Permanent Effects of AAS?

[WildHorse]

Looking for some non-biased opinions on the long term effects of steroid use.

Even if you are cycling "responsibly" and taking great care with your PCT, what would the effects be on your hormone levels in the long term, as in years later? Or any other potentially nasty side effects.

I don't plan on being on gear for life, and don't want to end up on replacement therapy either. What is the most realistic answer someone can give me on the chances of permanent negative effects, even to a slight degree?

If there has been a thread all ready posted on this subject that I can't seem to find for some reason, sorry for clogging up the forum. But this seems to be one topic that gets brushed over quite quickly. Ive read a lot of "assuming no damage to the HPTA" etc but that seems like a bit of an easy out.

My current thought process was that shorter cycles with less suppressive compounds would reduce the risks, but in that case would the gains made on cycle even pay off considering how much time would be spent off cycle trying to recover from use? Seems like a one step forward, one step back situation with potentially extreme long term consequences.

On a side note, currently thinking about a first cycle (hesitantly), 25 year old, quite a few years lifting, just making sure i know 100% what I'm getting myself in for before taking anything.

Also good info for me since I work for a high school running their gym and get questioned on a daily basis by 13-17 year olds on steroid use. Obviously I tell them they shouldn't be going anywhere near them, but at the same time, I'd rather give them accurate information for why they shouldn't touch them than just the extremely biased and uneducated anti-steroid opinions you normally get. I have read "The young and steroids" btw

Let me know your opinions, thanks.

[Mr.BB]

Nobody who rules out TRT should be using steroids.

No way of telling you accurately if your chances are big or small, but bottom line theres always chance of non recovery, and of many other conditions.

[fitguy]

Your best bet is avoiding 19-nors,running short cycles,using hcg while on and not running aas so frequently this will minimize the risks but not eliminate it

[Xv1d]

I can tell you what I will be doing/have done.

Visit a sperm bank, pay for them to store your sperm for the next 10 years. Read and educate yourself, face the worst case scenario in your mind and make a decision, are you willing to accept the worst possible consequences? infertility and TRT spring to mind as two of the big ones.

It's risk vs reward in my mind, I know what motivates me to use these compounds, are your motivations strong enough to carry the risks?

[ScotchGuard02]

EVERYONE has to potential of being on TRT regardless of if they cycle steroids or not. Even "Normal" guys, as they get older will slow down their Testosterone production. Hey, it's all a part of the aging process. A fully developed, healthy endocrine system can normally handle AAS cycles. The issue I have with a 17 y/o taking AAS is that their endocrine system is NOT fully developed. The human brain doesn't fully develop until mid 20's and so the general consensus is that AAS should be cycled at an age no younger than 25. Another problem with 17 y/o is that they feel indestructible. If a little AAS is good, more must be better, right? AAS is also very addictive. I don't mean physically addictive but mentally. It's really tough to give up those muscles, the recognition, the strength, the vascularity, the envious looks from guys at the gym, the approving smiles from girls, are all tough to give up. So they just juice up and hurt themselves. Erectile dysfunction at 20 is not very attractive. I tell kids that 1) steroids are illegal, 2) I teach them about the endocrine system, 3) tell the truth, steroids will absolutely work, 4) there is chance that they will injure their endocrine system and suffer the affect that may be permanent, 5) I also tell them that I have a fiduciary responsibility to theirs parents and that I will report them to their parents if I learn that they are taking illegal steroids. It is up to my 27 y/o son if he wants to cycle, he is his own man. If he was 17, I would hope that any adult who counsels him would reflect my desire to protect him from harm. My .02

[kelkel]

EVERYONE has to potential of being on TRT regardless of if they cycle steroids or not. Even "Normal" guys, as they get older will slow down their Testosterone production. Hey, it's all a part of the aging process. A fully developed, healthy endocrine system can normally handle AAS cycles. The issue I have with a 17 y/o taking AAS is that their endocrine system is NOT fully developed. The human brain doesn't fully develop until mid 20's and so the general consensus is that AAS should be cycled at an age no younger than 25. Another problem with 17 y/o is that they feel indestructible. If a little AAS is good, more must be better, right? AAS is also very addictive. I don't mean physically addictive but mentally. It's really tough to give up those muscles, the recognition, the strength, the vascularity, the envious looks from guys at the gym, the approving smiles from girls, are all tough to give up. So they just juice up and hurt themselves. Erectile dysfunction at 20 is not very attractive. I tell kids that 1) steroids are illegal, 2) I teach them about the endocrine system, 3) tell the truth, steroids will absolutely work, 4) there is chance that they will injure their endocrine system and suffer the affect that may be permanent, 5) I also tell them that I have a fiduciary responsibility to theirs parents and that I will report them to their parents if I learn that they are taking illegal steroids. It is up to my 27 y/o son if he wants to cycle, he is his own man. If he was 17, I would hope that any adult who counsels him would reflect my desire to protect him from harm. My .02

Very well said.

[qscgugcsq]

If you are serious about training and you are sure that it will stay a part of your life.

Stop wasting your time with cycling and blast/cruise...

Cycling is pointless for someone serious(btw anyone else shouldnt use steroids).
It is less efficient, still taking the risk of shutdown. You play yoyo with your natural test.
You will still need TRT eventually anyway.
Cycling require to take more drugs...

Depends on what you want I guess but the idea of cycling doesnt make much sense... no one should be using steroids if they arent serious about that life. And if someone is truly serious he shouldnt waste his time cycling...

[Mp859]

If you are serious about training and you are sure that it will stay a part of your life. Stop wasting your time with cycling and blast/cruise... Cycling is pointless for someone serious(btw anyone else shouldnt use steroids). It is less efficient, still taking the risk of shutdown. You play yoyo with your natural test. You will still need TRT eventually anyway. Cycling require to take more drugs... Depends on what you want I guess but the idea of cycling doesnt make much sense... no one should be using steroids if they arent serious about that life. And if someone is truly serious he shouldnt waste his time cycling...

I know multiple competitors even a couple pros who "cycle." Your personal opinion does not make it the best option for ANYONE other than yourself.

Op, yes eventually your levels with be diminished naturally over time. No one knows how much you personally will be affected. This is determined by cycle frequency , cycle length, compounds, pct protocols, mainly GENETICS.

If you are going to use aas you have to be willing to suffer the side effects and overall consequences. Otherwise, just train hard and eat very well naturally.

[DROY]

If you are serious about training and you are sure that it will stay a part of your life. Stop wasting your time with cycling and blast/cruise... Cycling is pointless for someone serious(btw anyone else shouldnt use steroids). It is less efficient, still taking the risk of shutdown. You play yoyo with your natural test. You will still need TRT eventually anyway. Cycling require to take more drugs... Depends on what you want I guess but the idea of cycling doesnt make much sense... no one should be using steroids if they arent serious about that life. And if someone is truly serious he shouldnt waste his time cycling...

What the h**l is this?

[NACH3]

If you are serious about training and you are sure that it will stay a part of your life.

Stop wasting your time with cycling and blast/cruise...

Cycling is pointless for someone serious(btw anyone else shouldnt use steroids).
It is less efficient, still taking the risk of shutdown. You play yoyo with your natural test.
You will still need TRT eventually anyway.
Cycling require to take more drugs...

Depends on what you want I guess but the idea of cycling doesnt make much sense... no one should be using steroids if they arent serious about that life. And if someone is truly serious he shouldnt waste his time cycling...

^^ huh?!?! 'Cycling' comes with responsibility(and if done right can be safe and very successful) - advising someone to blast and cruise is an obsurd statement... I have a ?... Are you going round and round in circles trying to maintain what you built? Sounds like some who are dependent upon the drugs to do more of what hard work does... It may work well for you and others... But advising someone to blast and cruise isn't necessarily 'good' advice!

I believe Mp hit the nail on the head!