Steroids get a bad rap — but do they deserve it?

From the steroid scandals that plagued major league baseball to the jokes that surround steroid side effects among weightlifters and bodybuilders, using steroids doesn’t enjoy a good reputation.

It’s true that using certain steroids in small amounts under medical supervision won’t hurt you. However, using large amounts of anabolic steroids for a long period of time can do you real harm.

Let’s get into what steroids are, what they’re used for (both legally and illegally), and how to find some safe alternatives to steroids that’ll give you the same results.

Technically called anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs), steroids are a type of artificial testosterone. They can be taken as a supplement to replace or add to your body’s natural levels of testosterone.

Testosterone (T) is a hormone typically associated with the male body. The average male has about 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of this hormone in their body.

Testosterone is most known for causing changes to the male body during puberty, making the voice deeper and the body hairier. It also increases sperm production in the testicles.

The female body also produces T. But it’s usually found in smaller amounts, where it’s used to keep bones strong and sexual function healthy.

And having testosterone levels that are higher than normal, such as through use of steroids, can help create proteins that are used to support:

  • muscle growth
  • hair growth
  • sexual functions
  • bone density

That’s why steroids are associated with athletes like bodybuilders. It’s thought that the more anabolic steroids you take, the more potential for strength and muscle growth you have. That’s why you may hear these referred to as performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Steroids aren’t always harmful when used appropriately. They’re used for a variety of both health and athletic purposes, including:

  • gaining body mass from more protein production in the body (about 4.5 to 11 pounds)
  • lowering your overall body fat percentage
  • gaining muscle strength and endurance
  • increasing how dense your bones are
  • increased red blood cell production
  • improve performance in strength-related sports, such as weightlifting
  • “stacking” steroids with other substances, such as growth hormones and insulin, for increased muscle mass
  • maintaining muscle mass when you have a condition like liver disease or cancer that causes your muscles to waste away

In small doses for short amounts of time, when their use is monitored by a doctor, anabolic steroids have lower risk of long-term or harmful side effects.

Your genes can influence how steroids affect you.

There’s also a ratio of androgenic to anabolic components for most steroids:

  • anabolic components help grow muscle
  • androgenic components affect male sex traits like body hair or sperm production

But using high amounts of steroids, even for a short time, or using them for a long period can lead to numerous side effects, including:

Side effects for women

Steroid use can have specific side effects in the female body in addition to the others listed above, including:

  • deeper voice
  • changes in face shape
  • facial hair growth
  • clitoris growing larger than normal
  • period becoming irregular
  • shrinking breasts
  • infertility

Many people who use anabolic steroids recreationally take much more than is typically used for medical conditions. This is especially true if the steroids are in a supplement or injection that contains high concentrations.

The way they’re misused can make them dangerous too:

  • cycling: using a large amount of steroids and then stopping for a while before using them again
  • stacking: use multiple types of steroids at once, or using different delivery forms (like injections and supplements together)
  • pyramiding: starting with small doses and then taking more and more, followed by reducing the amount again
  • plateauing: changing to another steroid suddenly to keep the steroid from become ineffective and then switching back

Some people can become used to the feeling of strength or endurance that steroids give them and become dangerously addicted.

There are plenty of safe, natural ways to get the performance, strength, and bulk you’re looking for:

  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet high in proteins, fiber, and healthy fats. Add in foods like eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, and grains like quinoa.
  • Work closely on different muscle groups. Focus on sets of muscles like biceps, triceps, or quads during a single workout. Alternate between muscles groups for the best long-term results.
  • Get on a consistent exercise plan. Use a fitness app or work with a personal trainer to keep yourself on track and accountable whether you’re trying to get fit, compete, or bulk up.

When used in moderation under medical supervision, anabolic steroids aren’t dangerous.

But like any artificial supplement, they can be dangerous or even deadly when misused, whether you use too much or for too long a time.

Talk to a doctor before you add steroids to your workout routine or just because you want increase muscle mass. Steroids get the best results if your dosage is specifically recommended for your body by an expert.