In addition, because estered testosterone is dissolved in oil, intravenous injection has the potential to cause a dangerous embolism in the bloodstream. People who use anabolic steroids on a routine basis can have withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking them. Symptoms include having depression, being extremely tired, and having no desire to eat. Teens who misuse steroids are at a significant risk of suffering irreversible side effects, including stunted growth, accelerated puberty changes and abnormal sexual development.
What do anabolic steroids treat?
Women treated with testosterone for breast cancer require monitoring for signs of virilization. Patients on testosterone should be monitored for their response to treatment and adverse effects three to six months after initiation of therapy and then every year, especially for cardiac adverse events. Changes in endogenous testosterone levels may also contribute to differences in myotrophic–androgenic ratio between testosterone and synthetic AAS. AR agonists are antigonadotropic – that is, they dose-dependently suppress gonadal testosterone production and hence reduce systemic testosterone concentrations.
Strong Alternatives to Steroids
Conditions pertaining to hormonal imbalances such as gynecomastia and testicular size reduction may also be caused by AAS. Healthcare providers prescribe them for certain conditions, such as male hypogonadism and certain types of breast cancer. Olympic Team physician John Ziegler worked with synthetic chemists to develop an AAS with reduced androgenic effects. Ziegler’s work resulted in the production of methandrostenolone, which Ciba Pharmaceuticals marketed as Dianabol. The new steroid was approved for use in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration in 1958. The drug’s off-label users were mostly bodybuilders and weight lifters.
Anabolic steroids are used illicitly to increase lean muscle mass and strength; resistance training and a certain diet can enhance these effects. There is no direct evidence that anabolic steroids increase endurance or speed, but substantial anecdotal evidence suggests that athletes taking them can perform more frequent high-intensity workouts. Endogenous androgen is responsible for the growth and development of the sex organs in men and maintaining secondary sex characteristics.
Why do people misuse anabolic steroids?
New York State law bans the sale of dietary supplements containing the stimulent ephedra. Unfortunately, that creates dragon pharma who are determined to win at any cost. And, they may use that determination to justify the use of anabolic steroids, despite evidence that these drugs can inflict irreversible physical harm and have significant side effects. Prevalence of anabolic steroid use is poorly researched, particularly in longevity. Individuals using AAS range from adolescent weight trainers to high level professional athletes and olympians.
