What are the benefits of testosterone enhancement?

Anabolic steroids work in two ways simultaneously. First, the steroids increase the synthesis of testosterone in the body while simultaneously blocking the receptor that inactivates the hormones. Secondly, anabolic steroids block the effects of cortisol, a stress hormone, on muscle tissue. As a result, individuals who take anabolic steroids experience a variety of effects. The body's muscle mass and strength increases at an abnormally high rate. The rate of protein synthesis is elevated. Bone remodeling and growth occur much faster than before. Bone marrow is stimulated to produce more red blood cells.

Until the passage of the Anabolic Steroids Act of 2004, many athletes used prohormones (which were legal then) as an alternative to anabolic steroids. The precursors to actual hormones, prohormones caused similar, although less drastic results as taking steroids. Prohormones are now classified as a controlled substance, and are illegal for the purpose of athletic performance enhancement.

The human body goes through five steps to produce hormones. The ingestion or injection of prohormones skips at least one of these five steps, and thus increases the body's production of testosterone.

Although clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of anabolic steroids for certain medical conditions and testosterone enhancement, the number of potential side effects is quite large. Regardless of the efficacy of this practice, the use of anabolic steroids for a use other than that prescribed to a patient is illegal in the United States.

You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Although testosterone treatment is not for everyone, when it is, it can increase desire and the frequency of satisfying sexual activity. That should come as a big relief, especially if you're a woman and over 40 (or getting close), because women in their 40s produce half as much testosterone as they did in their 20s. Levels decline in men, too, but not as dramatically; by age 70, fully 70% of men have low arsenals of this critical hormone.

And there are upsides beyond your love life:

• For low-testosterone men, the hormone improves bone density and muscle strength.
• In women, 2 years of testosterone treatment can boost bone density an average of 8.9% in the lumbar spine and 10% in the hip. That's a lot. And in postmenopausal women, it can even improve visual and verbal learning and memory.
• There's also preliminary evidence that the hormone may reverse some of the dangerous conditions low testosterone can bring, such as a higher risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular problems.

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