Steroids were basically manufactured for the single purpose of bettering the lives of humans. The word ‘steroid’ is used to group synthetic or even naturally occurring organic compounds based chemically on a steroid nucleus. This nucleus is a hydrogenated cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene ring system of seventeen carbon atoms that are also grouped into four rings. Among these steroids found in the human body are the corticosteroid hormones of the adrenal cortex ( technically termed as glucocorticoids or mineralocorticoids) and all the sex hormones (the sex hormones that are found in higher quantities in one sex than in the other; male sex hormones are androgens, which include testosterone; female sex hormones are estrogens and progesterone). But the more steroids are found in drugs: all vitamins of the Vitamin D group (or calciferol); the bile acids (or ursodeoxycholic acid and analogues); cardiac aglycones; sterols like cholesterol, toad poison, saponins; some carcinogenic hydrocarbons; and even some corticosteroid drugs like prednisone.

There are three major types of steroids used in medicines: the anabolic, androgenic, and the cortico. Anabolic steroids are basically derived from testosterone. This type is used treat delayed puberty, fertility problems or some types of impotence, and even the horrific wasting of the body as effect by HIV-infection or other diseases. Later, it has become known that it can grow muscles so it was then used for body building and flowed to athletes and sports oriented people. Although the right term should be anabolic-androgenic steroids because of the little success to separate the difference of these two, people are more used to anabolic only. The androgenic steroids in older days were used to treat osteoporosis in women but not in recently. Although, they continue to be used as medicines for vascular manifestation of Behçet’s disease, hereditary angioedema, aplastic anemia, and itching of chronic biliary obstruction.

The cortico steroids, on the other hand, are basically group of hormones with Cortisone action when used. It is a man-made medicine for treating inflammation and injuries. Corticosteroids, as technically termed by professionals, can treat many diseases that like asthma, eczema, allergies, arthritis, colitis and kidney troubles.

As anything in this world though, these vital human supplements have side effects that may or may not be good for a person. Anabolic effects usually includes thickening or foreign of skeletal muscles, bones, larynx, and vocal chords. It is also what causes decrease in body fat. Androgenic effects are more on male sexual reproductive organs. These are steroids mostly taken by transsexuals as it helps grow male reproductive tract and secondary sexual characteristics. The big effects that it can cause in a person usually largely affect human lives so it is a must that before using these medicines and drugs, a professional advice is a must. The use of these drugs is legal with certified doctor’s prescription; although, it is to be consumed strictly on prescribed amount and period. It just have to be understood that its use must be moderated and must not be in extended periods of time to keep side effects on a tolerated amount.

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