By Hadley Gavin
The use of anabolic steroids in the United States is regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 lists steroids as a Schedule III controlled substance. They may be purchased with a prescription from a licensed doctor and used to treat specific medical conditions such as breast cancer, severe burns, serious osteoporosis, or severe weight loss.
However, some individuals use them for non-medical purposes and to enhance their performance in athletic competitions. Natural steroid are often taken alone or mixed with other substances, such as human growth hormone or testosterone cream. They are then applied directly on the skin or ingested orally. The effects of these compounds last up to 12 hours before needing a reapplication. The results of taking steroids vary based on dosage, length of use, and how they are administered.
When used for medical purposes, anabolic steroids can be administered in three ways: intramuscularly, intravenously, and orally.
Intramuscular administration is the most common type of administration for anabolic steroids. The compounds are injected into muscle tissue using a hypodermic needle. This method is called high-dose therapy, and it is used to treat burn victims or those who suffer from chronic wasting diseases. In these cases, the doses of anabolic steroids exceed one hundred milligrams per week. They may also cause some complications, such as abscesses and infection at the injection site. This method of administration provides faster results, but it may also increase the risk of heart attack, psychiatric phenomena, or liver problems.
Anabolic steroids have different effects on the human body. Intravenous anabolic steroids are administered directly into the vein using a syringe. When injected intravenously, the compounds go straight to the bloodstream and affect major organs such as the kidney, liver, heart, and central nervous system. These effects can be reversed when the administration is stopped, and there is a higher risk of heart failure than with intramuscular steroids.
Oral administration involves taking legal steroids orally in pill form. There are different oral steroids, but they may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and muscle or bone pain. They can also cause liver damage and gynecomastia (when breasts grow).
Although studies have found no significant cardiovascular risks associated with anabolic steroid use, doctors warn against it for both professional and non-athletes alike. Sure doctors also suggest that younger athletes with a tendency towards bodybuilding consider the possibility that they might develop cardiovascular issues later on in life.
