Steroid basics

Anabolic Steroids Basics

The chemical compounds known as steroids are widely distributed in nature and have widely varying functions essential to life. In humans, the two main types of steroids are anabolic and cortical.

The anabolic ones promote tissue growth by creating protein and other new substances. The main anabolic steroid is testosterone, a primary male sex hormone. Chemists have identified natural derivatives of testosterone and have synthesized others that are derived from testosterone, thus creating synthesized versions of male hormone.

In addition to enhancing muscle growth, athletes use steroids because the drugs give them a sense of well-being, invincibility and enabling them to train harder and achieve much better results in a shorter period of time.

As we learned, an "Anabolic steroid" is the name for synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones (androgens). They promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects), and also have some other effects. The term "anabolic steroids" is used throughout society because of its familiarity, although the proper term for these compounds is "anabolic-androgenic" steroids.

Anabolic steroid was developed in the late 1930s primarily to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes do not produce sufficient testosterone for normal growth, development, and sexual functioning. The primary medical uses of these compounds are to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by HIV infection or other diseases.

During the 1930s, scientists discovered that anabolic steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscle in laboratory animals, which led to use of the compounds first by bodybuilders and weightlifters and then by athletes in other sports. Steroid abuse has become so widespread in athletics that it affects the outcome of sports contests.

Most commonly abused steroids:

Oral steroids:
- Anadrol (oxymetholone)
- Anavar (oxandrolone)
- Dianabol (methandienone)
- Winstrol (stanozolol)

Injectable steroids:
- Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate)
- Durabol (nandrolone phenylpropionate)
- Testosterone Cypionate
- Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate)

The International Olympic Committee bans 16 anabolic steroids that it can identify in laboratory tests. Among the legitimate uses of anabolic steroids are the treatment of a hereditary skin disorder that produces hives and rare types of anemia.

More than 100 different anabolic steroids have been developed, but they require a prescription to be used legally in the United States. Most steroids that are used illegally are smuggled in from other countries, illegally diverted from U.S. pharmacies, or synthesized in clandestine laboratories.