Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids can simply be explained as a synthetic variation or version of testosterone which is the male sex hormone. Steroids are chemical compounds that are important for some essential functions among human beings. The two main kinds of steroids found in humans include anabolic steroids and cortical.

The anabolic steroid is responsible for promoting growth of tissue by creating protein along with other substances. The steroids not only enhance muscle growth but are also helpful in giving athletes a sense of well being. Steroids also help athletes to train harder. The anabolic effects of the steroid promote skeletal muscle growth while the androgenic effects contribute towards development of the male sexual features or characteristics.

Depending on the makeup of the steroids the effects of the steroids vary. The steroids work by binding to the receptors. Depending on the degree of binding with the receptors the extent of protein synthesis differs and this in turn determines the tissue growth. Anabolic steroids not only helps in increasing the body tissue but also contributes towards reducing the time for recovery by blocking the cortisol. Cortisol can cause tissue damage and when this is prevented athletes are able to train harder and prevent injury. Steroids also allow athletes to recover faster in the event of an injury.

Initially the anabolic steroids were discovered and developed in the 1930s and its primary purpose was to treat the medical condition of hypogonadism. In this condition the testes does not produce enough testosterone and so normal growth and sexual functioning is not observed.

Anabolic steroids were essentially developed to treat some other medical conditions like some kinds of impotence, delayed puberty and body wastage resulting from some illnesses like HIV and other infections. As it was observed that steroids could help in growth of muscle mass these compounds were used by weightlifters, bodybuilders and other professional sports persons. Since then steroid abuse has been rampant in sports competitions.

Anabolic steroid can help in development of muscles and strength and thereby contribute towards improved performance. However use of steroids can result in some problems like increased LDL or bad cholesterol and reduced HDL cholesterol. Steroids can also cause some other problems like increased blood pressure along with liver tumors and even liver damage.

Following the reports of widespread abuse of anabolic steroids these were placed on the controlled substances list by United States in the year 1990. In United States steroids cannot be obtained without a legal and valid prescription. Even then these steroids are obtained illegally from other countries such as Mexico.

Use of anabolic steroid can result in some irreversibly and harmful effects. Among men these effects include shrinking of testicles, increased aggressiveness, elevated sex drive, development of breast like tissue and prostate cancer. Among women these harmful side effects include deepening of the voice, growth of facial hair, enlargement of clitoris and premature baldness. Among adolescents intake of anabolic steroids can cause premature stoppage of development or stunted growth.

Users of any anabolic steroids have the option to take the steroids in oral form or by way of injections or through transdermal patches. Many users tend to take multiple steroids as they believe this helps them to achieve greater effect or benefit.