The truth about anabolic steroids used for bodybuilding

You've probably heard of 'Steroids', right? This word is often heard, especially among gym goers, those who are interested in building their bodies and building muscle quickly. Maybe you've heard a friend of yours talk about them. But do we really know what these 'Anabolic Steroids' are and what they actually do to the body? How many people have used these drugs out of ignorance and ruined their lives? So today, let's talk about this in a simple and straightforward way.

What exactly are anabolic steroids?

Simply put, anabolic steroids are a type of drug that is modeled after the male hormone testosterone , which is naturally produced in our bodies, and is made artificially in laboratories. The full medical name for this is "Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids" (AAS).

• The "Anabolic" part means 'tissue building'. That means mainly muscle building.
• The word "androgenic" means that it belongs to the group of male sex hormones .

This hormone, called testosterone, is the main reason for the development of male characteristics (for example, a deepening voice, beard growth, muscle growth). Women also produce this hormone in small amounts, but men have very high levels of this hormone.

Doctors prescribe anabolic steroids primarily as a treatment for low testosterone levels (male hypogonadism ) . They are also used to stimulate muscle growth in some cancer patients or those who have lost muscle mass due to conditions such as AIDS .

But the problem is not here. Some athletes, bodybuilders, and others misuse these products without medical advice to improve their athletic performance, improve their appearance, and build muscle quickly. This is a very dangerous situation.

These anabolic steroids come in different forms:

• Pills
• Injections
• Creams or topical gels
• Skin patches
• Implantable pellets

Two types of steroids - what's the difference between the two?

This is where many people get confused. When we usually talk about "steroids," we mean a class of drugs called corticosteroids .

• Corticosteroids: These are drugs that are similar to the hormone cortisol, which is produced by our adrenal glands . They are mainly used to reduce inflammation in the body and control the activity of the immune system. For example, Prednisolone, which is used to treat diseases such as asthma and arthritis , belongs to this category.
• Anabolic Steroids: As we discussed earlier, these are drugs that are similar to the hormone testosterone. Their main function is to build muscle.

For what kind of illnesses do doctors recommend these?

Anabolic steroids are a very useful drug that is used for specific medical conditions under the prescription of a doctor. Some of the medical conditions for which they are approved include:

• Testosterone deficiency in men (Male hypogonadism)
• Delayed puberty in boys
• For some types of breast cancer in women
• Endometriosis
• Osteoporosis (bone thinning disease)

In addition, in some cases, doctors may also recommend these for other medical conditions. For example:

• To stimulate the bone marrow of leukemia patients
• For patients with kidney failure
• To regrow muscle and stimulate appetite in patients with muscle wasting due to cancer or AIDS.

How do these affect the body?

These synthetic anabolic steroids, when they enter our bodies, bind to the androgen receptors in the body. To be precise, they begin to behave like the natural hormone testosterone.

This is why when this drug is given to a person with low testosterone, their hormone levels return to normal. Similarly, when this drug is given to a person who has lost muscle mass due to cancer or AIDS, the androgen receptors in the muscles are stimulated, and the size and strength of the muscles begin to increase.

The Dangers of Misuse

This is where the real problem begins. The main reason people misuse anabolic steroids is to gain lean muscle mass quickly .

Imagine, a young kid starts going to the gym. Even after working hard for a few months, he doesn't get the results he expects right away. Then someone like an experienced guy at the gym comes and says, "Dude, try this out. Your body will get really big in a month." That's where this dangerous journey begins.

Using these drugs in high doses without medical advice means that the body is exposed to an unbearable amount of hormones at once. People who misuse them usually take doses that are 10 to 100 times higher than what a doctor would normally recommend. This can lead to very serious, sometimes life-threatening, and even fatal side effects.

The mental condition called Muscle Dysmorphia

This is something we should be aware of. Some people have a mental state where they feel that no matter how muscular and big their body is, it is not enough. When they look in the mirror, they see themselves as very thin and weak. We call this condition Muscle Dysmorphia . People with this mental state are very likely to become addicted to anabolic steroids.

Side effects of misuse of anabolic steroids

Side effects can usually be controlled when taken at the correct dosage under the supervision of a doctor. However, side effects can be very serious when used incorrectly in high doses.

Some of these side effects go away after you stop taking the medication, but some, like deepening of the voice and baldness , remain permanent for life .

Can these be used safely?

The answer to this is, yes, it is possible . But there are conditions.

It is not safe to use these products to change your appearance or improve your athletic performance based on someone else's advice. It will only cause serious harm to your health.

When do you need to see your doctor?

If you are taking anabolic steroids on a doctor's prescription, it is essential to see your doctor at regular intervals to check how the medication is working and if there are any problems.

In addition, talk to your doctor immediately in the following cases:

• If you experience side effects that are difficult to tolerate.
• If your symptoms do not improve or worsen.
• If you feel you need to stop taking this medicine.
• If you feel you are addicted to these medications or are using them without medical advice, don't be afraid or embarrassed to talk to your doctor about it. Ask for help.

Anabolic steroids are not something to play with. They are powerful drugs that can completely change your body's hormone levels and body composition. So, think twice before using them.