Anadrol (Oxymetholone), Oxandrin (Oxandrolone), Dianabol (Methandrostenolone), Winstrol (Stanozolol)
Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone decanoate), Durabolin (Nandrolone phenpropionate), Depo-Testosterone (Testosterone cypionate), Equipoise (Boldenone undecylenate)
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex hormones. "Anabolic" refers to muscle-building, and "androgenic" refers to increased masculine characteristics. "Steroids" refers to the class of drugs. These drugs are legally available only by prescription to treat conditions that occur when the body produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone, such as delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and also to treat body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases. Abusing anabolic steroids can lead to serious health problems, some that are irreversible.
Today, athletes and others abuse anabolic steroids to enhance performance and also to improve physical appearance.
Anabolic steroids can be taken orally or can be injected. It is typically taken in cycles of weeks or months, rather than continuously, in patterns called cycling. Cycling involves taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and starting again. In addition, users frequently combine several different types of steroids to maximize their effectiveness while minimizing negative effects, a process known as stacking.
Reports indicate that use of anabolic steroids promotes lean muscle mass, strength, and ability to train longer and harder. However, there are several health hazards to steroid abuse, and some are irreversible. In addition, people who inject anabolic steroids run the added risk of contracting or transmitting hepatitis, which causes serious damage to the liver, or HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS.
The major side effects of anabolic steroid abuse include liver tumors and cancer, jaundice (yellowish pigmentation of skin, tissues, and body fluids), fluid retention, high blood pressure, increases in LDL (bad cholesterol), and decreases in HDL (good cholesterol). Other side effects include kidney tumors, severe acne, and trembling. In addition, there are some gender-specific side effects:
Scientific research also shows that aggression and other psychiatric side effects may result from abuse of anabolic steroids. Many users report feeling good about themselves while on anabolic steroids, but researchers report that extreme mood swings also can occur, including manic-like symptoms leading to violence. Depression often is seen when the drugs are stopped and may contribute to dependence on anabolic steroids. Researchers report also that users may suffer from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility.
