Steroids Side Effects

Steroids Side Effects Effects of Steroids Side Effects of Steroids

Steroid Side Effects

There are numerous possible anabolic steroid side-effects, and there are even a few that are absolutely guaranteed. While true, what you may find surprising is that safe supplementation is possible; not only is safe supplementation possible, safe and successful supplementation can be achieved. Of course, you may be asking, how is this possible; after all, from the general standard perception this would seem like an impossibility. First and foremost is education; if you actually understand the hormones you’re using, how they function and react this is an excellent place to start. Through this educational process, part of it most certainly includes understanding the side-effects; what causes them, and of course, what we can do to combat them. Yes, they can be combated; in-fact, in many cases, anabolic steroid side-effects can be avoided, but there is a criterion you must meet. With this in mind, let’s discover the criteria, and then dive into the steroid side-effects, and see if we can’t achieve a successful supplementation experience.

The Criteria

If you’re going to safely and successfully supplement with anabolic androgenic steroids, you must be a healthy adult; healthy adult men will have even greater success. Anabolic steroidal supplementation is not meant for adolescents; such supplementation is tremendously damaging to a developing androgen system; so damaging it’s often irreversible. Further, there is strong evidence adolescent supplementation may stunt growth and development by prematurely closing growth plates; not to mention the horrific effect it can have on a fragile mind. Adolescents simply cannot handle a large influx of hormones, and then have them pulled away; it’s more than their bodies can handle, and it can often lead to severe cases of depression. Once again, healthy adults only, and if anabolic steroid side-effects are to be avoided this means you do not suffer from high blood pressure or cholesterol, your liver is in good health, and if you’re a man you do not suffer from an enlarged prostate. Further, severe heart conditions or any condition revolving around any major organ will necessarily be a reason to avoid supplementation; when we say a healthy adult we truly mean it.

Crucial Understanding

If you meet the standard criteria, then and only then can you consider supplementation, but there is another crucial factor you need to understand. If you supplement responsibly, the odds of safe and successful supplementation is strongly in your favor; however, there are exceptions. We are all unique individuals; in many ways we’re all the same, but we can all react to certain things a little differently. Thankfully, anabolic androgenic steroids are not foreign substances to the body; they are hormones you’ve been producing your entire life, but some of them are structurally altered to meet a desired end. As this is the case, we will all experience varying levels of toleration to an extent, and this means steroid side-effects may occur in some even with proper use. This is not some sort of steroidal phenomena, it is a concept that holds true with all things in life; think about it. Most of us can use any over the counter medication we want, but there are those who will get sick if they touch the first Aspirin. Then there are dairy products; most of us can drink milk, eat cheese or ice cream or any dairy product we desire, but some of us are lactose intolerant and cannot even think about milk without getting sick. The point, we are all unique on some level, and this concept must be accepted with all things in life, and that includes anabolic steroid supplementation.

Actual Steroid Side Effects

When anabolic steroid side-effects are discussed, often impossible claims are made, but they’re rarely questioned. While a lack of questioning may seem ridiculous, and it is, for some reason it has been largely accepted. With this in mind, we want to look at the actual anabolic steroid side-effects, things that can actually happen; nothing less and nothing more.  As eluded to, most of these effects can be avoided, and the ones that cannot can be combated; in-fact, they can normally be combated in a way that makes them inconsequential when proper practices are followed. With this in mind, below we have listed all the anabolic steroid side-effects; each and every one. Of course, just because it’s on the list doesn’t mean you will fall prey, these are merely the possibilities; of course, there are a few that are guaranteed and those are made known when such is the case.

• Acne - generally only a concern for those who are already sensitive to acne and will most commonly be caused by the use of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derived steroids; can also be caused by testosterone based steroids due to large conversions of DHT. Further, if a product is dirty or contaminated with bacteria, this will present a risk to anyone sensitive or not.
  
  Solution – only supplement with clean and pure products, and always keep your skin clean and dry at all times. Take an extra shower if needed, and always change into a clean dry shirt after becoming sweaty. If you are truly sensitive, you may have to avoid DHT derived anabolic steroids.

• Anxiety – largely due to a poor genetic response to specific anabolic steroids, but can also be due to extremely high doses of specific compounds. Generally, this is a side-effect that is only possible with the Trenbolone hormone, but there can be rare exceptions.
  
  Solution – supplement with responsible doses and avoid anabolic steroids that cause this effect; this one is fairly simple and obvious.

• Enlarged Prostate – due to massive buildups of DHT; as such, DHT steroids will be the prime culprit, but due to the possible testosterone to DHT conversion some men may be more sensitive; especially if there are underlying issues.
  
  Solution – you must have a healthy prostate before supplementation is considered, and if you are going to use DHT steroids you must not supplement indefinitely, or with massive doses, or you will be at a tremendous risk. If prostate enlargement occurs for any reason,  the synthetic 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor Finasteride can be useful; 6 months of Finasteride will reduce enlargement significantly; in many cases, completely.

• Gynecomastia – most commonly due to the use of aromatizing steroids; aromatase referring to a conversion of testosterone into estrogen; estrogen is a precursor to testosterone. As estrogen levels rise, the hormone can attach to the receptors and cause gynecomastia (male-breast enlargement). Progestin based steroids can also be a risk; especially in men who are sensitive. Of course, steroids that are progestin based and aromatize such as Nandrolone compounds will present a significant risk for any man.
  
  Solution – supplement with an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) such as Anastrozole (Arimidex) or Letrozole (Femara). AI’s actively inhibit the aromatase process from occurring, decrease the body’s estrogen levels and will even fight off progesterone based gynecomastia. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) can also be used to combat this condition when aromatizing steroids are at play; however, they’re not always enough. SERM’s like Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex) will bind to the receptors in the place of estrogen, but they will not inhibit aromatase, reduce estrogen levels, combat against progesterone or other aromatase based side-effects; AI’s truly are the answer.

• Hair-Loss – due to a DHT buildup in men who are predisposed to male-pattern baldness; obviously, this means DHT steroids are the prime culprits. If you are not predisposed to male-pattern baldness, you will not lose the first hair on your head.
  
  Solution – if you are predisposed to male-pattern baldness and concerned about your hair-line, you’ll want to avoid DHT based steroids. Further, the use of the synthetic 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor Finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) can afford protection as it is a potent androgen suppressor; however, this same suppression will also make caution advised or you can really throw your hormone levels out of line.

• High Blood Pressure – largely dose dependent and often based on our genetic response to a particular hormone; excess estrogen due to aromatase can also have a negative effect. Further, those who are genetically predisposed to high blood pressure will have to exercise more caution; if you already have high blood pressure, you should not supplement.
  
  Solution – supplement responsibly; proper doses for proper periods of use and use an AI as this can help if aromatase is part of the issue. Beyond this, living a healthy lifestyle will bring more protection than anything else, and this includes not only your diet but all activity. Consume a healthy diet; avoid alcohol and tobacco products or anything else that might be damaging to your health. Do these things, and most people will be fine.

• High Cholesterol (LDL) – largely dose dependent and often based on our genetic response to a particular hormone; excess estrogen due to aromatase can also have a negative effects. Further, those who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol will have to exercise more caution; if you already have high cholesterol, you should not supplement.
  
  Solution – supplement responsibly; proper doses for proper periods of use and use an AI as this can help if aromatase is part of the issue. Beyond this, living a healthy lifestyle will bring more protection than anything else, and this includes not only your diet but all activity. Consume a healthy diet; avoid alcohol and tobacco products or anything else that might be damaging to your health. Do these things, and most people will be fine.

• HDL Cholesterol Reduction – due to the use of testosterone based steroids or those that carry a progestin nature most commonly; can also be caused by some DHT compounds; as you can see, most steroids can have a negative effect.
  
  Solution - a healthy diet will protect you, and this means a diet that is rich in omega fatty acids and anything else that has been shown to have a positive effect on HDL levels. Further, by doing so, you will protect your LDL levels even more, as HDL cholesterol plays strong regulation role in-regards to LDL.

• Insomnia – largely due to a poor genetic response to specific anabolic steroids, but can also be due to extremely high doses of specific compounds. Generally, this is a side-effect that is only possible with the Trenbolone hormone, but there can be rare exceptions.
  
  Solution – supplement with responsible doses and avoid anabolic steroids that cause this effect; this one is fairly simple and obvious.

• Liver Toxicity – due to the use of C17-alpha alkylated (C17-aa) anabolic steroids. These are anabolic steroids that have been altered at the 17^th carbon position in-order for them to survive the first pass through the liver, but it also causes them to carry a hepatotoxic nature. Most oral anabolic steroids carry the C17-aa nature, with the exception of oral Methenolone (Primobolan) and Mesterolone (Proviron); injectable Stanozolol (Winstrol) is also a C17-aa steroid. In any case, the hepatotoxic nature will vary tremendously from one C17-aa steroid to the next, but with use your liver enzyme levels will increase.
  
  Solution – supplementing with responsible doses and not exceeding recommended time frames of use is huge, but there are notes of protection. First and foremost, your liver must be in a good state of health if a C17-aa steroid is to be considered, and if it is there are a few things you’ll need to hold to. With C17-aa use, you must avoid all Over the Counter (OTC) medications when possible; many OTC meds are every bit as hepatotoxic as C17-aa steroids, and in some cases, even more so. Limit your OTC med use, so as not to burden the liver with even more stress. Further, you must avoid excess alcohol consumption as this will present more stress to the liver than anything else; avoiding all alcohol isn’t a bad idea. Do these things, and while your enzyme levels will increase, if you were responsible they will return to normal shortly after use is discontinued, and no damage will be done.

• Night Sweats – largely due to a poor genetic response to specific anabolic steroids, but can also be due to extremely high doses of specific compounds. Generally, this is a side-effect that is only possible with the Trenbolone hormone, but there can be rare exceptions.
  
  Solution – supplement with responsible doses and avoid anabolic steroids that cause this effect; this one is fairly simple and obvious.

• Rapid Heart Rate – largely due to a poor genetic response to specific anabolic steroids, but can also be due to extremely high doses of specific compounds. Generally, this is a side-effect that is only possible with the Trenbolone hormone, but there can be rare exceptions.
  
  Solution – supplement with responsible doses and avoid anabolic steroids that cause this effect; this one is fairly simple and obvious.

• Testosterone Suppression – due to the fact you are a man supplementing with anabolic androgenic steroids; of all the anabolic steroid side-effects, this is assured. Suppression will vary from steroid to steroid, in some cases, it will be mild and in others is will be total, but in any case it will cause testicular atrophy. This occurs due to testosterone being manufactured in the testicles, and as it has been suppressed the testicles will lose some of their fullness.
  
  Solution – supplement with exogenous testosterone; do this and the problem is solved. If you fail to provide your body with the testosterone it needs, you will fall into a low testosterone condition; such a condition is not only extremely bothersome as it carries a host of possible unwanted effects, it is also tremendously unhealthy. Through exogenous testosterone supplementation, you will have provided your body with all the testosterone it needs to function properly and you will stave off such a low level condition. Further, once use is discontinued and all the exogenous steroids have cleared your system, your natural testosterone production will begin again, and your testicles will regain their normal fullness. It must be noted; this is all assuming you did not suffer from low testosterone prior to supplementation, and that you did not supplement recklessly and severely damage your HPTA.

• Virilization – women are susceptible to most of the anabolic steroid side-effects we have discussed so far; obviously prostate enlargement and testicular atrophy are impossible and testosterone suppression and gynecomastia are of no concern. All the other effects apply to women, but so does virilization. Virilization refers to the promotion of male characteristics such as clitoral enlargement, body-hair growth and even the deepening of the vocal chords. Needless to say, such effects can destroy a woman’s femininity and there are not too many women who would enjoy such effects.
  
  Solution – women can supplement with anabolic steroids without virilizing effects, but they must choose steroids that carry low virilization ratings, and this means choosing steroids that do not display strong androgenic activity; it also means low doses. For this purpose, Oxandrolone (Anavar) will always be the best choice, with Methenolone (Primobolan) being a decent second choice; Stanozolol (Winstrol) and in some cases, Boldenone-Undecylenate (Equipoise) can be considered. In any case, with lose doses, especially if Anavar is chosen the odds will be in your favor, but if virilization symptoms begin to show for any reason you should discontinue use immediately. Discontinue use at the onset of symptoms and they will fade away fast; ignore them and they may become permanent.

• Water Retention – due to excess estrogen caused by the aromatase process.
  
  Solution – the same AI discussed revolving around gynecomastia will offer protection here, but there’s still more to say. Controlling your diet is tremendously important; in many case, an individual will hold water and blame the steroids, but the problem is actually their inability to control the foods they’re eating. If you overeat, especially carbohydrates you will hold water, and if there is excess estrogen in your body you will be more sensitive. Use an AI when aromatizing steroids are in play and control your diet, and water retention will not be an issue.

Making Sense of it All:

These are the anabolic steroid side-effects, and we know what some are already saying; what about heart attacks and strokes; what about cancer and roid rage? Those things were left out for a good reason; they’re not anabolic steroid side-effects. First and foremost, there is no evidence that anabolic steroids can lead to or even contribute to heart attacks, strokes or cancer. If that’s not enough, with nearly 100 years of supplementation behind us, there has yet to be a single recorded death that was directly linked to anabolic androgenic steroids; not one single death. Sure, there have been deaths of an indirect nature; someone using a contaminated product or bacteria infested needle, but that’s not the fault of anabolic steroids. Again, not one single direct death in recorded history; compare that to NSAID painkillers such as Aspirin that claim the lives of more than 16,000 people in the U.S. each and every year alone.

Then there’s roid rage, and while some anabolic steroids can increases aggression, roid rage has been emphatically proven false. It’s important to remember, aggression in of itself is not a bad thing; what we do with aggression is what makes it right or wrong; increases aggression can be a very positive trait when used for the right reasons. In any case, anabolic steroids cannot alter your mind, they cannot change your personality, take away your sense of right and wrong or cause you to act in a way you would not otherwise. Granted, if you’re already a jackass, you’re probably going to be a more aggressive jackass during supplementation. Conversely, if you’re a sane and decent person, you’ll be the same decent person during supplementation; nothing changes.  This really is all there is to it; these are the anabolic steroid side-effects, and now that you know the truth, safe and successful supplementation is at your fingertips.