The use of testosterone by athletes to build muscle and increase strength is a fairly old topic that has been talked about many times. It is possible to argue about the advantages and dangers of this method of increasing physical condition for a long time, but this most likely will not bring a significant result. Each experienced athlete must have decided on priorities in advance, carefully weighing all the positive and negative factors inherent in steroids. But for a novice bodybuilder, making a decision is much more difficult, since the information available on the Internet is often contradictory.
Newbie advice
If you have doubts about whether to use testosterone (and today it is the most effective drug for bodybuilding), then try using its lightweight version first. This does not mean that instead of testosterone you will be offered its weak substitute – the concentration of the active substance can be reduced by choosing the appropriate method of administration.
Everyone is well aware that testosterone preparations are available in different forms:
- Injectable.
- Oral (tablets and capsules).
- Transdermal (in the form of gels and ointments).
If you are determined to soften the effect of the drug as much as possible, then it is better to discard the first and second options. For the first experience, it is enough to use Testosterone gel.
Newbie advice
But you should know that this method of administration will not bring a sharp and quick result. That is, you will have to carefully observe the reaction of your body. And you testosterone gel should not hope for an instant increase in muscle mass either.
Side effects
But you can almost certainly avoid problems such as:
- Suppression of endogenous testosterone production.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Prostate hypertrophy.
- Loss of hair.
- Gynecomastia.
- Accumulation of fluid in the body.
- Raising the level of bad cholesterol.
- Aggression and irritability.
Side effects
These side effects are typical of almost all formulations with a high content of testosterone and its substitutes. However, for Testosterone gel and other preparations that are intended for application to the skin, all this is so smoothed out that it is very difficult to notice any negative changes and they happen extremely rarely.
But some other side effects are possible:
- reaction at the place of application;
- erythema;
- acne;
- dry skin.
Note
Although acne is inherent in many drugs, taken as an injection and orally.