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Misuse of anabolic steroids may cause minor to severe adverse effects, including death. Most are reversible if the medicine is stopped. Some are temporary, while others are permanent.
Less formal epidemiological research than case reports provides most evidence on anabolic steroid long-term effects in people. Many persons who use anabolic steroids recreationally consume significantly more than prescribed. That is particularly true if the steroid is in a high concentration supplement or injection.
Misuse of these may be hazardous during:
- Cycling: The use of steroids in significant quantities followed by a break
- Stacking: Simultaneously employ numerous steroid kinds or delivery methods (like injections and supplements together)
- Pyramiding: Gradually increasing dosage, then dropping it again
- Plateauing: Short-circuiting the ineffective steroid with another and then returning to it
Some individuals may get dangerously addicted to the sensation of strength or endurance that steroids provide, but the associated risks are not inevitable.
Steroid Side Effects And Compounds To Counter Them
There is no magic pill to eliminate steroid side effects, but here are five of the most anticipated anabolic steroid side effects with the compounds to use, for your best knowledge.
Painful Pumps and Taurine
Pumping usually feels great. In the mirror, you see that all the sweating under the bar was worth it.
The cause is twofold:
- Your muscles get more oxygenated blood flow
- Lactic acid causes an increase in water flow
Unfortunately, on gear, pumping may occur unexpectedly, turning basic tasks into utter torment.
Walking upstairs or stooping down to pick up a sock from the floor might cause horrible shin pumps or lower back pumps.
Do you need to mention that working out might make you cry? Extreme pumping, particularly from orals, redefines deadlift.
So, what can relieve your discomfort and help you recover control of your pumps? It’s Taurine.
Taurine balances your electrolytes and somewhat eliminates the second cause of your pumps which is water retention. It also has several additional advantages:
- Regulate calcium
- Support for the central nervous system
- Protect the heart
- Improve memory and increase brain activity
- lower the risk of diabetes
Taurine is a fantastic substance overall, despite some mild adverse effects.
Read also about Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
Liver Damage and Milk Thistle
The liver works as a natural filter, keeping hazardous substances from entering the body.
Anabolic steroids push your liver to its limits. Especially 17-alkylated orals like Dianabol, Anavar, and Winstrol. 17-alkylation hinders the liver from destroying these molecules. Oral steroid abuse may cause blood-filled liver cysts or cirrhosis.
Milk Thistle is the liver support ingredient that works well with anabolic steroids. It is a grass and a small plant called Silybum marianum. The flavonoid silymarin, which milk thistle generates, is the single thing that attracts most people. It has several benefits:
- Bone structure protection
- Lowering cancer risk
- Skincare and acne therapy (if digestive disorders are causing acne)
- Restoring sugar levels
- Protect and regenerate liver cells
Milk thistle envelops active liver cells, protecting them from hazardous substances.
So all anabolic steroids do not harm your liver as much as they may. Milk thistle gives your liver a second health bar like a video game.
See info about post cycle therapy in UK
Acne and Accutane
Acne is an asshole, and you know it. It’s one of the most irritating steroidal effects.
It happens when your skin’s oil glands overproduce oil due to high androgen levels in your blood. They clog and develop on your top skin, manifesting black spots, white dots, and pimples. Even standard TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) dosages may cause acne, particularly if you already have it.
No hygienic changes or external creams will assist with steroidal acne. So, how can you get rid of it? If the situation becomes severe, Accutane may save the day.
For starters, Accutane is a defunct brand name. It is now sold as Roaccutane or Isotretinoin (which is also the active substance).
Accutane might reduce your oil glands by 50%, resulting in 80% less oil. Thus, it will provide you:
- Fewer acne bacteria
- Fewer pore clogs
- More occasional tension in your pimples
- Less inflammation
- Better skin.
Despite its appearance, Accutane has several noticeable adverse effects.
It may worsen acne during the first month or two. Not everyone who takes it gets better, and things don’t always get better. It all relies on how your body will react to it.
Besides, Accutane is liver-damaging. It’s a one-two punch that your vital organ doesn’t need.
Even though most athletes who battle acne use it, it’s unwise to overlook Accutane; you must first consult or start with your dermatologist to ensure positive results.
Hypertension and Magnesium
High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the most severe adverse effects. It may cause anxiety by causing symptoms like:
- Headaches
- Apnea (breathing difficulty)
- Fatigue
- Pain in the chest
- Nosebleeds
- Hematuria (blood in urine)
There are dozens of specialist drugs for high blood pressure, but most are inappropriate for regular athletes.
It would be helpful to aim for something gentle and natural if you have normal blood pressure and offset cycle side effects like Magnesium.
Magnesium is a mineral that your body always has. It controls several bodily functions, including muscular relaxation. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing particular muscles around your blood vessels.
There are a lot of magnesium supplements available—no need to spend money on expensive compounds, especially for athletes.
Hair Loss and Finasteride
Ask Phil Health or Flex Wheeler whether baldness has ever stopped them from working out. But it’s still considered an unwelcome side effect for most.
You should realize that testosterone does not harm your hair. It must first be converted into DHT by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. The event starts then.
DHT shrinks and weakens hair follicles. That’s why you lose hair even if you’re young and using new gear.
The balding impact is reversible. The danger increases if you are prone to balding naturally. Nothing will assist you. To avoid steroid-induced baldness, you must lower DHT, and Finasteride accomplishes that.
Finasteride inhibits 5-alpha reductase, reduces the enzyme’s activity, and lowers DHT levels. It doesn’t eliminate all DHT but only reduces it to normal levels.
You should realize that if you constantly use steroids, you must also use Finasteride. In other cases, the impression is lost along with your hair.
If you’re not ready for long-term therapy, try 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like Testolyze.
Mild side effects, like occasional headaches from high blood pressure or a few pimples on your back, don’t necessitate nuclear options. Improve your sleep, eat healthier, and give it a week or two to see if your mild side effects disappear. Getting some relevant data on Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) and Aromatase Inhibitors if you have gynecomastia, mood swings, or depression would help you along the way. You may have decided to skip the most critical cycle.
What Is the Importance of the PCT?
You wouldn’t leap off an aircraft without knowing the landing was safe. PCT is the parachute that your body uses to exit a steroid cycle. With low natural Testosterone and high Estrogen, you need it to prevent a crash. It’s like a hormonal breakdown, except worse:
- Gynecomastia
- Stifled mental state
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Adiposity
- Low libido
That’s just a few. The whole list relies on your hardware and may include unpleasant surprises.
PCT not only restores your physical shape but also avoids the behavioral repercussions of low testosterone. Some athletes (especially those who do rigorous cycles without assistance) wind up in rehab. With PCT, you also fight:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Mood dysregulation
- Nervousness
- Psychiatric chronic illnesses (manias, bipolar disorder)
- Suicidal thoughts
Effective post-cycle treatment helps you prevent cycling-related injuries and maintain your results. While PCT chemicals differ, most advantages are the same:
- Maximum strength and muscle mass retention
- Minimal rollback
- Increasing your testosterone production
- Normalization of hormonal balance
- Gynecomastia prevention (and other aromatization adverse effects)
- The reduction of anabolic steroid side effects
What Happens if You Don’t Get PCT?
Your body is on the line when you attempt to discontinue an anabolic steroid cycle without PCT. The following variables determine your odds of hormonal normalization without PCT:
- Age
- A gear background
- Testosterone gene expression
- Psychiatric illness history
- Durability and cumulative power of cycles
PCT Compounds
PCT now comes in three different forms. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs), such as Nolvadex (Tamoxifen), Clomid, and the less popular but still beneficial Raloxifene, are the most common and possibly the oldest means to get back on track. You may also employ HCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, as part of your pre-PCT arsenal. Proviron (Mesterolone) is the third choice since sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Unfortunately, even if it was a massive thing for a time, it doesn’t work alone.
SERMs Work
SERMs, as their name implies, specifically alter estrogen receptor activity.
Your body does not naturally create high levels of estrogen. However, high testosterone in the body might cause it to aromatize (the body’s aromatase enzymes). These men turn testosterone into estrogen. It occurs spontaneously all the time, but the consequences are so tiny that you don’t notice. Anabolic steroids speed up the process, causing adverse effects as moobs, sadness, and libido suppression. You can’t stop the process, but you can prevent too much estrogen from entering your body. SERMs do that.
SERM Action Mechanism
Tamoxifen and other estrogen-like compounds are your sidekicks. Estrogen floats freely in your blood until you urinate it out. Tamoxifen molecules replace genuine estrogen molecules, limiting the amount delivered by your receptors. After the PCT, they just wean from your body and allow estrogen to act as it used to, but in a safe dosage.
Post Cycle Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)
Nolvadex (“Nolva”) is the brand name for the active ingredient Tamoxifen, and it is the earliest known post-cycle medication. That’s the medicine that prevents moob growth. Nolvadex also has a favorable effect on the liver by balancing LDL and HDL cholesterol.
While on cycle and during PCT, Nolvadex is excellent at preventing aromatization. The popularity of post-cycle is undeniable. It was favored 20 to 30 years ago. Now, most athletes think it’s worthless and counterproductive.
Hardcore cycles don’t require it since they fight aromatization well enough, but they work well with fewer androgenic drugs like Winstrol.
Nolvadex has moderate side effects that are dosage-dependent. Some sportsmen report headaches and dizziness. However, adverse effects only occur at excessive dosages, making Nolvadex an ideal PCT drug.
Post Cycle Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) is a synthetic estrogen used to treat ovulation problems in women. It is a SERM, like Nolvadex, but functions differently. It increases natural testosterone production and directly affects the brain and testicles. Second, its specific purpose makes it less harmful than alternatives.
Do not use Clomid during your primary cycle. Instead, you should wait a few weeks following your last injection for your body to eliminate any steroids.
Because Clomid is the weakest PCT component, adverse effects are infrequent and largely minor inconveniences like excessive perspiration and blood pressure increases. Because of this weakness, Clomid dosages are more remarkable than other SERMs – up to 150mg daily.
Post Cycle HCG
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is the most contentious of the bunch. For starters, it’s what pregnancy tests respond to since pregnant women only generate it. In the male body, HCG acts as the luteinizing hormone, which increases testosterone synthesis. Athletes who suffer from decreased testicular function following extended injection cycles like it.
Contrary to common belief, HCG is not a “weight reduction tool”. In one trial, the HCG diet worked only with a significant calorie restriction. Like all other TV diets for bored homemakers, HCG is now a marketing ploy.
HCG is not suited for traditional PCT. Taking it alone after steroid use is a bad idea.
Instead, HCG is ideal for post-cycle therapeutic preparation. Use it to maximize your chances of success and speed up the procedure. The essential thing is that HCG is reversible – when treatment is stopped, testosterone levels decrease. In other words, it only works while it’s in your body.
HCG should be used in the final 2-3 weeks of the cycle to maximize its effectiveness. It wakes up your testicles for a significant repair course. The reality is, for some bodybuilders, this is the only way to see their testicles in full size again.
Proviron (Mesterolone)
Mesterolone is another chemical with dubious claims (on the market as Proviron). It’s an anabolic steroid, a synthetic form of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). With full gear, you wouldn’t notice Proviron’s lack of androgenicity. DHT may attach to estrogen molecules and inactivate them, making it an anti-estrogen. Here’s why many athletes still try:
Proviron and Libido Gains
Proviron keeps an erection even while you’re subdued. Officially, it’s for persons with reduced sexual desire. It may help you when other gear hurts your libido. Proviron has been shown to combat depression and anxiety in several trials.
Proviron vs. Water Retention
Proviron makes your skin seem drier, and your muscles feel tougher. It may be used with wet chemicals like Dianabol or Deca Durabolin to reduce puffiness.
Proviron is not the most incredible option for post-cycle recovery. But only in conjunction with Nolvadex or Clomid.
Nothing can replace natural testosterone. High doses might further depress you. During PCT, Mesterolone is used to prevent libido loss in the first two weeks of Nolva or Clomid use. In the worst days of withdrawal, there is a compound that will make you rock hard.
How To Boost PCT?
No additional assistance is required for most compounds, although paying attention to the minor details is usually beneficial. Here’s what to look for:
Manage Your Results
Check your blood and get a checkup two weeks before your period ends. Examine the findings a week later. Doing it for the third time after your PCT is crucial. As a result of this, you will know whether it was effective or not.
Pharma Grade Compounds
Post Cycle Therapy is a steal alone. Due to its popularity, some shady stores offer fakes, underdosed tablets, or placebos. Your natural testosterone recovery is at risk, so choose a trustworthy provider.
Proper Nutrition
While Nolvadex alone may prevent gynecomastia, dietary adjustments might also assist. Reduce sugar and salt intake and avoid cheat meals. It might lessen your risk of developing marshmallow nipples.
Does PCT Work?
It is a significant issue for experts to discuss this subject. There is no particular medical research on the necessity for post cycle treatment. Medical specialists and clinicians at Harvard and California University conduct extensive surveys and testing, but the findings will likely be delayed.
Several studies have shown the impact of PCT chemicals individually. It suggests that Clomid’s natural testosterone restoration and other SERMs, including Tamoxifen (Nolvadex), may inhibit gynecomastia development.
However, current research shows that PCT does more damage than benefit and hinders the repair process. The subject is still unconfirmed whether this new research used adequate doses and responsible patients.
Final Thoughts
Finally, don’t take a fuckton of medication to counteract the effects of another fuckton of drugs. You may have different adverse effects and become the pharmacy’s favorite client. Change your lifestyle and nutrition first to address any difficulties organically.
Not even Clomid or HCG can help certain hardcore athletes with a lengthy history of extreme gear use. And if you wish to stop, you should seek medical advice first. Intramuscular injection is necessary for breakfast to some bodybuilders, and they’re good with life-long testosterone replacement therapy. The likelihood of needing PCT is increased if you follow their lead.
If it doesn’t work, you now know what weapons to use against each of the nasty guys on gear. Just choose the best compound to strike all your targets!