"The thirst for a record overshadows the minds of some athletes, and they try to increase their strength potential with steroids as soon as possible, without thinking about what “surprises” await them in the future."
Relevance In sports medicine, the so-called “anabolic steroids” or “anabolic steroids,” i.e. preparations synthesized on the basis of male sex hormone testosterone cypionate , and used in the form of tablets or intramuscular injections of prolonged action. These funds are also actively accepted by bodybuilders to stimulate: “muscle nutrition”, muscle growth, to form “competitive quality” - relief (which is the subject of competitions at representative world-class competitions) from this “quantity”. In schemes typical of this contingent, in order to achieve a quick effect, doses are used that are antiphysiologically higher than 8 to 10 times (from 20 to 2000 mg! In the equivalent of testosterone per day) from the recommended and often several different anabolics are combined at the same time.
The most popular for muscle growth, volume and strength are Anadrol, a suspension of testosterone, Dianabol (oral and injection), testosterone cypionate, Sustanon-250, Deca, Winstrol V, Equipoise, Androxon. To increase muscle relief, Primobolan acetate, Parabolan, Anavar, Primobolan Depot, Deca (androlone decanoate), Primobolan (tablets), Finazhekt, Winstrol V, Equipoise, Winstrol (tablets) are used. The least effective for muscle growth are Maxibolin, Halotestin, Methyltestosterone, Winstrol (tablets), Primobolan (tablets), Primobolan Depot, Primobolan acetate, Testosterone propionate, Durabolin, Anavar. After analyzing the clinical and pharmacological effects of these drugs, it becomes obvious that athletes consider those steroids to be the most effective,
Anabolic steroids (AS) are a class of pharmacological drugs that are close to testosterone in chemical structure and pharmacological action and are its derivatives with weakened androgenic and enhanced anabolic effects. Almost all of them have common mechanisms of pharmacological action. AC:
- increase plastic and energy processes in the human body, while the function of cellular respiration and the oxygen-transport function of blood are enhanced, since the total number of blood and red blood cells increases;
reduce platelet aggregation and adhesion, i.e. adhesion and the formation of platelet plugs in microvessels, as well as blood coagulation, which improves microcirculation during intense physical work.
Side effects . The occurrence of side effects when using AS is individual and depends on a number of factors: age, gender, genetic predisposition, physical and mental constitution, as well as doses, duration of administration and type of AS used. Side effects (side effects) when using AS are expressed:
- in reducing the number of sperm, up to aspermia and reducing their mobility (due to inhibition of the gonadal regulatory circle: “hypothalamus – pituitary – target organ”), increased libido (in some cases, it is even considered as a useful effect);
in virilism according to the male type, which is individual among men and among female athletes (possible: baldness is possible - allopecia, gynecomastia in men);
in the appearance of acne and / or seborrhea (due to changes in oily skin) and edema, especially Cushingoid edema of the face (due to water-salt retention);
in the growth of (reliably) aggressiveness and irritability up to unmotivated collisions in training at the maximum of reception (“steroid rage”); possible development of depression;
in a moderate decrease in the level of intellectual self-control (is irreversible when using AS in the puberty from 13 to 18 years).
in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (including liver - hepatotoxicity), the cardiovascular system (arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and the development of atherosclerosis, ischemia and myocardial hypertrophy), and the immune system (its weakening); growth retardation is possible;
in addition, cases of cholestasis, hepatitis and liver carcinoma are known in the literature (but these cases usually occur only in those who have used long-term AS therapy and already suffered from significant impairment of liver function).
Of course, the bodybuilder can not but rejoice at the sports results (and cash prizes) that he achieved against the background of prolonged (and often uncontrolled by the doctors) AC. But at what cost will these achievements pay off !? And here's what: decreased libido, impotence, addiction, decreased sperm production, male infertility, testicular atrophy, depression, drug hepatitis, cancerous transformation of liver cells, increased risk of rupture of tendons and bone fractures (due to severe muscle hypertrophy), etc. etc. (see "side effects).
Everyone who takes AS should carefully read the next part of the article to avoid the negative effects of taking steroids. And, so, the mistakes most often made by bodybuilding athletes when taking AS:
1. The use of too high doses. Bodybuilding athletes are extremists, like all athletes in general, they proceed from the rule “more is better”. If 5 tbl. good, 10 is even better. With these views, the doors for side effects are wide open. The effectiveness of almost all steroids depends on the dosage, which is sufficient if the construction behavior of steroid molecules and receptors is achieved. If muscle cell receptors are saturated, excess steroid molecules will find themselves another target. Impaired liver function, kidney problems, hair loss, acne, high estrogen levels, decreased endogenous hormone production, and aggressiveness often arise from high dosages. The so-called megadoses do not give an increase in strength and mass gains. And those who think
2 . Reception period too long. Improper steroid use is not recommended for most athletes for two reasons. As with high doses, the risk of potential side effects increases. The possibility of organic damage is especially great with prolonged use of oral steroids (especially 17-alpha alkylated steroids). The effect of taken steroids subsides after some time, which again increases only with a short-term increase in doses or with a change in steroids. Everyone should know that the stronger the steroid, the faster its effect on the body decreases, so it makes less sense to take it for a longer time. With Anapolon 50, judging by experience, the growth is reduced after 3 to 4 weeks, while the same results can be achieved with Deca in 10 to 12 weeks.
3. The use of the wrong steroids. Steroids are not exactly steroids. A clear line should be drawn between highly androgenic toxic steroids such as Anapolon, Methyltestosterone, Dianabol, Halotestin, etc. and less androgenic, predominantly anabolic and slightly toxic, such as Primobolan, Deca-Durabolin, Oxandrolone, Andriol, and Winstrol. Because only the use of the former is mainly associated with serious side effects, and it makes sense to limit their intake to 6-8 weeks. Especially cautious with them should be women, adolescents, athletes aged and beginners in steroid courses. In addition, it is desirable that the public and the media pay attention to these differences in their sentences and articles.
4. The choice of an adverse administration regimen. The effectiveness of each steroid program is enhanced by the skillful selection of steroid combinations, as this achieves a synergistic effect. This means that with a low total dose, better results are achieved. Various recipes are involved, the saturation of which is delayed and the steroid combination lasts longer. At the same time, potential side effects are minimized. Instead of 50 mg Dianabol per day, the athlete takes 20 mg + 200 mg Deca-Durabolin per week. The best results are when combining an oral steroid with an injectable one. Less sense in combining 2 oral steroids, for example, Dianabol with Aanapolone or Oxandrolone with Methyltestosterone. Because stimulating effects on protein synthesis and metabolic improvement in most steroids weaken after a few weeks, should start with small doses and slowly and gradually increase them. Athletes using the steroid cycle over 6 to 8 weeks should completely switch to another combination. Another common mistake is the sudden cessation of admission. Many side effects, a possible "reverse effect", loss of strength and mass are minimized by the slow, gradual cessation of steroids. Do not end the course with potent steroids such as Anapolone or Testosterone. phasing out steroids. Do not end the course with potent steroids such as Anapolone or Testosterone. phasing out steroids. Do not end the course with potent steroids such as Anapolone or Testosterone.
5 . The use of fakes. It is very difficult to fix this error, because on the black market, fakes are apparently invisible. The reason for unsatisfactory results, or their absence, an unusual set of side effects are often fakes. Many are not sterilized, contain something else, are not dosed, or are a completely different steroid.
6. Lack of desire for regular medical examinations. Every athlete taking steroids should regularly take blood tests, urine tests, check blood pressure. A thorough survey is crucial. It is important that the first examination takes place before the start of the course, as establish whether the athlete can take any steroid or, based on his health condition, must refuse some of them. In addition, it is possible to compare post-course indicators with the original. A second examination is advisable after 5 to 6 weeks of taking steroids. Further admission depends on the results of the examination. And if everything is in order, then 4 weeks after the end of the steroid program, another examination should be carried out to check whether small deviations normalized.
7. Neglect of external factors. The use of steroids alone does not guarantee impressive results. Their impact depends on 4 factors, which together have a synergistic effect and therefore are called the "magic quadrangle": training, nutrition, rest and mood. And just when taking steroids, for some reason, many athletes tend to neglect these essential prerequisites for good results.
Note. To maintain health and longevity, it is most reasonable to achieve success in the right way of life and competent use of the training load. But, unfortunately, the sport of great achievements requires the athlete to train at the limit of possibilities, which, as a rule, are impossible without the use of sports pharmacology. And if there is a need for anabolic steroids, then their use should be carried out only after informing the athlete about all possible side effects (taking anabolic steroids) and under the supervision of a doctor.