Anabolic and androgenic effects of prohormones

Anabolic-androgenic prohormones and steroids have two different but overlapping types of effects:

  1. Anabolic steroids: promote cell growth
  2. Androgen: Influence the development and maintenance of male characteristics

Examples of anabolic effects are:

  • increased protein synthesis from amino acids
  • increased appetite
  • Increased bone remodeling and growth
  • Stimulation of the bone marrow, thereby increasing the production of red blood cells
  • Stimulation of muscle cell formation, which leads to enlargement and strengthening of skeletal muscles

Androgenic effects in prohormone and steroid users depend heavily on the duration of use. Some side effects may be irreversible.
Processes affected include pubertal growth, sebaceous oil production, and sexuality. Side effects may include, but are not limited to:

  • Growth of the clitoris in women and the penis in male children (the adult penis does not grow and eventually becomes smaller)
  • Increased growth of androgen-sensitive hair (pubic, beard, chest and limb hair)
  • Increases vocal cord size and deepens the voice
  • increased libido
  • Suppression of natural sex hormones
  • Impaired sperm production.

The androgenic:anabolic ratio of a steroid is an important factor in determining clinical use. Compounds with a high ratio of androgenic to anabolic activity are preferred in androgen replacement therapy (such as the treatment of hypogonadism in men). Compounds with a reduced androgenic:anabolic ratio are preferred for anemia and osteoporosis and for reversing protein loss after trauma, surgery or prolonged immobilization.

Determination of the androgenic:anabolic ratio is typically performed in animal studies, which has led to the marketing of some compounds that are claimed to have anabolic activity with weak androgenic effects. It should be noted that all anabolic steroids have significant androgenic effects.

Individual Evidence

  1. https://books.google.com.tr/books?id=tsjrCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA177&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
  2. https://www.drugs.com/international/metandienone.html