And btw I haven't read about health and general nutrition for a while (in depth), but these are the rough reasons off the top of my head why you shouldn't take steroids (like any other drug). I'm not saying they're bad or comparing them to anything.
- Firstly in pill form which are the most accessible forms of steroids they are very bad for your liver. Something to do with the liver metabolizing the drug, this process causes liver damage and stress. Alcohol and paracetamol and most other over the counter drugs cause liver damage also. Milkthistle is usually used to offer some protection.
Its is often banted around the oral steroids will cause liver failure; this is far from the truth. In reality the toxicity from aas in minimal and variable depending on the aas. You're average univeristy students liver will often be a far worse condition than any bodybuilders. Milk thistle can be used to cleanse the liver, however its not overly necessary and often advised against whilst on cycle as it can put additional strain on the liver
- DHT is a chemical (dihydrotestosterone). Steroid use can increase levels of this chemical which is a problem for hair folicals at the scalp or anyone that has hair loss in their genes. This isn't reversed either.
This is correct, an increase in DHT can SPEED UP the rate in which hair loss occurs. However, male pattern baldness is a genetic/hereditory thing, so everyone will be different. So in essence, if you're destined to go bald, aas will increase the speed of this process
- Testosterone secreted by your testicles. When using steroids your body significantly reduces it's own production of testosterone or shuts it off completely, this is because of the extra Testosterone like chemicals you are taking in steroid form. This is a problem when you come OFF the steroids, you have to take more drugs to try and kick start your own production.
This is a problem with many aas users that do no/very little research on what they are actually doing, before they embark on the use of AAS. As mentioned above, the use of aas, will stop/significantly decrease the natty production of test; to maintain natty test production during cycle many use 'HCG' which triggers pitruatry(SP?) gland in to producing LH & FSH (chemcials required for natty test production), this brings the twins back in to action during cycle and prevents the testicles from shrinking (Atrophy).
When an aas cycle is complete, the user needs to carry out something called a PCT... (Post Cycle Therapy). This generally contains to substances called Clomid and Nolva. Both are used in fertility and cancer treatment in women. A normal PCT lasts 4 weeks post cycle and aids in the reproduction of natty test
- Infertility. Can't remember how but know it can cause infertility, probably linked to above.
(Refer above)
- Moobs (gynecomastia) and lactating (milk). Men naturally have low levels of estrogen (female hormone). A side effect of most steroids is high levels of estrogen in the body, I believe the body increase its naturally low level of estrogen to match the testosterone levels in your body (could be wrong).
Certain areas (cells) in the body are more receptive to the estrogen hormone (such as the breasts), and this basically causes fat storage in these areas. You need to take forms of anti-estrogen drugs to block the cells responding to estrogen, this needs to be done for weeks after you complete your "course".
Your body has the ability to match your testosterone on a 1:1 ratio. I.e., for every mg of testosterone, your body could produce the same amount in estrogen. Due to the significant increase in testosterone whilst on cycle, your estrogen levels will naturally rise. This can lead to the production of breast tissue (gyno) as well as other sides such as water retention, bloat etc. High levels of estrogen in the body are certainly not a good thing, however, the body cannot survive without some estrogen, although only a small amount. Whilst on cycle a product (The ladies pill) is often taken to reduce the risk of these sides.
Not sure how it causes lactating, but I think the estrogen activates men's milk glands in the breast and there for producting of your very own milk.
