There are different categories of steroids that can be found in stores, or online. There are injectable steroids, oral steroids, PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) steroids, and non-steroid alternatives. The most common for performance enhancers are the injectable and oral steroids.
Injectable Steroids
Injectable steroids are substances or drugs that require the use of needles and are administered to the user through injection. They have been used medically to treat an extensive number of medical conditions in the past, but are most commonly used illegally by athletes who want to improve performance in a short period of time. The only times that they are allowed to be legally taken outside of a medical setting is when they are prescribed as part of a form of hormone replacement therapy and in the case of those who have undergone complete androgen deprivation surgery, but this is rare. The most common types of injectable steroids include the anabolic steroid methandrostenolone, which has been popular in use since the 1960s, as well as nandrolone, stanozolol, oxandrolone and testosterone enanthate.
Oral Steroids
On the other hand, oral steroids are drugs, often found in the form of pills, that are administered orally. This type of steroids is taken every day or several times a day. There are four common types of oral steroids:
- Anabolic steroids: These are the most commonly used oral steroids because they can produce muscle gains, increase strength, and build lean mass. They may cause male breast development and deepened voice in men and clitoral enlargement in women.
The side effects associated with oral steroids are usually not severe unless the steroid dosage is high.
PCT (Post Cycle Therapy)
Post Cycle Therapy is the process of stopping a steroid cycle, shedding stored muscle mass, and re-building lean muscle. During post cycle therapy, the bodybuilder stops his steroid cycle and proceeds to recover from the effects of the drugs. This can take some time depending on the extent of steroid use. The drugs that are often used in PCT include clomiphene citrate, HCG, and Tamoxifen. These products are often paired with a diet that is high in protein, low in carbs and fats.