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Bob Howard asked:




Bodybuilders generally follow different cycles than other athletes because of their goals. Bodybuilders use steroids for two purposes, to increase muscle mass and decrease bodyfat. Such other factors as endurance, stamina, and strength are secondary and while important for training purposes, play no role on a bodybuilding stage.

Cycling means alternating periods of anabolic steroids use with non-use. But bodybuilders competing at the national and professional levels seldom come off the drugs. For most of these people being “off” the juice just means taking lower amounts. There is rarely a point during the year when the person’s system is clear of the drugs. Generally speaking they stay on heavy amounts of steroids continuously.

Why Cycle?

The primary reason why bodybuilders cycle steroids is to reduce the risk of side effects. It’s well known that the risk of side effects greatly increases with the length of time the person is on the drugs. A short 6 to 8 week cycle will probably not produce any serious medical issues, but most bodybuilders don’t limit themselves to such short cycles. They stay on for months, if not years at a time. It’s not surprising that many of these individuals start suffering side effects.

A second reason for anabolic steroids cycling is to beat drug tests. Bodybuilders and other athletes got a free rise for the first 15 to 20 years of drug use, as a test for steroids wasn’t developed until the mid 1970′s. The first tests were easy to beat but it wasn’t long before the testers had closed the gap. By cycling the drugs between long acting and short acting, bodybuilders can often pass their drug test on contest day.

A third reason for cycling steroids is to increase their effectiveness. Most users report that they made their best gains on their first cycle. This is because their systems were not used to the drugs. But with each additional cycle their steroid receptors become less responsive to the drugs. This is why heavy users stay heavy users – small amounts just don’t produce significant results anymore. This “down regulation” of steroid receptors is one of the primary reasons why the first cycle of steroids is usually the most effective.

The problem with Cycling.

Even though most intelligent bodybuilders realize that cycling is the way to go, it’s not foolproof. Some individuals are very sensitive to the effects of these drugs. Even by alternating periods of usage with non-usage they may still develop medical problems. No one knows exactly how a drug will affect a person’s body until he starts using it. By then it may be too late.

Anabolic Steroids cycling is no longer a guaranteed method for passing a drug test. Tests are becoming more and more sophisticated and many steroids can be traced as far back as 18 months from their last usage. Even some of the short acting, fast clearing oral drugs are being picked up in drug tests. Even if an athlete cycled steroids to beat a drug test and reduce the risk of side effects, the bottom line is that as of 1991, steroid laws have made anabolic steroids illegal substances.

Legal alternatives!

With all the risks associated with steroids, bodybuilders should check out the various legal steroid analogs that are available. Users report that many of these products are just as powerful and as effective at increasing muscle size as their illegal and potentially dangerous cousins.

Michael Carroll asked:




Steroid injection represents a useful tool in the management of chronic shoulder pain. If a doctor deems steroid injections to be of use to the patient, they will typically use a lateral approach to inject the subchromial space, particularly with rotator cuff problems. At different times, the doctor may use an anterior approach or a posterior approach to actually put steroid into the shoulder joint. To conduct these straight injections would be less common though. Ideally, steroids should be thought of as providing temporary relief and when used appropriately, and in conjunction with physical therapy, should serve as a sort of Band-Aid for the shoulder pain. In this way, steroids will give people a temporary period of time in which physical therapy can really start working. This is primarily because the steroid is a very effective anti-inflammatory, and for a short period of time will relieve pain enough to conduct therapy.

Steroids have multiple actions. They act as anti-inflammatory, and therefore, frequently will reduce pain in an area with inflammation. Also, and essentially a side effect is that, they will cause destruction of protein. Certainly steroid injections do risk complications, and it is possible to get too many steroid injections into a shoulder. Recently, there has been research to suggest that if someone were to get more than 3 steroid injections into the shoulder, it could make the subsequent rotator cuff repair surgery more difficult.

When it comes to making a decision with regards to the use of steroid injections, one should consider that they are a beneficial tool when used appropriately. When used in conjunction with physical therapy, they can be a very effective tool in alleviating shoulder pain. Further, the doctor will perform the steroid injection under sterile conditions as to not introduce germs into the joint space, which further decreases the chance that a problem will arise. This all means that one should not be excessively concerned when a doctor suggests the use of steroid injections, especially when one considers that steroids are actually produced by the body in small amounts.

The steroids injected into the joint are generally safe and do not have systemic side affects unlike steroid pills. For those concerned, steroid injections typically will not increase blood sugar levels to a significant degree. Possible side affects/adverse affects of shoulder steroid injection would include an infection, bleeding into the joint if the needle goes through a significant blood vessel, skin can ulcerate if too much steroid is injected closely underneath the skin. Also there can be fat trephine under the skin and essentially leaving a dent in the contour of where the steroid was injected. Additionally, there can be tendon rupture and overall weakening of the structure receiving the steroid.

Erin Raad asked:




Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that relate to the way the male sex hormones operate. Steroids work to promote growth of skeletal muscle and the development of male sexual characteristics in both males and females. It is thought that is was during the 1930′s that scientists discovered that anabolic steroids could in fact promote growth of the skeletal muscle and this unfortunately led to the abuse of the steroid supplements firstly by body builders and weightlifters and later by other athletes in a variety of different sports. It has got to the point now that steroid abuse is so widespread in athletics that it can affect the outcome of some competitions and more and more athletes are being disqualified for use of illicit supplements.

Prohormones are similar in structure, completely natural and have some functional differences that make them “safer” as oral agents. Although they can’t get to the crazy levels that steroids can, the can reach “sane” levels of androgen boosting. One study using 5-DHEA has it boosting testosterone levels as high as roughly 500mg of testosterone injections per week! You can’t just buy off the shelf 5-DHEA though and expect these kinds of results. Also, they are not conclusive, but do give some insight on how much can be done with true prohormones. Prohormones need enzymes to make them active and that rate limiting factor is what may allow them to actually be safer. Also, typical REAL prohormones (not the grey market steroids) do not carry any liver stressing agents. Real prohormones that are legal by DSHEA standards do not contain the 17aMethyl group that causes the liver stress. If you see this in the formula, stay away. The industry has gotten away from responsible manufacturers to ones that have no idea what they are doing and are making very ugly cocktails that throw caution to the wind.

One of the main reasons that people become involved in abusing steroids is that they can see the impact it has on their body and the improvement it has on their athletic performance. In recent years experts have put in place stringent methods to deter steroid abuse in athletics, however there are some new designer drugs that can escape detection so the problem is not dealt with. Still, the people using steroids and prohormones are shown to not be athletes or school kids, but adults that have college degrees and who want to look and feel their best. The environment is filled with estrogens like the alarming BPA or Bisphenol A, which is in most pop bottles and plastics. BPA can act like estrogen in the body, throwing off your normal balance. In this case, prohormones and steroids can benefit people. Also, one of the main “fears” which is prostate cancer, seems to be more about estrogen, than androgens like testosterone. Compared to the xeno-estrogens in the environment, I personally see no reason to not take things like prohormones to bring the body back into balance.

A lot of people dabble in steroids in order to increase their muscle size or to reduce the amount of body fat they have. Even though steroids are effective at improving performance and enhancing muscle mass they do not come without problems. Oral anabolic steroids can have seriously profound effects on the various organs of the human body. The severity of the damage caused to the body depends on the kind of drug that has been consumed, the amount and the duration for which the steroids have been used. It is thought that injectable steroids have lesser adverse effects compare to oral drugs due to the 17aMethyl functional group.

The liver can become damaged if oral anabolic steroids are consumed and consumption may result in cysts, fibrosis, benign and malign tumours and generally cause the liver to deteriorate at a faster pace than usually expected. If the liver is exposed to high levels of oral steroids stressing agents can be released. Only the oral steroids with the 17a Methyl group have this issue and only then if the products are abused. Still, with the morons creating these cocktails, it is absolutely essential to skip these 17aMethyl variants both for scheduled and unscheduled variants. Also, it is important to not drink or abuse other drugs when taking illegal oral steroids. True natural prohormones don’t have these side effects, except for potentially temporarily shutting down your natural LH production which can reduce your natural testosterone production. Since you are supplementing with outside androgens, this isn’t an issue while “on cycle”. People tend to take things like Nolvedex and Arimidex on the black market or take agents like 3-Beta-Hydroxy-Urs-12-En-28-Oic Acid and 2-Phenyl-Di-Benzyl-Benzopyran-4-One available as natural supplements. These in addition to things like ellagic acid and resveratrol, may help your recovery happen more quickly, but either way it will happen on its own.

Anabolic steroids are closely linked to male hormones such as testosterone, if the drugs are abused the male reproduction system is at risk of damage. Long-term exposure can cause the intensity of male hormones such as LH and FSH can be dramatically reduced and a person could even suffer from male breast development. This however has shown to recover in a decent amount of time on its own. Prohormones are similar, but again don’t have the liver stressing agents. Products like Methyl 1-D from LG Sciences may counter act these effects with the inclusion of anti-aromatase agents and estrogen blockers, making it one of the few products to meet my criteria for a valid formula.

Women who take anabolic steroids are also at risk of damage as it can affect the levels of oestrogen and progesterone hormones which in turn can result in a disturbed menstrual cycle. Taking steroids can even result in acne, hair loss, facial hair and breast reduction in women. If women are going to take them, they are better off with nandrolone derivatives like 19NorDHEA. This is because the main virulizing aspect, the conversion to DHT is absent and replaced by the more benign DHN.

Those who take oral steroids increase the risk that blood clots will form in blood vessels and the drugs can potentially disrupt the blood flow around the body. This can have a serious effect on the heart so much so that it will not be able to pump blood around the body in addition to having the potential to raise cholesterol. It is important to get yourself checked out before you use any legal or illegal hormone to ensure you don’t have a preexisting condition. Also, it doesn’t hurt to take some support supplements like CoQ10, Hawthorn Berry, Fish Oil and N-Acetyl-Cystine. Prohormones like Methyl 1-D already have some of these aspects built in, but additional supplements are always a good idea.

Steroids are illegal in the US and on a Schedule III Controlled substance list. Selling or carrying these agents can have a stiff fine. True prohormones like Methyl 1D are exempt from these lists and enjoy that due to their relative safety. Also, true prohormones should satisfy DSHEA which is the FDA law. Very few products meet this criteria and anything with a 17aMethyl is immediately in violation of DSHEA.

If you want the best balance of hormones for your body, check out Methyl 1-D by LG Sciences, it has a host of nutrients that should help increase conversion and reduce side effects. Of course, the science is preliminary and can not be considered conclusive and the results are always dependant on proper diet and exercise. Additionally this article does not constitute medical advise and always check with your doctor before starting any diet and exercise program in conjunction with supplements. Used properly, I believe Methyl 1-D to be a safe alternative to illegal steroids, but should only be used be people over 21.

Bob Howard asked:




Dianabol – (generic name – Methandrostenolone) is a very popular steroid

In a manner of speaking Dianabol (D-bol) can be considered the grandfather of all anabolic steroids, and most bodybuilders who have used steroids got their first start with D-bol. The drug was originally formulated by Dr John Ziegler and released by the Ciba Corporation in the late 1950′s. Dr Ziegler developed the steroid after talking to some Russian weightlifting coaches after the Russian weightlifters suddenly started dominating the sport in the early 1950′s.

Methandrostenolone was all the rage in gyms during the 1970′s. In fact numerous stories are still told of the little blue tablets being sold at the main counters of the bigger bodybuilding gyms. D-bol is probably the most popular steroid ever created and most pro bodybuilders, who are willing to talk, have admitted to using it in their cycles.

The popularity of Dianabol was ironically the key to its downfall. During the 1980′s, Ciba discontinued the original D-bol when the FDA decided that its therapeutic uses were minimal compared to the rampant use by bodybuilders and the dosages that some bodybuilders were taking. But generic methandrostenolone has never been out of production. It’s reported that the Russians became quite fond of D-bol and Russian D-bol is now one of the popular versions of the drug on the black-market.

Why so popular?

Methandrostenolone is without a doubt one of the most effective steroids for bodybuilders and other athletes trying to pack on the most amount of muscle mass in the shortest time possible. Users routinely report muscular body weight gains of 2 to 4 pounds a week. Among the drugs much desired effects are

* promotes drastic increase in protein synthesis

* enhances glycogenolysis (restores glycogen stores after exercise)

* stimulates strength gains in a very direct and fast-acting way.

The drug is not recommended for those in aerobic events, as there is some evidence to suggest that it may diminish cell respiration. D-bol is often used at the beginning of cycles that also contain injectables since the effects produced by injectables usually take 10-15 days to first be observed. But the effects of methandrostenolone are virtually immediate.

Side Effects?

As steroids go, Dianabol has a rather weak androgenic component and a very strong and visible anabolic component. This means that the drug has less depressive effects on natural testosterone levels than some of the more androgenic steroids. This means that one worry users of D-bol, especially in the short term, needn’t fear is the dramatic shutdown of natural hormone production. Of course like most side effects the degree of testosterone shutdown is dose-dependent. But rest assured methandrostenolone still has mild androgenic effects and in high doses (30-40+ mg daily) such androgen-related side effects as acne, male pattern hair loss, and aggression, may be noticed.

Like many oral steroids D-bol is 17-carbon methylated to reduce its breakdown by the digestive system and liver. Of course this chemical modification brings with it a certain degree of toxicity. For this reason users shouldn’t stay on the drug for more than 6 to 8 weeks at a stretch. And even then only under supervision of a medical professional who can monitor your liver values.

Although popular as an off-season mass-building drug, Dianabol is rarely used in pre-contest drug cycles. This is because it heavily aromatizes to estrogen making fat loss difficult. The drug is also known to cause a great deal of fluid retention – another property that makes it unpopular as a contest drug. To get around this bodybuilders usually stack it with other steroids such as nandrolone or one of the testosterones (i.e., propionate).

The average dosage used by bodybuilders is around 15-40mg/day (three to eight, 5mg tablets). Beginners do not need more than 15-20mg per day since their steroid receptors have not been exposed to the drug before and will experience dramatic results using small dosages over a 6 to 8 week period. When the effects begin to slow down (mostly because the steroid receptors have become saturated), and the individual wants to continue the cycle, the dosage should NOT be increased. Instead an injectable such as Deca-Durabolin or Primabolan-Depot may be added to the cycle.
Beware of the long arm of the law!

As of 1991 anabolic steroids and their derivatives are classified as controlled substances in the United States. Many other countries have passed similar legislation. Please read up on and become knowledgeable about your state’s or country’s steroid laws.

Nick Delgado PhD. asked:




Solutions for testosterone replacement therapy, includes injection, patches, pellets, orally -modified tablets, and/or creams. Gels, creams (and yes, natural herbs like DIM and Avena Sativa) can lower estrogen and release free testosterone, mimicking the body’s needs at proper low dosages,

Because of this, cycling on and off, becomes almost unnecessary, when using these products. Testosterone injections (T-Cypionate, T-Enanthate, T-Propionate, and T-Sustanon) while commonly used in deficiency, may not be the best way to take testosterone for therapeutic reasons. Injections produce a large increase in blood T levels, for days 1-3, but after 7 days the decline can be quite rapid, even with a depot injection.

Many physicians in the past had generally administered one 200- 300 mg. dose of T every 21 days, but actually a 50 mg dose twice a week is more efficient therapeutically. Assuming all “other” systems are a go (which is to say, you have normal cholesterol, blood pressure, normal resting EKG and no signs of prostate problems), I, and many physicians, feel the best way to take testosterone, is via a cream, gel, or patch, with 50 to 100 mg per gram for men, and 1 to 6 milligrams per gram for women, if needed. The gel or cream can be compounded by a pharmacist with an absorption level approaching 15 to 30%. So the average absorption of 100 to 150 mg a week can be as effective as injection for many men. Ron Rothenberg MD, UC San Diego Professor, says that around half the men he sees for anti-aging use gel, or injection IM, and less than 10% use HCG to stimulate their own production of testosterone (HCG works best in men under age 50), and 5% use pellets (surgically implanted). I believe that a combination of these therapies will meet the most demanding man’s needs.

For example, creams yield more DHT which makes a man feel sexual and get erections with ease. The injections help to firm up the body with better muscle density and less estrogen conversion. The HCG tends to assist in the cosmetic issue of testicle size, because it increases the man’s own production of testosterone.

Testosterone used properly with knowledge of estrogen metabolism can actually improve prostate health. Studies are showing those with higher testosterone have lower rates of prostate cancer, those with higher estrogens have higher risk of prostate cancer. Testosterone can improve diabetes and strengthen arteries to reduce cholesterol and associated heart problems. The journal Neurology, implicates low testosterone levels in men with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Another disadvantage of high dose testosterone injections (beside too much flux in steady T blood value), is that this practice, done too often, can increase the thickness of your blood (viscosity) because your hematocrit (measure of red blood cell count) and hemoglobin (the molecule that carries oxygen in the red blood cell) both increase.

“Synthetic Roids”

Reports are (believe it or not) some pro physique competitors are using upwards of 2,000-4,000 mg. of Testosterone every week.
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This is of course quite dangerous. Such an individual could hopefully decrease the risk from what could happen (stroke or heart attack),with a blood donation, once or twice a year. To further offset problems these men should work out very hard and do aerobics for coronary flow and eat very low Trans fat. They should not drink alcohol or smoke. Moreover, they are going to have enormous shrinkage of their own testes and an acutely and chronically depressed pituitary-testicle loop, such that, if and when they discontinue said dosages, it may be a very long time (if ever again), that they will produce normal counts of sperm, that have proper motility and viscosity, sufficient to be able to cause conception. In other words your swimmer’s sink. Not only that, but your “boat” is unlikely to float, for a long time,
Now it should be noted that impotence is separate from sterility.

Impotency has been known to occur with the use of synthetic- Deca Durabolin, because it is chemically different than natural testosterone, and may leave chemicals in the body that are unnatural and counter productive to sexual function and good health. The oral steroid known as oxymethelone (one trade name is Anadrol-50), was developed specifically for Fanconi’s anemia. Colloquially, anemia is “iron-poor blood” due to low RBC count. Using Testosterone creams will negate increases in viscosity, since there’s rarely, any significant increase in RBC count. Overuse of synthetic testosterone (injected or some taken orally), or metabolically-produced excesses, can create excess estrogen in the male. In tissues sensitive to the process of estrogen conversion and deposition, it can manifest as localized and hardened fat deposits. One such condition is known gynecomastia. There are some drugs used to deal with this, but once the tissue significantly forms and hardens, surgery is the most likely solution.

asked:


Im doing a research paper on anabolic steroids. i need a good first sentence, attention getter sorta thing. please help me & if you know anything about steroids please tell me

Robin Brain asked:




Taking steroids for muscle building has become almost a fashion. Every next person found of bodybuilding prefers to rely on steroids. These steroids are over the counter products easily available in the market. They come in the category of artificial hormones and are also known as anabolic steroids. They help increase the protein synthesis in the human body. It results in building cellular tissues particularly in muscles. That is why sports persons and bodybuilders love to take it to build muscles and enhance physical strength.

Legality of a steroid depends on the purpose for which it is being used. These are used for medicinal purposes also. If it is prescribed by a doctor for medical purposes, it is construed to be legal use of steroids. Use of steroids by bodybuilders and sportspersons to enhance their performance is called illegal. The steroids taken on the event of sports quickly helps gain body mass. It makes body stronger. But there is a downside to this aspect. The side effects of these steroids are very harmful. There are many health risks involved in taking steroids. It increases the bad cholesterol level in the body. It also raises blood pressure level. Its effects on heart are very dangerous. It may even damage the liver. Some of these health effects may be mitigated but some may prove to be fatal.

That is why they are kept in the category of restricted medicines. That is how these steroids are called illegal or legal steroids. Legal status of the steroids varies from state to state. In some states there is a strict control on the possession and sale of steroids. In America steroids come in the category of controlled substance whose possession without prescription is an offence and therefore punishable crime. Most of the international sports institutions have banned the use of steroids by sportspersons. But all the steroids have not been declared illegal.

Some steroids are legal and there are least side effects involved in taking these steroids. For example Hooded diet pills are said to have little side effects. On the other hand it helps raise the testosterone level to a considerable extent. But it is not easy to find out legal steroids. All the manufacturers claim their product to be legal. The labels on these products promise to build muscles within a short period of time. So it is advisable to consult a doctor before a doctor before using a steroid. Being a medical specialist he can better advice the pros and cons of the steroids. So be careful before you try out steroids for bodybuilding.

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