I thought this was a very well article regarding Women and Steroids. A lot of the key points here I agree with.
Example Some studies are plainly stating that evidence documenting short term behavioral changes before and after the use of steroids is extremely limited and inconclusive. Researchers are having trouble determining if violent outbursts and psychological changes of a user are really do to the use of steroids or if some psychological problems were present before use and simply brought to the surface by using. Researchers can't establish how mentally stable a woman was before she started using (unless she started using purposely for the study). This then can distort the results of any study conducted
And another key point that I agree with.
a woman will have a decrease in sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG- a protein produced in the liver) (Malarkey, Strauss, Leizman, Liggett, Demers; 1991), a decrease in follicle-stimulating hormones, a decrease in circulating HDL-cholesterol, and a decrease in thyroid binding proteins. With these ever changing levels of hormones a woman's immune system is at risk. She can become very vulnerable to infectious diseases and just might be hospitalized by the common cold
Anyways here is the full article
ANABOLIC STEROIDS
Author Lindsay Sutton
ANABOLIC STEROIDS: Not Just For Men Anymore
Lindsay Sutton
CONTENTS OF THE FOLLOWING REPORT:
- I. Introduction
- II. What are Anabolic Steroids?
- III. Which kinds are their?
- IV. What are the benefits of using Anabolic Steroids?
- a. Physical side effects
- b. Behavioral side effects
- c. Functional side effects
- V. Why do women take them?
- VI. What is steroid abuse?
- VII. Conclusion
I. Introduction
Anabolic steroids have been around since the 1930s. While they started out solely for medical purposes, they have now become widely accepted for recreational endeavors and heightened athletic performance. Though highly accepted, they are still very illegal without a written prescription. While they have surpassed their medical uses and found their way into top athletes and body builders, they have also crossed the gender barrier. Men are not the only users anymore. More and more women have felt the effects of anabolic steroids and before you think they are the thing for you maybe you should read this first.
I. What are Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that mimic the male sex hormones known as androgens. This is where the true name anabolic-androgenic steroid is derived, but for familiarity purposes they are referred to only as anabolic steroids (no purely anabolic agent has ever been synthesized). Specifically, they are synthetically produced to act as the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone has a 17-carbon core, like its replication- the anabolic steroid, and is credited for the promotion of growth of skeletal muscles and the development of male sexual characteristics. It has both androgenic (masculinization) and anabolic (tissue-building) effects in the human body. Functions of testosterone include increased numbers of red blood cells, improved calcium deposition in the bones, muscle enlargement, increased body hair, thickening of vocal chords, and growth and development of the prostate gland (Hickson, Ball, Falduto; 1989). Women have naturally occurring testosterone already present in their bodies, but in such small amounts not to notice any of testosterone's true effects. Anabolic steroids were developed to treat conditions in men like hypogonadism (when testes do not produce enough testosterone for normal growth , development and sexual functioning), some instances of impotency, and HIV and other infectious diseases. Through experimentation, though, scientists found in lab animals that anabolic steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscles and with this is where the weight lifters and athletes come in to play. Since then over 100 anabolic steroids have been developed and most of them still remain illegal without consent from a doctor. While they were initially created for male related irregularities, they are now finding their way into a woman's body and becoming a part of some women's daily routine.
II. Which kinds are their?
Winstrol, Testgro, Testo Prop, Halotestin, Anadrol, Stromba.... the list goes on and on of the common street names for anabolic steroids http://www.pharm.arizona.edu Basically though their are 5 popular separate products being sold individually or in a combination with others that can either be taken orally or injected with needles. This list is Androstenedione, 4-Androstenediol, 5-Androstenediol, 19-Norandrostenedione, and finally 19-Norandrostenediol http://www.betterbodz.com . First, lets consider the "andros." They are not drugs and can be sold legally as dietary supplements in health food stores http://www.nida.nih.gov ). Androstene is naturally produced by the body's adrenal gland. But with the help of scientists, the andro that is on the market has been biochemically enhanced. In other words, it is one enzyme away from being the infamous testosterone. With andro (approximately 200 milligrams a day) you have the capabilities of increasing the circulation of testosterone by anywhere from 200 to 400%. This is why andros get so much attention from lifters and athletes. They can work out harder and more frequently since their muscles are recovering faster and developing more rapidly. Now lets look at the "norandros." They are exactly like the andro molecule except they do not have a carbon atom at the 19th position and they are usually not sold as a dietary supplement. The absence of this carbon means the norandros can't be converted to testosterone, so instead they are converted to nortestosterone, or the hormone nandrolone http://www.betterbodz.com ). Nandrolone is nitrogen retentive, meaning it stores nitrogen and can at times inhibit muscle growth, but it stays attached and circulating much longer than the andros. You loose some muscle enhancing peaks like those of andro, but norandro lasts up to 2 or 3 weeks longer. Don't believe norandros are any less effective in increasing muscle strength and size. With stored nitrogen in your muscles, though, your workout can sometimes become painful and appear unproductive because your muscles get and stay tired quicker. Both the andros and norandros have their positive aspects, like increased muscle growth and strength, and certain drawbacks, like over-working your body due to a quick recovery rate and the nitrogen retention which can lead to torn muscles and ligaments. Every steroid is simulated for a certain purpose and depending on your personal purpose and how you want to go about achieving your ideal self will depend on whether you're a andro user or a norandro user. Choose wisely.