Steroids are helpful drugs used for medical treatment of patients with medical conditions. The same steroids can also help athletes and bodybuilders in varying degrees and functions. In the case of anabolic steroids, they are used to develop lean muscle mass and grow muscle. How much of a help they were able to provide is still a question and yet to be proved to satisfaction. However, there are many in the bodybuilding community who swear by the steroid that they were able to gain fast results by anabolic steroids.

What is Anabolic Steroid?

Human body secretes a variety of hormones and one of them is the anabolic hormone. Testosterone is one of them and it is also an Androgenic Anabolic Steroid (AAS). Androgen means male like chrematistics and anabolic means to grow up. In the case of testosterone, it means growth of organs, muscle, bone and primary and secondary sex characteristics. Women do secrete the testosterone hormone but in little quantities only. In a male, testosterone has a role in developing cell growth of tissue, bone, testis and fertility. Anabolic effect on muscle mass is the one liked by bodybuilders and athletes for giving them an extra edge in their development.

Anabolic Action

In Greek, anabolism means ‘upward’ or ‘to throw’, take your pick. In a physiological sense, they help in the metabolism of the body in constructing molecules from cellular level for the various organs. Energy is required to build new cells and muscles and these are made available via protein synthesis. Oxygen and nitrogen are required for this process. Testosterone is one of the major hormones in this process. If the effect on muscle mass is less, it may mean that the hormone is less and one needs to have a look and consult a medical practitioner.

Help and Effects

Testosterone as a medicine can be used for people with Hypogonadism, a condition in which the gonads produce less of sex hormones and in some breast cancer treatment. In men, it plays a role in libido and sexual desires too. The other non-medicinal use is in developing more muscle mass, stamina and endurance when adding extra testosterone. A bodybuilder can experience anabolic effect on muscle mass to the tune of 3lbs per cycle. However, it has also been found that once the cycle is over, the effects start to wear off. Taking further dosages is not helpful immediately but after some time, they do have an effect. Like all anabolic steroids, these require a prescription as they come under the Controlled Substances Acts of many countries. Sports bodies in most countries prohibit the use of such drugs and one may forfeit their prize if found out.

Like the useful nature, levels in excess can produce some ill effects too. These may range from headaches, extreme mood swings, sometimes depression, sudden hair growth or loss, infertility and libido. One has to consider the anabolic effect on muscle mass by the drug usage in relation to these side effects and if the benefits are more, consult a physician on safe usage and practice. Always better be safe.