The overwhelming majority of men who use anabolic steroids report having no regrets about using them to build muscle and improve their physical appearance according to a new survey. However, this fascinating bit of information may not be apparent from the title or the news media coverage of the study published in October 2015 issue of Andrologia – The First International Journal of Andrology.
The researchers displayed their bias when they chose to focus on the very limited number of steroid users who expressed regrets. The journal article entitled “Men regret anabolic steroid use due to a lack of comprehension regarding the consequences on future fertility” seemed to completely ignore the fact that most of the men were happy with their history of steroid use. The study could have just as easily have been entitled “Men are perfectly happy with their anabolic steroid use if they fully understand the consequences on future fertility”.
The sample was selected from a group of 382 men who were seeking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) from a medical professional or clinic. Seventy-nine of those men reported a history of steroid use. The survey asked respondents if they “regretted” using steroids or if they “did not regret” using steroids”.
How many men were happy to have used steroids? A whopping 84% of former steroid users had absolutely no regrets over their decision to use the muscle-building drugs. This amounted to 67 happy steroid users compared to only 12 regretful users.
Interestingly, the regretful users did not experience any more negative side effects than the happy steroid users. The only thing differentiating the two groups was knowledge of steroid side effects. Regretful users were sadly ignorant of many possible adverse side effects. Happy users were fully informed about the potential negative effects of steroids.
Only two of the regretful steroid users actually had any problems with fertility operationalized as anabolic steroid induced hypogonadism (ASIH). Based on these two respondents, the researchers concluded that “lack of awareness regarding the negative long-term effects on fertility was the primary factor related to regret of AAS use in men with ASIH.” No doubt that was true.
But what about the 67 happy steroid users? Did the researchers willfully ignore them? Or perhaps the researchers simply wanted to bring attention to the issue of ASIH?
ASIH is one of the real side effects of steroids unlike all the ridiculous claims by anti-steroid crusaders that steroids cause cancer, kidney failure, suicide and violence.
ASIH happens when someone starts using anabolic steroids. In response to the high levels of exogenous androgens being consumed during a steroid cycle, the body shuts down its own natural production of testosterone.
This is generally not noted as a problem while the person is “on steroids” but it often become quite noticeable once the cycle ends and steroids are discontinued. The user may experience a post-cycle “crash” which is sometimes associated with fatigue, joint pain and loss of libido.
For most steroid users, their natural production of testosterone resumes within a matter of weeks or months without any assistance. The smart bodybuilders incorporate what has become known as “post cycle therapy” or PCT to treat ASIH and cure it as quickly as possible rather than wait.
PCT involves a combination of three drugs – human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), Clomid and Nolvadex. This is a well-established treatment protocol that has even been shown in medical literature to be successful in treating hypogonadism.
If the researchers wanted to bring attention to the side effect of ASIH and promote its treatment with a hypothalamic-pituitary testicular axis (HPTA) restoration protocol – most commonly referred to as PCT – that is a good thing.
If all steroid users did their research and were informed about ASIH (and PCT), then there would be even fewer steroid users expressing regrets. After all, knowledge is power.