What is the Right Age to Start Using Steroids?

This article is being published in hopes of reaching some of the younger people, involved in our great sport of body building, reach their goals without making the great mistake of using steroids too early in their long lives. The problem with this is that most young bodybuilders (BBs) cannot grasp the concept of the future and how long the road ahead really is even with the use of steroids. How do you convince a 14 year old that it will take years before he can look like the Pro BB's in the magazines, and that he may never look like that even with all the drugs available in the world. Well that is what I hope to accomplish within this article.

At what age should you be, before you consider using steroids? This question is not as easily answered as you may think it is. You cannot randomly just pick an age and say that this is the point at which you can now start to consider using steroids.

Between the ages of 12 and 26 a male's hormone levels are on a steady rise until the age of 26. This is when these levels slowly start to decline until they are almost nonexistent by the ripe old age of 40.

When puberty starts in males at the age of 12 there is a huge flux in hormonal patterns in the body, which cause the growth of male characteristics, (deepening of the voice, growth of body hair, growth in height, etc.). These hormone levels increase by themselves so much that they can be compared to that of a mild steroid cycle. Therefore trying to add to what the body is doing on its own by adding in exogenous (outside) Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) is very counter productive.

Whenever any extra amount of AAS is added to the body, the body recognizes this extra level through a feedback loop in the human body known as the Hypothalamus. Once the Hypothalamus recognizes the increase in hormones which happens usually between 14 and 21 days, the body will shut off its own production of hormones until these levels decrease, along with increasing hormones to decrease these extra levels in the body (cortisone, estrogen). Cortisone and Estrogen are 2 hormones in the body that BBs do not need any extra. The easiest way to try to explain this without getting to complicated, is that the more AAS you put in your body, the more your body will try to lower those levels. When this happens BBs get all the side effects that are normally associated with AAS use, gynecomastia (growth of fatty tissue underneath the breasts in males), hair loss, kidney damage, liver damage, and high blood pressure, just to name a few).

Before you consider the use of AAS you should have already reached your genetic potential. What is your genetic potential? To figure this out you should first look at the weight, height and build of other members in your family. Is this exact, no, but it is somewhere to start. If every male on both sides of your family is approximately 5'7" and weighs between 150lbs and 170lbs and they are all bald by the age of 25, then it would be a good guess that you will also fall somewhere in those ranges by the time you stop growing. Now with working out and eating correctly for 4 years lets say, you would be able to put on 15 or more pounds of muscle tissue (that would mean you now weigh 165-185 lbs.). This is what your genetic potential would be. Now if you started to use steroids at that point, 165-185 lbs you may be able to put on another 15-20 lbs (180-200lbs). If you had started using when you were 125 lbs., and gained 25lbs through the use of steroids, you would still be well short of what you could have gotten naturally (150lbs as compared to 180-200lbs), and now it will be much harder to try to gain another 30-40lbs.

So for a starting point lets say that you need to be at least 18 years of age before you consider using steroids. Now that we have a starting point, lets look at a few other factors that should be considered. Steroids DO NOT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM makes up for a good diet and workout program. Most people who use AAS feel that this is the time where they can be a little more relaxed in their workouts and diet. Actually this is when they should be even more strict. So before you can think of using at the age of 18, you will need 3 more solid years of good training and eating habits. Minor changes in diet and workouts can result in great gains in mass and muscle as well as strength.

No matter how much assistance you get from AAS, without proper nutrition and workouts you will be lucky to have any gains at all, let alone keep them after the cycle is over. The goal of using any substance, legal or not should be that after you stop using it you don't loose all of that which you have fought to get. What would be the point of spending all that money (steroids are not free) to gain that 30lbs when you will loose it after the cycle is over anyway?

So the better question to ask instead of when can I take steroids, should be, what can I do to get all that I can out of my body without needing steroids?. In order to calculate my progress, I need to talk with my family and doctors, before I try to make a choice like that.

We will start with the age range of 14-16; this is when your hormones are raging. Your body is in full swing of making the best steroids that you can ever get, and it does all this without you even needing to do a single thing. At this point you should start with a solid exercise plan and a basic supplement plan in addition to the regular food that you need to be eating on a regular basis.

For workouts focus on the basic compound movements (Bench Press, Squats, Deadlifts, Barbell Curls, etc.) Working out 4 days a week with at least 8 hours of sleep a night is a great start. Add to that the extra protein that you should be taking and you will definitely start seeing a difference in your body. As for supplements, at this point all I would suggest is a good Meal Replacement Shake, multi-vitamin and creatine. Any shake will work, just add 2 shakes a day to the 3 solid meals that you should already be eating. Creatine has more benefits then I could start to explain in this article, but what I can say is that it will help your strength, muscle, speed, and recovery without any negative side effects.

By the age of 16-18 you will have had most of your growth spurts and you will be ready to change a few more things in your overall plan. You workouts can become a little more specialized as you start using different exercises. As for your nutrition program, all that I would think of adding now would be something such as extra glutamine before bed and maybe a ZMA supplement. You still don?t want to take anything that would alter what your body is doing on its own, so using ZMA and glutamine is just what you need.

Somewhere between 18 and 21 you should be just about done growing, so what should you do differently now? Add more protein! You should be getting at the very least, your body weight in grams of protein per day! And that?s at the very least! By now you will have been working out consistently for quite a while and should know your body very well. What will work and what won?t work should be old news. There isn?t really anything new to add to what is already a great program, other than Tribulus and maybe a pre-workout supplement such as Ultimate Orange. After this point, you can start to consider the use of steroids. What about them? Are they as terrible as everyone seems to think they are? As long as they are used correctly, I don?t think so. When considering their use, I feel that orals should be used as late as possible. These are most harmful on the body and therefore should not be used for a very long time.

Another thing to consider, other than the side effects I have already spoken of, is your sex drive. Some AAS will make your sex drive almost nonexistent and will have a big effect on your sperm count. These drugs in particular should try to be avoided. That leaves mild anabolics. Although they are the safest to use, they are expensive, illegal, and require the use of a needle. Which most first time users do not want to use.

I told you that this is not something that should be passed off very easily; you shouldn?t have to make the mistakes that most of us make by using steroids to early in your life. If used correctly, I think they are fine, but look at what it takes in order to use them correctly. Have you been working out for 5 years straight without more the 2 weeks off every 6 weeks? Do you eat every 2-3 hours, 6 times a day without missing a meal? Do you get 8 hours of sleep every night? This is something that can have a huge effect on your body for the rest of your life, so don?t make that choice in 10 minutes. Good luck and keep growing

Do Steroids Cause Erectile Dysfunction

The quest for a particular type of achievement such as having big muscles, has led to the widespread abuse of steroids. Steroids are manmade substances and they help to increase testosterone production.

Much has been mentioned about the effects steroids have on the body. When taken in high amounts, steroids cause the testosterone level to fluctuate and this can lead to a number of sexual dysfunctions including erectile dysfunction. This is so because the body produces hormones similar to steroids in the reproductive organ of a man.

When steroids are used it tends to cause the body to stop producing the hormones and this will lead, in some men, to a temporary if not full loss of the ability to have and keep an erection.

Steroids are believed to have some degree of effect on sexual functioning and cause erectile dysfunction because:

As a man ages there is a reduction in the level of serum testosterone and this occurs mainly during the ages that erectile dysfunction is likely to occur.

When men who have no sex drive and no erections are treated with steroids under a doctor's supervision they usually regain most of their sexual functions.

Other evidence points to the fact that, when men have hypogonadism, there is a decrease in how often they have erections and the firmness of their erections.

There is also a reduction in the length of the penis when erect. When steroids are used for over a long period of time and in high doses this tends to cause hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.

The length of time, the dosage, and the makeup of the steroid are key elements in the level of serum of hormones that stimulate the gonads present in the body. A slight reduction in the levels of gonadotropins can lead to erectile dysfunction.

When using steroids, there are a number of side effects that do great damage to the body. Steroids have the ability to seriously damage the body's organs including the reproductive organs.

Steroids can also cause high blood pressure when it is abused or used for too long a time. When this occurs men who use steroids are going to be at risk for erectile dysfunction since high blood pressure is a known cause. If steroids are used for a prolonged period then the high blood pressure can also lead to a stroke.

The longer the time a man uses steroids then the longer the relationship with erectile dysfunction will persist. Other factors will also help to determine the effects of steroid use and the occurrence of erectile dysfunction because of it. These factors include the man's body type, his age, and his overall health.

The side effects that are associated with using steroids make them an unattractive option for many men yet there are still others who are willing to take the risk.

The Side Effects Of Anabolic Steroids: Truth Or Myth?

One of the most controversial topics of conversation within the sporting world is the use of anabolic steroids. The debates range from the question of fairness within professional sports, to topics such as the short and long term reported health effects.




The Side Effects Of Anabolic Steroids: Truth Or A Myth?

As with many things in life, the utilisation of anabolic steroids does not come without potential adverse effects. For the purpose of this article, we’re now going to leave the debate of whether steroids are right or wrong from a moral viewpoint behind and concentrate purely on the medical issues surrounding steroid use.

Adverse effects can be seen to target numerous regions of the human body. From a cardiovascular perspective, this can include elevated blood pressure and decreased myocardial functioning. It has also been reported to affect the endocrine system, in the form of testicular atrophy and impotence. From a hepatic perspective, they can enhance the risk of liver tumors and damage. Additional side effects include; acne, baldness, increased risk of tendon tears and numerous psychological problems.

It has been suggested that these adverse effects are often focused upon by individuals in the medical and scientific professions, who at the same time also undervalue the potential benefits of anabolic steroids, in order to create fear amongst the athletic population and decrease their use.

Recently, these sentiments have been echoed by Berning et al (2004) who suggested that the adverse effects and potential medical issues associated with anabolic steroids are somewhat overstated and far fetched.

So how much truth is in this debate? It should be noted that some of the adverse effects of anabolic steroids are by no means minor ailments and that their impact on the human body could be life changing – but how likely is this? All medication nowadays comes with a throwaway manual warning you of its potential dangers, but realistically, how often do they actually occur?

One of the major issues when even beginning to contemplate answering these questions is that the majority of research investigations into this topic lack both validity and conclusiveness. To state the results are limited would be a huge understatement, to say the least.

For example, many research investigations don’t mimic real life situations or even apply to the athletic community. Whilst professional athletes are often involved in long term cycling of anabolic steroids, utilising high dosages and often stacking various drug combinations together, this type of drug trialling is not found in conventional research.

The argument supporting the adverse effects of anabolic steroids isn’t made any easier by research concluding that many of the reported side effects are also reversible upon cessation.

Before providing our final summary from information provided within this article, it is important to once again direct your attention to our initial disclaimer at the top of the article.
Final Word

Regardless of whether anabolic steroids are morally right or wrong, they have created a situation within the sporting world where they can massively impact upon sporting performance. However, anabolic steroids come with a huge health warning, irrespective of whether this status has been achieved through scare mongering tactics.

Do anabolic steroids offer an equal balance of positives and negatives? Does one outweigh the other or vice versa? Individuals have suggested that the adverse effects of anabolic steroids are often both overrated and overemphasised. This argument is indirectly supported through research investigations, which are unable to show a link between steroid use and serious adverse effects. Furthermore, reports also suggest that any effects might be reversible on cessation of drug administration.

There is absolutely no doubting the effectiveness of anabolic steroids in the pursuit of excellence, especially in sports requiring strength, speed and power. The same unfortunately cannot be said for the adverse effects, with a huge gap in this research field. The research that is available often lacks control, making any cause and effect relationship between steroids and adverse effects almost impossible to gage.

Until this balance is readdressed, can we really expect individuals and athletes alike to sit up and take notice of these potential dangers? In the competitive sporting world that exists, I think this question answers itself.

So, now we want to hear your views:

    Have you, or would you ever consider taking anabolic steriods?
    If so, did you encounter any side effects?
    How about any positive effects they brought about?
    Which camp are you in – legalise steroids in sport or should hard work and dedication be enough?

Let us know in the comments section below, we are eager to hear what you have to say on the matter.

Positive Effects of Steroids

Steroids have got a pretty bad rep and perhaps fairly so; they enlarge the heart, mess up our hormones and cause acne and mood disorders. However people continue to use it so there must be some positive effects of steroids. A reasoned approach then should look at both the pros and cons of these controversial substances and come to a decision that way as to whether they should be used.

Before we can appreciate the positive effects of steroids we need to understand how they work. Essentially then, steroids are either natural of synthetic compounds that help regulate various bodily functions. When we refer to steroids however we generally are referring to anabolic steroids. These are synthetic compounds that mimic the effects of anabolic and androgenic hormones such as testosterone and are known by many names including ‘juice’ and ‘roids’ and someone who is using steroids can so be said to be ‘juicing’. Anabolic steroids can be taken orally as a pill or powder or commonly via an injection which has certain advantages for the user. This makes marks along an individual’s forearms a good indicator that they may be using steroids.

This in turn means that the user will experience the effects of testosterone to a higher degree which accounts for both the positive effects of steroids and the negative. Among other things the positive effects of steroids include increased muscle mass, tissue repair, endurance and fat loss. Someone who is using steroids will find that they experience greatly exaggerated benefits from their workouts and can inches on their biceps quickly. Additionally, ‘site location’ can be used to inject the steroid directly into the particular muscle that the individual wants enlarged, allowing them to pick and choose their muscle distribution and aid in lagging muscles.

Someone who is on steroids will experience increased physical performance in all sports and athletic pursuits and will also appear more physically imposing – these being the main positive effects of steroids and the reason that many athletes and civilians use them. Used in small amounts steroids may also have certain health benefits and can be used to prevent swelling of organs such as the kidneys as well as muscle wasting diseases such as muscular dystrophy. Steroids and other steroid like substances may also be used to improve bone density meaning they could help with conditions such as osteoporosis.

There are also other positive effects of steroids however that are more side effects rather than main effects, and others that some people might find to be beneficial while others would not. As testosterone is the ‘male’ hormone, it can help with many traits generally associated with ‘maleness’. This may be useful for someone who feels they are overly feminine or would like to be more imposing.

For example, steroids can increase facial and pubic hair, it can deepen the voice and it can improve drive, ambition and focus. Those considered ‘alpha’ males are those who have large amounts of testosterone and so supplementing with anabolic steroids will help you to develop some of these traits. Those who feel their voice is small and week, or are overly baby faced can feel embarrassment and experience social withdrawal as a result. For these reasons these can be considered positive effects of steroids. On the other hand, for women, or men who already produce a lot of testosterone naturally they may be considered to be some of the negative effects of steroids.

One other area that can be positively effected by steroids is sex drive, and one of the most… potentially enjoyable… positive effects of steroids is increased arousal and sexual performance. This obviously has a lot of appeal for those with a reduced sex drive or those who are getting older, though it can also be distracting to be aroused at inappropriate times.

So with all those positive effects of steroids, is it worth taking them? Well in order to answer that we need to look at the negative effects of steroids. First of all, to counteract the aesthetic effects of increased facial hair and a booming voice you have acne and greasiness as your testosterone production reaches similar levels to those it achieved at puberty. More seriously though is the potential to grow breasts for men when taking certain forms of anabolic steroid. The reason for this is that the additional testosterone can aromatize into oestrogen – the female hormone – and so give you more feminine features. Not only is that going to ruin any aesthetic effects of steroids, but will also probably ruin the enhanced sexual performance for men too – unless your girlfriend is a lesbian. What will ruin your sex life even more though is the shrunken testicles that can result from steroid use as your body stops produces as much testosterone naturally to compensate for the extra chemicals you’re inserting.

And the additional mental drive and focus? Well these positive effects of steroids are ruined too by the negative effects of steroids have on the brain, including the severe bouts of anger, rage and potentially depression that resulted in the term ‘roid rage’. Some users even report hallucinations, and the headaches and vomiting that can also occur will do little to lighten your mood. On top of this you can also expect to experience premature balding, joint pain, diarrhoea, insomnia and jaundice. At this point few positive benefits of steroids will seem worth it. The real problem with using steroids though is the more serious health risks they carry. These include enlarged organs such as the heart (as the heart is a muscle) which can cause a heart attack along with other circulatory system conditions including blood clots, heart disease or strokes. Furthermore steroids are illegal meaning you’ll get no quality control on what you’re injecting into your system (are you really stupid enough to inject something into your veins that was probably purchased from a back alley?) and you’ll face a serious penalty should you get caught. This will also force you to lie and hide your activities from your friends and family – and probably to cover up the nasty marks you cause in your own arm. So in conclusion the positive effects do not outweigh the negative.

An important additional note is to recognise that the steroids prescribed by doctors for illnesses – corticoids – are separate and distinct from anabolic steroids which share none of their benefits.

How Do Anabolic Steroids Affect Sperm Count?

Anabolic steroids are increasingly used in our current culture and present difficulties from many angles. Interestingly, they are getting more and more common in college females, but let’s just talk about males.

There is a fairly recent report that suggested that up to five percent of high school males may have used or be using anabolic steroids. That is a scary figure when one considers that even one cycle of anabolic steroids in certain people that we cannot predict may leave them sterile for the rest of their lives.

Now that is by far the minority of people, but it still is out there and I certainly see that in a male fertility practice. Now the typical patient is possibly a bodybuilder or someone who has used fairly high doses of steroids for a long period of time. So I don’t want to be alarmed as to say that even after one cycle it will have an impact on your fertility, but it is true that it could have an impact on certain people that we can’t predict.

What’s much more of an issue is the person who is doing what we know as cycling steroids. This would be where you take high doses – ten or twelve times the normal dose of testosterone or a similar product to testosterone typically for a 6 to 12 week period of time - then you come off, let your body readjust and then start that cycle again. That is known as cycling.

Another way that steroids are used is something called stacking. In stacking you use various types of these substances that are similar to testosterone known as anabolic steroids to try to achieve a similar effect and you might stack on a cycle. These type of high-dose products have the impact of increasing testosterone in the blood, which can lead to a muscle growth and some useful things, but at the same time, they send a message to the testicle, “Stop producing testosterone. We’ve got plenty in our bloodstream so shut down.” As part of that same process, those stem cells, the spermatogonia that are making sperms, are also told, “Slow down or stop”. And sometimes if you do a high enough dose for long enough, those cells never get the message that they are supposed to restart.

Now when I see people who have used anabolic steroids, one important message is that they are very addictive and in my practice, it’s similar to talking to someone who has been addicted to any substance that you have to have a sense of how powerful that is in their lives and that many times they are reluctant to tell you the complete truth as to what’s going on.

There are substances we can use to try to stimulate the body to regain its own production of testosterone, which then can also help to promote sperm production. Substances such as Clomid or clomiphene, often times used in females to try to stimulate egg health; also substances such as an aromatase inhibitor can also help promote sperm production.

And so, this can be treated in the great majority of males, at least 80% of males even who have used significant anabolic steroids, we can get sperm from their body. It may not come back in their ejaculate, but oftentimes we can get it directly from their testicle in a process known as testicular sperm extraction; low numbers of sperm, but enough that we can use it for in vitro fertilization.

By saying this I am absolutely not condoning the use of anabolic steroids and saying it’s okay, we can figure it out later, but I am saying that if you have used, there is still hope for the great majority of patients that we can usually, about four out of five times, get sperm directly from the testicles and do something useful with it.

Why Do People Abuse Anabolic Steroids?

Probably the most common reason people abuse steroids is to enhance athletic performance, but there are other reasons that steroids are used.

Although official estimates placed anabolic steroids use among athletes at less than 6%, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that "anecdotal information suggests more widespread abuse."

Strict testing procedures deter the use of steroids for some professional and amateur athletes, but new "designer" steroid drugs are constantly being developed in an effort to beat standard testing. As a result, some athletic associations are beginning the practice of saving urine and blood samples to be tested later by newer technology.

Steroid use is banned by most professional and amateur athletic associations because their use can affect the outcomes of competition, but also because their use is not considered safe.

Poor Body Image
Anabolic steroids are also used by a group of people who suffer from muscle dysmorphia syndrome, a behavioral condition in which they have a distorted image of their bodies. For example, men with the syndrome may be large and muscular, but see themselves as small and weak.

Women with muscle dysmorphia may appear to be lean and muscular, but imagine themselves to be fat and flabby instead, the NIDA said.

The Sexual Abuse Link
Having experienced past sexual abuse or rape is one reason that some people turn to anabolic steroid abuse. NIDA research found that 25% of male weightlifters reported childhood sexual or physical abuse. Likewise, female weightlifters who had been raped were twice as likely to use anabolic steroids or other muscle-building drugs.

Many women weightlifters who had been raped reported that they increased their bodybuilding efforts after their attack, they said, because they believe that being bigger and stronger would deter future attacks because they would appear either intimidating or unattractive.

High-Risk Behavior
Some teens abuse anabolic steroids because it is another in a pattern of high-risk behaviors. Many adolescents who abuse steroids also report drinking and driving, carrying a gun, driving a motorcycle without a helmet and abusing other illicit drugs.

Adolescents with a history of other high-risk behaviors are more likely to initiate or continue steroid abuse.

Hollywood Sex Symbols And Steroid Use

Whenever an actor gets jacked for a movie, many people immediately wonder: is he on steroids?

Cavill in Man of Steel, Hemsworth in Thor, Jackman in X-Men, Pitt in Troy, Bale in Batman, Butler in 300.

Whenever one of these types of physiques pops up on the silver screen, gals swoon, guys rush off to the gym, and the fitness industry has a field day.

Men’s Health invents workouts that the stars most definitely didn’t do, supplement companies start rumors that their products were responsible for such impressive gains, and wannabe gurus weigh in on how we too can get ripped like so-and-so.

But amazing Hollywood transformations also always beg the question: were these guys on anabolic steroids? Do we mere drug-free mortals have any chance at making similar gains?

Let’s find out, starting with the controversial subject of anabolic steroids itself.


Demystifying the Power of Anabolic Steroids

People unfamiliar with the world of steroids think many different things about anabolic steroids.

    Some people think anabolic steroids guarantee superhuman levels of muscle growth, whereas others claim they don’t change much unless seriously abused.
    Some people think that you can’t achieve anything special in the way of your physique without steroids, and others claim that with proper diet and training, you can achieve any type of physique you want.
    Some say anabolic steroids are incredibly dangerous, and others say regular steroid use is safer than regular alcohol drinking.


Actors and Anabolic Steroid Use

The first thing that has probably already jumped out at you is the speed with which certain actors have gained muscle and lost fat for movie roles.

We’ll often hear outrageous numbers like gaining 20+ pounds of muscle in a few months while staying lean, or even reducing body fat.

Well, you now know that such gains just aren’t possible without anabolic steroids use. If you’re brand new to lifting and drug-free and can gain .5 lbs of muscle per week, you’re doing superb. You MIGHT be able to gain around 1 lb per week for your first couple of months if you make really good newbie gains. If you’ve been weightlifting regularly for several years, you’ll be lucky to gain more than 3-5 pounds of muscle in a year of consistent, intense training.

So the simple answer is that yes, many actors use steroids to prepare for movies.

Did the guys I named earlier do this? I don’t know. But I don’t know why they wouldn’t have.

Think about it for a second. Most actors aren’t dedicated weightlifters that stay in great shape year-round, and they have some pretty strong incentives to use steroids to prepare for a role:

    A multi-million dollar payday.
    Fame, which will bring more multi-million dollar paydays.
    A tight schedule to get big and lean.
    Access to the best doctors to ensure nothing goes wrong in terms of possible side effects.

The only disincentive would be a personal distaste for drug use and moral qualms about the illegality of anabolic steroids. And Hollywood actors aren’t exactly known for their clean living habits and lawfulness.

The prevalence of steroid use among actors preparing for movies is also glaringly obvious when we look at how they trained and ate.

We’ll often hear that so-and-so worked out for 2+ hours per day, 7 days per week, and then did conditioning work on top of that. Sometimes they worked out for 4-7 hours per day, which would crush even the most well-conditioned natural athlete, yet they did great. And diets? Thousands of calories per day with huge amounts of protein, yet somehow they stayed lean.

You simply can’t do these things without anabolic steroids. If a drug-free guy were to try such an approach, all that would happen is he would wind up overtrained and fat.

Now, I didn’t write this article to call out anyone in particular or hate on Hollywood actors or people that do anabolic steroids. While I’ve chosen to be drug-free and recommend people do the same, I don’t get personally offended by people that use anabolic steroids. They can do what they want with their bodies. And I especially understand why Hollywood actors would do it.

The Top 13 Types Of Steroids

The top 13 types of anabolic steroids

1). Deca-Durabolin – Nandrolone Oil-Based Injection.
In general, USA Deca-Durabolin is probably the most popular, sought-after steroid. It is oil-based and comes in either 100-mg./ml. or 200-mg/ml. injection. The drug is considered slow to convert to estrogen, a good mass and strength-builder and, for a variety of suggested chemical reasons, it is considered to ease joint pain.

However, it will suppress the pituitary-testosterone loop in due time. The USA pharmaceutical versions are hard to obtain. Lately, Some of the Mexican veterinary steroids (of all kinds) have tested poorly. Testosterone Magazine has written that the Ttyokko version of Nandrolone, which is supposed to contain 300 mg. per ml, is not even close. Likewise, Planet Muscle had the Ttyokko Dianabol tested (supposed to contain 10 mg. per tablet) and the results came back ND as in none detected! That’s nice. (See Planetarium for proprionate test) I guess if you’re going to cheat, your best bet is to cheat with American veterinary steroids.

2). Depo-Testosterone – Cypionate Oil-Based Injection
This is the longest acting, the slowest effecting T-ester, and of course, also stays in the system longest, with the Depot variety being released on a more or less continuous basis. This is a drug for size and strength and is given to normalize depressed testosterone levels. The reliable USA manufacturer is Pharmacia/Upjohn. There are Varying formats of Mexican and Australian testosterone are around; but most consider them highly unreliable.

3). Testosterone Enanthate – Oil-Based Injection
Usually, this also comes as a 200 mg./ml. delivery and is a middle-range acting T-ester also used for size and strength and to elevate depressed T-levels. Because it does not seem to promote as much water retention as T-Cypionate, it’s probably the most sought testosterone. The reliable USA manufacturer is again Pharmacia / Upjohn.

4). Testosterone Sustenon 250 – Oil-Based Injection.
This also has been a Mexican, oil-based, 250-mg. self-contained breakaway vial combination of varying T-esters, such as propionate, enthanate, and cypionate or other variations. In general, it’s good for mass and strength, but it’s not considered as reliable as USA pharmaceuticals. Testosterone Propionate is a 100 mg./ml. version of T-steroid and Testosterone/Suspension (100 mg./ml. water-based) are also available as USA injections.

Neither is considered as effective over the long range as T-C and T-E and the aqueous suspension form can be a very painful injection. Because these variants are in and out of the system relatively quickly with short half-lives, they are mostly used by power-lifters to peak their strength on a very short-term basis.

5). Equipoise – Boldenone Undecylenate Oil-Based Injection.
This was a 50-mg./ml., oil-based, veterinary steroid originally produced by Solvay. It’s very hard to come by on the black market. Because it comes in so many names and varieties and offshoots (Ganabol, Equi-Gain, Maxi-Gain, Vebonol, Pace), it’s impossible to keep up with the literature. Somewhat inefficient in its low level of steroid per ml. (25-50 mg./ml.), nonetheless, it’s considered, in high enough doses, to be a strong size and strength drug without a lot of negative androgen activity and good for joint health. Your safest bet today, in a real form is the 50 mg./ml. version from E. R. Squibb & Sons for Fort Dodge Iowa Animal Health.

6). Anadrol 50 – Oral.
This steroid has gained in popularity for the prime reasons that it exists, while the original Dianabol has been discontinued. Most bodybuilders/lifters used to avoid this drug because of its high androgenicity and because it has red-blood cell-potentiating capacity, which means it can increase blood viscosity and thereby, potentially, elevate blood pressure. It’s considered a good size and strength drug, but like its first cousin, Halotestin, too dangerous to use.

7). Anavar – Oral.
Anavar was originally made by Searle in the USA and was long ago discontinued. It was more of a size versus a strength drug with lower androgenicity. It was always 2.5 mg., per white tablet and today, made by Oxandrin, has made a strong comeback as the prime oral treatment for muscle wasting in advanced HIV patients. It is expensive, about $10 per tablet at full pharmacy retail.

8). Dianabol – Oral.
The once-and-forever king has unfortunately left forever. The original Ciba-Geigy Dianabol has imitations from Turkey, Greece, Rumania, Thailand, Bulgaria, Russia and Mexico/Columbia. No longer blue, they are usually odd-shaped, pink pills of 5 mg. or 10 mg. and 5-mg. white tablets. None approaches the original potency. Continue to avoid the Mexican varieties if you can find these. Reports are that some of the eastern European varieties work occasionally. Dianabol was the original size and strength king.

9). Halotestin – Oral.

10). Methyltestosterone – Oral.

11). Winstrol – Oral.

Halotestin and Methyltestosterone are androgens and strength drugs in general. Halotestin is still produced, very toxic to the liver, as is Methyltestosterone. It is still produced. as Methyl-T. Winstrol was a 2-mg. pink (or sometimes white) tablet. Winstrol and Maxibolan (yellow) were the favorite oral steroids for women because of low androgenicity.

12). Winstrol-V – Water-Based Injection

13). Primobolin Depot – Oil-Based Injection.
Many bodybuilders have always considered these two low androgens as good pre-contest drugs. They claimed both helped retain hardness and size while limiting water retention. Other bodybuilders and lifters call them chick steroids since they believe they don’t really do anything for men. Both drugs can still be found. Primobolin is more readily available in Mexico as 100 mg./ml. and as pills called Sten.

Why You Get Big On Testosterone…

Of course everybody knows that test is the best! After all, of all the single innovations in bodybuilding over the past 30 years, the "innovation" of taking tons of testosterone is the biggest reason bodybuilders are "75 pounds more muscular" than they were 30 years ago.

Anyway, here's how testosterone works to build so much muscle... First, increased "test levels" dramatically increase IGF-1 level and this alone is enough to put on 20 pounds in some cases. However, the vast majority of the muscle growth inducing capabilities of testosterone are due to its ability to travel into the nucleus of the muscle cell and trigger cellular messengers (these are called RNA). This then triggers what's called "transcription" or the duplication of new DNA (proteins) which eventually wind-up as more muscle on your arms and legs!

But here’s the kicker! Testosterone therapy, according to both Dan Duchaine and Paul Borreson, over time leads to more testosterone receptor development. So this is like a multiplying effect of taking testosterone over a few cycles! So, as you can imagine, more testosterone receptors in the muscle cell means you get "exponential" muscle growth from testosterone therapy over a period of time.

And then of course there's the synergy of increased IGF-1 and testosterone. So as you can plainly see, testosterone is truly the best!

Enemy #1 for Male Fertility

Did you notice those guys with big muscles at the gym or on the beach? The muscles may be from "just plain old fashioned hard work in the gym" or they could be from using anabolic steroids or performing enhancing drugs. Those that use anabolic steroids or PEDs to build and repair muscle are doing damage to their testicles. These testosterone-based hormones are very bad for men who eventually want to have children. They actually work almost like a contraceptive. When a man is taking anabolic steroids, it is virtually impossible for him to get his partner pregnant.

The use of anabolic steroids historically has been used by athletes in major sports, such as weight lifting, baseball and football. Because these so called "role models" use these drugs, anabolic steroid use or abuse has filtered down and is being used by recreational weight lifters, college and high school athletes, etc.

How do anabolic steroids affect male fertility? Sperm are formed in theMale Fertility, Steriods, Stanton Hoenig, M.D. body when brain hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) work directly on the testicles. In the testicle, cells called Leydig cells are turned on to produce the male hormone, testosterone. When this occurs, there are very high levels of testosterone that are present in the testicle, although there is a normal amount of testosterone in the blood stream. When men use anabolic steroids, they trick the body into thinking that the testicles DO NOT have to produce testosterone. When this happens, the amount of testosterone in the testicles is extremely low, despite normal or very high levels in the bloodstream. When this situation occurs, follicle stimulating hormone also is not released. This combination causes the testicles to shrink and to produce little if any sperm.

Although use of anabolic steroids can stop sperm production, the good news is that in many cases this problem is reversible. It appears that the longer one uses the steroids and the higher the dosage used, the more likely these become irreversible problems. Once performance enhancing drugs are stopped, sperm production may start again but will return in the ejaculate at the earliest three months after stopping the drugs. In fact, in patients who have used steroids for years, this sometimes may take one to two years before one may see a return in sperm production. After a period of time after stopping the PEDs, sometimes medical therapy can enhance the ability of the body to restart sperm production. This is usually done with human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. In certain cases, if hCG alone does not stimulate sperm production, a form of FSH called human menopausal gonadotropin may be added to improve the chances of return of sperm.

Anabolic steroids can cause other health problems that sometimes can be irreversible. These include aggressive behavior, acne, baldness, prominent breasts, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. In adolescents, it may result in stunted growth and accelerated puberty changes.

PEDs can also cause sexual dysfunction. When the anabolic steroids are stopped, the "sexual rush" is gone and this will cause testosterone levels to crash to virtually zero. This may cause symptoms such as tiredness, loss of energy and loss of sex drive. Testosterone production may return in a few months, however, in certain situations, it may be a permanent problem. Luckily, there is medical treatment for this problem to raise testosterone levels back to the normal range.

Increase Testosterone

As we largely understand, testosterone is a hormone naturally produced by the human body imperative not only for male characteristics and sexual function but equally important as it pertains to the muscle game and athletic performance. While each individual naturally produces testosterone to varying degrees when we increase testosterone we inevitably increase the efficiency of many of these functions. Conversely, when our levels decrease the opposite is said; therefore it should go without saying, to increase testosterone will always be the more desirable end. Yes, when we increase testosterone we do increase the possibility of certain side-effects and risks but this is largely dependent on the manner in-which we perform the process. While there are many safe and natural ways we can achieve this end, synthetic administration, while a greater risk will always prove to be far more potent and effective. Lets discuss each option, examine the risk to reward ratios and in the end leave you with the ability to make an informed decision on your own.
Naturally Increase Testosterone:

There are several factors that affect our natural testosterone levels, most notably age but there are steps we can take to stave off a decline and in some cases increase testosterone production. While a healthy lifestyle has been proven time and again to achieve this end, certain foods when taken in on a regular basis can provide an added edge. While these foods will not have the effect provided by synthetic application they will in-fact boost your natural production. Foods that will increase testosterone to the greatest degree include:

    Whole Eggs
    Red Meat
    Olive Oil
    Nuts

While each of these foods will increase testosterone there are other foods we must mention that can aid in this effect. As we understand, when the hormone estrogen is produced in higher levels our levels of testosterone necessarily go down. Certain foods have been shown to have the ability to reduce estrogen production, thereby protecting the ratio of production between the two hormones in a positive manner; foods that will aid in this protection and lead to a body that can increase testosterone to a greater degree include:

    Broccoli
    Cauliflower
    Brussels Sprouts
    Cabbage

Every food listed above will help in your effort to increase testosterone naturally and diets that are built around these foods in-part will get the job done.
Testosterone Treatment only $199/month All-Included
Synthetically Increase Testosterone:

There are many options in-which we may choose to increase testosterone but the only 100% effective and efficient method is through the use of anabolic steroids, most importantly synthetic testosterone. While all anabolic steroids of a testosterone nature are simply that of testosterone, there are many forms from which we may choose; the difference largely revolving around their activity levels in-terms of active duration in the body.

In general there are two prominent purposes for using synthetic testosterone; the treatment of low testosterone and as a means to increase athletic performance. Regardless of the reason the same synthetic hormone will be applied, however, the doses of will be the main difference. In either case it will only take a small dose to achieve the desired end, however when we increase testosterone for performance enhancing purposes we will largely use much higher doses, commonly referred to as supraphysiological doses. Within these supraphysiological doses this is where the game really begins to change; while such doses will provide the greatest reward they will also open the door for the greatest possible risks. No, there is no way to predict if such risk will prove to become a reality in you, it is largely individualistic but the greater the dose the greater the risk of possible side-effects, this much is certain. The most common problematic side-effects include:

    Gynecomastia
    High Blood Pressure
    Increased LDL Cholesterol (Bad Cholesterol)
    Decreased HDL Cholesterol (Good Cholesterol)

As these are the most common negative side-effects there are many positive attributes we must take into consideration and when we increase testosterone it is for these very reasons many are willing to take the risk

    Increased Muscle Mass
    Increased Strength
    Increased Recovery (The Body's Ability to Repair Damage Caused by Exercise)
    Decreased Body-Fat
    Cortisol Reduction (Cortisol, a Stress Hormone that Destroys Muscle Tissue and Promotes Fat Storage)

While there are other positive attributes that may be achieved when we increase testosterone in the body, these are by in-large the most prominent and most highly desired.
Increase Testosterone Safely and Effectively:

When we increase testosterone through natural means we will always be taking the safest rout possible, however, the effectiveness will vary with each individual. As this effectiveness will vary we can confidently say it will never reach levels close to what synthetic increases can achieve. For this reason synthetic administration for many will be the most desirable, especially for athletes in any sport or pursuit. In order for these athletes to remain safe and still achieve the higher effect they desire, responsible use will be of the utmost importance. Keeping doses reasonable, while still maintaining a healthy diet that will promote proper cholesterol and blood pressure readings is paramount. Further, in order to combat possible aromatizing effects such as Gynecomastia, many will find the use of aromatase inhibitors to be very important. Beyond these factors the most important of all is personal education; educate yourself on the ins and outs of this very powerful yet very effective hormone. As youve found yourself on steroid.com with an interest to increase testosterone in your own body you have found yourself in the perfect place. Here you will find all the information you need and every last question answered.

How to Keep Your Balls in Order

A common problem amongst bodybuilders and other strength athletes is that of testicular shrinkage during the prolonged use of androgens / anabolic steroids.

This can be thought of in the following way: the hypothalamus in the human brain has a detection mechanism which regulates the release of many hormones which control the production of androgens by the testes and the adrenal glands. If this detection mechanism detects an abnormally high amount of androgen / anabolic steroids, which it recognises primarily as testosterone, then the hormones responsible for testosterone release will have their production decreased, and so the testes etc. will no longer be stimulated by these hormones, and so will cease, or decrease, production of natural testosterone, and so cause testicular shrinkage.

 Oestrogen (androgens can aromatise in the body into oestrogens) have even more of a shut-off effect upon the release of androgens via the hypothalamus, and so we have a "double-edged" problem, with both androgens / anabolic steroids (which are all basically androgens) and oestrogens causing shut-down of hormonal stimulation of the testes, and thus testicular shrinkage.

One of the best ways to avoid this is to take some Tamoxifen (perhaps 20mg per day) in order to stop the oestrogen, from the aromatisation of androgens, acting upon receptors in the hypothalamus. Therefore, even though the oestrogens are still there, their effect is blocked by the Tamoxifen. This is also very useful to prevent gynaecomastia (bitch tits), i.e. formation of breast tissue in the male, caused by aromatisation of the androgens to oestrogens in the body.

Another very good idea is to use chrysin (an isoflavone compound, derived from plants), which prevents the formation of oestrogen in the first place, by inhibiting the enzymes which perform aromatisation on the androgens, and so very much reduce the production of oestrogens from the steroids, hence reducing the effect upon the hypothalamus, and so upon the testes. Therefore, testicular shrinkage can be very much reduced, and so you are likely to be preserving that part of the function of your endocrine hormonal system.

 What if you say you don't care about it? Well, you can probably say goodbye to getting an erection if your own endocrine system is messed up, and you may also risk life-long infertility. Look after your health, and you will have a longer and happier life, and in this case, a more active sex life.

In general, if natural testosterone production shuts-down, then men experience problems in getting erections, or even become impotent, whilst wanting more sex! VERY frustrating, as you can imagine. Alternatively, sex drive may disappear completely, or be very much reduced.

 Therefore, the message from this article is to use Tamoxifen AND chrysin DURING, and for four or five weeks AFTER a steroid cycle. It is then advisable to be off steroids for as long a period of time as you were on them, before you begin your next cycle. It is also advisable to use HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) both during, and for four or five weeks after a steroid cycle. This acts directly upon the testes themselves, and helps to keep natural testosterone production going along.

If your testes do shrink slightly, then don't panic, as they will return to normal upon cessation of steroid use, as long as shrinkage is not severe: if so, stop the steroid cycle immediately by slowly tapering down the dosages (stop injectables first, followed by reducing oral steroid dosages).

Enjoy your bodybuilding, but remember, nobody should consider taking anabolic steroids until they have gained everything they can by using hard training, enough rest, a lot of protein, and everything else from the health food store i.e. by training naturally. This can take anything up to eight or ten years of consistent training, i.e. you have to make bodybuilding part of your life-style.

You are living dangerously if you don't follow this advice, and once you are so fit, you will experience far fewer, or no, side effects from steroids after all these years of natural training, i.e. you have 'prepared' your body for them.

How Steroids Can Improve Your Sex Life

Researchers say that we reach our sexual peak at the age of 25, give or take a couple of years. During these years, men exhibit almost inexhaustible sexual stamina and virility. Women are also very fertile, and shows healthy libido. Furthermore, studies have shown that men and women have the capacity to enjoy healthy sex life past their 60's and into later years.

However, men in general lose virility and sexual aggressiveness at age 40 and above. Women suffer from menstrual difficulties, vaginal dryness from little lubrication, and diminished sexual urges. People past the age of 40 report little or no sexual activity at all. How can they possibly enjoy sex life under such constricting conditions?

But here's the good news. Hormones known as testosterone and estrogen have been proven to remedy the situation and bring back the zest in your sex life.

The body produces one of the most important hormones known as testosterone. This is present in large quantities among men. Women also produce testosterone, roughly about 1/10 of the amount found in men. Researches show that this sex hormone is directly responsible for our sexual drive, libido, and sperm production. On the other hand, the hormone estrogen produce by women is essential in the proper functioning of the female reproductive system, keeping brain cells healthy, and adequate vaginal lubrication during sex. But as we age, the body produces less and less testosterone and estrogen which explains the rut in our sex life.

Now, there's steroid estrogen and testosterone available that could treat these conditions. Here's how:

1.) STEROID TESTOSTERONE ENHANCES LIBIDO
Upon exhaustive medical screening, your doctor will give you prescribed amounts of steroid testosterone to bring back your lost libido. Many people 40 years old and above reported vastly improved sex life with the steroid prescription.

2.) STEROID TESTOSTERONE BRINGS BACK SEX DRIVE
As discussed earlier, one of the key functions of testosterone is maintaining sex drive. As we age, the body produces less and less testosterone that affects our sex drive in the process. Taking steroid testosterone, on the advice and supervision of a competent physician, can bring back your sex drive to peak levels.

3.) ANABOLIC STEROIDS BOOSTS SEXUAL ENERGY AND STIMULATES SPERM PRODUCTION
There are men who, though still in their early 20's, suffer from diminished sexual energy and low sperm count. These men could not keep up with the insatiable sexual desires of their partners. Steroids can significantly treat this condition. Older men who lack sexual energy and show low sperm count can greatly benefit from the doctor's prescribed treatment of steroids testosterone. It can give them the needed drive and sexual stamina.

4.) TESTOSTERONE MAKES YOU SEXUALLY ATTRACTIVE
Balanced testosterone levels in the body play a crucial role in the vascular system---meaning it can safeguard against heart attacks. But aside from this, testosterone also maintains muscle mass, fat distribution, bone mass and overall body definition. In other words, a person under a doctor-supervised steroid treatment can expect a more defined body stature for men and a curvy figure for women, thereby greatly improving his/ her self-esteem and sexual attractiveness.

5.) STEROID ESTROGEN BENEFITS WOMEN
As women age, their bodies produce less estrogen. This greatly affects vaginal lubrication and makes sex painful. Doctor-prescribed steroid estrogen therapy could solve this dilemma, as well as other age-related female problems like hot flashes in menopause. Aside from these, estrogen goes a long way in keeping brain cells healthy and restoring libido in women so they can engage in and enjoy sex throughout the rest of their lives.

Do Steroids Shrink Your Testicles?

Anabolic-androgen steroids are commonly taken by those in the fitness and sports world because of their short-term increase of both muscle size and stamina. The name of this type of steroid is due to its muscle enlarging capabilities (anabolic) and its ability to enhance male traits (androgen).

Even though manufactured anabolic steroids are illegal in the United States, we are all familiar with the promising sports careers of athletes which have gone down in flames due to the use of such steroids. Major league baseball players Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Jose Canseco, cyclist Floyd Landis and Olympic track star Marion Jones are just a few of the top U.S. sports stars who have tarnished careers because of using anabolic steroids to enhance performance.

What Do Anabolic Steroids Do?

Anabolic steroids are used to promote rapid muscle mass, produce greater strength and enhance recovery time. Some common names of anabolic-androgen steroids are deca-durabolin, dianabol, equipoise and oxandrin, although there are many others including designer steroids that are created to avoid drug test results.

These types of steroids either induce the production of testosterone or mimic its effects. Testosterone is the key hormone used by the body for the enhancement of male characteristics such as muscle growth, bone formation, high energy, mood regulation and sex drive. Anabolic steroids can be obtained by a doctor’s prescription to alleviate certain kinds of health problems such as low testosterone levels or amnesia, but bodybuilders and athletes usually obtain them illegally.

Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids

Not only are anabolic steroids illegal without a doctor’s prescription, but they can produce a number of nasty side effects from their prolonged use. Health problems which can occur with steroid use are mood swings, extreme aggression, impotency, high cholesterol, balding, severe acne, tendon damage, water retention, high blood pressure and cancer. Women who take anabolic steroids may contract a deeper voice, hairy chest, shrinking breasts and enlarged clitoris as well.

According to both the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Mayo Clinic, testicle shrinkage in males is another side effect of prolonged anabolic steroid use. Anabolic steroids create greater and faster muscle growth because you supply your body with more testosterone than what the testicles can naturally produce by themselves. Testicle shrinkage occurs because the body is constantly provided with an artificial source of testosterone and your body eventually signals your testicles to stop producing the hormone, causing them to become atrophied (shrunken).

Naturally Increase Testosterone through a Healthy Diet

There is no need to submit yourself to the health risks of taking anabolic steroids as testosterone levels can be elevated naturally several ways. The first is by consuming a nutritious diet rich in certain foods.


Some of the best foods for naturally stimulating testosterone production are foods that contain high concentrations of protein and zinc such as oysters, steak, liver, eggs, nuts (especially Brazil nuts and peanuts/peanut butter), cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and olives. Avocados are also a good food to add to daily healthy diet as the tree was referred as “ahuacatl” by the Aztecs which translates as “testicle tree”.

You can receive valuable nutritional information and help with personally tailoring a healthy diet to your body type by following the MP45 program by Muscle Prodigy. Get guidance on the best foods to eat for top health and increasing testosterone levels as well other key hormones.

Naturally Increase Testosterone through Exercise

Regular exercise is another way to increase testosterone naturally. However, you need to utilize compound exercises as a great deal of muscle fiber has to be employed in order to stimulate testosterone production. Compound exercises using heavy weights get numerous joints and muscle groups involved which get the testosterone juices flowing.

Cardiovascular exercise also increases testosterone production. Adding cardio to your fitness program is especially beneficial if you have excess body weight which can elevate estrogen levels. By increasing cardio exercise, you lower estrogen, raise testosterone, burn calories and eliminate fat deposits.

The MP45 Program also shows you how to create a riveting exercise program that utilizes both compound exercises and cardio workouts that will not only increase testosterone levels, but will turn you into a lean, mean muscular machine in just 45 days.

How Anabolic Steroids Affect Your Sex Drive

Your libido is, well, essential. That is an understatement. If you can’t feel like a man, no use looking like the best built one. Okay, some things are known about male sex drive, many things are not. We will focus on what we do know, and, what the majority of cases I’ve seen have taught me. We have already mentioned much of the effect of DHT on the sex drive in the DHT section, however, we can expand a bit and give you some more useful and practical information. With respect to anabolic steroids, the male sex drive is affected by the following.

I. The androgenicity of the drug(s) used. II. The aromatizing qualities of the drug(s) used. III. The progestagenic influence of the drug. IV. The total amount of drug(s) in the system at any give time.

I. First, the androgenicity of the drug. In general, anabolic steroids that are highly androgenic have an intense affect on the libido. Authors will argue expertise about which drugs are more and less androgenic. You’ll read that deca is moderate, then you’ll read its very androgenic, you’ll read that winstrol is anabolic, then you’ll read its more androgenic…bla, bla, bla. Here is the empirical facts in most (again not all, and there are some exceptions) cases. Testosterone makes you horny. Unless you have been on a cycle forever with no break, the first few days and weeks of test use definitely increase sex drive. Dianabol is also a popular one for making juicers super horny. These drugs in almost all of the literature are known “androgenic drugs”. These are two no brainers. This is just the ground level illustration of anabolic steroids having a positive affect on sex drive.

Nandrolone, as we’ve mentioned has a lessening affect on the sex drive. This is variable from person to person as we’ve stated previously, but is largely related to dosage. The reasons why we have discussed in the DHT section. Whether or not you agree or whatever you’ve read that may be different is always informative. Hey, the more you read, the better off you’ll be. Just be careful to pick and choose the advice you follow wisely. Okay, anyway, we all know deca has a negative affect on your sex drive. This also means that other esters of the drug such as the old school Laurabolin (nandrolone laurate) the eleven ester chain form of deca will have a similar affect if used in a similar dosage pattern. The half-life is very close to deca but exceeds it by a few days. The literature often says two weeks or more, but from experience, I’d say deca five to six days, and laurabolin, eight to ten. The shorter acting versions such an nandrolone phenylpropionate will also have the same affect. Also, the onset of phenylprop will be faster which will probably cause you to notice a decreased sex drive earlier in your cycle. Remember that many side affects with anabolic steroids are duration dependent as well as dosage dependent and you may not always experience the effects listed in the information sources you read and study.

Trenbolone is interesting because much of what you read will end in two truths. Number one, it is androgenic (some literature actually says six times more androgenic thatn testosterone), and two, it is a progesterone derived drug. This sounds like a paradox. For functional purposes, tren is a hearty androgen that also has a chemical structure that is very similar to progesterone. Trenbolone is also non-aromatizing. The real world application is that tren can make you strong and grow like you are on test, without the water weight (there will be no estrogen), and without the increased sex drive caused by testosterone (because of tren’s anti-libido progestagenic affect).

II. Aromatizing drugs affect your natural testosterone production by interfering with the classic feed-back loop. Most know that hight estrogen levels affect your pituitary gland and shuts down your body’s natural production of testosterone. The pituitary gland is a master regulator of hormonal levels. Actually, it is controlled by the true master gland, the hypothalamus…but this can get confusing and will take us off topic. For now, just know that the pituitary senses high estrogen or progesterone, and shuts off a hormone called leutinizing hormone or LH. LH travels from the pituitary to the testes, finds specific cells called Leydig cells, and tells the Leydig cells to kick out some test. If you interefere with this message, you interfere with natural testosterone production. This is called the hypo-thalamic-pituitary-testicular-axis. All this means is a loop that senses estrogen or progesterone levels for the purpose of regulating testosterone. This is also the very loop that makes anti-estrogenic drugs effective at increasing your testosterone levels post cycle.

Once your system is clean from anabolics (days to weeks depending on the dosage and drugs used), use of anti-estrogens work to block the estrogen from the pituitary, thereby telling the pituitary, “hey, we don’t have enough testosterone round these parts, fire some up there Billy Bob”. The pituitary then sends/ allows LH to be produced once again where it then travels to the Leydig cells of the testes, and stimulates the machinery to turn back on. You will know when this happens because this is when you can first tell that your balls are getting bigger again, your energy level comes back up, you start to feel good again since being off, etc. Common drugs that aromatize include the nandrolones, dianabol and all the testosterone esters. The rest of the anabolic steroids are constantly disagreed upon amongst gurus, and their outcomes are not definitive enough to mention in detail, whether you are considering the likelihood of chemical structures, or empirical real world effects. After all, deca, test and d-bol are the drugs most used that will be the major culprits with regards to aromatization. I know, you all have probably known someone who has gotten some nasty estrogenic type side effects from some other drug besides deca, test or d-bol. Those side effects come from other root causes…However you look at it, estrogenic affects from anabolic steroids serve to decrease sex drive by shutting off your natural supply.

Only if the drugs are androgenic enough and affect the sexual areas of your brain in just the right way will the drug cancel its own affects and increase sex drive. Your individual biochemistry comes into play with many of the sexual highs and lows of anabolic steroid usage, it takes individual experience to know what you need and when. But the information found here will hopefully take much of the guesswork out of your experiences.

III. Progestagenic Affects of drugs are often over-looked. This is because most individuals do not know how potent progesterone really is in the body. All you ever really here is the bad stuff about estrogen. Well, progesterone my friends can be pretty nasty. Remember what we've said about sex offenders and progesterone. the govenment itself uses progesterone treatment to kill the sex drive of male sex offenders in order to help control their cravings. If it works on a freak, it will definitely work on a normal person. Don't forget, progesterone kills sex drive in the male.

Sperm Damage: A Leading Cause of Male Infertility

Damage to the DNA tightly packed inside sperm may contribute to 40 percent of male infertility. But the good news is that men may be able to overcome this.


Scientists are getting closer to understanding the causes of male infertility. According to a study published in the journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online, damage to the DNA in sperm occurred among 40 percent of study participants, who were couples receiving in-vitro fertility treatments. Research also has found that sperm damage is responsible for an estimated 80 percent of previously unexplained cases of male infertility. But there are steps men can take to reduce that sperm damage, such as quitting smoking.

Eighty percent of men who previously were unexplained, we've now got a cause. Once you find a diagnosis, you can do something. Sperm is a tightly wrapped packet of DNA with a tail attached and a single goal: Get to the egg and fertilize it to make a baby. Being able to swim and having good DNA are the only things that matter.

Usually when men's sperm is tested during fertility work-ups, doctors check for how healthy the sperm look under a microscope, how many there are in a given space, and how well they move. These are important factors, but Lewis says that this data doesn't correlate all that well with live births. Because of that, she and her colleagues have spent the better part of a decade looking for more in-depth information about sperm that could help predict the success of conception and live births.

Instead of results that tell you what portion of your total sperm count isn't behaving well enough for fertility, Lewis and her colleagues developed the SpermComet assay, a test that unravels the DNA packet inside sperm and reveals the amount of damage in each one. All men have some level of damage in some sperm, and most of the time, it is not enough to affect fertility. The cutoff point, after which the sperm are too damaged for fertility, is about 25 percent damaged. Not only do these damaged sperm reduce the odds of conception, but they also increase the chances of miscarriage if conception does occur.

What to Do About DNA Damage

Unlike other cells that contain DNA, sperm do not replicate or make repairs. But Lewis points out that because men are continuously making new sperm, sperm quality can be improved in about two months if you stop the behaviors that can damage it.

Smoking is probably the number one cause of DNA damage. Alcohol abuse and recreational drug use also damage sperm DNA. If you can quit smoking, cut back on alcohol and give up recreational drugs such as marijuana, there's a good chance that sperm will be less damaged 70 days later. Talk with your physician about other possible causes of DNA damage to help identify other steps you can take to improve the odds of conception and live birth.

Other Causes of Male Infertility

Researchers have found that about half of couples' infertility cases are because of male infertility alone, yet the exact male infertility causes are still being investigated. Sperm damage is one factor, but other possible explanations include:

•     Genetic infertility
•     Anatomical changes that make reproduction difficult
•     Excessively hot environment, like a hot tub
•     Bicycle or motorcycle riding
•     Exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides

The question of what causes infertility is so wide open that occasionally rumors of culprits like laptops or cell phones can gain a frenzy of media attention without much data behind them. But, for at least some men, the new DNA-level testing should help uncover some facts about their own fertility and offer hope for conception. 

Low Testosterone and Your Sex Life

Having a low testosterone level can affect your energy level and your mood. Most men who have low testosterone also report having a diminished sex drive and trouble getting and maintaining an erection, also called erectile dysfunction. Low testosterone is a common condition that's often overlooked because its symptoms are similar to those of many other health issues. Despite the impact that it can have on their lives and sexual relationships, most men with low testosterone are not getting treated.

Studies have suggested that 2 million to 13 million men in the United States have low testosterone, with increasing age as the primary risk factor. Decreased energy, loss of sex drive, or libido, and erectile dysfunction are the three most common symptoms of low testosterone.

The Impact of Low Testosterone on Your Sex Life

"Testosterone is essential to sexual function, through effects on both the brain and sexual organs. Studies demonstrate a reduction in frequency, amplitude, and rigidity of erection in men with low testosterone. Testosterone also affects energy level, which may contribute to a decreased interest in sex," says Dr. Fenig.

Many men with type 2 diabetes also have symptoms of low testosterone, and yet a survey released by the American Diabetes Association found that many men with low testosterone and erectile dysfunction were unaware that they had a treatable condition and felt frustrated, but had not talked about the issue with their doctors or sexual partners.

Talking to Your Partner About Low Testosterone

For many men, sex is a difficult issue to talk about with their spouse or partner. Many men feel embarrassed and may lack the skills to bring up these issues.

“While some men are uncomfortable discussing sexual issues with their partner, it can be comforting to know there may be a medical reason for decreased libido or energy,” Fenig says. "This affects the sex life of both partners and becomes a ‘couples’ issue. For that reason, men should be encouraged to discuss their feelings with their partners and, if diagnosed with low testosterone, discuss potential treatment options."

Here are some other tips that can help:

    Your partner’s worried, too. If you have noticed a problem with your sex life, your partner probably has, too. He or she may interpret this as a lack of interest — or a sign of interest in someone else. The longer you delay getting the problem out in the open, the more damage it can do to your relationship.
    Find the right time. It's best to tell your partner ahead of time that you have an important concern, and then plan a time when you can talk in total privacy without interruptions.
    Get the facts. If you're reading this, you already have some information to work with. Low testosterone is a medical problem, not a sign of weakness, and in most cases, it can be treated. The more you and your partner know about low testosterone, the easier it is to deal with.
    Work together. Low testosterone is a health issue you can address together. You may want to ask your partner to go with you to your doctor's appointment. Develop a plan of action and get started.

“Most men will be surprised about how willing their partner is to discuss sexual matters with them and how supportive they can be through the treatment process," Fenig notes. "In addition, previously unrecognized issues regarding female sexual dysfunction may be present, which can also be evaluated by an appropriate specialist."

If you're an older man, you may think a decreased interest in sex is normal. But although there is a gradual decline in testosterone as men age, any loss of interest in sex can be a sign of a medical problem and should be discussed with your doctor. It is not an inevitable part of growing older.

Getting Help for Low Testosterone

"If a man suspects he is experiencing low testosterone, it’s important he see a physician, as there are many ways to diagnose and treat the condition,” says Fenig. “I have had success treating low testosterone and erectile dysfunction patients with testosterone supplementation using gel, patches, or injectable anabolic steroids. Combining supplementation with medications for erectile dysfunction often results in optimal improvement in sexual wellness."

Steroids and Penis Sensitivity: An Unhappy Combination

While men might choose to pump iron and get buff for all sorts of reasons, many people do so because they'd like to attract a mate. Rippling muscles are generally considered attractive, so it's reasonable to expect that an exercise routine could have a positive impact on a man's sex life. If that man enhances his weight workouts with steroids, however, he might experience some nasty side effects that impact his sexual performance. In fact, he might find that his penis is less sensitive than it's been in the past. Recovering might mean putting down the steroids and attending to good penis care moving forward.

Steroid Basics

The steroids that weightlifters use to enhance their muscles are typically made with synthetic forms of male hormones. Pumping the body full of these chemicals can cause the muscles to swell and a feeling of power to increase, but the body might interpret all of these signals with alarm and it might begin to work hard to correct what it sees as an imbalance.

For some men, this might mean that

    the body begins to produce low levels of male hormones;
    hormone receptors that are involved in regulating male function are turned off;
    The cells might also release compensatory chemicals, including chemicals associated with feminine characteristics, as it attempts to re-regulate the body's systems.

These additions and modulations can wreak havoc on a man's sex drive, and it's not uncommon for men who are abusing steroids to experience periods in which they have no interest in sex or who cannot achieve a climax when they do have sex. Some men even experience reduced sensitivity while they're taking high levels of specific steroid medications. The additional hormones and the body's corrective cycles are to blame, but it can be disaster for a man.

Bad Choices

Some men who have steroid sensitivity problems react by engaging in extremely long sexual episodes that might seem fun but that can leave penile tissue:

    Red
    Raw
    Chafed
    Blistered

The recipient of these marathon sessions of attention might be similarly injured and uninterested in a repeat performance.

Some men who have reduced sensitivity respond by taking yet higher doses of their drugs or looking for new combinations of drugs that could restore their health and vigor. While this might be helpful in the short term, again, the body tends to adjust when presented with this kind of chemical stimulus. DIY solutions aren't helpful as a result, as the body will always look for ways to create equilibrium.

Good Options

Since steroids can and do cause such nasty side effects, men who buy steroids might need to work with experts in order to conquer their dependence and move forward with life in a more healthful manner. For some, this might mean tapering off to smaller doses until they're taking none at all. For others, this might mean a cold-turkey approach followed by talk therapy. For yet others, working with a community of former addicts might be key to stopping the steroid cycle. No matter the path the man takes, however, he might need to do a little work in order to get penis sensitivity rates back to normal.

Focusing on sensational mapping can be very helpful for men with low sensitivity rates. Men can ask their partners to assist, and in each session, the man can try to map where a partner's touch lands on the penis. Each touch and each thought reminds the brain to map the penis and stay attuned to its signals. In time, a man might have all the feelings back he thought he'd lost, as long as the steroids are gone.

A penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) may also be helpful. These products can soothe the damage caused by long sex sessions, and the emollients and vitamins can help to nourish the skin and ensure that touch and pressure receptors are working as they should. When the man is ready for sex once more, his equipment will also be up to the task.

Steroids Can Shrink a Man's Penis

Steroids are medically generated substance used for various medical purposes. It is commonly utilized to enhance body growth. Basically, steroids are used by body builders, athletes, and people with active occupations. Some forms of steroids are used in performing surgeries and as pain reliever. The use of steroids requires a prescription from an authorized physician. However, steroids are definitely banned I all sports. In fact, a lot of big name sports personalities have been linked to the use of steroids. Accordingly, the misuse of steroids can lead to a lot of side effects, which causes diseases and even death.

The most common form of steroid is the anabolic steroid. Essentially, steroids promote growth of tissues and muscles. Every man has secretes a hormone called testosterone, which is responsible for the physical growth during puberty. The purpose of anabolic steroids is enhancers to make the androgenic effects possible, which make a man's sexual features, develop fast. Because of this, a lot of men have used steroids to boost their penis size and erection. However, steroids are expensive, does is not affordable to all men. To remedy this problem, some men take other steroid containing substance.

The use of steroids entails a lot of negative effects to the body. These side effects are described to be severe and can even cause death. Most steroids permanently damage the organs and other parts of the body. The male reproductive organ is one of the most susceptible to the damage caused by steroids. This is because, anabolic like hormones are also produced by the male reproductive organ. The use of steroids can cause temporary and permanent impotence. The effect of steroid is so strong that even increased libido or sexual desire will not make a penis erect. The penis may erect, but it may not really serve its purpose. In essence, the steroids paralyze the ability of the penis to perform its functions.

On the other hand, studies show that there is no direct linkage to penis shrinkage and steroids. Normally, a penis will shrink if man is out of sexual desires. Another reason is that tight underwear may cause the penis to reduce in size. The bad thing is that the steroids may cause the penis to stay shrunk. This is because erection will be a problem and it is the only way for the penis to grow. Others think that the use of steroids could have resulted to a permanent shrinkage. When the damage has been done, every effort to bring back the usual form of the penis will be futile.

With everything said, steroids may not directly cause the shrinkage of a penis. However, the use of steroids may aggravate the situation. Steroids may cause tremendous growth in the body, but the side effects should be more emphasized. A temporary growth may indeed lead to permanent distraction. As advised, would be steroid user must be able to secure the necessary prescriptions from knowledgeable physicians. Provided with the damages that steroid brings, it will be eye opener to all that everything has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Natural And Synthetic Testosterone

Testosterone occupies a special place among anabolic steroids. It is a synthetic analogue of primary natural steroid, which has the same structure as male sex hormone testosterone, and it was identified as early as 1935. Experiments with testosterone were made in 40s and 50s and there are grounds for believing that many sportsmen used it.  

Today testosterone effects are thoroughly studied. It gives frank anabolic effects which means increase of muscle mass. Testosterone also acts over nervous system relieving from fatigue and increasing common tonus and disposition. Bodybuilder may observe these effects after several injections containing 50mg testosterone in form of organic acid, for example, propionic acid. There are injections with very big dose of testosterone of 250mg.

Last years has appeared testosterone in form of tablets 20 - 50mg. Probably this is the only anabolic steroid which is used just before start. Side effects from long testosterone administration are well known: it systematically nhibits production of male natural testosterone. In women hair starts growing on face, and their voice becomes rough. 

Testosterone at first sight is a very simple drug, however, it remains one of most difficult problems in anti-doping control. The problem of reliable determination of testosterone as doping always existed and even today it is not solved yet.  

Natural testosterone circulates in the blood, actively matabolizes turning into 17-keto-metabolites such as androsterone and its derivatives. These metabolites are washed away with urine that is used for making anti-doping tests. In urine remains less testosterone. Practically, little or nothing of it. Synthetical testosterone also is involved into intensive metabolism and as a result it also disappears from the body.