To enhance the power and strength of muscle beyond the natural limit, some people, specifically bodybuilders, turn to the chemicals and substances like Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS).
Anabolic refers to the promotion of growth, whereas androgenic refers to the production and development of male sexual characteristics.
Moreover, many bodybuilders take help from these steroid injections like sustamed for the quick increase of muscle mass due to its robust anabolic action.
Steroid injections are available in various ways. Ussustanonually, athletes utilize injectable steroids in ampoules like sustamed. It is a mixture of 4 different esterified testosterone variants in a specific ratio.
Browse this article further to take a closer look at steroid injections, usage of specific anabolic-androgenic steroids in certain conditions, and what are the possible side effects.
Steroid Injection Ampoules- A Brief Introduction
Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) is the synthetically prepared form of the primary male sex hormone testosterone. They affect several parts of the human body, including the kidneys, reproductive system, hair follicles, muscles, and nervous system.
The production of this hormone is natural in every human being. Both men and women produce this hormone; however, the levels are higher in men for the development of various traits like a deeper voice, body hair growth, increased height, and muscle mass.
Women also produce this hormone but at relatively lesser levels. Typically, it helps promote healthy libido and bone density.
Usually, the testosterone levels for men range from 300 to 1,000 ng/dL; for women, it is 15 to 70 ng/dL. A high dosage of these anabolic-androgenic steroids will increase muscle mass and power.
Uses of Steroid Injections
While thinking about the usage of steroid injections, you might only have considered these as a mass builder for bodybuilders. While this is one of the common uses of steroids, the other applications associated with anabolic steroids are as follows:
- It enhances protein synthesis in the body, leading to increased muscle tissue.
- Promotes the production of red blood cells in the body
- Improved muscle endurance
- Enhances and quick recovery from muscle injuries from workouts.
- Enhanced bone mineral density
- Decreases the body fat percentage
- Boosts muscle power and strength
However, these beneficial effects of anabolic steroids may vary from person to person.
Benefits of Steroids in Various Sectors
In various fields, steroids have shown significant benefits, including
1. Improved Speed and Power Output for Athletes
In sports, athletes constantly search for practical and valuable ways to get an edge over the competition. Though a suitable combination of an advanced lifestyle and exercise goes a long way, some athletes use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to improve their performance in competition.
One of the primary PEDs used by athletes is the AAS. They have shown a tendency to increase the speed and output of muscles by increasing muscle mass.
Usually, athletes gain the strength of 5% to 20% and increase in weight by 4.5 lbs to 11lbs, which may be because of an increased lean body mass.
However, in competitive sports, the levels of AAS tend to be reasonably conservative to avoid detection. In some cases, muscle mass is not the concern; it is typically used for increased power and speed up recovery.
Some sports prohibit AAS injections; however, some athletes still prefer them, believing the risk of being caught is worth it.
2. For Improved Strength and Increased Muscle Mass
While talking about strength sports like weight lifting, bodybuilding, and Olympic weightlifting challenges, anabolic steroids help increase muscle mass and power output- as in these games, muscle mass and power directly impact an individual’s overall performance.
Though, the AAS in such games seems liberal as most federations do not test for the levels. However, higher doses may lead to higher risks of side effects.
Many sports candidates implement the strategy of ‘Stacking’- a slang word used to mix several types of AAS. Most of the time, athletes include other available synthetic hormones, like insulin and growth hormones.
3. Treating Muscle-Wasting Diseases
Several health conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, AIDS, cancer, and liver and kidney diseases, lead to muscle loss. Though it is not as expected, sometimes, AAS injections are used in such a population to restore muscle mass.
While treating such a condition with AAS is not the only solution, it still benefits this kind of population. It is nevertheless essential to keep in mind its aftereffects.
Possible Side Effects of Steroid Injections
Despite the beneficial side of steroid injections, their possible side effects must not be neglected, which can be much more severe depending on the percentage of the steroid injected.
The significant side effects associated with elevated levels of AAS are as follows:
1. Increased Potential Towards Heart Disease
When combined with resistance exercises, AAS can increase the size of the heart’s left ventricle, increasing blood pressure. This, in turn, increases the risk of heart disease and, in the worst case, can lead to death.
2. Increased Aggression
With the frequent usage of AAS injections, many adults and teenagers might show the behavior of aggression and impulsivity.
3. Gynecomastia
The usage of AAS can lead to a medical condition called Gynecomastia, referring to swollen male breast tissue. The hormonal imbalance causes it; however, discontinuing the injection may be sufficient to cure the disease.
4. Liver Damage
AAS, when taken orally, can disrupt liver functioning leading to an increased risk of liver failure.
5. Decreased Testosterone Levels
The use of the AAS is associated with a condition in males called hypogonadism, characterized by decreased and shrinking functioning of the testes. It can also reduce sperm production leading to infertility in males.
Bottomline
An anabolic-androgenic steroid is a man-made form of testosterone, typically used by bodybuilders and sportspeople in the related field for increased muscle mass and power.
Even though lower levels of AAS are generally considered safer, there is no evidence supporting the use of uncontrolled doses of AAS in a safe manner. However, they can have adverse effects regardless of dosage. And they are illegal in many places.
Using AAS is a challenging and personal decision; the risks might outweigh the benefits, so always consult the specialist before using it.
