Anabolic steroids are drugs that mimic and synthesis the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for functioning, growth and development of the body. Anabolic steroids are more commonly known as PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) as they are frequently used for the purpose of performance.
Physicians prescribe it medicinally to patients suffering from deadly diseases such as AIDs or HIV and who need to recover from the mass wastage which comes as a result of therapies and treatments. In addition to this, patients recovering from surgeries are also prescribed anabolic steroids to enable them to improve their diet and get the strength to carry on with their day to day activities.
Types of anabolic steroids range from oral, transdermal, nasal spray and oral, although oral and injectables are more commonly used by many.
As the name suggests, oral steroids are taken orally in pill forms. If users experience stomach problems after taking anabolic steroids, then they may be taken with milk or with food if the need be. These steroids need to be kept between 15º C to 30º C (59º F to 86º F) in addition to being kept away from moisture or direct sun light. Anabolic steroids may be taken in the bathroom but it is recommended that they may not be kept in there. In addition to this, users need to make sure that the liquid forms of steroids are not frozen. Oral forms are available like Anadrol and Dianabol. Generally, most users first try the oral steroids since they are convenient and act faster than others and do not require being administered by a physician.
Anabolic steroids can also be applied transdermally to the skin where the crème can be rubbed or patches may be applied. Transdermal and nasal sprays forms of anabolic steroids are less commonly used than the oral and injectable ones. Transdermal does not need to be used with medical guidance while nasal spray, generally used by asthma patients, need to be strictly used in the guidance of a consultant.
Anabolic steroids that come in injectable form acts slower in the body than the oral ones, however, this version is more tolerated by the human body as they aren’t alpha- alkylated like most orals are. The injectable form of anabolic steroids have a longer life and stay in the body for a longer time which is why they may not need to be injected frequently. This form can however be detected in drug tests since they are longer acting so users need to plan accordingly when using the injectables in order to get away from detection. The injectable form needs to be injected intramuscularly that is in shoulders, outer thighs and buttocks. Many people use injection is biceps and triceps, though this is very dangerous and should not be attempted. In some cases, the injectable form of steroids may cause pain and swelling in the site of injection which cause discomfort when taking doses. It is recommended that the site be rotated frequently to avoid such a case.
Sale and purchase of anabolic steroids are banned and can only be bought from the pharmacist on receipt of a prescription. Many of the athletic and bodybuilding competitions now have laid out complex and sophisticated methods of detecting drugs and anabolic steroids in the blood which if found positive, heavy fines and suspensions need to be dealt with. Even when such strict bans are associated with the use of anabolic steroids, still they are so commonly available everywhere round the world including the internet where it is sold and purchased illegally by as young as high school students.