Side Effects of Steroids | How to Use Safely for Muscle Gain?

12 May Side Effects of Steroids | How to Use Safely for Muscle Gain?

The initial side effects of synthetic anabolic steroids for muscle gain can show up as severe acne, hair loss, and even infertility. Not to mention, it is illegal to use and has been banned by authorities. 

Read on to find out why steroids are not good for bodybuilding.

Mesmerized by the amazing steroid bodybuilding transformations? 

Well, it’s time to look deeper into the picture!

Bodybuilding is all about muscle strength and power. While some can naturally have strong muscles, others often want strength that goes beyond average.

In the search for quick muscle growth and strength, people often end up taking anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Initially, these steroids might work wonders and within no time you are all busy flaunting those sexy abs and pecs.

However, are anabolic steroids really good for bodybuilding?

The answer is a BIG NO!

While the physical features of steroids are extravagant, the side effects that it takes to reach these features are often unavoidable.

Right below we document some of these major side effects of steroid shots for muscle and your body as we go in-depth about anabolic steroids.

Are Steroids Safe for Muscle Building?

Steroids are popularly associated with big muscle gains because of their tremendous benefits:

• More protein synthesis in the body causes muscle growth
• Reducing the fat layers and cutting off stubborn accumulations
• Faster recovery from workouts
• Improved endurance and stamina

Although the benefits sound exciting, once you understand what a steroid is, the clouds clear off!

What is an Anabolic Steroid?

Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that mimic the actions of the male hormone, testosterone.

Our body naturally produces enough testosterone for muscle repair and muscle growth.

But since the natural testosterone produced by the body is not enough to produce high-end results in bodybuilding, people often turn to anabolic steroids.

Adding synthetic testosterone often leads to amplified results, but it is not devoid of the side effects of steroids. Let’s find out more about these side effects.

Side Effects of Steroids for Muscle Gain

In recent reports, it was found that a large scale of people, irrespective of sex and age, were found to misuse the drugs for performance enhancement and muscle gains.

This brought in two types of side effects of steroids for muscle gain:

• Sex-specific (in men and women)
• General side effects

Side Effects of Steroids in Men

The side effects of steroids are more common among men as compared to women.

But it still has a significant negative effect on women’s bodies too.

These side effects are mostly physical changes that can affect the way you look.

#1. Infertility

The anabolic steroids pills affect fertility by affecting sperm production.

Naturally, our body produces enough testosterone through the Leydig cells to regulate sperm production and release.

But when you take exogenous testosterone, it sends signals to the brain to induce negative feedback that inhibits the release of precursors of testosterone.

This causes reduced testosterone levels and hence sperm abnormalities like:

• Less motility
• Poor sperm count
• Abnormal shape of the sperm

All these factors might be responsible for the progression of male infertility.

#2. Testicular Atrophy and Erectile Dysfunction

Taking steroids for a long period can cause atrophy of the testicles.

This occurs because of the same negative feedback mechanism that stops the brain from releasing testosterone.

When less testosterone is produced, there aren’t adequate levels of natural DHT, a hormone responsible for the maturation of the scrotum and testicles.

This could even cause erectile dysfunction.

#3. Hair Loss

By taking exogenous testosterone, you increase the levels of DHT to an unhealthy extent that can damage the hair follicles.

DHT can cause inflammation around the hair follicles, resulting in the loosening of hair and breakage.

This can eventually result in hair loss from steroids use, which is definitely not a pleasant experience for both men and women. Not to mention, it kills confidence.

#4. Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a condition characterized by enlarged breasts among men.

This mainly occurs because of a hormonal imbalance between testosterone and estrogen levels.

Usually, estrogen levels are naturally low in the body, but taking steroids for muscle growth can cause the estrogen levels to go up.

Moreover, unlike some other side effects, gynecomastia is not reversible after stopping the use of steroids.

#5. Severe Acne

The most common anabolic steroids side effects pictures show severe acne mainly on the chest and back.

It could appear on the face too and is more common among people below the age of 30.

Though the exact cause is not known, according to studies, the immune response of the body has a role in the development of acne vulgaris.

#6. Stomach Irritation

The side effects of steroid injections for muscle gain include several types of pain, but the most common one is stomach irritation.

Steroids are known to cause gastric inflammation, causing stomach irritations.

While these were some of the common side effects of steroids for muscle gains among men, even women tend to see similar side effects with steroids.

Side Effects of Steroids in Women

One might wonder—are steroids safe for muscle building among women because of their testosterone-like actions?

Well, steroids can have worse side effects in women than in men.

#1. Hirsutism or hairiness

Generally, a woman’s body produces a small amount of androgen and more estrogen that keeps the hair soft.

But anabolic steroids increase the male sex hormones among women that start developing male-like characteristics like the development of facial hair.

#2. Breast Atrophy

The hormonal balance between testosterone and estrogen is disturbed when women take steroids.

This causes an interaction between the hormone receptors and the stroma and breast epithelial cells, affecting the proliferation and growth of breasts.

While the growth stops, the decrease in subcutaneous fat contributes to the atrophy.

#3. Swollen Clitoris

Too much testosterone in the female body can result in enlargening of the clitoris.

This could be because of inflammation or other factors.

#4. Deepened Voice

The testosterone levels can mimic their role in women’s bodies too and start acting on secondary sexual characters.

It can cause a deepening of the voice where:

• Pitch decreases
• Frequency increases
• The vocal cords thicken

This eventually causes a male-like voice.

#5. Effects on Periods

The different types of steroids for bodybuilding can affect periods in different ways.

For example, anabolic steroids can result in irregular menses while corticosteroids can cause heavy bleeding in periods.

#6. Other Side Effects

There are also some similar side effects among women like in males:

• Hair loss
• Acne on the face and chest

These sex-specific side effects usually cause changes in physical features. However, there are more dangerous physiological side effects of steroids.

Physiological Side Effects of Steroids for Muscle Gain

Even if you go for the best steroid to gain weight and muscle, there are still chances for the side effects to kick in!

While the physical side effects are usually reversible, the side effects of the physiological system can be fatal.

Some of these side effects include:

• Heart attack
• Liver damage
• Blood clots 
• Unnatural weight gain
• Cholesterol build-up
• Decreased hemoglobin

Here’s why these side effects of steroids for muscle gain are extremely dangerous for you. 

#1. Heart Attack

According to health experts, anabolic steroids can cause an increase in plaque formation in the arteries.

This not only narrows the arteries but can even break off into pieces which may block circulation and lead to a heart attack.

#2. Liver Damage

Liver damage is one of the side effects of oral steroids for muscle building. It can affect the liver in four ways:

• Serum enzyme elevations –elevations in the enzymes associated with a liver-like ALT
• Acute cholestatic syndrome – reduced flow of the bile
• Vascular injury – formation of sinusoids and cysts in the liver filled with blood.
• Hepatic tumors

#3. Blood Clots Formation

The high levels of exogenous testosterone can thicken the blood, causing the formation of blood clots in the circulation.

This may cause several health hazards.

#4. Excess Weight Gain

Steroids for muscle gain side effects can include excess weight gain because of fluid retention around the muscles.

It happens because steroids can disturb electrolytes and water balance.

They might also cause an increase in your appetite by disrupting the normal metabolism of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and glucose.

#5. High Cholesterol

Anabolic steroids can cause an increase in the levels of enzymes responsible for the breakdown of good cholesterol.

This increases the levels of bad cholesterol and can cause several heart problems and even hypertension.

#6. Decrease in Haemoglobin

Several blood markers ensure regular and healthy distribution of oxygen throughout the body.

These blood markers are hemoglobin and hematocrit. Their increase in levels denotes the thickening of the blood.

So, is there a way to gain muscle without having to suffer these side effects?

There absolutely is. 

How to Use Steroids Safely for Bodybuilding?

Steroids are a man-made version of hormones and are mainly of two types, i.e., Corticosteroids and anabolic steroids.

For these reasons, you must avoid using steroids altogether. Instead, choose to use safer and natural alternatives.

Firstly, you must make modifications to your diet plan and have a workout program. And if you do want to use steroids, following are some other useful tips. 

Tips to Keep in Mind Before You Start Using Steroids

Gaining muscle is indeed easier when you start using steroids. However, it is also true that steroids have life-threatening side effects.

There has to be a middle way.

Only so you can get the benefits of steroids and dodge its adverse effects.

Therefore, here are some tips and tricks that can help you safely use steroids for bodybuilding.

#1. Professional Supervision

Steroid side effects for bodybuilding do exist. And, if used for the long-term, it can have detrimental health effects. Hence, it’s better to use steroids under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

#2. Get the Research Done

If you are a beginner, attain proper knowledge of steroids before you add them to your routine. Knowing about the types of steroids can help you choose the right one for the expected results.

#3. Stick to the Right Dosage

Considering the impact of anabolic steroids on health, it’s of utmost importance to stick to the recommended anabolic steroids dosage for bodybuilding only. 

Overdosing on steroids for quick muscle gains is the fastest way to put your life at risk.

#4. Try Legal Steroid Alternatives

Many legal and natural alternatives to steroids for muscle growth use safe and effective ingredients for steroid-like results.

Interestingly, steroid alternatives restrict the side effects of steroids. This makes these supplements a “comparatively” safer option.

#5. Talk to Your Doctor

If you are dealing with or have dealt with any health issues, steroids are a complete no!

If you still want to use it, talk to your doctor about the usage of steroids for bodybuilding before you actually use one.

Conclusion

What do steroids do to your body?

Till now, the answer was only half the way true, where people said steroids give you powerful muscles.

But today, you know what the real facts are!

Steroids do more harm than good, and it’s better to avoid anabolic steroids altogether.

Many bodybuilders are choosing natural and legal alternatives to these steroids. You can do that too!

But given all the benefits, you must also follow a proper diet plan and workout program without any exceptions.

We hope today’s blog gave you some useful insights. Do leave any more of your queries down below.

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