones or even things like premarin. But sometimes this backfires. Women who get TE are often hormonally vulnerable,so changing hormones AGAIN may just kick off a new TE. Use caution and go slowly. I think that it is preferable to try topicals or natural herbs first.
Androgen Related Shedding:What Supplements Or Vitamins Help With This?: Genetic thinning or shedding that occurs because DHT or androgens are choking out healthy hair is another story. You need to get this substance off of your scalp before the shedding can slow and regrowth can start. Of course,many people will turn to propecia or spiro because they don’t know what else to do. Again,though,these cause hormonal changes that could cause a worsening shed. You really have to work with your doctor if you’re going to go this route to make sure this is the right treatment at the right time. Again,maybe I’m very conservative,but I prefer topicals first,herbs second,and medications last. Saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol can be applied topically before it is ingested internally. Making internal changes run the risk of more loss. Sure,sometimes you do have to resort to internal treatments,but I believe you should try other things first. I’m certainly not an expert and this is just my opinion.
Scalp / Yeast Issues And Shedding:If you have a scalp or dermatological issue,then you must treat the scalp. There are a lot of natural substances that can help with this including tea tree oil and herbs that reduce or fight candida. Severe dandruff and / or psoriasis can also cause inflammation followed by loss in some instances. Many conventional treatments for this dry the scalp even more and worsen the problem. Often dandruff is tied into sebum which is tied into DHT. So in these cases,it doesn’t hurt to look both at the scalp and at the androgens.
Autoimmune Shedding: When most people think of autoimmune hair loss,they think of AA and patchy loss. But there are several autoimmune conditions that can cause more diffuse patterns. Examples are lupus,rheumatoid arthritis and even some conditions that are thought to have an autoimmune component like interstitial cystitis,Epstein Barr,chronic fatigue,and fibromyalgia. Sometimes a progressive dermatologist will agree to give steroids to try to stop the autoimmune response,but there have been some promising results from an overseas study that concentrated on essential oils. Of course,I am by no means an expert and you should always consult your doctor with any concerns or for diagnosis and treatment.
I hope this article has shown you that what is going to help your hair is going to depend on what is causing the hair loss in the first place. It really does no good to focus on taking biotin if DHT is miniaturizing your follicles in the same way that taking saw palmetto isn’t going to help if you have TE due to a thyroid problem. You must pinpoint the cause first and focus on the treatment second.
How do I know all of this? Because I lived it. In the beginning,I tried to “take something”to stop my shedding,but this backfired in a big way. I eventually learned that I had to look at my triggers first and my treatment second. It was a frustrating journey which all but wrecked my self esteem but I finally found something that helped quite a bit and may hair looks pretty decent now. You can read a very personal story at http://stop-hair-loss-in-women.com/.
About the Author
Ava’s hair loss blog is at http://stop-hair-loss-in-women.com/
