While some athletes may choose to use anabolic steroids to potentially increase muscle size and performance, testosterone is the primary anabolic steroid produced naturally by your body.
You've probably heard about athletes and bodybuilders abusing anabolic steroids illegally, as well as the ensuing scandals in track and field and the Olympics.
Doctors, on the other hand, prescribe anabolic steroids to treat medical conditions such as low testosterone. What's the distinction between the two?
What are steroids?
They have an impact on many different parts of your body, including your muscles, hair follicles, bones, liver, kidneys, reproductive, and nervous systems.
This hormone is produced naturally by humans.
Its levels rise in men during puberty, promoting the development of male sex characteristics such as body hair growth, a deeper voice, sex drive, and increased height and muscle mass.
Though testosterone is traditionally thought to be a male hormone, women produce it as well, albeit in much smaller amounts. It has several benefits for women, the most important of which is that it promotes bone density and a healthy libido.
Normal testosterone levels in men range from 300–1,000 ng/dL and in women from 15–70 ng/dL. Steroid use raises levels of this hormone, resulting in effects such as increased muscle mass and strength.
Anabolic steroids are mostly known in popular culture through sports—some athletes and bodybuilders have used them to build muscle, increase endurance, or improve athletic ability, despite the fact that they are an illegal performance-enhancing drug. However, some anabolics have several medical applications and are legal with a doctor's prescription.
In the 1930s, anabolic steroids were developed to treat hypogonadism, or low testosterone. The full name of the drug is "anabolic-androgenic steroids," with "anabolic" referring to muscle building and "androgenic" referring to male sex characteristics.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, anabolic steroids are frequently abused, with users frequently taking doses 10 to 100 times higher than those approved for medical use (NIH, 2018).
Medical steroid use, on the other hand, can help treat a variety of conditions. Corticosteroids (such as prednisone) are used to treat inflammatory conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and eczema. Anabolic steroids are not the same as corticosteroids.
Main uses and potential benefits
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of steroids is their use in bodybuilding to promote muscle gain. While this is a common application, steroids are used for a variety of other purposes as well.
The following are the primary potential benefits of anabolic steroids:
- Reduced body fat percentage
- Increased production of red blood cells
- Increased muscle power and strength
- Improved recovery from workouts and injuries
- Increases in muscle tissue as a result of increased protein synthesis
- Enhanced bone mineral density
- Improved muscle endurance
These potential effects could benefit a variety of people.
Athletes who want to improve their speed and power output
While advanced strength and conditioning exercises, as well as proper nutrition, can help, some athletes go a step further by using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
AAS are one of the most commonly used PEDs among athletes. They have been shown to increase muscle mass, resulting in increased speed and power output.
Athletes who use AAS can expect to gain 5–20 percent more strength and 4.5–11 pounds (2–5 kg) more weight, which may be due to an increase in lean body mass.
To avoid detection, steroid dosing in competitive sports is typically conservative. Muscle mass isn't as important in this case because it's used more for recovery and increased power output.
Although most sporting federations prohibit AAS, some athletes believe the risk of being caught outweighs the benefits.
Strengthen athletes who want to gain muscle mass and strength
Muscle strength, size, and power are all directly related to overall performance in these sports.
While the goal of bodybuilding is to have the most muscle mass in a given category, strength and muscle size are closely related, though other factors also come into play.
Because many federations do not test for these and other substances, AAS dosing in strength sports is more liberal. While higher doses may produce more potent effects, the risk of side effects increases as well.
Many users in this category also employ a strategy known as "stacking," which is a slang term for combining different types of AAS. Other synthetic hormones, such as growth hormone and insulin, are used by some athletes.
Those suffering from muscle-wasting diseases
Muscle mass loss has been linked to mortality in these diseases, and preventing it can improve therapeutic outcomes and lengthen life.
While AAS use is not the only way to preserve muscle mass, it may be beneficial in these populations. However, potential side effects must be considered.
Possible side effects of Anabolic-androgenic steroids
Individual genetics also influence how you react to AAS.
The anabolic-to-androgenic ratio varies between AAS types, which may influence adverse reactions. Anabolic refers to properties that promote muscle growth, whereas androgenic refers to the promotion of male sex traits.
The following are the most common side effects of AAS use:
Heart disease risk is increased. When combined with resistance exercise, AAS can increase the size of your heart's left ventricle as well as your blood pressure. This may increase your chances of developing heart disease and dying as a result.
Can lead to more aggressive behavior. In male teenagers and adults, steroid use has been linked to increased aggression and impulsivity.
Can have an effect on body image. The diagnostic manual for mental disorders classifies AAS use and dependence as a body image disorder.
Can harm the liver. AAS, particularly those taken orally, have been linked to an increased risk of liver dysfunction.
Gynecomastia may occur. Gynecomastia, defined as swollen male breast tissue caused by a hormonal imbalance, can occur when you stop taking AAS.
Testosterone production is reduced. Steroid use is linked to hypogonadism, which is characterized by testicular shrinkage and decreased function.
Can result in infertility. Steroid use may result in infertility due to its ability to reduce sperm production.
It has the potential to cause male pattern baldness. AAS's androgenic effects may cause or exacerbate male pattern baldness. This effect may differ depending on the drug used.
Side Effects for Women
While the aforementioned side effects can occur in both men and women, women should be aware of a few more, including:
- Voice deepening
- Changes in facial appearance and hair growth
- Clitoris enlargement
- Menstrual cycles that are irregular
- Reduced breast size
- Infertility
Other side effects and consequences of anabolic steroid use include:
- Blood pressure is too high
- Abrasive behavior
- Growth has been stifled
- Tendinitis and tendon rupture are more likely.
- HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) has been reduced
Are anabolic steroids and testosterone the same thing?
Testosterone is a hormone that is naturally produced by men's testes and works to stimulate the development of male characteristics. Because this primary hormone plays so many important roles, men with low testosterone levels, known as hypogonadism, may benefit from taking a natural testosterone booster supplement or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Athletes may use anabolic steroids in the hopes of improving performance and/or muscle strength. Although some of these anabolic steroids contain testosterone or synthetic testosterone modifications, they do not compare to TRT.
TRT entails regular medical monitoring and aims to restore testosterone levels to a 'normal' level - anabolic steroids are frequently used in much higher doses with the primary goal of building muscle.
It should be noted that testosterone should never be used to improve athletic performance.
Also Read: Best Testosterone Steroid For 2022: 6 Science-backed Testosterone Steroids
In conclusion
Testosterone is the most important male sex hormone. It is mainly produced by the testicles in men and ovaries in women.
Testosterone helps maintain muscle mass, increase the number of calories you burn and may keep you motivated to stay physically active — all of which are associated with a lower risk of weight gain and obesity.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) on the other hand, are a type of testosterone that is synthesized and used to increase muscle mass and strength.
While the health risks vary depending on the type and amount consumed, they can be hazardous and cause side effects at any dose. Furthermore, they are illegal in the majority of places.
Using AAS is a serious decision, and the risks usually outweigh the benefits.
It's best to avoid experimenting with illegal anabolic steroids. Only take them if a doctor has prescribed them, and only use them as directed.
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