About Steroid Use in Cross Fit

First, an exploration of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). There are usually two classifications of PEDs, hormones and dietary supplements. We will specifically go into the hormonal part because this is what people mostly think of in regards to PED use and Cross Fit. In most cases, people writing about Cross Fitters using “steroids” are speaking about anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone. Physiologically elevated levels of testosterone stimulate protein synthesis resulting in improvements in muscle size, body mass, and strength. These potential changes in mass and strength have made anabolic steroids the drug of choice for strength and power athletes or those interested in gaining muscle size. Testosterone itself is a poor ergogenic aid. Rapid degradation occurs when testosterone is given, therefore chemical modification of testosterone was necessary to retard the degradation process in order to achieve androgenic and anabolic effects at lower concentrations and to provide effective blood concentrations for longer periods of time. Just to be clear there are other forms of PEDs in the hormone class including insulin, human growth hormone (HGH), pro-hormones, erythropoietin (EPO), β-adrenergic agonist and β-blockers. Chances are when someone talks about an athlete being “on steroids” it actually could be any one of a number of PEDs that are (or are not) being used.

Long-term weight training brings significant adaptations that can result in enhanced size, strength, and power of trained musculature. When there is an increase in anabolic hormones brought about by heavy weight lifting, it can increase hormonal interactions with various cellular mechanisms and enhance the development of muscle protein contractile units. When there is stimulation from a motor neuron to initiate muscle contraction, various signals are sent from the brain and muscles to endocrine glands. Hormones are secreted during and after weight lifting due to the physiological stress of the exercise itself. Hormone secretion provides information to the body regarding the amount and type of physiological stress (e.g. epinephrine), the metabolic demands (e.g. insulin), and the need for changes in resting metabolism. Thus, specific patterns of nervous system stimulation from weight training results in certain hormonal changes that are simultaneously activated for specific purposes related to recovery and adaptation to the acute exercise stress.

The patterns of stress and hormonal responses combine to shape the tissues’ adaptive response to a specific training program (like Olympic and power lifting). So without going into anything too confusing, the specific force produced by the activated muscle fibers determines the alteration in hormone receptor sensitivity to anabolic hormones as well as changes in receptor synthesis. As few as one or two weight lifting days can increase the number of androgen receptors (the receptors for testosterone) in the muscle tissue. Combined, these alterations lead to muscle growth and strength increase in the intact muscle. Following strength training sessions, remodeling of the muscle tissue takes place in the environment of hormonal secretions that provide for anabolic actions. There is an increase in the synthesis of actin and myosin and a reduction in protein degradation. Now, here is the catch to all of this great stuff due to strength training. If the stress is too great for the athlete, catabolic actions in the muscle may exceed anabolic as a result of the inability of anabolic hormones to bind to their receptors or the down regulation of receptors in the muscle tissue. So hormonal actions are important both during and after an exercise session to respond to the demands of the exercise stress. The magnitude of hormonal response depends on the amount of tissue stimulated, the amount of tissue remodeling, and the amount of tissue repaired after strength training sessions. Only muscles fibers activated by the strength training are able to be adapted. Here is where genetics and muscle fiber types come into play. Some fibers may be close to the athlete’s genetic ceiling for cell size, while others may have a great potential for growth. This is where many people draw their conclusion as to the fact that Cross Fitters are on performance-enhancing drugs, because many believe that people only have a certain ceiling for cell growth, but ultimately, unless we can see your genetic code, no one can know for certain what your genetic ceiling is for skeletal muscle cell size. Just because someone doesn’t look like you, doesn’t mean it’s impossible to look like that. Now going back to hormones, the extent of hormonal interactions in the growth of muscle fibers is directly related to the adapted size of the fibers. Thus, if an exercise program uses the same exercises over and over again, only a specific set of muscle fibers associated with those movements will be activated and stimulated to grow. Since Cross Fit is the epitome of variety, in most cases people are working various muscle groups at any given time, which will aid in the growth of all muscle groups, not just one individual group. Studies show that the volume of work, rest periods between sets, and the type of exercise are vital to the response pattern and magnitude of hormonal changes in men and women.

Anabolic steroids and impotence problem

Anabolic-androgenic steroids or anabolic steroids as they are commonly known, were developed in the 1930s to promote growth of skeletal muscle and to develop male sexual characteristics. The drugs were seen as offering great potential for their protein-building properties, but their use by doctors has, in fact, been quite limited. Anabolic steroid use is more commonly associated with bodybuilders, weightlifters and other male and female athletes.

Anabolic steroids are used because of their ability to improve performance by increasing muscle mass and decreasing body fat, so their use depends on the type of sport undertaken. It is believed that anabolic steroid use is widespread in competitive bodybuilding. Steroid use in sport is illegal and international athletes are tested to prevent some gaining an unfair advantage. Anabolic steroids are also used, especially by men, to change their body shape towards more muscular physique. Steroids are used for treating delayed puberty, some types of impotence, wasting of the body due to such conditions as HIV, some types of anemia; osteoporosis (brittle bones in menopausal women) and for itching caused by a liver condition called primary bilary obstruction.

Erectile dysfunction, also called impotence, is defined as a man’s inability to get an erection or maintain it long enough to have sex with a partner. For some men, impotence means they are unable to ejaculate during sex. Erectile dysfunction or impotence happens to most men at one time or another, but studies indicate that erectile dysfunction is more common in older men, so it is often associated with the aging process in men or low testosterone levels.

Anabolic steroids can be taken orally, by injection or in creams or gels. Dosages prescribed by doctors will depend on the medical condition, its severity and age of the patient. In the illegal use of this group of steroids dosages are highly variable and can be 10 to 40, sometimes a 100 times higher than the recommended dose.

Two or more oral and injectable types of anabolic steroids are often used. This is called "stacking". There is a belief that two or more interacting steroids produced an improved result.

So called 'pyramid' doses of anabolic steroids are also used in 6 to 12 week cycles where the 'stacked' steroids begin with smaller doses that slowly increase, reach a peak then slowly decrease and stop. There is a drug free period after this before the cycle starts again. It is believed by arranging the doses and drugs in this way that the body is allowed time to adjust and avoid the well documented side effects so the body can return to normal production of hormones. This belief has not been scientifically verified so relies on the illegal users ability to report accurately on their experiences. As most of you fellow bodybuilders know, testosterone is the male hormone responsible for the development of the male sex and reproduction organs; in addition to also promoting male characteristics such as a deep voice, facial hair, increased levels of muscle mass, aggressiveness, confidence, and supports a healthy sex drive. Men's testicles produce this hormone in large quantities while female's ovaries produce some of it in very small quantities. Low levels of this hormone create metabolic issues that have immediate and long-term consequences for the person suffering from a deficiency. Normal values of testosterone levels for males: normal range of total testosterone for men is between 300 - 1200 nano grams per deciliters (ng/dl). Normal ranges for free testosterone (the actual active testosterone that your body can use) are: 8.7 - 25 picogram per milliliters (pg/ml). Normal values of testosterone levels for women: normal range of total testosterone for women is between 15 - 70 nano grams per deciliters (ng/dl). Normal ranges for free testosterone (the actual active testosterone that your body can use) are: 0.5 - 5 picogram per milliliters (pg/ml). Needless to say the closer to the upper level you are in both ranges the better.

Many use  Viagra, because is one of the best known medications for erectile dysfunction. You need to be sexually stimulated for Viagra to be effective. Viagra works within an hour and usually lasts for three to four hours. Or Cialis is taken 30 minutes before sexual activity. Cialis is effective only with sexual stimulation. Cialis is not an aphrodisiac and does not increase sexual desire. Levitra, taken 10 minutes to one hour prior to sexual activity, Levitra can be effective for up to 12 hours. Levitra is not an aphrodisiac. It does not increase sexual desire.

Steroids can reduce inflammation

Steroids, known medically as corticosteroids, can reduce inflammation associated with allergies. They prevent and treat nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose due to seasonal or year-round allergies. They can also decrease inflammation and swelling from other types of allergic reactions.

Systemic steroids are available in various forms: as pills or liquids for serious allergies or asthma, locally acting inhalers for asthma, locally acting nasal sprays for seasonal or year-round allergies, topical creams for skin allergies, or topical eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis. In addition to steroid medications, your physician may decide to prescribe additional types of medications to help combat your allergic symptoms.

When steroid tablets are taken for many months or years, harmful side effects are likely and almost inevitable. The list of possible effects is long; it includes mood changes, forgetfulness, hair loss, easy bruising, a tendency toward high blood pressure and diabetes, thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), suppression of the adrenal glands, muscle weakness, weight gain, cataracts, and glaucoma. After being swallowed, these tablets are absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream and taken not only to the bronchial tubes (to treat asthma) but also to every other part of the body. Their effects are widespread.

On the other hand, only miniscule amounts of steroid medication enter the bloodstream after inhaling it. The reasons for this difference include the following. First, steroids used for inhalation treatment of asthma are designed not cross well from the surface of the bronchial tubes into the bloodstream. Somewhat like applying a steroid cream to the skin, they are poorly absorbed from the surface into the blood. Second, only very small amounts of steroid medication are delivered from the inhalers with each dose or "puff." Less medicine is needed when it can be directly applied to the affected area. When breathed in, some steroid medicine remains in the mouth and can be swallowed into the stomach and from there absorbed into the bloodstream. You can minimize any effect from steroids left behind in your mouth in two ways. First, use a spacer tube with your steroid spray. Medicine that would otherwise land on your tongue and mouth stays in the spacer chamber. The part of the spray that passes through the spacer also tends to pass through your mouth and proceed down onto the bronchial tubes. Second, rinse your mouth with water after inhaling the steroid spray. Rinsing removes any medicine residue from your mouth. The portion of the medicine that helps your asthma remains undisturbed on your bronchial tubes.

So much for the theory; what about the actual experience with steroids in inhaled form? The current generation of steroid inhalers first began to be used in the mid 1960s. For more than three decades they have been prescribed for millions of people with asthma and other lung diseases worldwide. No serious long-term adverse effects have emerged. For adults, given in the usual doses, they do not cause degeneration (atrophy) of the normal tissues of the respiratory passageway. They do not predispose to lung infections. They do not cause cancer, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

We need to look more carefully at the two phrases used above: "for adults" and "in the usual doses." Children's bones may be sensitive to the very small amounts of steroids that can enter the bloodstream after inhalation. There is currently debate — and considerable on-going research — to determine whether in children inhaled steroids might slow bone growth and reduce a child's ultimate height.

Also, when given in very large doses (many puffs from a high-concentration steroid inhaler), the amount of steroid medicine that spills over into the bloodstream can become significant. Although the effect is small, like a very small dose of prednisone, over the years this small effect can potentially add up to serious harmful effects. High doses of inhaled steroids taken for a long time can probably predispose to cataracts, glaucoma, and thinning of the skin and bones. As a result, your doctor will probably only have you take high doses of inhaled steroids as a means to avoid steroid tablets. And he/she will constantly work with you to attempt to reduce the dose of inhaled steroids to a more conventional and safer range.

Remember that not taking inhaled steroids for fear of side effects may have real consequences that are far worse than potential effects in the future; namely, asthma symptoms and risk of asthma attacks now.

Can Bodybuilding Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

The term erectile dysfunction refers to a recurring and persistent condition where a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection and complete sexual intercourse. In most cases, erectile dysfunction is a sign of a deeper, underlying problem and many doctors consider it one of the earliest signs of heart disease. There are several other causes for erectile dysfunction, including hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Drugs like Viagra and Cialis can correct some of the mechanical reasons for erectile dysfunction, but doctors will also suggest lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, to help treat, and even cure erectile dysfunction.

How Exercise Affects the Body:
Aerobic exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system by making the heart stronger and the lungs more efficient. A stronger heart delivers more blood to the body with fewer beats, which also lowers blood pressure. Efficient lungs can transfer more oxygen into the blood stream with each breath. Resistance exercise increases the metabolism so that we burn more calories at rest. Resistance exercise also helps with venous return--helping the blood return from the extremities to the heart. Additionally, exercise regulates blood sugar by increasing the amount of energy we use and helps us maintain healthy weight and body composition. It is possible to exercise too much, however, and over-exercising can cause a decrease in testosterone levels and diminished libido. Exercising 30 minutes a day at least five days a week is sufficient for overall health.

The penis needs adequate blood flow in order to become erect and healthy blood vessels in order to remain erect. Diseases like hypertension, diabetes and obesity all adversely affect vascular health. Because exercise can actually improve vascular health and reverse or control the factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction, it can actually improve erectile response. Exercise also has direct effects on erectile dysfunction by improving circulation to all parts of the body, including the penis.
An the less clinical sex, bodybuilding and fitness play a huge role in sex and visa versa. As a woman, I believe and have read and researched and found that achieving orgasm at least three times a week increases my "feel good chemicals" (aka dopamine).
This will in turn result in a more pleasant mood, less rage, less anxiety and a more positive overall outlook. How can this not result in a better workout? It has to.When a woman is fit, and healthy and is lifting weights actively, she has increased caloric needs, increased energy, increased blood flow (this means everywhere), better sleep, regular menstrual cycles and regulated fertility. In other words, increased training, and overall fitness increases and results in a positive outcome on every activity of the body.
This will in turn result in a likelihood of a healthier body image, and therefore a healthy sexual image of oneself. It's common for women to believe they have no sex drive, or a libido issue that requires medication.
In many instances it is a direct result of a poor body image, or a more serious condition known as Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD), where one believes that they look one way, when in reality they look completely different. Lifting weights, losing weight, taking care of your body, will dramatically increase your confidence, your energy, your endurance and your image of yourself as a healthy sexual human being. In a more direct physical sense, its common for women in classes for abdominals/core and even Pilates to report orgasm during the class movements, or increased or more powerful orgasm after weeks of training.
This is due to the strengthening and stimulation of the PC (pubococcygeus muscle) muscle, located in the pelvic floor (men have one too), that controls the flow of urine.  This is your best friend when wanting to increase your orgasm, or its strength or ahem, your core and abdominal strength.Increasing the strength of the quadriceps, and adductors (inner thighs) will also strengthen the intensity of orgasm for women, even the breathing exercises taught in yoga have been known to cause major and dramatic increases in orgasm.