Specific androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) are prescribed to treat medical conditions. However, the doses will be significantly higher when taken as part of a steroid cycle utilised by bodybuilders and athletes to increase muscle mass. This will dramatically increase any of the associated risks of anabolic steroids. Additionally, incorrect techniques when self-administering intramuscular steroid injections can cause various serious problems, including infections, tissue damage, blood vessel breakage, and nerve damage.
However, if you are considering taking steroids without a prescription, steroids approved to treat medical conditions have been subject to extensive clinical studies supporting their lower associated risks of causing serious side effects. It is these steroids we will discuss in this post.
Types of Androgenic-Anabolic Steroids (AAS)
Testosterone
Available in both oral and injectable forms, testosterone is widely prescribed to treat low testosterone levels and is considered the safest oral steroid. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) will deliver much smaller amounts of testosterone than are used during androgenic-anabolic steroid (AAS) cycles for building muscle mass.
Oxandrolone (Brand Names Anavar and Oxandrin)
Oxandrolone is an oral anabolic steroid and could be considered the second safest oral steroid next to testosterone. Often used to treat muscle wasting, research demonstrates oxandrolone therapy increases muscle strength and lean body mass.
Nandrolone, (Brand Name Deca-Durabolin)
Nandrolone is an injectable anabolic steroid shown to significantly increase weight and lean body mass when prescribed to treat wasting in HIV patients. It is also prescribed for the treatment of kidney disease and osteoporosis.
The Safest Steroid Cycle
Generally, the safest steroid cycle is a testosterone-only cycle. The next safest will consist of just one other type of anabolic steroid.
To make a steroid cycle even safer, it should be supervised by a doctor who can perform regular blood tests. These blood tests can detect any potential problems as early as possible by monitoring liver and kidney function, tumour markers and prostate profile, allowing steroids to be changed or stopped to prevent further harm. Post-cycle therapy, along with regular blood tests to check testosterone levels when resting between cycles, is also vital to ensure the body is restoring normal testosterone production.
