Prohormones – action, pros and cons of use, origin, the use in sports, what after the intake cycle?

Key Takeaways

• Prohormones support hormonal processes: They are designed to convert into active anabolic hormones inside the body and increase the activity of naturally occurring hormones.
• They are used to support body composition: Prohormones are popular among bodybuilders and athletes who want to increase muscle mass, improve strength, reduce body fat, or prevent muscle loss.
• Prohormones differ from anabolic steroids: Rather than directly supplying active hormones, they act as precursors that the body converts into hormonal compounds.
• Side effects are possible: Potential effects include acne, hair loss, breast tissue enlargement, liver problems, and reduced natural testosterone production.
• They are not recommended for everyone: The article advises against their use by women and people under 25 because of their hormonal effects.
• Professional advice is important: Hormone levels should be checked and the use of prohormones discussed with a doctor before beginning supplementation.

Prohormones are widely used in the sports world. Prohormones are extremely important and genuinely helpful. No wonder that there has been a dispute in the world of sport and bodybuilding once, whether it is better to take anabolic steroids or prohormones.

How do prohormones work?

The most straightforward way to describe prohormones’ action is as stimulants and supplements. They are the reason why natural hormones present in the human body are more effective. Their action can be compared to that of proinsulin, which is used to stimulate the insulin already present in the body.

So the action of the prohormones is simple – however, it should be remembered that unlike steroids, they do not add anything to the body by themselves – no new hormones. They only affect what exists in the body already.

The advantages of using prohormones

The enormous benefit of prohormones is that, unlike anabolic steroids, they are still legal and can be bought in the store. As early as 2004, in the USA, George W. Bush signed an amendment to the Anabolic Steroid Control Act, known as the Anabolic Steroid Control Act, that mentions prohormone-type supplements. Nevertheless, this act has many loopholes that allow producers of prohormones still to sell them to customers in the United States. As far as Europe is concerned, the prohormones, excluding DHEA (which has the status of a drug), are legal and are not affected by significant restrictions. It is worth noting, however, that each European country has its own rules, and the most restrictive apply in Germany and the UK.

Of course, not only is this the legal status, but it’s also an advantage of using prohormones. First of all, if you use prohormones, you can expect them to turn into anabolic hormones within your body, which in turn will increase the levels of hormones existing in your body. You can thus increase testosterone levels in your body, which are essential for both muscle growth and fat burning.

The disadvantages of using prohormones

Of course, like everything else, prohormones can also cause side effects. First of all, there are various skin changes that can be observed. So you can expect acne on your body, or your hair may start to fall out, and even lead to complete alopecia. Moreover, those who take prohormones can also expect an enlarged chest and may also experience liver problems where prohormones are metabolised. In addition, you should also not take these substances for too long because your body can stop producing testosterone naturally. The human body quickly becomes accustomed to beneficial compounds supplied from outside.

Due to their side effects, prohormones are not recommended for use by people under 25 years of age, as the endocrine system is still evolving by that time. Moreover, the prohormones contain male hormones; therefore, these substances are not recommended for use by women.

Where do the prohormones come from?

The prohormones used in sports were introduced to the world in 1996 by American amateur bodybuilder Patrick Arnold, who was a qualified chemist. It was thanks to him that a synthetic variety of testosterone emerged on the market. However, it is worth knowing that the original definition of prohormones had nothing to do with sports supplementation! The term appeared in medicine and biology as early as the 1950s.

When it comes to the prohormones used in sports, they are mainly used as dietary supplements. They are usually taken when a lot of muscle mass and a small percentage of fat is needed. Prohormones will work great in all kinds of endurance sports. Obviously, they are also popular among bodybuilders, especially those who are training for competitions. Many prohormones increase muscle strength and keep it stable for a long time. The prohormones also help prevent muscle loss.

What happens after the prohormone intake cycle?

However, as already mentioned in the negatives of taking prohormones, if you supplement them for too long, your body may stop producing testosterone naturally. Therefore, the prohormone intake cycle should last no more than 2 weeks, followed by a more extended break. It is also worth noting that a well-balanced diet is essential if you want the results of using prohormones to be as effective as possible.

Summary

Prohormones, like any other substance, should not be used recklessly. Each body is different so that everyone will react to these specifics differently. Fortunately, by choosing products from reliable companies, you can be sure you will avoid side effects caused by low-quality products. Nevertheless, before you decide on such a supplement, please consult your doctor to check your hormone levels. This will give you peace of mind.

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