Steroids Source Talk | Anabolic Steroid Forum - View Single Post - Anabolic Steroids Have Few Long-Term Side Effects In Bodybuilders

Cornish_Celt · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2012, 09:16 AM

All told, the AAS users appeared to avoid any untoward effects of significance, with the exception of gynecomastia. The authors stated in the paper that there were no changes in the structure or function of either the heart or the liver outside of those expected in a group of power-trained athletes.10 In fact, the greatest concern raised by the authors was the possibility of a drug interaction due to the numerous drugs and supplements consumed. The final paragraph of the study is quite enlightening: “The picture emerging is one of a knowledgeable population of ‘users’ integrated into a subculture of clandestine use of drugs, able to manipulate substances in order to maximize the ‘advantages’ and minimize the disadvantages.”

10 One might walk away from this study with a warm, fuzzy feeling that AAS use is not so dangerous after all and that even first-time users can achieve gains in muscle mass and definition relatively safely. Really, despite the lack of any apparent adverse side effects, one need realize there are many limitations to this report. First off, the number of subjects is very small. Secondly, seven of the 20 dropped out, primarily due to emotional or sexual problems. Third, five experienced gynecomastia and four became infertile, at least temporarily. Fourth, the subjects were not examined uniformly on-cycle or off-cycle, so it is likely that each time point represents a random mix. I think this is one of the biggest flaws of the study, as each data point has no relation to standard conditions. Fifth, the drugs vary all across the scale of AAS, including prohormones.

Doses, number of cycles, duration of cycle, pattern (such as pyramiding), use of adjunct drugs (GH, thyroid hormone, clenbuterol, hCG, Clomid, etc.) are all different. Sixth, the drugs were sourced through the black market and the contents were not analyzed to determine potency and purity. Truly, the most amazing result of this study is that any significant findings were evident; those that were reported were generally of little clinical significance.

Further, from this study, it appears that the negative effects were balanced by other metabolic adaptations such that one could argue that the AAS use promoted greater health. In the end, this study, despite its extensive examinations and long-term data collection, provides little real knowledge about the health risks/benefits of AAS use. Hopefully, the authors will repeat the study looking at changes relative to periods of use and non-use under more uniform conditions. As it stands, we have no idea what impact aromatase inhibitors, GH and insulin have on a person during and after prolonged periods of AAS use. To end on a more positive note, this study certainly did not Reveal any significant negative effects among these AAS-using bodybuilders over a two-year period of use.
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