Prohormones vs. Anabolic Steroids: Complete Guide
Prohormones and anabolic steroids are substances that bodybuilders and athletes use to get bigger muscles and improve their performance. Even though both prohormones and anabolic steroids are used for similar reasons, they are actually quite different. They work differently in your body, have different safety issues, different legal rules, and different long-term effects. In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about these substances. Understanding these differences can help you decide what might be best for you, while keeping in mind both the benefits and the risks.
Key Takeaways:
- Prohormones and anabolic steroids are both used to improve athletic performance and muscle growth.
- They have big differences in their effects, legal rules, and safety concerns.
- It’s important to know these differences before making a decision about using them.
1. What Are Prohormones?
Definition
Prohormones are chemicals that your body can turn into active hormones, like testosterone. They help increase certain hormones in your body, which can help build muscle and improve performance. Unlike steroids, they need to be converted inside your body to become active.
How Do They Work?
Prohormones get changed by your liver into active hormones, such as testosterone. They work with your body’s natural processes, which can make their effects a bit less predictable compared to anabolic steroids. Once converted, these hormones bind to certain receptors in your muscles and help increase protein production, which leads to muscle growth. Learn more about how prohormones work in the body.
Common Types of Prohormones
- 1-Androsterone (1-Andro): Often used to get lean muscle without extra fat.
- 4-Androsterone (4-Andro): Known for increasing testosterone and helping with muscle growth.
- Epistane: Commonly used to get lean muscle while losing fat.
History of Prohormones
Prohormones became popular in the 1990s because they were seen as a legal option compared to steroids. At first, they were easy to get and sold over the counter. However, because of their health risks, agencies like the FDA started regulating them and made many of them illegal. For a detailed look, visit our history of prohormones from steroids to supplements page.
Who Uses Prohormones?
Prohormones are usually used by bodybuilders, fitness fans, and athletes who want to build muscle but don’t want to use illegal steroids. They are often chosen by people who want milder results or who want to avoid breaking the law.
How Are Prohormones Taken?
Most prohormones are taken as pills or capsules. Some come in gels or creams that can be applied to the skin. Taking them by mouth is the most common because it is convenient, but it can also put stress on your liver.
2. What Are Anabolic Steroids?
Definition
Anabolic steroids are man-made versions of testosterone that help build muscle and improve athletic performance. They are powerful and can significantly increase muscle size and strength in a short amount of time.
How Do They Work?
Anabolic steroids directly bind to receptors in your muscles, which helps speed up protein production and increase muscle mass. Unlike prohormones, steroids do not need to be converted in the body—they are already active, which makes their effects more immediate and stronger.
Common Types of Anabolic Steroids
- Dianabol (Methandrostenolone): Popular for building muscle quickly.
- Trenbolone: Known for increasing muscle and burning fat at the same time.
- Anavar (Oxandrolone): Often used to keep muscle while losing fat.
History of Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids were first created in the 1930s to help with medical problems like muscle loss. By the 1950s, athletes started using them to improve their performance, which led to more rules and regulations to control their use.
Who Uses Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids are used by professional athletes, competitive bodybuilders, and people who want to gain a lot of muscle fast. They are often chosen by more experienced users because they are powerful and need to be managed carefully with planned cycles and post-cycle therapy.
Forms of Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids can be taken as pills, injected, or used as creams. Most people prefer injections because they are less harmful to the liver compared to pills.
3. Legal Status
Prohormones
The legal status of prohormones depends on the country. In the United States, many prohormones are now controlled substances because they are similar to steroids and can have harmful health effects.
- Country-Specific Rules: In the UK and Canada, prohormones are also regulated, while some countries may have fewer restrictions.
- FDA Regulations: In the USA, most prohormones have been banned by the FDA because of their risks, such as liver damage and hormone problems.
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids are controlled substances in most countries, including the United States, Canada, and the UK. They are only legal with a prescription for certain medical conditions, like treating delayed puberty or muscle wasting.
- Legal Penalties: If you have anabolic steroids without a prescription, you could face fines or jail time.
- Prescription Use: Steroids can be prescribed for medical reasons, but using them for bodybuilding or sports is illegal in most cases.
4. Effectiveness
Muscle Gains
- Prohormones: Prohormones can help with moderate muscle gains, but they are not as strong as anabolic steroids. You can see noticeable improvements over a few weeks.
- Anabolic Steroids: Steroids lead to faster and bigger muscle gains, often within just a few weeks. They are much stronger because they work right away and are very effective.
How Fast Are the Results?
- Prohormones: You can expect to see muscle gains within 4-6 weeks if you are consistent.
- Anabolic Steroids: Results are visible in just 2-3 weeks, especially with powerful steroids like Dianabol.
Fat Loss
- Boosting Metabolism: Both prohormones and anabolic steroids can help reduce body fat by speeding up your metabolism. Steroids like Anavar are particularly good at helping burn fat.
Performance Enhancement
- Sport-Specific Benefits: Steroids are often chosen by powerlifters and bodybuilders for strength, while prohormones can be used by athletes looking for endurance. Steroids generally need to be taken in precise doses to avoid side effects.
5. Side Effects and Health Risks
Prohormones
- Liver Issues: Prohormones can harm your liver, especially if taken as pills. This is why liver support supplements are often recommended.
- Other Side Effects: Common side effects include acne, hair loss, and increased body hair.
- Cholesterol Levels: Prohormones can lower your good cholesterol (HDL) and increase bad cholesterol (LDL), which is bad for your heart.
Anabolic Steroids
- Heart Problems: Steroids can increase blood pressure, cholesterol, and the risk of heart disease.
- Mood Changes: Steroids are linked to mood swings, aggression (sometimes called “roid rage”), and depression.
- Immune System: Long-term use of steroids can weaken the immune system, making it easier to get sick.
6. Long-Term Consequences
Hormonal Health
- Low Testosterone: Both prohormones and steroids can lower your natural testosterone levels, leading to problems like low energy and reduced fertility.
- Hormonal Problems in Women: Women using these substances may experience a deeper voice, changes in their menstrual cycle, and increased facial hair.
Mental Health Issues
- Case Studies: People who use steroids for a long time have reported feeling more depressed and anxious.
- Anxiety and Depression: The changes that steroids cause in your hormones can lead to lasting mental health issues.
Risk of Addiction
- Dependence: Anabolic steroids are more likely to cause physical dependence, while prohormones may lead to more mental dependence.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: When you stop using these substances, you may feel tired, depressed, and irritable.
7. Safety and Use Considerations
Medical Supervision
- Health Checks Before Use: It is important to get your liver, cholesterol, and hormone levels checked before using these substances to avoid serious health risks.
- Monitoring During Use: You should have regular blood tests to check how your liver and cholesterol are doing, as well as to monitor your testosterone levels.
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
- Common Methods: After using steroids or prohormones, you need PCT to help your body start making its own testosterone again. This usually involves drugs like Clomid or Nolvadex.
- Natural PCT: Herbal supplements like ashwagandha can help, but they are not as effective as pharmaceutical options.
8. Alternatives to Prohormones and Steroids
Natural Supplements
- Safe Alternatives: Creatine, whey protein, and BCAAs are popular, safe supplements that help build muscle.
- Herbal Supplements: Ashwagandha and tribulus terrestris are natural herbs that can support healthy hormone levels.
Training and Nutrition
- Training Tips: Focus on using big compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses to naturally build muscle.
- Good Nutrition: Eating enough protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs is very important for muscle growth. Try to eat about 1-1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight.
- Rest and Sleep: Getting enough sleep (7-9 hours a night) is crucial for your muscles to recover and grow.
9. Comparison Table
| Attribute | Prohormones | Anabolic Steroids |
|---|---|---|
| Legality | Restricted in many countries | Illegal without prescription |
| Muscle Gain Potential | Moderate | High |
| Safety | Lower risk, still has side effects | High risk of severe side effects |
| Ease of Use | Oral, easy to take | Oral or injectable, more complex |
| Medical Supervision | Recommended | Essential |
| User Suitability | Beginners to intermediates | Advanced users |
10. Choosing Between Prohormones and Anabolic Steroids
Factors to Think About
- Your Goals: If you want moderate gains with fewer risks, prohormones could be a better choice. If you need big gains fast and are okay with the risks, steroids might be more effective.
- Health Risks: Steroids are riskier than prohormones, especially for your liver and heart.
- Experience Level: Beginners should avoid steroids because they need careful management and come with big risks.
- Legal Issues: Consider the legal risks of using these substances, as they can lead to fines or jail time.
11. Testimonials and User Experiences
Prohormones
- Positive Experiences: Many users have seen moderate muscle gains with fewer side effects compared to steroids.
- Challenges: Some users have experienced acne, tiredness, and hormone issues.
- Typical Cycles: Cycles usually last 4-6 weeks, and users often take other supplements to support their liver and hormones.
Anabolic Steroids
- Big Gains: Steroid users often report rapid gains in size and strength.
- Negative Effects: Serious side effects include liver damage and hormone problems, which can be permanent.
- Stacking: Users often take multiple steroids together to get better results, but this increases the risk of side effects.
Lessons Learned
Most users agree that it is very important to have medical supervision and to do PCT properly after a cycle to reduce health risks.
Conclusion
Prohormones and anabolic steroids can both help with muscle growth and athletic performance, but they come with serious risks. It’s important to understand these risks, the legal concerns, and the need for medical supervision. Safer alternatives like natural supplements, a good workout plan, and healthy nutrition are always the best choice if you want to avoid the dangers that come with using hormones.
If you decide to use prohormones or steroids, remember to weigh the short-term benefits against the long-term health risks, costs, and possible legal trouble. The quick gains might be tempting, but the permanent health problems and addiction risks make these substances a very serious decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Are prohormones safer than anabolic steroids?
- Prohormones are usually safer but still have risks like liver damage and hormone imbalances.
- Is it legal to use anabolic steroids or prohormones?
- Steroids are illegal without a prescription in most places. Prohormones are also regulated and often banned.
- What are the main side effects of prohormones?
- Liver damage, hormone imbalances, acne, and changes in cholesterol levels.
- How effective are prohormones compared to steroids for muscle gain?
- Prohormones lead to moderate muscle gains, while steroids work faster and produce bigger results but with more risks.
- Do I need Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) after using prohormones?
- Yes, PCT is needed to help your body recover and produce hormones naturally again.
- Are there natural alternatives to prohormones and steroids?
- Yes, natural supplements like creatine and protein powders are good alternatives. Herbs like ashwagandha can also help.
- Can women use anabolic steroids or prohormones?
- Women can use them, but there are serious risks like voice deepening, facial hair growth, and other hormone issues.
- What is the difference between prohormones and SARMs?
- SARMs target specific tissues and are less harmful than prohormones, which need to be converted into hormones in the body.
- How long does it take to see results from prohormones or anabolic steroids?
- Prohormones take about 4-6 weeks, while steroids can show results in 2-3 weeks.
- What are the signs of addiction to anabolic steroids or prohormones?
- Cravings, mood swings, and withdrawal symptoms like tiredness and depression.
- Can prohormones or steroids cause permanent damage?
- Yes, they can cause long-term issues like liver damage, hormonal problems, and heart disease.
- How should I prepare for a PCT after using steroids or prohormones?
- Use drugs like Clomid or Nolvadex and get blood tests to check hormone levels.
- What should I monitor during prohormone or steroid use?
- Liver health, cholesterol levels, and hormone levels should be monitored with regular blood tests.
- Can lifestyle changes minimize the side effects of anabolic steroids or prohormones?
- A healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding alcohol can help reduce side effects, but they can’t eliminate the risks entirely.
