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Today, there are a very large number of different sports in the world. And in certain areas of sports, such as strength sports, athletes often use pharmacology, which, according to some, makes it easier for an athlete to achieve their goals. Goals can be different, you know, something from “press the first hundred”, to more ambitious ones, like “press 200 kg 3 times”. But many athletes who have heard about pharmacology (specifically in the context of sports), do not know the answers to many questions about these drugs. There are several questions that are perhaps among the frequently asked questions of a beginner before the first course, and in general, an athlete who has heard about steroids.
Question №1: What are steroids and how do they work?
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An answer: Steroids are a class of organic compounds that are similar to hormones produced naturally in the human body. These chemicals can have various effects on the body, including increased muscle mass, improved endurance, and stimulation of growth processes. However, the use of anabolic steroids, a specific subtype of steroids, can also lead to a range of negative side effects.
The key differences between anabolic steroids and steroids in general are:
- Anabolic steroids are designed specifically to promote anabolic processes in the body, meaning they stimulate muscle growth, strength, and protein synthesis. Other types of steroids may have different properties, such as hormonal, anti-inflammatory, or immunomodulatory effects.
- Anabolic steroids have pronounced anabolic (muscle-building) properties, while other steroids can affect the body in a variety of ways.
Steroids work by binding to receptors within the cells, either on the cell membrane or in the nucleus. This binding activates genes and alters various cellular processes. The most well-known classes of steroids are hormones, such as glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens, which have diverse functions in the body.
While steroids can be used medically to reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system, the improper use of anabolic steroids, which are artificial versions of testosterone, can lead to serious side effects, including high blood pressure, mood changes, hormonal imbalances, and liver damage. Therefore, steroid use should only be prescribed and monitored by a qualified healthcare professional.
Question №2: What are the side effects of steroids?
Anabolic steroids, also known as anabolic androgens, are synthetic versions of male sex hormones (testosterone). They are used to increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance.
However, anabolic steroid use can have a number of side effects, including:
- Hormonal disruption. Anabolic steroids can disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system and lead to changes in hormone levels in the body. This can cause problems such as decreased natural testosterone levels, gynecomastia (breast development in men), voice changes, and male-type formation. Also, when using any anabolic steroid (for example, testosterone), the feedback mechanism reduces the production of your own testosterone, suppresses the HPTA (hypothalamus-pituitary-testicles) axis, reduces the synthesis of pituitary hormones (LH and FSH), and reduces the synthesis of hypothalamic hormones (statins and liberins). This can lead to infertility and testicular atrophy.
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Using anabolic steroids can increase the risk of heart problems such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart attack. Also, the level of "bad" cholesterol (LDL - low-density lipoproteins) increases, and the level of "good" cholesterol (HDL - high-density lipoproteins) decreases. This can lead to various diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Liver damage. Long-term use of anabolic steroids can lead to liver damage, including the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- Psychological effects. The use of anabolic steroids can cause various psychological effects, such as aggression, irritability, insomnia, depression and addiction.
- Aromatization of some drugs. Aromatization is the process of converting testosterone into estradiol. This process is pronounced in all testosterone esters, as well as in methandienone. And high levels of estradiol are fraught with gynecomastia (enlargement of the mammary glands), emotional instability, edema, fluid retention, high blood pressure, female-type fat deposition, etc. It is important to note that anabolic steroids are prohibited in most countries without a medical prescription. A doctor should always prescribe and monitor their use to reduce the risk of side effects.
- Conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Testosterone introduced into the body from outside can be converted to dihydrotestosterone, causing enlargement of the prostate gland, as well as hair loss on the head. Despite popular belief, no studies have been found to confirm the link between high levels of dihydrotestosterone in the blood and prostate cancer.
- Side effects: Such effects include: stimulation of red blood cell production (possible increase in blood viscosity), activation of the sebaceous glands, which can lead to oily skin and acne, general pigmentation of the skin, as well as aggression and irritability. Of course, these are far from all the side effects of steroids, there are many, only a few are listed.
Question №3: There is information that when using testosterone, an athlete may develop gynecomastia. Is this true?
An answer: Yes, it is true that the use of testosterone can lead to the development of gynecomastia (breast enlargement) in athletes.
This occurs due to the aromatization of testosterone, where the testosterone is converted into estradiol, a female sex hormone. The increased levels of estradiol can then bind to estrogen receptors in the breast tissue, resulting in gynecomastia. There are two main theoretical approaches to avoiding this issue - using aromatase inhibitors and employing estrogen receptor blockers.
Compounds like anastrozole can inhibit the aromatase enzyme, which is responsible for converting testosterone into estradiol. By reducing estradiol levels, the risk of developing gynecomastia is lowered.
Drugs like tamoxifen work by blocking the estrogen receptors, preventing the binding of estradiol and the subsequent development of gynecomastia.
During steroid cycles, athletes often monitor their hormone levels through blood tests. By tracking parameters like estradiol, they can determine if adjustments need to be made, such as lowering the steroid dose or incorporating aromatase inhibitors or estrogen receptor blockers to mitigate the risk of gynecomastia and other estrogenic side effects.
Overall, being proactive about monitoring hormone levels and utilizing appropriate ancillary medications can help athletes avoid the undesirable side effect of gynecomastia when using testosterone-based compounds.
Question №4. What tests should be taken before starting use?
An answer: Before starting, during, and after a steroid cycle, athletes should undergo a comprehensive panel of blood tests to monitor their health and detect any potential issues.
- Testosterone (total and free) - to assess baseline levels and changes throughout the cycle.
- Estradiol - to monitor estrogen levels, as many steroids can lead to aromatization and elevated estrogen.
- Prolactin - for cycles involving compounds that may increase prolactin levels, such as 19-nor steroids.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) - to check for any changes in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) - to evaluate liver, kidney, and other organ function.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - to assess hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis suppression
- Serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin - for cycles involving boldenone, which can impact iron metabolism.
- Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) - to understand changes in protein binding of testosterone and other steroids.
Monitoring these parameters before, during, and after a steroid cycle allows athletes to make informed decisions, adjust dosages if needed, and ensure their health and safety throughout the process.
Question №5. How do the esters of exogenous testosterone differ?
An answer: The different testosterone esters vary primarily in their half-life and duration of action, rather than any fundamental chemical differences.
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For example:
- Testosterone propionate has a short half-life of 1-2 days, meaning it is cleared from the body relatively quickly. Testosterone enanthate, on the other hand, has a longer half-life of 5-6 days, allowing for less frequent injections.
This difference in half-life is an important consideration for athletes when choosing which testosterone ester to use.
Generally speaking:
- For bulking/mass gaining cycles, athletes often favor the longer-acting esters like enanthate or cypionate. This allows for more stable and consistent testosterone levels over time.
- For cutting/fat loss cycles, the shorter-acting esters like propionate or acetate may be preferred. The faster clearance can be beneficial when trying to avoid excess water retention or other estrogenic side effects.
The ester also affects the injection frequency required. Shorter esters need to be injected more often (e.g. every 2-3 days) compared to longer esters which can be dosed weekly or bi-weekly.
Ultimately, the choice of testosterone ester depends on the athlete's goals, experience level, and personal tolerance. Monitoring blood work is crucial to ensuring the testosterone levels remain within the optimal range throughout the cycle.
Conclusion
So, steroids are a serious and dangerous category of drugs, requiring a measured approach. The article provides detailed answers to the typical questions of beginners regarding the mechanism of action, tests, side effects, and other important aspects. The key conclusion is that beginners should carefully study all the information about the risks and side effects before making the decision to use steroids.
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