There are safe steroids when they are used properly and by people who are trained and knowledgeable in their proper dosage. Many steroids are used by doctors and specialists to treat a wide range of health conditions. Steroid use by body builders and athletes is generally discouraged, although there are supporters of their use who claim that when taken as directed they can be a safe option for those looking to bulk up. Whether or not this is true is still being debated.
The most commonly used steroids are anabolic steroids. These help promote muscle growth and weight gain due to their testosterone-like qualities. They are often used in the medical community for a variety of reasons, but this is also the main type of steroid used by body builders to promote rapid muscle growth and athletic performance. Therefore, these can be considered safe steroids when used for the proper reasons and with medical supervision.
Anabolic steroids can be used to replace testosterone loss in those who have had their testes removed due to cancer, or in young boys with hormonal problems which may delay the onset of puberty. These are given in doses which are heavily monitored and restricted in order to minimize side effects and potential health risks. How safe steroids are, even those used in the medical community, generally depends on the way in which they are used.
Most of the common steroid side effects, which can include liver damage, kidney damage, heart malfunction, stomach upset, among a myriad of others, can be attributed to overuse. When used in quantities higher than the recommended dosage, serious health complications can result. Even when used correctly a slight risk still exists, so it is not recommended that steroids be used for recreational purposes. In some areas, doing so is illegal.
Other safe steroids are used to grow muscle tissue and other tissues in the body in patients with certain conditions. For instance, those who have battled a serious disease like cancer may need steroids to rebuild lost muscle tissue. Steroids are used in mothers who are at risk of delivering prematurely to stimulate the growth of the unborn infants’ lungs. They have also shown beneficial for the treatment of osteoporosis at growing bone marrow in some women.
Corticosteroids are perhaps some of the safest steroids when used in topical ointments and creams. This is the main ingredient in hydrocortisone, a popular anti-itch medication. Side effects for this variety are usually mild and abuse is much less common than with anabolic and androgenic steroids.