Possible unwanted side effects

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Many androgens are capable of being metabolized to compounds which can interact with other steroid hormone receptors including the estrogen, progesterone, and glucocorticoid receptors, producing additional (usually) unwanted effects:

* Possible elevated blood pressure
* Cholesterol levels –Some steroids can cause a increase in LDL, Decreased HDL levels. This can cause a increase in risk of cardiovascular disease or coronary artery disease in men with high risk of bad cholesterol.
* Acne– Due to the stimulation of sebaceous gland
* Conversion to DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). This can accelerate or cause premature baldness and prostate cancer.
* Altered left ventricle morphology – AAS can induce an unfavourable enlargement and thickening of the left ventricle, which loses its diastolic properties with the mass increase. However the negative relation of left ventricle morphology to decreased cardiac function has been disputed.
* Hepatotoxicity – Caused particularly by oral anabolic steroid compounds which are 17-alpha-alkylated in order to not be destroyed by the digestive system.
* Gingival overgrowth - AAS is closely associated with significant levels of gingival enlargement.

Male-specific side effects

* Gynecomastia – Breast development in males. It is usually due to high levels of circulating estrogen. These high levels are the result of the increased level of conversion of testosterone to estrogen via the aromatase enzyme.
* Reduced sexual function and temporary infertility
* Testicular atrophy – Temporary side effect that is due to decreases in natural testosterone levels inhibiting spermatogenesis. As most of the mass of the testes is developing sperm, the size of the testicles usually returns to normal within a few weeks of discontinuing anabolic steroid use when spermatogenesis resumes.

Female-specific side effects

* Body hair increase
* Deepening of the voice
* Enlarged clitoris (clitoral hypertrophy)
* Temporary decrease in menstrual cycles

Adolescent-specific side effects

* Stunted growth – Abuse of the agents may prematurely stop the lengthening of bones (premature epiphyseal fusion through increased estrogen)
* Accelerated bone maturation
* Slight beard growth

An ideal anabolic steroid (a hormone with purely anabolic effects and no virilizing or other side effects) has been widely sought. Many synthetic anabolic steroids have been developed in an attempt to find molecules that produced a higher degree of anabolic rather than virilizing effects. Unfortunately, the most effective steroids known for increasing lean body mass also have the strongest androgenic characteristics.

Steroids In Medical Use

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There are many people who like to see that their body is kept in good shape. You can use various forms of medicines, diets and exercise to achieve this goal. It is a well known fact that getting into shape requires lots of hard work. In addition to eating well you will need to follow a well balanced exercise regime. For the people who prefer to use steroids you might want to see how steroids medical use is looked at.

For some people a short cut to getting a well defined body exists with the use of anabolic steroids. These steroids are a class of hormone steroids. This means that in addition to providing your body with a quick way to gain more muscle definition you stand a high chance of hormonal changes occurring to you.

These changes are well known side effects which occur from using any anabolic steroids. These changes once they occur are not reversible. As these steroids are very harmful to the body there are many sporting associations which have banned the use of these steroids. Among the sporting groups which don't allow athletes who have used these steroids to participate are the Olympic Games body and others.

One of the best ways to understand why these sporting bodies don't want to see the use of these drugs is that the body undergoes changes which promote artificial body strength and speed. This means that normally trained athletes will have trouble competing against these bulked up athletes.

While we are aware of the hazards that steroids play in sports and our bodies there are times when these drugs can be of use in medical experiments. Since these steroids are based on the body's hormonal growth patterns you will find that using these steroids medical use helps medical personnel see just what effect there is on the body.

For instance you will be able to see how the nervous system reacts to the use or abuse of steroids. With some of the currently used steroids you will find that doctor will be able to see how they can help patients work out their steroid addiction. The effects which come in to play when these steroids are being used will be revealed as well. As you see while the general reason for using steroids is harmful to us, it is beneficial to find steroids medial use to find ways to stop the dangers which some from steroids.

With all of this information you will understand why there is so much of interest displayed in the medical community with regards to steroids. At first it may be hard to imagine how steroids medical use can be teamed together. But when you think about the various dangers that steroids represent then you will understand why doctors and others need to study this drug.

Anabolic Steroid Terms and Definitions - Dictionary

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Anabolism:
constructive metabolism characterized by the building of tissue into more complex living matter, mainly muscle.

Anabolic:
promoting anabolism

Anabolic steroid:
any one of several compounds derived from testosterone or prepared synthetically to promote general body growth, to oppose the effects of endogenous estrogen, or to promote masculinization effects. They have a chemical structure similar to cholesterol.

Androgen:
any steroid hormone that promotes male characteristics.

Aromatize:
the on take of feminine characteristics or feminization.

Atrophy:
refers to a state of deterioration usually within the muscle or bodily organ due to a lack of use or health.

Catabolism:
a complex metabolic process in which energy is liberated for use in work, energy storage, or heat production by the destruction of complex substances. Basically muscle tissue is broken down when a person is in a catabolic state and the use of anabolic steroids will change this.

Cholesterol:
a fatty substance found in animals that performs many vital functions and is synthesized by the liver and the adrenal cortex.

Bitch Tits:
a slang term for gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia:
an abnormal enlargement of one or both breasts in men. This condition is usually temporary due to a hormonal imbalance brought on by the use of steroids, however, can occur naturally as well.

Freaky:
A bodybuilding term used to describe a person who is huge and obviously on steroids.

Fakes or basement drug:
refers to counterfeit or fake steroids.

Virilization:
the process in which a person takes on the characteristics of a mature male. Masculinization.

Gear:
slang for steroids, syringes, anything associated with the use of steroids

Juice:
slang term for injectable steroids

Dart, poke, ned:
slang terms for syringes.

Thermogenisis:
the production of heat. Raises metabolism making it easier to burn fat.

Trade name:
the name given to a particular substance by each company that manufactures it.

Cycle:
the time in which a certain supplement is taken. If you take a supplement for 6 weeks it is a 6-week cycle. Usually the time on a cycle is followed by the same amount of time off of the cycle.

Libido:
a persons sex drive.

Steroid:
any of a large number of hormonal substances with the same basic chemical structure produced mainly in the adrenal cortex and gonads.

Lean mass:
the amount of muscle on a persons body

Immune system:
the system in a persons body that wards off infection and responds to illness.

Testosterone:
an androgenic hormone which is used to produce anabolic steroids.

Estrogen:
natural hormone that promotes the growth and development of female characteristics.

Creatine:
a nitrogenous compound that when combined with phosphate produces ATP

ATP:
adenosine triphosphate is a molecule used to store and release energy in the muscle.

Diuretic:
a substance that increases the amount of urine which is released by the kidneys.