Anabolic steroids, especially testosterone, causes hirsutism in women. Treatments include shaving, waxing, electrolysis, oral contraceptives, and antiandrogens. Hirsutism is typically reversible after reducing androgen exposure.
Measuring Testosterone in Blood Immunoassays
An often requested blood parameter by anabolic steroid users is, not surprisingly, testosterone. However, there appear to be quite some misconceptions about how to interpret these values. People often interpret these values as being very precise. But they aren’t. The results of blood measurements can vary considerably, without the mean steady state values of testosterone […]
Anabolic Steroid-Induced Growth of the Clitoris (Clitoromegaly)
Anabolic steroids can cause virilization or masculinization in women. That is, they might cause the development of male characteristics. This includes the growth of excess hair in a male-like pattern, deepening of the voice, but also growth of the clitoris—clitoromegaly. Women who want to inform themselves about these side effects are often left with anecdotes, […]
Thyroid Hormone Effects on Energy Metabolism and Protein Turnover at a Glance
Thyroid hormones are hormones that are secreted by the thyroid. The thyroid is an endocrine gland in the front of your neck that’s located directly below the larynx (Adam’s apple), weighing close to 20 g. The two principal thyroid hormones that it secretes are triiodothryonine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The latter functions mostly as a […]
Anabolic Steroids, HDL Cholesterol and Cholesterol Efflux Capacity
In 1957, the first results of the Framingham Heart Study were published [1]. It was (or I should say, is, as it’s still ongoing) an epidemiological study that sought to find out risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The study is named after the city of Framingham, Massachusetts, in the United States. A total of 5,209 […]
The Testosterone Trials
The Testosterone Trials were a set of seven randomized placebo-controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in older men with low testosterone levels [1]. Trials like these are the pinnacle of clinical science. It’s been commonplace to rely on data from small, low-quality trials, or even just ‘expert opinion’ with regard […]
Anabolic Steroids and Muscle Memory
Muscle memory refers to growing muscle more efficiently/faster after a period of detraining/atrophy than before. So if you’ve had bigger muscles in the past, it will help you to grow them big again at a later point in time. The concept of muscle memory leans for a good part on something called myonuclear permanence. The […]
Treatment and Prevention of AAS-Induced Hair Loss, Part 2
In my previous article I discussed the more conventional treatment modalities for androgenetic alopecia, namely the oral and topical versions of finasteride and minoxidil. In this article I’ll go over some of the more novel or experimental ones, such as topical androgen receptor antagonists, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, Wnt signaling modulators and prostaglandins. Androgen receptor […]
Treatment and Prevention of AAS-Induced Hair Loss, Part 1
In my previous article on male-pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, I narrated how hair growth and this condition roughly work. In this article I’ll highlight some of the treatment modalities that can counteract the development of male-pattern baldness. Given the pivotal role of androgens in development of this condition, it should come as no surprise […]
Anabolic Steroids and Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia)
As men grow older, many of them will develop hair loss in a characteristic pattern. It can start at the frontal scalp, moving upwards on the sides (‘bitemporal’), or at the back/top of the head at an area called the crown (also ‘vertex’). This hair loss progressively continues up to the mid scalp. Hair on […]