Anadrol Cycle Tips for Ultimate Gains

Anadrol is a very inflexible anabolic steroid in terms of how it can be used. It’s not only inflexible but isn’t at all versatile either compared to other available anabolic steroids. When using aromatase inhibitors the person has no way to avoid retaining water, which causes bloating and added water weight. This can only be dealt with by changes in diet, which only bring limited results. Another issue that comes up with Anadrol is the estrogen effects, which happen although Anadrol doesn’t convert to estrogen. Therefore Anadrol cycles are usually saved just for gaining strength and bulking up.

Anadrol cycles are hardly ever used for anything but bulking and gaining strength cycles. It is very unusual that someone would take Anadrol for shredding and losing fat. We want to state plainly that it is possible for someone to “cut” using this steroid, as is true with any anabolic steroid, but due to the predictable and unwanted water retention that is inevitable from Anadrol, the resulting physique will appear soft and bloated.

Anadrol cycles usually have it stacked along with other compounds that are meant to add bulk, strength and a lot of mass. The usual compounds stacked with Anadrol are:

• Testosterone,
• Trenbolone, and
• Nandrolone (Deca Duarbolin).

Cycling with Testosterone

Testosterone is definitely an essential part of any compound and must be taken in at minimum a Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) dosage. This is in an effort to maintain normal physical functions while the natural endogenous levels for Testosterone are being suppressed or shut down.

To promote additional anabolic strength use Trenbolone and possibly Nandrolone if you want to gain strength and bulk up. Hardly ever is Anadrol stacked with milder compounds like Primobolan or an injectable Winstrol because the tremendous strength of Anadrol would dwarf these milder compounds. Anadrol is most effective when it is stacked with other similarly powerful compounds, which are used for bulking up.

What Not to Mix in your Cycle

Another important factor to keep in mind is that an Anadrol cycle should never include another oral compound. Never use two anabolic steroids that are taken orally together or even one after the other in a cycle. This safety factor must be adhered to even more when using Anadrol due to the strong hepatotoxic properties of this anabolic steroid. Taking any other anabolic steroids orally in addition to Anadrol will greatly increase the possibility of liver damage.

Anadrol Cycle Dosages

For a 12-week Anadrol Cycle time period:

1. For weeks 1 – 12 use 300 – 500mg a week of Testosterone Enanthate
2. For weeks 1 – 6 use 25 – 50mg a day of Anadrol

This is a very basic Anadrol cycle for a beginner. The Testosterone is taken at a dosage just strong enough to provide the desired anabolic effects and the Anadrol is taken at the usual beginning dosage range. It is recommended that when on such a cycle to have a SERM like Nolvadex handy and possibly an aromatase inhibitor as well because of the extremely high Estrogenic character of this stack.

Testosterone taken at these recommended dosages will more than likely cause aromatization, which will increase the levels of Estrogen in the body. Combined with Anadrol, considering it’s estrogenic properties, one may be at higher risk for increases in blood pressure, bloating and gynecomastia. In spite of these risks, the cycle for beginners is an excelling starting place for someone wanting to bulk up.

Anadrol Cycles for Better Results

For a 12-week cycle length:

1. For weeks 1 – 12 use 100mg a week of Testosterone Enanthate plus 400mg a week of Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca Durabolin)
2. For weeks 1 – 6 use 50mg of Anadrol a day

With the intermediate recommendation for an Anadrol cycles there are a couple of changes. The first one you’ll notice is that Testosterone is taken at a TRT dose making it have a more supportive role in maintaining the normal physiological functions of the body. Testosterone is not the primary anabolic steroid in this cycle. The reason for this is to lessen the chance of further increasing Estrogenic activity in a cycle using Anadrol.

The reason for using Deca Durabolin as one of the primary compounds here, is to allow for an added amount of bulk to be gained after terminating the Anadrol. You may have noticed that the dosage for Anadrol has been reduced to only 50mg a day as opposed to a range of 50 – 100mg a day. The reason for this is because it’s really not necessary for someone to need to increase his or her dosage of Anadrol, since it’s such a powerful anabolic steroid to begin with. Just one 50mg tablet is more than enough to bulk up and become stronger, especially for intermediates.

Anadrol Cycles Log for Advanced Users

For an 8-week Anadrol Cycle time period for weeks 1 – 8:

• Take 25mg every other day or 100mg a week of Testosterone Propionate
• Take 100mg every other day or 400mg a week of Trenbolone Acetate
• Take 100mg a day of Anadrol

This Anadrol cycle for advanced users has a shorter cycle time using short estered compounds like Trenbolone Acetate and Testosterone Propionate. The reason for this is to place Anadrol as a bit more of a central cycle compound rather than using it as a compound to kickstart the process. It still ends up performing this function due to its usage limit of 6 weeks due to its hepatotoxic effects.

Used this way Anadrol is stacked with Trenbolone (a stronger compound than Anadrol), but is able to be taken for the same period of time. It should be noted that using Anadrol consistently for 8 weeks is thought to be pushing the limits. It is strongly advised not to exceed this duration especially when taking such a high dose as 100mg a day. Taking 100mg a day of Anadrol is certainly enough to get some very dramatic gains in strength and bulk on a single cycle, especially when combined with Trenbolone. This cycle should only be considered for advanced users.

Tips for Maximizing your Gains

Bulking Anadrol brings about results very quickly. It acts synergistically with other steroids present to produce result quickly. Many use the Anadrol cycle during off season and the period will be at the beginning of the total cycle. For many, the cycle is began with 50mg per day. However, some experienced users may begin Anadrol with a dosage of 100mg per day. It is vital that users understand how their body react to lower doses of 50 mg before trying out larger doses such as 100mg per day. Whichever regimen chosen will still produce result as long as the issue of safety and sensitivity is put into consideration.

Experience have shown that individuals can gain as much as 20lb a month with 50 mg of Anadrol and adequate food. Anadrol effectiveness is short lived and it is necessary that breaks are taken accordingly. Using Anadrol for more than 6 weeks is not ideal. It is recommended that breaks should be observed. These breaks are necessary to prevent severe toxicity and to enhance the development of muscles. Anadrol bulking cycle should last for about 4-6. Using Anadrol above 6 weeks is considered useless as its effectiveness is short lived.

After the 4-6 weeks of using Anadrol, the use of other anabolic steroids is very useful. It helps in the consolidation of the gains that have been achieved. Using Anadrol dosage that is greater than 100mg per day reduces appetite. This also affects the bulking cycle. Anadrol can be stacked with almost all anabolic androgenic steroid. Testosterone, Trebolone or Nandrolone are commonly stacked with Anadrol and they produce great results.

Anadrol Only Cutting Cycles

Usually the cutting phase should place at the end of the cycle unlike the bulking phase. It should be placed close to the time of the completion. This is to produce muscles with fuller, harder and rounder looks at the competition. One characteristic of Anadrol that is not favorable to body builders is its ability to retain water. Therefore, it is important to understand how to control this outcome. The use of Anadrol along with a good aromatase inhibitor can help with the issue of water retention.

It is also important that users limit the intake of this compound to 4-6 weeks. It is recommended that users have regular Liver function tests and kidney function tests performed when taking an Anadrol cycle. This is aimed at monitoring the effect of the compound on their system. Water retention can as well lead to high blood pressure and this can affect the kidney and the body in general.

The Half Lives of the Most Popular Anabolic Steroids

It’s common for published values to be different, because pharmacokinetic studies are often performed on only a few subjects at a time, and there can be considerable variability between subjects. Further, there ends up being a confusion between the elimination process and the distribution process, which is variable particularly in the earlier part of the process. For example, reported half-life values for nandrolone decanoate in humans range from 7 to 12 days.

For this reason, it’s best to not take any one report overly literally, but instead to get the best reading of all the data that’s available. Fortunately, for anabolic steroids the half life is very closely related to a predictable property, the partition coefficient (this is generally approximately equal to the ratio between lipid solubility and water solubility.) Where the only difference between two steroid esters is the number of carbons – arrangement being the same or similar! – then each added carbon adds about a day to the half life.

With this information, to make a best estimate for the half life of one steroid, data from similar steroids can be used as well.

For purposes of calculating recovery or for calculating frontloading, these figures have always worked well for anabolic steroid half lives:

• Acetate esters: About 1 day
• Propionate esters: About 2 days
• Phenylpropionate esters: About 3 days
• Enanthate esters: About 5 days
• Cypionate esters: About 6 days
• Decanoate esters: About 10 days
• Undecanoate esters: Really not established from practice. From extrapolation, probably about 11 days. Does not appear to be over about 14 days, or much if any less than 11 days. I use 14 days for recovery calculation in the case of Equipoise, though that might be a larger number than necessary.

With regard to the parent steroid, theory would suggest adding a day for 19-nor, subtracting some small amount for 5-alpha reduction, or adding some small amount for having more than one double bond, and some unknown adjustment for drug metabolism differences. But in practice there seems no need for such adjustments. Accounting for the ester alone seems sufficient.

T3’s half life is variable between individuals but roughly speaking is about a day. There would be no use for a numeric value in practice because T3 should not be frontloaded, and calculating what day it has cleared is not important.

Clenbuterol’s half life is about a day and a half.

Clomiphene, Tamoxifen all have half lives of about 5 days. The anti-aromases Anastrozole and Letrozole have half lives of about 2 days.

Facts About Winstrol (Stanozolol)

Stanozolol, commonly sold under the name Winstrol, is a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone. Stanozolol is not esterified unlike most injectable steroids and is available in an oral tablet form or aqueous suspension.

One of the biggest advantages of Stanozolol (also known as Winny) is that it has a high oral bioavailability because of a C17 α-alkylation that allows it to survive first-pass liver metabolism when ingested. If that was not all, Winstrol can be used by both men and women as its anabolic effects predominate over the androgenic effects offered by it, though masculinization and virilization can be common for some users. Medically,Winstrol is used in treating health conditions such as anemia and hereditary angioedaema. It is even indicated for improving muscle growth, production of red blood cells, stimulating the appetite or debilitated or weakened individuals, and increasing bone density.

The chemical name of Winstrol is 17-methyl-2′ H -5(alpha)-androst-2-eno [3, 2- c ]pyrazol-17(beta)-ol and its molecular weight is 328.497 g/mol at the base. The molecular formula of Stanozolol is C22H36N2O and it has an active life of nearly eight to nine days. Oral Winstrol can be detected over a period of three weeks while injectable Stanozolol can be detected over a period of eight to nine weeks.

Sportsmen, especially bodybuilders, stack Winstrol generally with testosterone-based steroids as it leads to dramatic increases in body strength and muscle mass without resulting in excess body weight and fat gain while promoting the levels of vascularity and muscle definition. Furthermore, use of this synthetic anabolic steroid is not associated with excess water retention and many sportsmen even admire the diuretic effects of Winstrol on the body. If that was not all, Winstrol also helps sportsmen, especially those into weight lifting and body building, to preserve lean body mass while metabolizing adipose. Use of this steroid, for a period of six to eight weeks, is associated with dramatic improvements in terms of protein synthesis, nitrogen storage, muscle function, body strength, muscle dimension, and efficiency besides revitalizing prostaglandin E2, fibroblasts, and DNA features.

The recommended dosage of Winstrol (Stanozolol) is 50-100 mg per day (oral form) and 25-50 mg per day (injectable form) for men and 2.5-10 mg per day (oral form) and 2.5-5.0 mg per day (injectable form) for females. Most sportsmen stack it with Dianabol, Halotestin, Testosterone Propionate, Testosterone enanthate, Anadrol, and Primobolan during a steroid cycle of six to eight weeks though some advanced sportsmen even increase duration of the cycle to ten to twelve weeks.

Use of this performance enhancing drug should not be initiated before a qualified medical practitioner has approved its use for legal (medical) purposes after carefully evaluating all medical reports and history. Moreover, this drug should only be purchased from a legal steroid store dealing in legal anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs so that one can always be assured of its quality. Abuse of Winstrol or purchase and use of low-grade Winny can lead to side effects such as changes in libido, habituation, excitation, insomnia, hirsutism, increased frequency of erections, male pattern baldness, decreased glucose tolerance, liver dysfunction, clitoral enlargement, and irregular menstruation.

Stanozolol should not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, or those having an existing allergy to Winstrol or any of its ingredients. It should also not be used by those suffering from health complications such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart attack, stroke, and multiple myeloma unless otherwise specifically recommended by the practitioner.

In order to maintain its shelf life and efficacy, Stanozolol should be stored at a controlled room temperature of 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) with excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) and must be protected against heat, moisture, direct light, pets, children, and unauthorized use.

Typical Nandrolone Decanoate Results after First Cycle

Nandrolone Decanoate is in high demand. When it comes to anabolic steroids it is very popular because it makes you much stronger and increases muscle tissue. It has names such as Deca Durabolin and can provide results for fourteen to sixteen days. It is considered to be a huge anabolic androgenic steroid with powerful results. It does not change into estrogen as much, which means that people don’t have to experience suffering with side effects that are related to estrogen. Nandrolone Decanoate results are very positive and you won’t have bad skin, get stomach aches or grow man breasts.

Deca Durabolin does not put strain on the liver, which is an unfortunate result of many steroids. It promotes muscle size, makes you stronger and reduces your weight. It can also help you to retain more nitrogen, enhance protein synthesis and decrease the amount of time that is needed to heal in between your workout routine.

Nandrolone Decanoate can be used to get rid of pain, treat injuries and smooth tissue that gets irritated. You don’t have to worry about experiencing problems with your skin, prostrate or head. There will be no unwanted side effects such as your going bald, dealing with acne, your prostrate enlarging or other problems dealing with the glands. It provides a lot of anabolic activity, but without the androgenic side effects that are associated with other steroids.

Dosage Guide for Best Results

Men should take about 300 to 800 mg each week, and women should take 50-100 mg each week. To cut, men should take about 400 mg weekly for twelve to sixteen weeks. To bulk, men should take 600 mg weekly for twelve to sixteen weeks. Do not take Nandrolone Decanoate without getting the approval of your doctor first.

Some information states that water is stored in connective tissues thanks to this steroid, which helps to deal with joint pain. It is difficult to find where this statement originated too, although one study involving post-menopausal women showed that collagen synthesis was improved. Another showed that the amount of minerals in the bone increased through the use of Deca Durabolin. Small doses were used in these studies, so muscle growth was not a problem. Using these studies, I estimate that around 100 mgs per week should be used to see these effects rather than the muscle growth. This is a higher rate than that used in the studies.

In another study, patients who were HIV positive who have had significant muscle wastage have shown their weights significantly increase with just 100 mg every other week. These Nandrolone Decanoate results speak of the anabolic qualities which do lead to good but slow muscle gain. This is likely due to the relatively strong Androgen Receptor binding that occurs. It could also be due to the other positive effects that occur that do not involve the Androgen Receptor, including the nitrogen retention.

Retaining nitrogen leads to lean muscle gain and growth, which can occur at low and high doses. One study showed that 65 mg per week and 200 mg per week of Nandrolone doses showed significant retention of nitrogen, which led to between half to almost a whole kilo of lean muscle gain. This led to an increase in bodyweight, while also improving the cardiovascular fitness levels. Of course, higher doses led to better results. Users have shared their experience, confirming the results found in the studies. The average recommendation from users is between 400 and 600 mgs per week for gaining muscle.

The active life of Deca Durabolin is long. Just 100 mgs of Nandrolone results in stable and active levels of plasma nandrolone up until day 10, so just weekly shots of Deca Durabolin are needed for regular stable levels. It is worth noting that the nandrolone used in the study was an active one, and the severe drop-off was noted around day five. It is worth using the drug every four days.

One study that involved six HIV positive men had then taking 200 mgs of Deca Durabolin in the first week, 400 mgs in the second week with Anadrol and then 600 mgs between weeks three and 12. There were no negative effets noted, along owith no triglycerides, insulin sensitivity or LDL cholesterol. The HDL cholesterol levels saw an eight to 10 point reduction, too. The Deca Durabolin has shown an improvement in immune function in most studies involving HIV positive patients.

Ronnie Coleman Steroid Cycle

What would the Ronnie Coleman anabolic steroid cycle look like? Surprisingly, even though anabolic steroids are so widely used in professional bodybuilding, the cycles and dosages vary greatly from each pro. Genetics plays an extremely large role in bodybuilding, the anabolic steroids and other drugs are just a helper.

There are some pros that use very low dosages of anabolic steroids, and others that use very high dosages for very long periods of times. It almost makes you wonder where some of the low dose anabolic steroids users would be if they used the same dosage and length as the other guys. The complication of the anabolic steroids cycles also varies from bodybuilder to bodybuilder. There are some who only stick to a few compounds, while others are taking four, five, six at a time. Some are using the most exotic or newest drugs like insulin, IGF, growth hormone, etc., while others just stick to the basics, such as, Testosterone, Dianabol and Deca Durabolin. But what many don’t understand is, it’s not the drugs or steroids that got them there, it’s a combination of genetics, nutrition, hard work, and dedication over several years.

Let’s take a look at actual professional bodybuilders steroid cycles. Names are left out, but this is to give you an idea of the wide range of use and dosages in professional bodybuilding.

As you can see, it’s not much different any bodybuilder you see at the local gym. It’s a relatively low cycle. In fact, the pro admits it’s a low dose cycle, and said he always puts his health first… which can’t be said about all pros.

Here’s another cycle, this one is more along the lines of what most people think the pros take.

Even this steroid cycle the dosage are not too extreme. Some pros go into the 2,000mgs+ for testosterone, and higher in other steroids. Insulin is used on training days. One must be well researched in insulin, as it can be quite dangerous. Growth Hormone is often run for several months at a time, not just during the cycle. Many bodybuilders will also go on a low dosage of testosterone, 200-300mgs per week, instead of going completely off.

As for precontest, here is an example of a pre-competition steroid cycle of a professional bodybuilder.

This cycle is designed for the bodybuilder to peak right at the day of competition. Usually Testosterone propionate will be dropped a couple weeks out, and either switched for Testosterone suspension, or Testosterone will be dropped all together. Many bodybuilders react differently to different steroids, so some may drop other steroids with a couple weeks left. Many will stick with Trenbolone acetate and Winstrol right up to the show.

Where does the Ronnie Coleman steroid cycle fit in? Most professional bodybuilders at the higher end of the steroid cycles, with the higher dosages. As mentioned, some pros don’t use extreme dosages, but these pros usually fall outside the top 10 ranked bodybuilders in the world. But for the most part, there really aren’t any exotic drugs used, or steroids that no one knows about. The only drug used more than the average bodybuilder would be growth hormone, and that’s because it is quite expensive. Some will use IGF, but it’s not as popular or as effective as some may think.

Build Muscle and Lose Fat with Astralean (Clenbuterol)

Astralean is the Clenbuterol tablets by Alpha Pharma. Clenbuterol was originally prescribed as an asthma medication used in the treatment of bronchitis and other breathing related problems. Clenbuterol is now taken by bodybuilders and weightwatchers for its amazing fat burning qualities. Astralean (Clenbuterol), unlike other fat burners has some unique fat burning abilities without causing any serious side effects. It is best used for short periods of time (up to 2 weeks) as the body get used to the drug. It is recommended to take Clenbuterol for two weeks on and two weeks off.

Astralean (Clenbuterol) is a very effective fat burner and weight loss aid being a non anabolic steroid. The main function of Clenbuterol is to boost the production and secretion of catabolic hormones, which are produced in the adrenal region of the brain. These hormones have different types of functions and purposes. Initially they would appear to alter the contractile characteristics of smooth muscle. They will be able to stimulate some and inhibit others. It has a soothing effect in patients suffering from breathing problems.

Clenbuterol is a great help for weight loss and fat burning. It is called thermogenesis - a process by which the body increases its metabolic rate above normal and thus liberates its heat, or energy. This in turn happens due to a rise in blood pressure, increase in heart beat by stimulating heart muscle and an increase in body temperature, which finally results in burning of calories. So Clenbuterol increases the rate of burning of protein and fat in the body and this results in loss of adipose tissue/fat. This in turn results into a harder and leaner physique by means of loss in weight. It reverses the effect of insulin thereby resulting into release of glycogen that goes back into blood as glucose; gradually reaches a stage when further storage or use of glycogen is not at all possible.

Clenbuterol 40mg is a beta 2 adrenergic agonist with many commonalities with ephedrine. But comparatively its results are better and longer in terms of efficacy and efficiency. Clenbuterol acts as a thermogenic drug, thermogenics being supplemental diet that are used for stimulating the burning of fat in body. Thermogenics also increase the metabolism of fat tissues in the body thereby generating heat, called thermogenesis.

Clenbuterol allows patients to eat heavy food without bothering about an increase in body fats. It increases physical strength and ability to perform more workouts. It is considered as an alternative to steroids. Clenbuterol has functionality similar to mild steroids and thus it can be used by bodybuilders to increase strength and muscle hardness. It is a stackable drug and hence can be administered with other steroids or drugs.

Anavar (oxandrolone)

Although Anavar doesn’t give users tremendous gains in muscle mass, it is an ideal steroid for burning fat and giving the body a more cut look. Additionally, the muscle mass gained and fat burned tend to be more permanent than with the steroids associated with large muscle mass gains. Anavar also causes more mild side effects limited effect on the liver and comparatively limited effect on the bodys natural sex hormones. Anavar is readily available in foreign countries and on the black market, although it is fairly expensive.

Anavar was the old U.S. brand name for the oral steroid oxandrolone, first produced in 1964 by the drug manufacturer Searle. It was designed as an extremely mild anabolic, one that could even be safely used as a growth stimulant in children. One immediately thinks of the standard worry, “steroids will stunt growth”. But it is actually the excess estrogen produced by most steroids that is the culprit, just as it is the reason why women stop growing sooner and have a shorter average stature than men. Oxandrolone will not aromatize, and therefore the anabolic effect of the compound can actually promote linear growth. Women usually tolerate this drug well at low doses, and at one time it was prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Anavar is a mild anabolic with low androgenic activity. Its reduced androgenic activity is due to the fact that it is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Although one might think that this would make it a more androgenic steroid, it in fact creates a steroid that is less androgenic because it is already “5-alpha reduced”. In other words, it lacks the capacity to interact with the 5-alpha reductase enzyme and convert to a more potent “dihydro° form. It is a simple matter of where a steroid is capable of being potentiated in the body, and with oxandrolone we do not have the same potential as testosterone, which is several times more active in androgen responsive tissues compared to muscle tissue due to its conversion to DHT. It essence oxandrolone has a balanced level of potency in both muscle and androgenic target tissues such as the scalp, skin and prostate. This is a similar situation as is noted with Primobolan and Winstrol, which are also derived from dihydrotestosterone yet not known to be very androgenic substances.

This steroid works well for the promotion of strength and duality muscle mass gains, although it’s mild nature makes it less than ideal for bulking purposes. Among bodybuilders it is most commonly used during cutting phases of training when water retention is a concern. The standard dosage for men is in the range of 20-50mg per day, a level that should produce noticeable results. It can be further combined with anabolics like Primobolan and Winstrol to elicit a harder, more defined look without added water retention. Such combinations are very popular and can dramatically enhance the show physique. One can also add strong non-aromatizing androgens like Halotestin, Proviron or trenbolone. In this case the androgen really helps to harden up the muscles, while at the same time making conditions more favorable for fat reduction. Some athletes do choose to incorporate oxandrolone into bulking stacks, but usually with standard bulking drugs like testosterone or Dianabol. The usual goal in this instance is an additional gain of strength, as well as more quality look to the androgen bulk. Women who fear the masculinizing effects of many steroids would be quite comfortable using this drug, as this is very rarely seen with low doses. Here a daily dosage of 5mg should illicit considerable growth without the noticeable androgenic side effects of other drugs. Eager females may wish to addition mild anabolics like Winstrol, Primobolan or Durabolin. When combined with such anabolics, the user should notice faster, more pronounced muscle-building effects, but may also increase the likelihood of androgenic buildup.

Studies using low dosages of this compound note minimal interferences with natural testosterone production. Likewise when it is used alone in small amounts there is typically no need for ancillary drugs like Clomid/Nolvadex or HCG. This has a lot to do with the fact that it does not convert to estrogen, which we know has an extremely profound effect on endogenous hormone production. Without estrogen to trigger negative feedback, we seem to note a higher threshold before inhibition is noted. But at higher dosages of course, a suppression of natural testosterone levels will still occur with this drug as with any anabolic/androgenic steroid and therefore require post cycle therapy to restore the HPTA.

Anavar is also a 17alpha alkylated oral steroid, carrying an alteration that will put stress on the liver. It is important to point out however that dispite this alteration oxandrolone is generally very well tolerated. While liver enzyme tests will occasionally show elevated values, actual damage due to this steroid is not usually a problem. Oxandrolone is not as extensively metabolized by the liver as other l7aa orals are; evidenced by the fact that nearly a third of the compound is still intact when excreted in the urine. This may have to do with the understood milder nature of this agent (compared to other l7aa orals) in terms of hepatotoxicity. One study comparing the effects of oxandrolone to other agents including as methyltestosterone, norethandrolone, fluoxymesterone clearly supports this notion. Here it was demonstrated that oxandrolone causes the lowest sulfobromophthalein (BSP; a marker of liver stress) retention among all the alkylated orals tested. 20mg of oxandrolone in fact produced 72% less BSP retention than an equal dosage of fluoxyrnesterone, which is a considerable difference being that they possess the same liver-toxic alteration. With such findings, combined with the fact that athletes rarely report trouble with this drug, most feel comfortable believing it to be much safer to use during longer cycles than most of other orals with this distinction. Although this may very well be true, the chance of liver damage still cannot be excluded, especially with hogher dosages.

Dianabol Dosing and timing of Dianabol

Introduction:
Dianabol (dbol) is one of the more popular and well-known orals one can take. But there are often many questions surrounding how to use dbol, when to take dianabol, among other things. I will try to address these concerns and lay out possible solutions the best I can.

Dosing:
Liver toxicity is a concern when taking orals, but with proper protection and dosing, it is unlikely any harmful situations should arise. Common doses range from 20mg everyday (ED) to 50mg+ ED. The higher the dose generally translates to shorter duration of use. Those looking for benefits in the 20mg ED range can feel safe running dbol for around 8 weeks. This is of course a guideline and proper bloodwork should be taken to minimize risk. Those looking for more pronounced benefits, namely strength and pure size, can get away with running around 40mg ED for 3-6 weeks.

Timing: 
Timing can play a large role with this drug due to its 6-8 hour half-life. Those looking for mainly strength increases would benefit from taking the majority of their daily dose pre-workout; usually an hour or so before hand. This will not translate soley to strength gains, but moreso than spreading the dose throughout the day. That leads me to the next way of dosing dianabol. Other users may chose to take 5-10mg every few hours to keep a steady stream of the drug in their system; thus leading to being more anabolic. However, there can be a compromise. Users can also benefit from taking a large portion of their daily dose preworkout and the rest a few hours postworkout. The only disadvantage to this route is that there is not as steady a stream of the drug in your system throughout the day. However, you get the best of both worlds by getting a great workout and being very anabolic postworkout. This will aid in muscle recovery when it is most important, postworkout, and when you should be getting in the majority of your high protein meals.

Precautions:
First and foremost, bloodwork should be kept track of to make sure blood levels remain in a reasonable and healthy range. Although liver toxicity is generally over-emphasized, it still is an issue that needs to be addressed. Therefore, a liver support such as NAC is a great addition to any cycle containing a liver-harsh drug. High amounts of water (ie 2+ gallons) should be consumed daily with Dianabol and other orals. Sodium intake should also be watched more carefully due to the fact that it increases water retention and bloat. That is not something you want alot of while taking dbol. Now what about alcohol? It should be avoided at all costs and that's all I'll say on the subject. If you're serious about this then you should already have a good answer.

What To Expect:
One should feel the effects (namely in the gym) within the first week of beginning the regimen. Increased blood pressure and intensity are common. Rapid weight gain within the first two weeks are also very common, but don't be fooled. Most of this gain is water based. The "real" gains will begin to show usually after the first few weeks once your body is able to synthesize more protein more effectively, therefore increasing lean body mass. As noted earlier, strength increase is a major side effect of this drug. Therefore, one should pay extra attention on the new weight they are lifting in order to minimize risk of injury of the tendons and ligaments. This is because the tendons and ligaments do not grow in conjunction with the muscles, so as your muscles continue to grow, you are asking more and more from the same tendons and ligaments.

Keeping Gains:
Since Dianabol only cycles are generally a bad idea, it is assumed you are using test as a base for this cycle. Running test for a longer duration than the dbol is usually a good idea as your body is still very anabolic and thus, the ability to retain new muscle is increased. This is just a general rule of thumb and does not equate to holding onto any portion of your gains as there are many factors involved. Another factor, and probably the biggest factor, is diet. Diet during your dbol use and after will be the biggest determining factor on what you gain and what you hold on to. For the most part, expect to lose ~5 or so pounds once the dbol is out of your system. This number will usually be around the same to as much weight (bloat and water) that you initially put on. Your post-dbol diet should not differ too much than when you were taking dbol, but increasing calories and protein slightly is usually a good idea. You will need to "eat at your new weight." If you were originally 200lbs and now you're 215lbs, you need to eat like a 215 pounder to STAY at 215lbs. The inverse is also true.

Summary:
All in all, Dianabol is a great compound and should meet every one of your expectations, but it isn't perfect and considerations need to be taken based on your goals and YOU. Therefore, in order for you to get the most from it, you need to understand what is going on and what you need to do to maximize your results. Hopefully this piece has helped you to do that and has answered any other questions and concerns someone new to dbol may have.

GP Bolasterone by Geneza Pharmaceuticals

Bolasterone is an oral anabolic steroid which is structurally related to methyltestosterone. It differs only by the addition of a methyl group, which is the reasoning for its chemical name. The addition of this methyl group makes the activity of this steroid far different than its cousin however, and makes any comparison between the two difficult. This drug was first developed in the late 1950's. It was closely evaluated for anabolic and androgenic effect around 3 years later. The drug was developed by the pharmaceutical company UpJohn, and was sold in the United States during the 1960s under the brand name of Myagen. It was mainly prescribed for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in women, but was also investigated for use on lean tissue sparing activity. The medical use of this drug didn't last long however, and it soon disappeared off the market not too long after it was released. By the 1980s, the drug had pretty much been forgotten by bodybuilders and athletes. Although bolasterone is no longer produced, the drug remains listed in the U.S Pharmacopeias, suggesting that it wouldn't be impossible to see the drug available once again as a prescription medication in the U.S, however this remains very unlikely.

Bolasterone is a fairly potent anabolic steroid, measured in human subjects to have approximately twice the anabolic effect of methandrostenolone. Despite being a derivative of testosterone, bolasterone is considerably more anabolic than it is androgenic in nature. Bodybuilders and athletes would often use this drug in bulking cycle, where adding extra weight wasn't a concern. Bolasterone is a very estrogenic steroid by nature, and one can expect to see all of the common estrogen related side effects when taking this drug, especially in higher doses. Estrogen related side effects can include such things as increased water and fat retention and gyno (the development of unattractive and sometimes painful female breast tissue under the nipples in males). To combat such issues, users often prefer to run some sort of anti estrogen compound such as arimidex or aromasin during cycle. This steroid can also be androgenic and can produce androgen related side effects as well. These side effects can include such things as oily skin, acne, and increased body and facial hair. In women, androgen can cause masculizing side effects such as deepening of the voice, the growth facial hair, and clitoral enlargement. Bolasterone is a C17aa compound, which means that it can be toxic to liver if taken in doses too large or for periods too long. Because of this, users are urged to try to keep cycles under 8 weeks and to run some sort of liver protection product such as liv-52. Like all anabolic steroids, bolasterone will shut down the body's natural testosterone production, making a post cycle therapy protocol necessary after the drug's use has been discontinued. Users often choose to run compounds such as clomid and HCG to get the body to start producing testosterone naturally again.

Users often choose run a dosage of 25-100mg per day for a period of 6-8 weeks. This level is sufficient for strong increases in muscle size and strength, although such gains will likely be accompanied by significant water retention due to estrogen. Bolasterone is generally not recommended for women due to its very strong nature and tendacy to produce virilizing side effects.

Steroids and Injecting Anabolics: The Highs, Lows and Woes

Anabolic steroids are drug versions of the male hormone testosterone. Like most drugs, steroids can be taken by mouth or delivered by intramuscular injection. Tablets are a convenient way of taking medications: You simply pop them into your mouth and swallow. Injectable drugs, on the other hand, are a little less convenient, as they require a needle, a syringe and a sharp pinch.

The side effects are similar for both tablet and injectable versions of steroids. Generally speaking, the health risks are predominantly dose-related'the bigger the dose, the greater the risk. But tablets and injections differ slightly when it comes to complications. Tablets are potentially more harmful to the liver. Any drug that is absorbed from the gut passes through the liver before it's distributed elsewhere in the body. And when taken in large amounts by mouth, some drugs cause liver damage. Examples include an acute overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or long-term alcohol excess. Anabolic-steroid tablets can also upset liver function when taken in large doses, so many steroid users choose injectable forms of the drugs to minimize toxic effects on the liver. Injectable versions are placed into muscle and released directly into the bloodstream, without passing through the liver first. That means larger doses can be injected without making the liver take a big hit. There's a trade-off, however. Although the liver is partly spared drug toxicity, injections are not risk-free.

Injection Problems

Sticking a needle into your body is not without risk'particularly if the person giving the injection hasn't been trained in the procedure. The common side effects of poor injection technique are as follows:

• Pain
• Bruising
• Scar-tissue buildup
• Nerve injury
• Infection or abscess
• HIV or hepatitis (from needle sharing)

Injection problems are unrelated to the type of drug inside the syringe. They are purely the result of the needle stick. It doesn't matter whether the syringe contains a steroid, growth hormone, insulin or synthol.

Pain. 
Intramuscular injection inflicts two forms of pain. The first is that sharp pinch as the needle penetrates the skin. The second is a deeper discomfort, as the injection pushes the muscle fibers apart, creating a pocket of fluid. The larger the volume of fluid, the greater the pain. Bigger muscles like the gluteals, or buttocks, and thighs can comfortably accommodate two to three milliliters of fluid. With smaller muscles like the shoulders one milliliter is about the limit. The fluid disappears as the drug gets absorbed, but the site remains slightly damaged and inflamed from the needle stick for a while longer. The degree of pain and how long the drug sits there depend on the type and brand of drug. For example, many steroid users report that injecting the drug Sustenon is like getting kicked in the butt by a horse. This long-acting, oil-based steroid sits in the muscle for several days, and the pain in the butt can last up to a week. If you inject into the same site within the space of a few days, you can double the amount of fluid, double the damage and double the pain. Water-based injectables like Winstrol are usually quicker-acting'they're more quickly absorbed and usually inflict less pain than the oil-based drugs.

Needle size also influences the amount of pain. Larger-diameter needles cause more damage than narrower ones. Needle diameter (in millimeters) is called the gauge. The larger the gauge, the finer the needle in thickness. Obviously, finer needles cause less tissue damage. The narrower the needle, however, the more difficult it is to push the fluid through, and the viscosity of oil-based steroids is simply too thick to pass through tiny needles. It's like a large pit bull trying to squeeze through a tiny cat door. And the small particles in some steroid suspensions, like Winstrol, can lodge in the barrel of small-diameter needles. As a rule of thumb, oil-based steroids can be injected with a 22-gauge (0.7 mm) needle, and the less viscous, water-based steroids can be delivered through 23- or 25-gauge needles. To improve comfort and safety with regular injections, it's better to use the smallest needle possible.

The length of the needle is also important. You need a 1 1/2-inch needle to deliver a deep intramuscular injection into larger muscles like the buttocks, whereas a shorter 5/8-inch or half-inch needle can be used to inject smaller muscles. If you sink a two-inch needle into a smaller muscle, you're likely to hit an underlying nerve or blood vessel.

Bruising. 
Every time a needle pierces muscle, a small amount of bleeding inevitably occurs. Under normal circumstances that's not a problem. But if the needle hits a blood vessel, the blood loss into the surrounding tissue can cause an unsightly (and painful) bruise, or hematoma. An injection-site bruise doesn't usually require treatment, but it will take a week or so to resolve. Bruising can be minimized by applying direct pressure on the injection site with a cotton swab or facial tissue. Keep pressing for a minute or two until you're sure the bleeding has stopped. Remember that a trained health-care worker draws back on the syringe before injecting. A back-flow of blood into the syringe indicates that the needle is in a blood vessel. Injecting an oil-based steroid directly into the bloodstream is hazardous, so the needle should be re-sited into muscle tissue before pushing the plunger.

Scar tissue.
An injection needle actually damages muscle. As it plunges inside, it inflicts a tiny hole that heals by forming a scar. A small slither of scar tissue from one injection is no big deal; however, repeated needle sticks eventually create a large area of scarring. And subsequent injections into the hard scarification become more difficult and painful. It's like trying to stick a needle through the sole of a leather shoe'you'll need a hammer to get that needle in your butt. What many bodybuilders don't realize is that scar tissue is not normal muscle tissue'it doesn't contract. It just sits there in the muscle like a golf ball.

Site injection with the oil implant synthol'a practice I call 'spot welding'also creates scar tissue. The muscle tissue becomes inflamed, eventually forming a bump of scar tissue that resembles a tumor. The spot weld doesn't contract: It's false, a fake bulge, the kind you see on a padded bra.

So how can you minimize scar tissue buildup? You've got to reduce the number of injections in the same area. Give your poor butt a rest. There are several ways to achieve this: Stop injecting (duh!), cut back on injectable drugs, or rotate injection sites. Employing an injection-site rotation means using a different site each time you inject, thereby avoiding injecting into the same area for at least a week or two. To illustrate that point, let's say that you require regular intramuscular injections for a legitimate medical reason. The qualified technician would select a different injection site each time.

For example: injection

1. right buttock; injection 
2. left buttock; injection 
3. right thigh; injection 
4. left thigh; injection 
5. right buttock again; and so on. 

Get the idea?

Nerve damage.
Be warned that injecting into other muscle sites is not as risk free as it may seem. Over the years I've treated a number of bodybuilders with injection-related complications. It's scary how bodybuilders play their own version of Russian roulette with steroid injections, blindly stabbing different bodyparts without knowing the location of nerves and blood vessels. Most muscles are intimately adjacent to nerves, blood vessels and other important anatomical structures. For instance, the radial nerve lies immediately under the triceps horseshoe, the sciatic nerve under the lower portion of your glutes and the quadriceps teardrop directly over the lining of the knee joint. If your misplaced needle hits an artery or vein, the extra blood loss creates a good-sized bruise. Strike a nerve with your needle, and it feels like an electric shock. The damaged nerve can result in loss of feeling and muscle weakness.

So what are the safe injection sites? Unfortunately, an in-depth anatomy lesson is beyond the scope of this article, but medical texts will tell you that the three commonly used safe sites for administering intramuscular injections are as follows:

• the upper outer quadrant of the gluteal (buttocks) muscle
• the outer aspect of the mid-to-upper thigh
• the outer portion of the deltoid (shoulder) muscle.

Infection.
Another possible side effect of poor injection technique is infection. That usually results from accidental contamination of a needle. All injections should be given using a sterile technique in a clean environment, without contaminating the end of the needle. The locker room of your local gym doesn't qualify as a sterile area.

Cleansing the skin with an alcohol swab can help reduce the risk of infection. If the needle does get dirty after it's removed from the sterile packaging, then there's a risk of introducing a bacterial infection under your skin. That can develop into an abscess filled with pus, which usually needs to be lanced or surgically removed. Fake or counterfeit steroids that have not undergone proper sterilization can also increase the risk of bacterial infection.

How can you tell when an injection site is infected? Well, the area is painful, swollen, red and warm to the touch. As the days pass, an infection gradually gets worse rather than better. In contrast, the pain and redness from a noninfected injection-site irritation resolves within a few days. If you don't get treatment for an infected injection site, the infection can spread, causing you to feel generally unwell, with a fever. If you reach that stage, you need to see a doctor right away.

Hepatitis and HIV.
A more serious complication arises from sharing needles. That hazardous practice risks the transmission of HIV (AIDS) and hepatitis B or C. During the 1980s there were a few reported cases of HIV infection in bodybuilders sharing needles, but let's hope no one is crazy enough to share these toys nowadays.

If everybody jumped off a cliff, would you? Or would you stop for a moment and look before you leaped, considering the consequences of your actions, rather than regret your decision when it's too late? Self-administering anabolic steroids is illegal, and so is the unlawful possession of needles and syringes. If you don't have some form of medical training, administering intramuscular injections can be risky, so please make safe, sensible decisions. If you do run into any problems, seek the advice of a medical doctor immediately.

What to eat when using Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids have a ‘building’ effect on the body. They increase synthesis of cellular and sub-cellular structures and are responsible for the increase of overall muscle mass. Steroids have widespread use and indications; they also have powerful adverse effects on almost all systems of the body and should therefore be administered carefully and if possible, locally. Systemic steroid administration is a critical thing and should be done very carefully and only after prescription of a doctor. Systemic administration is either through antral route (oral) or parentral route (intramuscular).

Protein-rich diet
Steroids increase synthesis of proteins in the body. The overall result is increase in muscle mass and this lean body mass increasing effect of the steroids is the reason athletes all over the world use it so frequently. Increase in muscle mass is naturally accompanied by the increase in muscle strength. This is also the reason of steroid administration in people with debilitating diseases like AIDS or chronic hepatitis.

This is only possible if sufficient raw material is present. The raw materials required for protein synthesis are amino acids. These amino acids are acquired from the daily diet. Animal proteins are similar to human proteins. These proteins after consumption are broken down into their component parts. These component parts are then used for building human proteins. It is necessary to eat all sorts of meat including mutton, beef and chicken to stay healthy. Other sources of animal protein include eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.

Other types of amino acids can also be obtained from pulses but plant proteins are not as beneficial as the animal proteins. Their amino acid content differs remarkably. However, for complete protein diet, both types of amino acids are required.

Eat sufficient Cholesterol
Steroid hormones have a cholesterol nucleus in their structure. This means cholesterol is necessary for the synthesis of steroid hormones in the body. When on the steroid hormone therapy, it is important to take cholesterol rich diet so that the hormone synthesis within the body also boosts up. Substances rich in cholesterol include egg yolk and dry fruits like cashews, pistachios, and almonds.

Too much cholesterol is however, not recommended. This is because if blood cholesterol is very high, it starts depositing in blood vessels. This might cause arterial occlusion and can be even more harmful if the rough surface of cholesterol plaque activates coagulation system of the body. The resulting blood clot will decrease the diameter of the blood vessel even more and may even dislodge and form embolus in the arteries of the brain or lungs.

Consumption of Complex Carbohydrates
Consumption of complex carbs is important. Fiber adds bulk to your food and prevents constipation. By adding bulk, it also prevents over-eating. Consumption of simple sugars depends upon the condition of the patient. If steroid production in the body is less, simple sugars are recommended. Simple sugars increase insulin levels in the blood, which in turn boosts estrogen production. These carbohydrates are however, contra-indicated in people undergoing steroid cycle management to control the excess amounts of steroid hormones being produced in the body.

Caloric requirement with steroid therapy
Caloric requirements increase when on steroid therapy. This is because insulin levels in the body increase and these increased levels decrease the blood sugar making the person feel hungry. Instead of eating abundantly three times a day, eat small infrequent meals. Splitting your daily food into six and seven small meals is helpful and results in a much better utilization of the energy reserves of the body.

Foods rich in Potassium
Steroids cause blood potassium levels to deplete. Potassium is a very important cation. It is necessary for maintaining resting membrane potential and so prevents muscles from contracting or the nerves from firing impulses in the absence of sufficient stimulation. It is better to incorporate potassium rich foods in your daily diet like apricot, peaches, dates, and milk. Low potassium levels can cause abnormalities pumping of the heart. This can lead to arrhythmias in severe conditions and may even prove fatal.

Foods which neutralize HCL
Steroids can also be taken orally. A number of harmful effects like candidiasis accompanies oral intake of steroids . Candidiasis is oral thrush caused by yeast of normal flora called Candida albicantes, which are normally non-pathogenic, but manifests as oral or vaginal thrust or skin wounds. When the immunity of the patient is compromised, steroids blunt the rapidity and intensity of the immune response and therefore make the person prone to innumerable infections.

Moreover, steroids irritate the gastric mucosa. Due to this, HCL secretion increases and mucous lining of the stomach becomes prone to damage. It is best to eat foods like yogurt and milk, which neutralizes stomach acid and protects the epithelium from corrosion.

It is best to avoid foods that can further harm the GIT mucosa, including:

• Spicy foods
• Fruits rich in citric acid like oranges, lemons
• Fizzy drinks and alcohol
• Coffee and tea. Caffeine and theophylline present in coffee and tea respectively, stimulate gastric glands and thus increase production of gastric acid.

Do not take non-selective COX inhibitors or COX-1 inhibitors. These are drugs like aspirin. By inhibiting COX (or cyclooxygenase enzyme), they block the synthesis of protective prostaglandins which maintain the integrity of the gastric mucosa. In the absence of these prostaglandins, the mucosa becomes prone to damage by acidity.

Go for less salty items

Steroids alter the homeostasis of the body that results in salt and water retention and potential edema may be seen at sites where skin is loose such as on ankles, scrotum and eyelids. This can be controlled and prevented from being aggravated if low-salt diet is used. Avoid adding salt to curry or any other meal you consume. This has additional importance for hypertensive individuals as salt raises blood pressure. This increase in blood pressure is also due to the retention of water caused by increased salt intake. Avoid cheese, salted nuts, peanut butter and sausages as these contain a lot of salt in them.

Anabolic Steroid Side Effects

Anabolic steroids are effective in enhancing athletic performance. The trade off, however, is the occurrence of adverse side effects which can jeopardize health. Since anabolic steroids have effects on several organ systems, a myriad of side effects can be found. In general, the orally administered anabolic steroids have more adverse effects than parenterally administered anabolic steroids. In addition, the type of AS is not only important for the advantageous effects, but also for the adverse effects. Especially the AS containing a 17-alkyl group have potentially more adverse affects, in particular to the liver. One of the problems with athletes, in particular strength athletes and bodybuilders, is the use of oral and parenteral anabolic steroids at the same time ("stacking"), and in dosages which may be several (up to 40 times) the recommended therapeutical dosage. The frequency and severity of side effects is quite variable. It depends on several factors such as type of drug, dosage, duration of use and the individual sensitivity and response.

Liver Function

Anabolic steroids may exert a profound adverse effect on the liver. This is particularly true for orally administered anabolic steroids. The parenterally administered anabolic steroids seem to have less serious effects on the liver. Testosterone cypionate, Testosterone enanthate and other injectable anabolic steroids seem to have little adverse effects on the liver. However, lesions of the liver have been reported after parenteral nortestosterone administration, and also occasionally after injection of testosterone esters. The influence of anabolic steroids on liver function has been studied extensively. The majority of the studies involve hospitalized patients who are treated for prolonged periods for various diseases, such as anemia, renal insufficiency, impotence, and dysfunction of the pituitary gland. In clinical trials, treatment with anabolic steroids resulted in a decreased hepatic excretory function. In addition, intra hepatic cholestasis, reflected by itch and jaundice, and hepatic peliosis were observed. Hepatic peliosis is a hemorrhagic cystic degeneration of the liver, which may lead to fibrosis and portal hypertension. Rupture of a cyst may lead to fatal bleeding.

Benign (adenoma's) and malign tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma) have been reported. There are rather strong indications that tumors of the liver are caused when the anabolic steroids contain a 17-alpha-alkyl group. Usually, the tumors are benign adenoma's, that reverse after stopping with steroid administration. However, there are some indications that administration of anabolic steroids in athletes may lead to hepatic carcinoma. Often these abnormalities remain asymptomatic, since peliosis hepatis and liver tumors do not always result in abnormalities in the blood variables that are generally used to measure liver function.

Anabolic steroids use is often associated with an increase in plasma activity of liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). These enzymes are present in hepatocytes in relatively high concentrations, and an increase in plasma levels of these enzymes reflect hepatocellular damage or at least increased permeability of the hepatocellular membrane.

In longitudinal studies of athletes treated with anabolic steroids, contradictory results were obtained on the plasma activity of liver enzymes (AST, AST, LDH, GGT, AP). In some studies, enzymes were increased, whereas in others no changes were found. When increases were found, the values were moderately increased and normalized within weeks after abstinence. There are some suggestions that the occurrence of hepatic enzyme leakage, is partly determined by the pre-treatment condition of the liver. Therefore, individuals with abnormal liver function appear to be at risk.

Anabolic Steroids and the Male Reproductive System

Anabolic steroids are derivatives of testosterone, which has strong genitotropic effects. For this reason, it will not be surprising that side effects include the reproductive system. Application of anabolic steroids leads to supra-physiological concentrations of testosterone or testosterone derivatives. Via the feed back loop, the production and release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) is decreased.

Prolonged use of anabolic steroids in relatively high doses will lead to hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, with decreased serum concentrations of LH, FSH, and testosterone.

There are strong indications that the duration, dosage, and chemical structure of the anabolic steroids are important for the serum concentrations of gonadotropins. A moderate decrease of gonadotropin secretion causes atrophy of the testes, as well as a decrease of sperm cell production. Oligo, azoospermia and an increased number of abnormal sperm cells have been reported in athletes using AS, resulting in a decreased fertility. After stopping anabolic steroids use, the gonadal functions will restore within some months. There are indications, however, that it may take several months.

In bodybuilding, where usually high dosages are uses, after stopping steroid use, often choriogonadotropins are administered to stimulate testicular function. The effectiveness of this therapy is unknown.

The various studies suggest that using more than one type of anabolic steroid at the same time ("stacking") causes a stronger inhibition of the gonadal functions than using one single anabolic steroid. After abstention from anabolic steroids these changes in fertility usually reverse within some months. However, several cases of have been reported in which the situation of hypogonadism lasted for more than 12 weeks.

A well known side effect of anabolic steroids in males is breast formation (gynecomastia). Gynecomastia is caused by increased levels of circulating estrogens, which are typical female sex hormones. The estrogens estradiol and estrone are formed in males by peripheral aromatization and conversion of anabolic steroids. The increased levels of circulation estrogens in males stimulate breast growth. In general, gynecomastia is irreversible.

Anabolic steroids may affect sexual desire. Although few investigations on this issue have been published, it appears that during anabolic steroids use sexual desire is increased, although the frequency of erectile dysfunction is increased. This may seem contradictory, but sexual appetite is androgen dependent, while erectile function is not. Since sexual desire and aggressiveness are increased during anabolic steroids use, the risk of getting involved in sexual assault may be increased.

Anabolic Steroids and the Female Reproductive System

In the normal female body small amounts of testosterone are produced, and as in males, artificially increasing levels by administration of anabolic steroids will affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. An increase in circulating androgens will inhibit the production and release of LH and FSH, resulting in a decline in serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogens and progesterone. This may result in inhibition of follicle formation, ovulation, and irregularities of the menstrual cycle. The irregularities of the menstrual cycle are characterized by a prolongation of the follicular phase, shortening of the luteal phase or amenorrhea. Although these changes are generally more pronounced in younger women, large inter-individual responsiveness to anabolic steroids exists. The effects of anabolic steroids dosages as generally used in sport, on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in females are hardly studied.

Other side effects of anabolic steroid use in females are increased sexual desire and hypertrophy of the clitoris. The few systematic studies that have been conducted suggest that the effects are similar to the effects in patients, treated with anabolic steroids.

Anabolic steroid use by pregnant women may lead to pseudohermaphroditism or to growth retardation of the female fetus. Anabolic steroid use may even lead to fetal death. However, these side effects have not been studied systematically. It is likely that the severity of the side effects is related to the dosage, duration of use and the type of the drug.

Additional side effects of anabolic steroids specifically in women are acne, hair loss, withdrawal of the frontal hair line, male pattern boldness, lowering of the voice, increased facial hair growth, and breast atrophy. The lowering of the voice, decreased breast size, clitoris hypertrophy and hair loss are generally irreversible. Females using anabolic steroids may develop masculine facial traits, male muscularity, and coarsening of the skin.

When anabolic steroids are administered in growing children side effects include virilization, gynecomastia, and premature closure of the epiphysis, resulting in cessation of longitudinal growth.

Serum Lipoproteins and the Cardiovascular System

Anabolic steroids also affect the cardiovascular system and the serum lipid profile. Relatively few studies have been done to investigate the effect of anabolic steroids on the cardiovascular system. No longitudinal studies have been conducted on the effect of anabolic steroids on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Most of the investigations have been focused on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and in particular the effect of anabolic steroids on blood pressure and on plasma lipoproteins. In most cross-sectional studies serum cholesterol and triglycerides between drug-free users and non-users is not different. However, during anabolic steroid use total cholesterol tends to increase, while HDL-cholesterol demonstrates a marked decline, well below the normal range. Serum LDL-cholesterol shows a variable response: a slight increase or no change. The response of total cholesterol seems to be influenced by the type of training that is done by the athlete. When a great deal of the exercise consists of aerobic exercise, the increasing effect of anabolic steroids is counterbalanced by an exercise-induced increasing effect, which may result in a net decline in total cholesterol. Aerobic training does not seem to be able to offset the steroid-induced decline in HDL-cholesterol and its subfractions HDL-2, and HDL-3.

The precise effect of anabolic steroids on LDL-cholesterol is unknown yet. It appears that anabolic steroids influence hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Males usually have higher levels of HTL, while females have higher LPL activity. HTL is primarily responsible for the clearance of HDL-cholesterol, while LPL takes care of cellular uptake of free fatty acids and glycerol. Androgens and anabolic steroids stimulate HTL, presumably resulting in decreased serum levels of HDL-cholesterol.

The effect of anabolic steroids on triglycerides is not well known. It is suggested that relatively low doses do not affect the serum triglyceride levels, while it cannot be excluded that higher doses elicit an increase.

No unanimity exists about the influence of anabolic steroids on arterial blood pressure. The response is most probably dose dependent. There is some data suggesting that high doses increase diastolic blood pressure, whereas low doses fail to have a significant effect on diastolic blood pressure. Increases in diastolic blood pressure normalize within 6-8 weeks after abstinence from anabolic steroids. It appears that repeated intermittent use of anabolic steroids does not affect diastolic blood pressure during drug free periods.

There is evidence that the use of anabolic steroids does elicit structural changes in the heart and that the ischemic tolerance is decreased after steroid use. Echocardiographic studies in bodybuilders, using anabolic steroids, reported a mild hypertrophy of the left ventricle, with a decreased diastolic relaxation, resulting in a decreased diastolic filling. Some investigators have associated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, and cerebro-vascular accidents with abuse of anabolic steroids. However, a possible causal relationship could not been proved, because longitudinal studies that are necessary to prove such a relationship, have not been conducted yet. There is convincing evidence that oral administration of anabolic steroids has stronger adverse effects on the mentioned variables than parenteral administration.

Although the effects of anabolic steroids have an unfavorable influence on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, no data are available about the long term effects. Most of the mentioned effects appear to reverse within 6-8 weeks after abstention. It is unknown, however, whether the structural changes as reported in the heart, are reversible as well.

Psychological Effects

Administration of anabolic steroids may affect behavior. Increased testosterone levels in the blood are associated with masculine behavior, aggressiveness and increased sexual desire. Increased aggressiveness may be beneficial for athletic training, but may also lead to overt violence outside the gym or the track. There are reports of violent, criminal behavior in individuals taking anabolic steroids. Other side effects of anabolic steroids are euphoria, confusion, sleeping disorders, pathological anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Anabolic steroid users may become dependent on the drug, with symptoms of withdrawal after cessation of drug use. The withdrawal symptoms consist of aggressive and violent behavior, mental depression with suicidal behavior, mood changes, and in some cases acute psychosis. At present it is unknown which individuals are particularly at risk. It is likely that great individual differences in responsiveness may exist. Some individuals try to minimize the withdrawal affects by administration of human choriogonadotropins (hCG), in order to enhance endogenous testosterone production. However, it is unknown in how far the hCG administration is successful in ameliorating the withdrawal effects.

Additional Side Effects

In addition to the mentioned side effects several others have been reported. In both males and females acne are frequently reported, as well as hypertrophy of sebaceous glands, increased tallow excretion, hair loss, and alopecia. There is some evidence that anabolic steroid abuse may affect the immune system, leading to a decreased effectiveness of the defense system. Steroid use decreases the glucose tolerance, while there is an increase in insulin resistance. These changes mimic Type II diabetes. These changes seem to be reversible after abstention from the drugs.

There are some case reports suggesting a causal relationship between anabolic steroid use and the occurrence of Wilms tumor, and prostatic carcinoma. In the literature also sleep apnea has been reported, which has been associated with AS-induced increased in hematocrit, leading to blood stasis and thrombosis.

AS use may affect thyroid function. Administration of anabolic steroids has been found to decrease thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH), and the products of the thyroid gland. In addition, thyroid binding globulin (TBG). These changes reversed within weeks after discontinuation of anabolic steroids use.

A serious consequence of anabolic steroids use may be the multiple drug abuse. On the one hand athletes use different kinds of drugs in an attempt to counterbalance the side effects: hCG, thyroid hormones, anti-estrogens, anti-depressants. On the other hand people try to support the anabolic effects of anabolic steroids by using additional anabolic hormones as for instance: different types of anabolic steroids at the same time, growth hormone, insulin, erythropoietine, and clenbuterol. Because most of this takes place outside the official medical circuit, it is likely that these practices may lead to serious conditions.

The Myths and Dangers of Anabolic Steroid Usage

There are a lot of misconceptions about what steroids are, how steroids work, and why steroids are dangerous. If you are curious about the subject of steroids, let's eliminate certain misconceptions that surround these drugs. I have never experimented with steroids and do not endorse their usage but this unbiased and researched report is intended to provide you with objective information of what these drugs are and what they can and cannot do.

What are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic steroids are a synthetic copy of the hormone testosterone. They have been the subject of much debate over the last few decades as well as misinformation. Athletes, especially bodybuilders, may feel lured towards them as these drugs do increase muscle size, strength, and stamina.

Taking Any Kind of Steroid Will Result In Death

The first thing that we need to understand is that steroids are drugs. Even Tylenol and Aspirin can cause serious problems if you take them in large quantities. All drugs when misused and abused haveOn the issue of variety, there are many different types of steroid out there. There are injectable steroids and oral steroids. The injectable kind are generally more androgenic (provide male characteristics like hair growth and aggression) in nature and less damaging to organs like the liver. The oral versions are more anabolic in nature and cause more side effects than their injectable brothers as they have to be processed by the liver. Different steroids have different properties so there are some that have more tendencies to build muscle mass while others have a tendency to increase strength. As their properties vary, so do their side effects. Usually the stronger the steroid (especially if oral), the more side effects you can expect.

The Good Side of Steroids

On the issue of variety, there are many different types of steroid out there. There are injectable steroids and oral steroids. The injectable kind are generally more androgenic (provide male characteristics like hair growth and aggression) in nature and less damaging to organs like the liver. The oral versions are more anabolic in nature and cause more side effects than their injectable brothers as they have to be processed by the liver. Different steroids have different properties so there are some that have more tendencies to build muscle mass while others have a tendency to increase strength. As their properties vary, so do their side effects. Usually the stronger the steroid (especially if oral), the more side effects you can expect.

Based on the fact that steroids give you all of these good effects that bodybuilders constantly look for, it is no surprise that they cause a psychological dependence. Think about it. If you have been taking them for the past 8 weeks, assuming good diet and training, chances are that you got very big and strong quick. You feel unstoppable after the 8 weeks of use. Suddenly you taper them off, up until you completely stop their use. A week later after cessation of use you notice that you are not getting good pumps, that your strength is diminishing regardless of your best effort and that your muscle mass is shrinking! Add to that the fact that for the first few weeks after cessation of use you will feel depressed due to low testosterone levels and it is no wonder that there are people out there that never get off from them.

The Psychological Effects of Steroids

Based on the fact that steroids give you all of these good effects that bodybuilders constantly look for, it is no surprise that they cause a psychological dependence. Think about it. If you have been taking them for the past 8 weeks, assuming good diet and training, chances are that you got very big and strong quick. You feel unstoppable after the 8 weeks of use. Suddenly you taper them off, up until you completely stop their use. A week later after cessation of use you notice that you are not getting good pumps, that your strength is diminishing regardless of your best effort and that your muscle mass is shrinking! Add to that the fact that for the first few weeks after cessation of use you will feel depressed due to low testosterone levels and it is no wonder that there are people out there that never get off from them

Depression Effects of Steroids

Due to the post cycle low period of testosterone along with the fact that your estrogen levels will rise, depression at this time will be very real. In order to minimize this, you would need to get with a doctor and jump on many post cycle drugs that will re-establish your natural testosterone production along with supressing your estrogen levels. If you have an understanding doctor that is willing to help, he may prescribe you with the medications you need. However, chances are that your medical insurance will not cover these drugs due to the fact that the condition was caused due to illegal steroid use. If you do not get these medications, then expect a very bad depression and total loss of gains.

If you do not know what you are doing (i.e. you used steroids with the most side effects, you abused the dosage, etc) then not only will you get bad side effects during the period of use, but you also will also get worst side effects after the use. Again, the degree of side effects is directly proportional to the dosage and type of the steroid and also dependent of the genetic propensity of the subject to get such side effects. Therefore, it would be impossible for me or anyone else to exactly predict what kind of side effects a user might encounter during a period of use. However, one thing is for certain. If you abused the drugs by using super high dosages and for very long periods of time, you may never be able to re-establish natural testosterone production, so you will then need to get with an endocrinologist and possibly stay on low dose testosterone therapy for life.

Steroid Users Risk:

1. Increased Liver Function.
2. Depression of Natural Testosterone Production.
3. Increase in Cholesterol Levels and Blood Pressure (Not conductive to good cardiovascular health).
4. Altered Thyroid Function. 
5. Headeches.
6. Nose bleeds.
7. Cramps.
8. Development of breastlike tissue in men (Gynecomastia).
9. Insulin Insensitivity (Even though Deca Durabolin improves the insulin metabolism). 
10. Androgenic Side effects such as thinning hair, enlarged prostate, oily skin, water retention, increased body hair, aggressiveness. 
11. Stunted growth if you are a teenager.
12. Oral Steroid specific side effects: In addition to the above, the orals also tend to cause nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.
13. May accelerate the growth of tumors. 

Again, keep in mind that different steroids offer different side effects and that everything is dosage dependent, so the list above is a generalized list of side effects.

I am not even going to go into the kind of side effects that females encounter when they decide to use these drugs, especially the androgenic ones like testosterone. That could be a whole article by itself, but I think that most people could imagine what happens when you start introducing abnormal amounts of hormones from the opposite sex into your body.