The Demonization of Anabolic Steroids Part 2

**Kale** · 02-09-2008, 02:12 AM

Cosmetic surgery has become commonplace within our society. For actors and models, whose physical appearance is an essential element of their work, it is often accepted as an absolute necessity. Yet cosmetic surgery is far from risk-free. Serious complications and at least one death have been reported as a result of local infection from purely cosmetic rhinoplasty ("nose jobs").52 Infection has been reported in as much as 7% of all cases of augmentation mammoplasty (breast enhancement surgery),53 and various other complications have been observed after cosmetic breast surgery, including Mondor's disease (hardening and blockage of veins underlying the breasts),54 fibromyalgia (aching pain in muscles and connective tissues) and chronic fatigue syndrome,55 and the frequent hardening, leakage, or collapse of implants.56 Suction-assisted lipectomy or "liposuction" (the surgical removal of body fat by suction) is now the most common cosmetic surgical procedure in North America, despite the fact that it has resulted in significant incidences of blood vessel blockage and death.57 Nevertheless, all of these purely cosmetic surgical procedures remain legal in the United States. Can it be said that these invasive surgical procedures are somehow safer than the controlled administration of AAS by a qualified practitioner for the purpose of muscle and strength enhancement?

Purely cosmetic pharmaceutical treatments are also quite popular in the United States. America's obsession with hair has led many men to develop a severe phobia of male pattern baldness, and the pharmaceutical companies have gleefully exploited that fear. Finasteride (Propecia®) is an oral prescription drug originally designed to treat benign prostate hyperplasia, but which is now used to combat common male pattern baldness by reducing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a primary cause of common baldness.58 Since finasteride operates by the manipulation of male hormones, as do anabolic -androgenic steroids , its side effects tend to be similar or converse to those of AAS. Reported side effects include impotence, allergic reactions, loss of sexual desire, and gynecomastia , and pregnant women are warned not to even touch broken tablets because of possible deformities to the sexual organs of a male fetus.59 Tretinoin (Retin-A® or Renova®), is a topical prescription drug used to treat acne, but its use has been expanded to the removal of wrinkles and striae (stretch marks) on skin;60 its possible side effects include skin rashes and peeling and severe swelling and burning sensations.61 Despite the substantial side effects of these prescription drugs, they remain legal for use in purely cosmetic therapy.

Those most extreme medical procedure for modification of physical appearance is considered by many to be an abomination: gender reassignment surgery, i.e., "sex change operations." Despite the horror that many people experience when confronted with this subject, gender reassignment "is now an established and accepted practice in many parts of the world."62 Gender reassignment involves extensive surgical alteration of the genitals,63 as well as hormonal therapy, which in female-to-male transsexuals involves the administration of anabolic-androgenic steroids.64 It is interesting to note that in one study, the administration of these androgens to female-to-male transsexuals resulted in no serious morbidity (disease) in nearly 300 cases of long-term use,65 while in another study, the mortality and morbidity of male-to-female transsexuals treated with female hormones was far beyond that of female-to-male transsexuals treated with androgens.66 While the ethics of gender reassignment are debatable on a case-by-case basis, it is worthy of comment that in one study involving 20 patients seeking gender reassignment, more than half were found to exhibit psychotic trends.67 Nevertheless, gender reassignment is legal in the United States, and it continues to be a legally legitimate purpose for prescribing AAS!
The True Evil Revealed

If the comparative dangers of AAS use for physical enhancement do not warrant their criminalization, then what characteristic of these substances justifies their classification as a controlled substance? Perhaps a review of the legal definition would be instructive.

In addition to naming specific substances, federal law provides an inclusive, general definition of "anabolic steroids "; identical or near-identical definitions have been adopted by many states.68 The first portion of this definition refers directly to the chemical nature of the substance:

"[A]ny drug or hormonal substance, chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone (other than estrogens, progestins, and corticosteroids) ..."69

The most interesting aspects of this portion of the definition are the exclusions. Nearly all steroid compounds are "chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone," but certain steroid hormones were not deemed appropriate for criminalization. Estrogens and progestins, female hormones commonly used in contraceptives, were specifically exempted from status as illicit drugs, as were the predominantly catabolic corticosteroids, which are commonly used to treat inflammation. Thus, the chemical portion of the general definition is of little help in determining the reason for criminalization.

The true basis for banning AAS is revealed in the latter portion of the general definition:

"... that promotes muscle growth, and includes * * * any salt, ester, or isomer of a drug substance described or listed in this paragraph, if that salt, ester, or isomer promotes muscle growth."70

By definition, the single characteristic of AAS that makes them subject to classification as controlled substances is the fact that they promote muscle growth. The statutory definition does not refer to dangerous side effects or potential for abuse, only the promotion of muscle growth. This factor is no mystery to those who support the criminalization of these substances. In October 1999, drug czar Barry McCaffrey clearly expressed his desire to ban androstenedione by stating:

"The DEA is engaged in a scientific process to determine if Andro [androstenedione] actually produces muscle growth -- and, in turn, whether it should be classed as a steroid."71

What conclusions can be drawn from this single, defining characteristic of AAS? We are not faced with a definition which would ban all steroids, since many steroid drugs are exempted from that definition. Nor are we faced with with a definition that refers to specific dangers. Rather, we are faced with a definition that seeming leads to only one conclusion: muscle growth must be a bad thing!

Part II: The Demonization of Anabolic Steroids: Modern Society's Love-Hate Relationship with Strength and Muscle
Footnotes

1Taylor WN. Macho Medicine: A History of the Anabolic Steroid Epidemic. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland&Co.,1991.

2Hoberman JM; Yesalis CE. The history of synthetic testosterone. Scientific American., Feb.1995;76,77.

3Taylor WN, Macho Medicine, supra at 8.

4Id. at 8-9.

5Hoberman JM, et al., Synthetic testosterone, supra at 80.

6Id. at 77.

7eg., Fowler WM Jr; Gardner GW; Egstrom GH. Effect of an anabolic steroid on physical performance of young men. J Appl Physiol., 1965;20(5):1038-40.

8Compare Johnson LC; O'Shea JP. Anabolic steroid: effects on strength development. Science., 1969;164(882):957-9; Percy EC. Athletic aids: fact or fiction? Can Med Assoc J., 1977;117(6):601-5; Hartgens F; Kuipers H; Wijnen JA; Keizer HA. Body composition, cardiovascular risk factors and liver function in long-term androgenic-anabolic steroids using bodybuilders three months after drug withdrawal. Int J Sports Med., 1996;17(6):429-33.

9Yesalis C. Incidence of anabolic steroid use : a discussion of methodological issues. Anabolic Steroids in Sport and Exercise. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetic Publishers, Inc.,1993.

10 Bilder R. Drug testing in sport. [http://www.gemini.co.uk/gemini/biopa...art-drug.html] Gemini Biopages. 1995.

11Yesalis C; Courson S; Wright J. History of anabolic steroid use in sport and exercise. Anabolic Steroids in Sport, supra.

12 Ferstle J. Evolution and politics of drug testing. Anabolic Steroids in Sport, supra.

13Taylor WN, Macho Medicine, supra at 37.

14 Id. at 58.

15 Taylor WN. Synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroids: a plea for controlled substance status, commentary. Physician & Sportsmed., 1987;15(5):140-150.

16 Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-647, 1901, 104 Stat. 4851 (1990).

17 21 U.S.C. 844.

18 21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(D).

19 21 C.F.R. 1306.04(a).

20 Brown JM; Langan PA. Felony Sentences in the United States, 1996. July 1999, NCJ 175045. [http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/fsus96.pdf] U.S. Dept. of Justice, July 1999.

21 e.g., Ohio Revised Code 3719.41; Florida Statutes 893.03; Texas Health & Safety Code 481.104; and New York State Consolidated Laws: Public Health 3306.

22 Ohio Revised Code 3719.06(B).

23 Texas Health & Safety Code 481.071(b),(c).

24 McCaffrey, Barry R. "Before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation" [http://www.senate.gov/~commerce/hearings/1020mcc.pdf] October 20, 1999.

25 Id.; see also, Collins R; Williams JM. Banning prohormones: the threat and the legal issues. [http://www.****morphosis.com/exclusi...ohormones.htm] ****morphosis, 23 Nov. 1999.

2621 U.S.C. 812; 21 C.F.R. 1308.01-1308.15; R.C. 3719.41 (Ohio).

27Kopera H. Side effects of anabolic steroids and contraindications. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1993;143:399.

28Id.; Kuipers H; Wijnen JA; Hartgens F; Willems SM. Influence of anabolic steroids on body composition, blood pressure, lipid profile and liver functions in body builders. Int J Sports Med. 1991;12:413.

29Falk H; Thomas LB; Popper H; Ishak KG. Hepatic angiosarcoma associated with androgenic-anabolic steroids. Lancet. 1979;2:1120; Farrell GC; Joshua DE; Uren RF; Baird PJ; Perkins KW; Kronenberg H. Androgen-induced hepatoma. Lancet. 1975;1:430.

30TYLENOL® ACETOMINOPHEN. [http://www.tylenol.com/products/adult/pain/index.htm] McNeil Consumer Healthcare 1999.

31Prescott LF. Liver damage with non-narcotic analgesics. Med Toxicol. 1986;1 Suppl 1:44; Eriksson LS; Broome U; Kalin M; Lindholm M. Hepatotoxicity due to repeated intake of low doses of paracetamol. J Intern Med. 1992;231:567; Patel F. The fatal paracetamol dosage--how low can you go? Med Sci Law. 1992;32:303.

32Winstrol®-V Sterile Suspension and Tablets [http://www.pnuanimalhealth.com/companimal/winstf.html] Pharmacia & Upjohn 1999

33Taber A. 'Roid rage . [http://www.salon.com/health/feature/...ds/print.html] Salon.com. November 18, 1999.

34 Bahrke MS, Yesalis CE and Wright JE. Psychological and behavioral effect of endogenous testosterone levels and anabolic-androgenic steroids among males. Sports Med. 1990;10(5):303-337.

35 Darkes J. Anabolic/androgenic steroid use and aggression I: a review of the evidence. [http://www.****morphosis.com/exclusi...ession-01.htm] ****morphosis. 23 Nov. 1999.

36 Lenders JW; Demacker PN; Vos JA; Jansen PL; Hoitsma AJ; van 't Laar A; Thien T. Deleterious effects of anabolic steroids on serum lipoproteins, blood pressure, and liver function in amateur body builders. Int J Sports Med. 1988;9(1):19-23.

37 Kopera H. Side effects of anabolic steroids and contraindications, supra.

38 Hartgens F, et al. (1996) Body composition, cardiovascular risk factors, supra.

39 Kuipers H, et al. (1991) Influence of anabolic steroids on body composition, supra.

40 Lewis B. Diet and exercise as regulators of lipid risk factors. Drugs. 1990;40 Suppl 1:19-24.

41 Calabrese LH; Kleiner SM; Barna BP; Skibinski CI; Kirkendall DT; Lahita RG; Lombardo JA. The effects of anabolic steroids and strength training on the human immune response. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1989;21(4):386-92.

42 Mooney M; Brockman J; Vergel N. Medibolics. [http://www.digiweb.com/~mmooney/toc2.htm] 15 Dec. 1999.

43 Schiavone FE; Rietschel RL; Sgoutas D; Harris R. Elevated free testosterone levels in women with acne. Arch Dermatol. 1983;119(10):799-802; Yang XQ; Shen XL; Wu ER; Xia TA. Testosterone and estradiol serum levels in acne. Chin Med J (Engl). 1989;102(3):236-8.

44 Kiraly CL; Alen M; Korvola J; Horsmanheimo M. The effect of testosterone and anabolic steroids on the skin surface lipids and the population of Propionibacteria acnes in young postpubertal men. Acta Derm Venereol. 1988;68(1):21-6; Scott MJ 3d; Scott AM. Effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids on the pilosebaceous unit. Cutis. 1992;50(2):113-6.

45 Pope HG Jr; Katz DL. Psychiatric and medical effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid use. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1994;51(5):375-82; Evans NA. Gym and tonic: a profile of 100 male steroid users. Br J Sports Med. 1997;31(1):54-8.

46 Parker LN; Gray DR; Lai MK; Levin ER. Treatment of gynecomastia with tamoxifen : a double-blind crossover study. Metabolism. 1986;35(8):705-8.

47 Teimourian B; Perlman R. Surgery for gynecomastia. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 1983;7(3):155-7; Dogan T; Bayramicli M; Numanoglu A. Plastic surgical techniques in the fifteenth century by Serafeddin Sabuncuoglu. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997;99(6):1775-9; Colombo-Benkmann M; Buse B; Stern J; Herfarth C. Indications for and results of surgical therapy for male gynecomastia. Am J Surg. 1999;178(1):60-3.

48 Alen M; Hakkinen K. Physical health and fitness of an elite bodybuilder during 1 year of self-administration of testosterone and anabolic steroids: a case study. Int J Sports Med. 1985;6(1):24-9; Hoberman JM, et al., Synthetic testosterone, supra at 80.

49 Schurmeyer T; Knuth UA; Belkien L; Nieschlag E. Reversible azoospermia induced by the anabolic steroid 19-nortestosterone. Lancet. 1984;1(8374):417-20.

50 Hoberman JM, et al., Synthetic testosterone, supra at 80.

51 Taylor WN, Macho Medicine, supra at 55-56.

52 Cabouli JL; Guerrissi JO; Mileto A; Cerisola JA. Local infection following aesthetic rhinoplasty. Ann Plast Surg. 1986;17(4):306-9.

53 LeRoy J; Given KS. Wound infection in breast augmentation: the role of prophylactic perioperative antibiotics. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 1991;15(4):303-5.

54 Elsahy NI. Recurrent Mondor's disease after augmentation mammoplasty. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 1983;7(4):259-60.

55 Fenske TK; Davis P; Aaron SL. Human adjuvant disease revisited: a review of eleven post-augmentation mammoplasty patients. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1994;12(5):477-81.

56 Ganott MA; Harris KM; Ilkhanipour ZS; Costa-Greco MA. Augmentation mammoplasty: normal and abnormal findings with mammography and US. Radiographics. 1992;12(2):281-95.

57 Smith KA; Levine RH. Influence of suction-assisted lipectomy on coagulation. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 1992;16(4):299-302.

58 Propecia News. [http://www.hairmed.com/propecia.htm] Ridgewood Dermatology & Hair Transplant Center, PC. 12 Sep. 1999.

59 Id.; Patient information about Propecia. [http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pro.../ppi/ppi.html] Merck & Co., Inc. Aug. 1999.

60 Bergfeld WF. A lifetime of healthy skin: implications for women. Int J Fertil Womens Med. 1999;44(2):83-95.

61 Experimental use of Retin-A. [http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS00263.html] U.S. Food & Drug Admin. 4 Feb. 1988.

62 Snaith RP; Hohberger AD. Transsexualism and gender reassignment. Br J Psychiatry. 1994;165(3):418-9.

63 Rehman J; Melman A. Formation of neoclitoris from glans penis by reduction glansplasty with preservation of neurovascular bundle in male-to-female gender surgery: functional and cosmetic outcome. J Urol. 1999;161(1):200-6.

64 Meyer WJ 3d; Finkelstein JW; Stuart CA; Webb A; Smith ER; Payer AF; Walker PA. Physical and hormonal evaluation of transsexual patients during hormonal therapy. Arch Sex Behav. 1981;10(4):347-56.

65 van Kesteren PJ; Asscheman H; Megens JA; Gooren LJ. Mortality and morbidity in transsexual subjects treated with cross-sex hormones. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1997;47(3):337-42.

66 Asscheman H; Gooren LJ; Eklund PL. Mortality and morbidity in transsexual patients with cross-gender hormone treatment. Metabolism. 1989;38(9):869-73.

67 Finney JC; Brandsma JM; Tondow M; Lemaistre G. A study of transsexuals seeking gender reassignment. Am J Psychiatry. 1975;132(9):962-4.

68 21 U.S.C. 802(41)(A); Ohio Revised Code 3919.41; Florida Statutes 893.03; Texas Health & Safety Code 481.104; and New York State Consolidated Laws: Public Health 3306.

69 21 U.S.C. 802(41)(A).

70 Id. (Emphasis added).

71 McCaffrey, Barry R. Before the Senate Committee, supra. (Emphasis added).

**hugovsilva** · 02-09-2008, 03:46 AM

I read the 2 parts and could not agree more. I always had the idea that there was no medical reason for the ban of AAS. What I have not figured out yet is why muscle growth is being so attacked, to the point that people look at muscled man and immediatly associate him with stupidity and lack of inteligence. I have my theory but it is too disturbing for me to actually think it could be true.

Looking at todays trend on image and obcession with personal image, could it be that the ones that lack the spirit, the will, and all that it takes to have a nice looking body are trying to prevent those who have those features from having it?

Its kind of a strange idea but when you consider that muscle growth is the only property of AAS than worries the "law makers" thats what it looks like, isn't it?

**magickflash2** · 02-09-2008, 05:49 AM

I see it's ok for it to do eveeything else. As long as you don't gain any muscle

**Kale** · 02-09-2008, 06:04 AM

I will post the second part to this now

**magic32** · 02-09-2008, 11:12 AM

No steroid question here...should be moved to the lounge!

**Kale** · 02-09-2008, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by magic32

No steroid question here...should be moved to the lounge!

No question but it is very steroid related, a lot of guys here dont go into the lounge. Please leave it here

**magic32** · 02-09-2008, 06:17 PM

Again and no offense intended...this is the:

ANABOLIC STEROIDS – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FORUM
SUBTITLED: Questions and answers about anabolic steroids .

So although the info is decisively steroid related, it is info and not Q & A, and thus improperly posted.

Again, no offense...but it's not Q & A.

However, you're the Mod so, what you say goes!

**wilson9d** · 02-09-2008, 09:08 PM

I always wanted to ask my doc why I can get lipo, a nose job, botox, or that lipo dissolve sh*t which they really don’t know what the side effects may be. But I cant get a scrip and a doc supervised cycle. Its stupid, the FDA is in the pharmaceutical and food companies’ pocket. If like minded people could get enough press and money behind it aas under the supervision of a doc could be legal in no time. Now with all of the bad press it will be a long time till things change.

On the bright side it is legal for us to pump 2lbs of silicone in to my wife’s chest. It will probably be good for the kids.