Are you looking for the most popular steroids to understand their use, side effects, and history? Then, this article is for you. Steroids have many medicinal and muscle-building benefits. Also, according to different researches and studies, doctors use these drugs as a first-line treatment for many protracted diseases.
Bodybuilders and athletes have been using steroids to augment their muscle mass for many years now. Most people who wish to achieve active fitness results often use these drugs as a part of their bodybuilding regime. However, apart from immediate benefits, many steroids have harmful side effects that people should not quickly overlook.
In this article, we will talk about some of the most popular steroids with their uses, side effects, and history so you can significantly improve your muscle mass and gain strength with proper knowledge and wisdom.
Oral Popular Steroids
1. Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
This popular steroid was first mentioned in a 1959 paper by researchers from Syntex. They introduced it to the world for different medical uses under the brand name Anapolon in 1961. Distributors also presented the drug under some other brand names, i.e., Android in 1961 and Anadrol in 1962. However, the actual marketing of the popular steroid started in the early 1960s for medicinal purposes.
Uses
Anadrol (Oxymetholone) is currently enjoying its popularity among bodybuilders and others in the fitness industry. Among athletes and fitness fanatics, they considered this drug a powerful synthetic anabolic. Because of this reason, many powerlifters use this steroid during their bulking phase to gain a massive amount of strength, hoping to reach their desired fitness goals. It replicates the strength-enhancing and muscle-building effects of some of the most high-end steroids. Also, weightlifters wanting to build a significant amount of muscles experiencing no side effects turn to this popular steroid.
Side effects
- Cholestatic jaundice
- Liver cancer
- Penis enlargement
- Inhibition of testicular function
- Low sperm count
- Bladder irritability
- Menstrual irregularities in females
- Decrease in white blood cells
- Excessive hair growth on the body
- Pimple
- Muscle cramps
- Deepening of the voice in females
- Breast enlargement in males
2. Anavar (Oxandrolone)
Anavar (oxandrolone) was first made by Raphael Pappo and Christopher J. Jung in Searle Laboratories. However, they introduced it as a pharmaceutical drug in 1964 after careful research and investigation. Later, Bio-Technology General Corporation picked it up after successful clinical trials and launched it under Oxandrin.
Uses
Another most coveted popular steroid in the market is Anavar (Oxandrolone). This steroid enhances the body’s T3 to T4 ratio, which is the active thyroid hormone known to elevate an individual’s metabolism and weight loss. In addition, since it is a basic form of exogenous testosterone, it also helps increase muscle mass and muscle tone. So if you want huge muscle gain, stack all the products with Anavar (Oxandrolone) in them.
Side effects
- Nausea, vomiting,
- Headaches
- Changes in skin color
- Increased/decreased sexual desire
- Hair loss
- Oily skin
- Acne
- Mental/mood changes (depression, anxiety, increased hunger)
- Trouble sleeping or snoring
- Trouble urinating
- Breast swelling or tenderness
- Painful or prolonged erections in males
- Low sperm count
- Lower male fertility
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Unusual boy hair growth
3. Dianabol (Methandienone)
Many bodybuilders hail Dianabol as the best popular steroid for building muscle. Researchers at CIBA labs in Switzerland first synthesized Dianabol (methandienone). Initially, doctors prescribed the drug to the elderly and burned victims. However, some health practitioners also prescribed it as a pharmaceutical performance enhancement medication for athletes and weightlifters. Though the drug is no longer medicinally accessible in developed countries, some parts of the world produce and use it.
Uses
The Dianabol (Methandienone) is a popular anabolic steroid designed to promote quick and massive strength and muscle mass gains without posing severe risks to the body. You can add this steroid to your routine training regime to achieve the fastest muscle and strength gain more than your expectations. It is also a superb choice for bridging the cycles, keeping up with your gains, and taking overall performance to the next level.
Side effects
Androgenic side effects like:
- Acne
- Oily skin
- Seborrhea
- Increased facial or body hair growth
- Scalp hair loss
- Virilization
Estrogenic side effects like:
- Gynecomastia
- Fluid retention
- Risk of hypo-toxicity over an extended period
- Liver damage
4. Winstrol (Stanozolol)
Winstrol (stanozolol) is a popular synthetic steroid made from testosterone and features anabolic/ androgenic characteristics. The medical industry initially launched it in 1962, but with time, the manufactures changed the labeling and marketing because of FDA requirements and alterations in the drug market. As a result, the government classified Winstrol as a Schedule III controlled substance under federal regulation of the anabolic steroid act 2004.
Uses
Winstrol (Stanozolol) is another performance-enhancing anabolic androgenic popular steroid. Professional athletes and powerlifters most frequently use it to improve their physical appearance and overall athletic performance. It is also a derivative of testosterone with very high anabolic and androgenic properties.
Side effects
- Frequent/persistent penis erection
- Aggravated acne
- Hoarseness in females
- Nausea and vomiting
- Facial hair growth in females
- Ankle swelling
- Changes in skin color
Other rare side effects may include:
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- No sexual desire,
- New or worsening acne
- Excessive vomiting
- Masculinization
- Hepatotoxicity
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Hypertension
5. Restandol (Testosterone Undecanoate)
The medical industry introduced Restandol (testosterone undecanoate) for oral consumption in 1970. Even though the medical industry in China regularly used the intramuscular version of the popular steroid, it was not readily accessible in the United States or Europe. In 2000, FDA approved the drug in the US after three consecutive rejections because of safety issues.
Uses
Athletes and bodybuilders stack up on Restandol (Testosterone Undecanoate) and other known anabolic steroids to maximize their workout sessions. Though medical experts mainly used it to treat low testosterone, it has the best performance-enhancing effects on the body.
Side effects
Some of the most common side effects of Restandol (testosterone undecanoate) include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Skin color changes
- More/less sexual desire
- Hair loss
- Oily skin
- Severe acne
- Pain or redness at the injection site
- Breast swelling/tenderness
- Depression, hostility, agitation,
- Difficulty breathing while sleeping
- Swelling of hands, feet, and ankles
- Loss of appetite and severe abdominal pain as a symptom of liver problem
Injectable Popular Steroids
1. Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate)
Until 1960, Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) was in the literature and research papers. Later the medical industry produced it for medicinal uses under the brand name Deca-Durabolin in 1962. Shortly after its launch, the popular steroid became the most widely used androgenic-anabolic popular steroid in the world. Know that it is the second form of nandrolone lead by the nandrolone phenylpropionate.
Uses
The Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate) increases the ratio of anabolic and androgenic activity in the body. It is a slow-acting drug designed only to increase muscle mass. It works by promoting nitrogen retention in the muscles, which leads to an increase in muscle size. Apart from this, this popular steroid also provides joint pain relief due to bone mineralization.
Side effects
- Allergic reactions like hives, itching, rash, or peeling skin
- Wheezing or tightness in the chest
- Trouble breathing,
- Feeling tired, headaches, upset stomach, constipation.
- Liver issues like dark urine, yellow skin/eyes
- Loss of hunger
2. Durabolin (Nandrolone Phenylpropionate)
The Durabolin (nandrolone phenpropionate) is an anabolic and androgenic steroid use as an ester for different medicinal purposes. Some people know it by the name of 19-nortestosterone. They initially launched these esters in the late 1950s and are among the most commonly used androgenic-anabolic popular steroid in the world. However, the government of many countries considers this drug a controlled substance and prohibits the non-medical use of the drug.
Uses
The Durabolin (Nandrolone Phenylpropionate) increases and up-regulates the number of androgen receptors in the body. This way, it increases your training intensity and contributes well to increased muscle size and strength. It also stimulates appetite and the production of red blood cells.
Side effects
- Masculinization
- More libido, acne, facial hair, and body hair on females
- Clitoral enlargement in females
- Penile growth in prepubertal boys
- Amenorrhea and menorrhagia
- Erectile dysfunction
- Cardiovascular toxicity sometimes
3. Depo-Testosterone (Testosterone Cypionate)
The medical industry launched Depo-Testosterone for medicinal use in 1951. Along with some other similar popular steroids, the Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) is the most widely used testosterone ester globally. It is currently being marketed under a wide range of brand names and considered a Schedule III controlled substance under the controlled substance act in the United States.
Uses
Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) is very popular with bodybuilders who are suffering from testosterone deficiency. It also regulates fat distribution in the body and helps maintain muscle mass. Using this popular steroid regularly, you will never notice an increase in your body fat, especially around your abdominal area. It also helps increase muscle size and strength.
Side effects
The most common side effects include:
- Pain and swelling and injection site
- Acne
- Hair growth
- Breast enlargement or gynecomastia
- Frequent erections in men
- Erections that last longer than usual
- Headaches and mood swings
- Low sperm count if used in high doses
4. Agovirin (Testosterone Propionate)
It was in 1936 that the medical industry synthesized this testosterone ester for the very first time. Among all the esters available out there, testosterone propionate was the most powerful one, and many doctors used it widely to treat a wide range of medicinal disorders. Though doctors rarely use this steroid these days because of its short duration and availability of other esters, it is still medically available for prompt medical use.
Uses
Agovirin (testosterone propionate) can generate impressive gains during the early stages of bodybuilding. However, though it kicks in fast, it is still not the most rapid form of testosterone in the body.
Side effects
- Virilism
- Irritable bladder and UTI
- Irregular periods
- High blood pressure
- Enlarged prostate
- Sleep apnea or dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low energy level
- no sexual desire,
- decreased testicle size
- acne
- diarrhea and stomach cramps
- trouble sleeping,
- infection of redness at the injection site
5. Retandrol (Testosterone Phenylpropionate)
Another successfully synthesized anabolic popular steroid on the list is Retandrol (testosterone phenylpropionate). The medical industry first discussed Retandrol in 1935 to augment synthetic testosterone’s therapeutic effectiveness. Scientists in Germany then produced it for clinical use two years later. This popular steroid is the most commercially available version of testosterone ester in the US prescription drug market.
Uses
Primarily, retandrol (testosterone phenylpropionate) increases protein synthesis in the muscles. As a result, it also increases muscle mass and strength. As far as body fat, this popular steroid blocks the uptake and storage of fat while augmenting the number of fat-burning receptors in the body. Moreover, regular use of Retandrol causes a better blood flow and metabolic rate of the consumer.
Side effects
- Get immediate help if any of the following symptoms appear:
- Allergic reaction or hives
- Chest pain, dizziness, trouble breathing, and throat tightening
- Swelling in ankles or feet
- Nausea or vomiting
- Changes in skin color
- Painful urination
- Shortness of breath
- Ejaculation issues or decreased testicle size
- Stomach pain
6. Equipoise (Boldenone Undecylenate)
Reportedly, scientists patented this steroid in 1949 by Ciba, whereas the Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate) the medical industry made esters during 1950-1960. This drug is available as an intramuscular androgenic-anabolic steroid under its brand name called Parenabol. Also, after its discontinuation for human use, it is now available in the market for veterinary use under the brand name Equipoise.
Uses
Usually, the Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate) is a synthetic derivative of testosterone primarily used for human performance enhancement. It features well-balanced androgenic and anabolic properties appreciated by athletes who wish to be more robust and muscular. Though it is not a rapid mass builder, it helps with steady muscle gain and quality/smooth bulk production.
Side effects
Some of the androgenic side effects of Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate) are:
- Acne and oily skin
- More aggression
- Hair loss
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety and flu
Final Thoughts
This article sums up the list of the most popular steroids on the market. Ultimately, the choice to use steroids rests with the user. But if you decide to use steroids, make sure you understand the benefits and the consequences. Also, regular long-term use of steroids without the supervision of a licensed medical provider can damage your health and cause death.
Many bodybuilders follow a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, get regular exercise, and get regular checkups. During these checkups, doctors run routine blood work, which the bodybuilder can use to make a well-informed decision. Also, your doctor must protect the privacy of your medical records in many countries. If you are using steroids illegally, don’t worry. Thus, your doctor will provide you with the best recommendations but cannot report them to the government.
Finally, the healthiest way to build muscle or burn body fat long-term is through a balanced diet and a scientifically proven workout.
