Withdrawal syndrome: what happens after a steroid cycle?

Author: Alexey - consultant for the website Ru-steroids.
2016-06-01

Important! We do not advocate for the use of steroids and other potent substances. All information is provided so that those who still decide to take them can do so with minimal health risks.

Experienced athletes are familiar with the term "withdrawal syndrome"—this occurs when, despite maintaining the same intensity of training and diet, the discontinuation of pharmacological substances leads to a decline in performance, loss of muscle mass, and decreased strength.

In addition to physiological changes, psychological changes also occur—disappointment and depression. It seems that the only solution to salvage the situation is a new course of medications. And so the cycle continues.

However, any organism, even one that is completely healthy and resilient, requires a break and recovery of its own endocrine system. This is because the use of sports pharmacology and its subsequent withdrawal leads to changes in the functioning of many bodily systems.

Endocrine Changes

Testosterone

The most noticeable change is the forced decrease in the production of anabolic hormones (such as endogenous testosterone and others). When the body receives these substances from external sources, it "recognizes" that there is no need to produce its own. The hypothalamus receives signals indicating a high level of testosterone, which prevents the production of additional gonadotropins. It sends commands to the endocrine glands (the pituitary gland and testes) to stop producing luteinizing hormone, which in turn prompts the testes to produce natural testosterone.

Therefore, professional bodybuilders take special substances that help stimulate their own testosterone production.

This is because the body, during the course of steroid use, "forgets" that it is necessary to produce testosterone on its own—it has been saturated with testosterone! But it is impossible to remain on pharmacology indefinitely. The body needs recovery and "clean" periods to ensure that all bodily systems do not atrophy and can restore their functionality and performance.

There are indeed "helpers" that allow for a smooth and painless recovery of the endocrine system's function. It is no secret that excessive indulgence in pharmacological substances (especially steroids) can lead to artificial impotence (endocrine) in some "enthusiasts." After such an event, it becomes very challenging to restart and regulate male function. This may even necessitate the lifelong use of androgens while being infertile.

It is essential not to let this happen. Moreover, the endocrine system significantly influences the overall functioning of the body more than any other system.

Estrogens

Another substance whose level changes (increases significantly) is estrogens. There are two levels of increase—relative and absolute. In relative terms, the level of estrogens is not very high (not critical) but exceeds the level of androgens. In absolute terms, the level of estrogens in the athlete is above the permissible norm, occurring due to the aromatization of excess androgens.

The higher activity of estrogens is notably visually manifested in the form of gynecomastia—which is the growth of breast tissue resembling female characteristics. However, it is crucial to monitor your own body to prevent this, as having "breasts" can lead to prolonged issues. Less obvious signs include deterioration in the growth of body and facial hair, and even hair loss, as well as a decrease in libido.

To restore the endocrine "mechanism" of your body, post-cycle therapy (PCT) is recommended, which can help regulate hormonal levels.

Insulin

Not only is the mechanism of producing sex hormones (androgens and estrogens) disturbed, but also the function of the pancreas suffers. This results in a decrease in the production of endogenous insulin. On the one hand, this can be caused not only by pharmacological agents (from steroid stimulation) but also by a high-calorie "heavy" diet, which athletes often rely on during their cycles. Insulin acts as a growth stimulator for cells by improving glucose uptake. This also influences the amount of growth hormone released in counteraction to the hypoglycemia (decrease in blood sugar) triggered by insulin.

Growth Hormone

Somatotropin is a powerful anabolic hormone that works in conjunction with insulin-like growth factors produced by the liver. These promote the proliferation and growth of various tissue cells—connective tissue, bones, and muscle—and facilitate the creation of new muscle fibers (which anabolic steroids do not provoke) while only causing the hypertrophy of existing muscles.

Cortisol

And here’s the surprise – cortisol! This substance makes us angry but helps us cope with stressful situations. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal cortex and plays an active role in the metabolism of any organism. With a normal, non-exhausted metabolism, a moderate level of cortisol allows for the "burning" of proteins (breaking them down in the liver to carbohydrates through amino acids) to eliminate dangerous (stressful) situations, provide energy to the body, assist in healing injuries, and improve the condition during depressions, etc.

When large doses of anabolic steroids are introduced from outside, they begin to compete for cellular receptors with cortisol. In response, the body starts to produce more cortisol in the adrenal glands to ensure that the hypothalamus (the main "coordinator" of the body's systems) senses a balance in the levels.

As a result, we see an increase in cortisol to levels beyond the normal (for an average person) due to several reasons: the intake of anabolic steroids and constant physical stress from training.

While anabolic steroids are being taken, cortisol's access to cells is limited. However, as soon as the course ends, cortisol floods the body. This can metaphorically be referred to as a "catabolic storm"—the rapid and painful loss of gained muscle mass and a decrease in physical endurance. This can be quite frightening if one is unaware of how all pharmacological substances affect the body and its counteractions—specifically, the production of certain substances for stabilization.

Thyroid Gland

During the course of therapy, the thyroid gland was also affected, as it plays a significant role in the body's hormonal system. The thyroid hormones produced by it are crucial participants in the metabolism of the three main groups—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The gland cannot function at full capacity under the influence of steroids, leading to desynchronization. As a result, it may produce insufficient thyroid hormones (leading to hypothyroidism) or too many (hyperthyroidism). Thus, symptoms can manifest as general weakness and lethargy or an excessively rapid metabolism with the expulsion of glucose (a muscle growth stimulant) from the body.

As you can see, there are plenty of physiological problems that can arise from the improper withdrawal from a cycle of anabolic steroid use. Therefore, post-cycle therapy is necessary to help your body recover.

Psychological Changes

As you know, during the intake of steroids, there is a general uplift in mood, a more positive outlook, and increased athletic aggression, allowing for greater dedication to self-improvement. However, after completing a cycle, due to the overall physiological and biochemical restructuring of the body, as well as the internal processes taking place and a decline in athletic performance, a gradual overall decline in strength begins. Mood deteriorates, and moodiness and irritability emerge.

Moreover, if the course is not conducted correctly, endocrine system diseases may arise or previously dormant ailments may become active. This also does not contribute to a good mood and can lead to depression. Of course, one could suggest in hindsight that entering a course of anabolic use more carefully and monitoring health strictly by getting tested would be wise. But what to do now—when coming off the cycle?

Psychological resilience and strength of character vary from person to person. Some are more susceptible to hormonal upheavals in their bodies, while others maintain their composure through their own character strength. However, not everything can be controlled within our bodies. Both groups encounter issues in their personal lives, experience decreased work effectiveness, and suffer from deteriorating relationships with loved ones.

Especially discouraging is the feeling of not being able to train with the same intensity—there's a lack of strength, endurance drops, and performance declines. It is very disheartening to witness oneself—feeling "weak," unable to lift weights that were easily managed just a month or two ago.

In addition to pharmacological support, it is crucial to address mental well-being. Ideally, more experienced peers should assist young athletes by explaining that body progress is not linear—it has its ups and downs. It is impossible to work exclusively on the upswing; the body requires rest and recovery periods. During these times, performance will decline for everyone, and endurance will drop.

There is nothing terrible about this. It is not degradation; it is just a break. During this period, you can allow yourself to loosen the diet—since favorite dishes can uplift your mood. You can train with a lighter program—just to maintain your fighting spirit—or even take a vacation.

However, the most impatient athletes with unstable psyches cannot accept this situation and rush into a new cycle of steroid therapy. This is extremely foolish, as an un-recovered body cannot adequately and positively respond to the intake of substances. To achieve the same results as the last cycle without recovery, you will need even higher doses, which will further disrupt the endocrine system. Consequently, you will emerge in worse condition after the next cycle. It also becomes harder to train. Working weights become "unreachable," the diet does not yield results, muscle mass does not increase (and sometimes even decreases). In short, it begins to seem that continuing training is meaningless. And once again, it's essential to remind oneself that working on the body should follow a wave-like movement: without ebb, there is no flow!

It is necessary to continue training during this period, even if you see a clear "ebb"—a decrease in performance. Why? To notice when the "backward slide" has ended and when performance stabilizes. This is crucial for all subsequent calculations—forming a regimen of training and resting, specifics of targeting muscle groups, diet, type of sports nutrition, as well as planning a new steroid cycle.

In other words, it is essential for every athlete to reach a state of "plateau"—stabilization of performance.

But what about the psychological dependence on the constant need for steroid intake, especially since it visibly shows growth in muscles and athletic performance? Moreover, an athlete (especially a novice) constantly hears talks about how their peers are always taking something.

This is where experienced athletes in the gym are needed, capable of explaining that a real man can calmly and without hysteria endure the period of achieving a "plateau." The time between cycles is necessary rest, equally important as the therapy cycle itself. Without it, progress is impossible. This time can be used to try something new in your diet, daily routine, or even in the training "mechanism," and so forth.

Interestingly, the effect of sports nutrition is much less than that of anabolic steroids, but it shouldn't be disregarded. It's essential to find what is best absorbed and works effectively in your body. And it's best to do this when the athlete is "clean"—i.e., between cycles. This period can also be utilized to treat any chronic illnesses or injuries.

Additionally, the recovery period is a perfect time to remember that at the start of your athletic journey, you achieved your first results without auxiliary pharmaceutical preparations. Yes, it is believed that there is a limit to natural muscle development, and this varies individually—it's determined by nature. Once this limit is reached, it is impossible to progress without steroids.

But think about whether it is better to remain in good physical shape for as long as possible than to quickly and artificially "puff up" and subsequently lose health and the ability to train.

So, your mindset needs to be trained just like your body. Without the willpower to accept oneself in any state, it is impossible to engage seriously in strength sports.

This article is provided by the shop Ru-steroids