Oxandrolone: ​​the anabolic that offers more risks than benefits –

New substances appear every day that promise improve performance in training and gain popularity in gyms and also among high performance athletes. One such substance is oxandrolone, a type of anabolic steroid derived from testosterone. Let’s understand better about it – and its effects – in the paragraphs below?

WHAT IS OXANDROLONA AND WHAT IS IT FOR?

As we commented above, oxandrolone is a steroid derived from testosterone, the male hormone. Currently, it is used in some specific treatments, but also for muscle mass gain due to its anabolic effects – which can, in fact, be a problem.

“Hormone replacement is indicated when you have a deficiency, that is, a low amount of a certain hormone in your body, which can affect your biological functions and cause damage”, explains the Dr. Paula Pires, endocrinologist and metabolologist. “But most people are not hormone deficient and still use excess hormones for muscle building and performance purposes.”

By the way, this is an important point, after all, the only “benefit” of oxandrolone is the aid in the muscle mass gain. However, this gain does not outweigh its side effects and risks.

THE RISKS IN THE USE OF OXANDROLONA

“In general, people who use drugs to increase performance in sports or for aesthetic purposes use different types of anabolic steroids and very high doses”, explains the doctor. “In these cases, used without medical advice, they can lead to numerous side effects.”

Among them, the endocrinologist cites:

Acne
Early baldness
Elevated blood pressure
heart changes
Liver damage of varying severity (which can lead to liver tumors or severe or fatal liver failure)
Testicular atrophy (sometimes irreversible)
Decreased sperm production
Breast enlargement (gynecomastia)

“After the end of the use of anabolic steroids, men may experience sexual dysfunction (decrease in libido)”, he continues. “In young people, the use of anabolic steroids can lead to premature closure of the growth cartilages, which can lead to impaired growth and loss of predicted height.”

And if you think it’s over… There’s more. In women, there may also be an increase in the size of the clitoris, menstrual irregularity, infertility, reduced breast volume, deepening of the voice and the appearance of excessive hair in areas where only men have hair, such as the face and chest.

That is why the prescription and use of substances such as oxandrolone without medical advice is not reliable, as they can be “baptized” with other substances that cause even more harm to the body.

Another point of attention is the effects of this specific anabolic in heart health. According to Dr. Caio Henrique, cardiologist and arrhythmologist at InCor USP, studies on the substance and the heart are inconclusive, but it is known that androgens can decrease good cholesterol levels (HDL-c) and increase bad cholesterol (LDL-c).

“The administration of androgens is also associated with a greater production of thrombotic and coagulant proteins in the body itself”, says the expert.

WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS?

To begin with, the use of oxandrolone is contraindicated for patients with breast and prostate cancer, pregnant women and patients with excess calcium in their blood.

In addition, there is also the question of common sense: “I am against its use for aesthetic purposes and consider the risk to be greater than the benefit in the general population,” says Dr. Paula. “There is no scientific evidence to demonstrate the safety of the indiscriminate use of these substances.”

If the patient has symptoms of testosterone deficiency, the recommendation is to seek an endocrinologist for an adequate evaluation. In the case of mass gain, there are natural ways, which work with nutrition plus a training routine, which are quite effective and generate fewer side effects on the body – but, for that, you also need to rely on professional guidance.