It is essential to know that every anabolic steroid has side effects. The side effects depend on the genetics of the person, the dose and the type of steroid. However, some anabolic steroids may have fewer side effects than others. For example, trenbolone is a potent drug, but it also has powerful side effects. If not used responsibly, it can ruin a person’s life.
Another example is sustanon, a steroid with fewer side effects.
The following scenario: A 27-year-old bodybuilder has been training for nine years without chemical help and now wants to start his first steroid cycle. It is not his intention to stay natural forever, which is why he wants to experience performance-enhancing drugs at least once. His buddies at the local gym are said to be achieving great results with anabolic steroids and the like, which raised the question of which substance he could expect to have the most minor side effects!
The answer to this question depends, of course, on the exact side effects you are referring to, as there are plenty of potential problem areas. However, it is generally the case that consumers are particularly interested in one particular thing in this context, which is why we would like to divide this article into four sub-categories.
It is important to note that this is not a guide or glorification of prescription drugs. The following article is for information purposes only!
Hair loss
Although you might not think it, many, many men worry about possible hair loss during a steroid cycle. Most start using performance-enhancing substances to improve their aesthetics. Naturally, they do not plan to swap their hair for additional muscle. The bad news, however, is that all steroids can promote hair loss if you are genetically predisposed to it. Ultimately, this process is brought about by the same receptor as muscle building itself.
However, some substances are milder than others in this respect. Nandrolone, oxandrolone and methenolone are examples, but even when consuming them, you are not immune to hair loss. The good news is that anabolic steroids are very unlikely to cause baldness if you are genetically predisposed. However, how to find out whether you have the genetic material of Brad Pitt or Lionel Messi is a much more complex topic that is beyond the scope of this article.
Gynecomastia
The development of gynecomastia is one of the most feared side effects.
The development of gynecomastia is also one of the cosmetic problems, but it deters pretty a few people from using steroids. Logically, most men do not want to walk around with “feminine curves”, and if they do, it is usually for other reasons. Whether a steroid is more likely to promote gynecomastia depends, in particular, on its estrogenic properties. Testosterone, Anadrol and Dianabol are the most significant problem triggers here; other substances, such as Oxandrolone, Primobolan and Winstrol, do not convert to oestrogen.
However, some substances can be converted to oestrogen but are generally milder, such as nandrolone and boldenone. Last but not least, anti-oestrogens and aromatase inhibitors should also be mentioned, which are generally good at combating oestrogenic side effects. When it comes to gynecomastia, choosing a suitable steroid is essential.
Liver
Hepatotoxicity is another word for liver toxicity. Some of you may have heard of cases where the misuse of steroids has led to severe liver damage or even cancer. It is essential to know that in the vast majority of cases, this side effect is related to oral steroids. These substances have been chemically modified to survive the first-pass effect within the liver and, therefore, also work when taken orally.
These include Anadrol, Oxandrolone, Dianabol and Winstrol. Some oral steroids, such as Andriol or Primobolan, are not very toxic to the liver, but are also relatively weak in their effect, which is why they are rarely used. In direct comparison, injectable substances such as testosterone, nandrolone and boldenone are pretty potent and are not considered to be noticeably toxic to the liver.
Heart
Steroids can negatively affect cholesterol levels, blood pressure and other risk factors related to cardiovascular disease. Danger is always involved with performance-enhancing substances, although some drugs are more dangerous than others. Testosterone and its derivatives seem to cause the most minor trouble in this regard, as they provide the body with both androgens and estrogens. Oestrogen is mainly seen as positive for HDL (good cholesterol) levels – in both men and women. Once again, oral steroids are probably the most problematic for cardiovascular health. Any substance that is toxic to the liver can very often also increase cardiovascular risk factors.
