Anabolic steroids were originally developed in the 1930s to treat hypogonadism, a medical condition in which the testes do not produce enough testosterone. Currently, they are prescribed to treat steroid hormone deficiency, such as delayed puberty and some types of impotence.
Sometimes, steroids are prescribed to counteract the wasting away of the body’s muscle mass due to diseases like some cancers and HIV infection.
Defining What Anabolic Steroid Is
The term “anabolic steroids” is used to refer to a group of synthetic substances that mimic the effects of male sex hormones such as testosterone. The drugs promote in both males and females the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects).
Therefore, the proper term for these substances should be “anabolic-androgenic steroids,” throughout this site, they are referred to as the more commonly used term “anabolic steroids.”
How Anabolic Steroid Works Inside the Body?
Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced variants of the naturally occurring male sex hormone testosterone. Both testosterone and anabolic steroids promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects), as well as a host of other functions
Testosterone is secreted in a pulsatile manner from the testicular Leydig cells, reaching maximal concentrations in the blood plasma about 30 to 60 minutes after a dose. The bioavailability of orally administered testosterone is low, so it must be esterified and attached to an esterase-resistant group such as enanthate or undecanoate before being hydrolyzed by hepatic lipase into the free testosterone molecule.
The Positive Effects of Using Anabolic Steroids
There are some positive effects that people feel after using anabolic steroids. They are:
– Increase in muscles
– Increase in stamina
– Better sleep at night
The Negative Effects of Using Anabolic Steroids
There are some negative effects that people feel after using anabolic steroids. They are:
– Increase in libido (sex drive)
– Acne on face and body
– Mental changes such as aggression or addiction to drugs others than steroids
– Effects on kidney and liver – High blood pressure
Read also about Testosterone Propionate injection
Cycling, Stacking, and Pyramiding
People who abuse anabolic steroids sometimes use different methods, or patterns, of usage based on their goals. Athletes may use steroids for a limited period of time to accomplish a specific goal, but bodybuilders may use steroids for long periods of time. They include:
Cycling
This method involves taking multiple doses over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and then starting again. Typically, users will take steroids for six weeks to 16 weeks at a time, followed by several weeks of taking low doses or no steroids at all.
Athletes who know they are going to be tested – for example, during a specific event or competition – will time their cycle in hopes of passing the drug test. Cycling is also used to try to minimize the undesirable side effects of steroids use.
According to Dr. James Tolliver a pharmacologist with the DEA, the reasons that users report that they use cycling include:
- Ensure peak performance during competition
- Prevent detection of steroid use
- Reduction of adverse effects
- Reduction of tolerance development
Stacking
When abusers combine different types of steroids—such as those taken orally as well as those injected—it is called stacking. The idea behind the practice is that the different kinds interact to produce a greater effect.
Many users try stacking in hopes of increasing the effectiveness of the combination of steroids, but there is no scientific evidence to back that theory up.
According to the DEA’s Dr. Tolliver:
- Injectables may be stacked with oral preparations
- Short-acting steroids may be stacked with longer-acting steroids
- Stacking is never done in medical practice
Pyramiding
In this method, users start with low doses then increase the dosage or the frequency until they reach a peak at mid-cycle. Then they gradually reduce the dosage or frequency down to zero. Typically, the pyramid cycle will last six to 12 weeks. This is usually followed by a cycle when the user continues to train or exercise without taking steroids.
Pyramid users believe the method gives the body time to adjust to the high dosages and the drug-free period allows the body’s hormonal system time to recuperate. But again, the theory is not supported by scientific research.
Anabolic Steroid Cycles Divided Into 3 Phases
The anabolic-androgenic steroids are further subdivided into the 19-nor group, representing 19 carbon atoms along with a methyl group at c-17alpha, and the nandrolone group, representing 19 carbons atoms along with a double bond between the 1 and 2 positions on the A ring.
– Phase 1: Stimulation phase
This is the first 5 weeks of the cycle where goals are to increase muscular endurance and increase lean muscle mass. This phase consists mostly of non-aromatizable drugs that promote nitrogen retention such as Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) or Trenbolone.
– Phase 2: Transition or stabilization phase
This is the second 5 weeks of the cycle where goals are to keep gains made in the stimulation phase and prepare for the next step in the cycle by starting to introduce drugs that aromatize more readily. This would include introducing testosterone or testosterone precursors such as Dianabol (Methandrostenolone).
– Phase 3: PCT phase
This is the final 5 weeks of the cycle where goals are to help restore the natural production of bodily hormones while keeping gains made in stimulation and transition phases. Also, prevent any excess weight gained. This phase consists mostly of drugs that do not aromatize such as Tamoxifen Citrate.
Anabolic Steroid Cycles by Stack
– Bulking Stack: Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) combined with Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) or Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
– Cutting Stack: Trenbolone combined with Winstrol (Stanozolol)
– Mass Stack: Dianabol (methandrostenolone) combined with testosterone or Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate). Or Testosterone combined with Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) or Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
– Strength Stack: Testosterone combined with Dianabol (Methandrostenolone), Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate), Trenbolone, or Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
– Bulking and Strength Stack: Testosterone combined with Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate), Dianabol (Methandrostenolone), Trenbolone, or Anadrol (Oxymetholone). Or Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) combined with Dianabol (Methandrostenolone), Trenbolone, or Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
– Cutting and Strength Stack: Testosterone combined with Winstrol (Stanozolol), Trenbolone, or Anadrol (Oxymetholone). Or Winstrol (Stanozolol) combined with Testosterone, Trenbolone, or Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
– Cutting and Mass Stack: Winstrol (Stanozolol) combined with Trenbolone. Or Winstrol (Stanozolol) combined with testosterone or Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate). Or Testosterone combined with Trenbolone. Or Trenbolone combined with Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate)
Anabolic Steroid Stacks by Individual
– Dianabol stack: Methandrostenolone – 40-60mg daily – or Anadrol (Oxymetholone) 50-70mg per day
– Trenbolone stack: Trenbolone 100mg per day
– Testosterone stack: Testosterone 300-500mg weekly
How to Avoid Side Effects of Anabolic Steroid Cycles?
Anabolic steroid cycles can have bad effects on the body since they are not natural hormones. Some side effects of the anabolic steroid cycle are acne, cysts, oily skin, aggression, bad cholesterol levels, and problems with the liver. To avoid these side effects people should use some drug called Nolvadex or Clomid for women during the PCT phase. For men, PCT starts without these drugs since testosterone production is natural. But Nolvadex or Clomid should be used for at least 4-6 weeks after the last anabolic steroid injection to restore natural hormone levels. And then take Stanozolol to lower the estradiol level in the blood to avoid gyno.
Anabolic Steroid Cycle Length
First of all, the anabolic steroid cycle doesn’t work and can’t even be measured in cycles. There is no such thing as a 7 weeks cycle or 9 weeks cycle. It’s the effect of every drug which must be taken into consideration when choosing the proper time for the next injection. But with deca there is always a minimum injection interval which can be easily measured since deca has a very long life in your body. To prevent gyno people should not inject more than once every 10 days. Because of this rule, it’s easier to understand side effects and determine a suitable time for the next injection. For testosterone, the same rule applies – no injections with this drug more than every 10 days.
Anabolic Steroid cycle example:
– First week: testosterone propionate 100mg every day
– Rest of the cycle: test sustanon 250 750mg per week
It’s always better to start with weaker drugs and then move to stronger ones. It’s very important that you understand your body and how it reacts to different doses of each drug. With this knowledge, you will be able to decide which anabolic steroid cycle is best for you. But remember that some drugs can not be stacked with other drugs – Trenbolone, Testosterone propionate, testosterone suspension or Sustanon cannot be stacked because they have the same ester.
Summary and Conclusion
In conclusion, Anabolic Steroids can be very useful for those who need to increase muscle mass and strength quickly. But there may also be side effects if taken improperly or abused. People who abuse steroids often use them out of proportion, taking doses that are too high and stacking different kinds without any regard for their individual characteristics.
It is always better to follow the doctor’s advice and take the right dosage. If you have any questions about anabolic steroid cycles, ask your doctor for advice.