Using steroids for muscle growth can be a tricky business. Despite the sensationalist media surrounding steroid use, over a million Americans have used them at some point in their life.
Like many other drugs, steroid use is completely legal with a valid prescription. The prescription indicates that your use is being overseen by a medical professional. It’s when people use steroids illegally – without a prescription or professional guidance – that they get into trouble.
Legal or not, steroid use is a controversial subject. Everything from its legality to its side effects are a hot topic of conversation.
To find out more about how you can use steroids for muscle growth, check out the guide below.
What Are Steroids?
Not all steroids are effective for muscle growth. The steroids used for that purpose are specifically known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS).
These drugs are synthetically manufactured to mimic the naturally occurring male sex hormone testosterone. Doctors prescribe it for treatment of many conditions, including weight gain, androgen replacement therapy, and erectile dysfunction.
AAS is unlike other hormones in that they are fat soluble. This allows them to directly affect the nucleus of cells.
As a drug, steroids are classified as a Schedule III controlled substance. As a result, anyone using them needs a prescription to avoid legal trouble.
Steroids for Muscle Growth
Due to their fat-soluble properties, these synthetic hormones work better than others in stimulating muscle growth. This artificial testosterone produces both anabolic and androgenic effects. Anabolically, it increases bone and muscle mass. Androgenically, it develops male characteristics like facial hair and male genitals.
AAS are most attractive for their anabolic abilities. It is able to penetrate cells and influence them to produce more protein. They can also stimulate bone marrow, increase production of red blood cells, and increase skeletal muscle size.
If you want to find out more about how steroids affect muscle growth, you can ask your primary health care provider.
Potential Side Effects
Although steroids seem like a miracle for muscle growth, they also come with some unfortunate side effects. Before beginning steroid use, make sure to consider these potential effects.
Steroid use carries risks for both men and women. These risks are more pronounced at higher doses.
For men, they may experience gynecomastia, testicular shrinkage, infertility, and enlargement of the prostate gland.
For women, they may experience potentially irreversible clitoral enlargement, voice deepening, and baldness. They may also develop more body hair and irregular periods.
While the benefits of steroid use can be great, these potential side effects are nothing to scoff at.
Steroid Use and More
Steroids for muscle growth work well to increase muscle mass. The only drawback to this shortcut is the potential side effects. Make sure to consult your primary care physician before using them.
Only with a medical professional overseeing your steroid use can you ensure you’re using them safely. Additionally, you need a prescription to keep your use legal.
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