An Introduction to Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids or anabolic--androgenic steroids are drugs that are synthetic analogs of the “male” hormone testosterone. Anabolic steroids were developed almost eighty years ago to aid the development of male sexual characteristics and muscle growth. To date, they are extremely popular with body builders, weight lifters and athletes who want to increase their muscle mass, endurance and strength.

However, anabolic-androgenic steroids have a two pronged effect. While the anabolic affect of these steroids affects the development of strength, endurance and muscle mass, the androgenic one influences characteristics related to sexuality. The former has been known to cause unwanted side effects, especially in women. However, the current version of anabolic steroids in the market today like Dianabol, Winstrol And Deca Durabolin come with slightly different structures than that of the testosterone molecule, so that the anabolic effects like improvement in strength and muscle mass can be availed without going through any severe or noticeable androgenic side effects.

The Benefits Of Using Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids like Winstrol, Dianabol and Deca Durabolin, when combined with the required amount and type of diet and physical activity often have many positive effects on the users. These anabolic steroids increase the body’s ability to use protein, thus helping body builders and athletes to work out extensively without losing muscle weight. They directly increase the body’s ability to build muscle mass and help in increasing endurance and strength. These steroids are also used as an anti inflammatory and for treatment of muscle injuries since they considerably speed recovery time.

Because steroid use in sport is banned, the majority of people who generally use drugs like Dianabol, Deca Durabolin and Winstrol are body builders and non professional health or sports freaks who use them as an aid for building muscles, strength and endurance. These drugs, when combined with the right diet and exercise can greatly help in building muscle mass and converting fat into muscle.

Apart from use in sports and body building, anabolic steroids are also used by doctors for treating patients with delayed puberty and other testosterone related ailments. Anabolic steroids are also used for delaying and preventing wasting of muscle mass in people suffering from AIDS and for treating osteoporosis and anemia.

Anabolic steroids can be taken orally or through injections. They are also used in many creams or gels. Anabolic steroids taken through injections are generally more effective than orally taken ones and have lesser side effects. Often, two or more anabolic steroids like Deca Durabolin ,Dianabol and Winstrol  are used in conjunction with each other to produce better results.  Men who use them for building a muscular physique often do so in cycles where the use of these steroids is stopped for a certain period and then started again in an effort to avoid their side effects.

Side Effects Of Anabolic Steroids

Some of the common androgenic side effects of anabolic steroids are an increased sex drive, shrinkage of the testes and gynecomastia in men and the development of masculine characteristics like a deep voice, facial and body hair, menstrual irregularities, male pattern baldness and enlargement of the clitoris in women.

Some anabolic steroids also cause changes in cholesterol levels and composition and influence blood pressure. Irritability and aggression are also caused by the use of some steroids while acne is a common problem for both genders with the use of most anabolic steroids. In order to avoid severe side effects like liver failure, stunted growth and irreversible male characteristics in women, it is important that these drugs are used based on the advice of a professional.