Before and After Steroids: 10 Transformations

In this article, you will see 10 before and after pictures from people who have taken various steroids so you can see how each one affects the body differently (from an aesthetic perspective).

Before and After Steroids (Novices)

Novices commonly opt for testosterone during their first cycle.

• This is because testosterone produces significant results with fewer toxic effects compared to other anabolic steroids. Testosterone also causes no hepatic strain in our experience.
• Such factors have contributed to testosterone being FDA-approved and prescribed to men worldwide who have clinically deficient endogenous levels.

Testosterone (Male)

The results in the above before and after transformation are typical of a first steroid cycle using testosterone.

Testosterone enables users to build significant amounts of lean muscle (1) while simultaneously reducing subcutaneous fat stores. We have found 15-20 pounds of weight gain to be common in novices during their first cycle.

Testosterone enanthate or cypionate are common esters, as they are slow-acting and thus require infrequent injections (2). Also, they are both low-cost, making for a more affordable cycle.

Below is a sample cycle commonly used by weightlifters to achieve a similar before and after transformation as the one above.

Anavar (Female)

Women commonly use Anavar as their first cycle because it doesn’t typically cause masculinization (unlike many other steroids).

Also, we have found Anavar’s side effects to be less toxic than those of other steroids, with females commonly reporting no major side effects in therapeutic doses. Our female patients commonly prefer Anavar’s oral nature rather than having to inject.

In our experience, women often build 7–10 lbs of muscle on Anavar while notably reducing visceral and subcutaneous fat stores.

Weight scales may not fluctuate much due to simultaneous fat-burning and mass-building effects from Anavar. However, a woman’s body composition will significantly improve, with a leaner, fuller, and more defined appearance.

Note: The majority of anabolic steroids cause virilization (3). However, some female bodybuilders may be content with taking riskier compounds, risking their femininity for bigger muscles.

Note: The above protocol is a common Anavar cycle for women, utilizing conservative dosages to avoid virilization or masculinization. Competitive female bodybuilders may take more aggressive dosages.

Anavar (Male)

We also see Anavar taken by men as a first cycle (instead of testosterone) if mass gain is less of a priority and fat loss is the main objective.

Thus, this is essentially a cutting cycle that will produce potent fat-burning and moderate lean muscle gains. The scales won’t increase as they will on testosterone, but the lipolytic (fat-burning) effects will be more prominent.

• We find male beginners can tolerate higher dosages of Anavar compared to women, as they naturally have higher endogenous testosterone levels.
• Since these compounds are new to the body, the majority of novice steroid users will experience significant gains in the first few cycles. After this, more powerful compounds are typically used to overcome plateaus, albeit with more pronounced side effects.

Winstrol

Winstrol (stanozolol) is a cutting steroid used to build lean muscle mass while simultaneously decreasing fat mass. It also has a diuretic effect, drying out the body and enhancing muscle definition.

Thus, its benefits are similar to Anavar’s; however, Winstrol causes harsher side effects regarding negative alterations in cholesterol and liver toxicity. Thus, Winstrol is not typically taken by beginners.

We also find that Winstrol causes masculinization in women; however, this side effect may be avoided with minimal dosages (no more than 5 mg/day).

Dianabol

Dianabol is a steroid that can add up to 50 pounds of mass to users when cycled multiple times and stacked with other bulking steroids.

Thus, it is a standard compound in modern bodybuilding cycles due to its mass-building properties.

It was believed to be the steroid predominantly used in the Golden Era to bulk up Arnold Schwarzenegger and other bodybuilders from the 1970s.

Trenbolone

Trenbolone can be classified as a bulking or cutting steroid due to its versatile nature of possessing efficacious muscle-building and fat-burning properties.

We have not experienced trenbolone causing weight gain like Dianabol, as it does not increase water retention. However, it rivals Dianabol in terms of pure muscle tissue gained.

Trenbolone’s vast androgenicity is why it causes fat loss, with androgen receptors stimulating lipolysis.

Trenbolone causes the most hypertrophy increases of androgen-sensitive muscle groups, such as the trapezius and deltoid muscles.

However, trenbolone produces harsh side effects and thus is commonly avoided by beginners. We often record testosterone suppression being severe, as well as LDL cholesterol levels rising notably.

Deca Durabolin

The above before and after photo is a suitable illustration of the muscle fullness and thickness that Deca Durabolin can produce.

This effect is caused by Deca Durabolin’s ability to increase intracellular fluid on-cycle as well as promote overall anabolism.

• Generally, we do not see Deca Durabolin causing vast changes in muscle hypertrophy on its own; however, it can have significant effects when stacked with other bulking steroids, such as testosterone or Dianabol.
• Deca Durabolin and Dianabol can be stacked together to bulk up in the offseason while increasing muscular strength.

Clenbuterol

Clenbuterol isn’t a steroid but a sympathomimetic amine. It can be combined with anabolic steroids during cutting cycles due to its potent effects on adrenaline and metabolism.

Users can experience notable fat loss in one cycle of clenbuterol, which typically lasts from 2 to 4 weeks.

Though muscle definition will increase on clenbuterol, muscle size will predominantly stay the same, with its anabolism being questionable in humans.

We have found clenbuterol’s lipolytic effects to be greater than those of most anabolic steroids, due to its more stimulative effect on the central nervous system. Consequently, elevations in metabolism will enhance calorie expenditure at rest and reduce fat mass.

However, we have seen clenbuterol users experience:

• Heart arrhythmias
• Nervousness
• Heart palpitations

Anadrol

Anadrol is among the most efficacious mass-building steroids. It is similar to Dianabol in regard to its ability to add strength and size, as well as being an oral steroid.

• Anadrol is also referred to as a wet steroid, meaning that it causes fluid retention when combined with a diet containing moderate amounts of sodium. Thus, it is predominantly used in the off-season as a bulking compound.
• It is commonly stacked with testosterone or Deca Durabolin for enhanced gains without further compromising liver function.
• Anadrol is one of the most hepatotoxic and cardiotoxic steroids, based on our liver function and lipid profile tests.

Related: Top 5 Anadrol Cycles for Bulking and Cutting

HGH

Human growth hormone, or HGH, is a peptide hormone that bodybuilders take to enhance fat burning and increase muscle hypertrophy.

HGH’s main benefit, however, is fat burning, and thus its anabolic nature is milder than that of the average steroid.

The bodybuilder in the before and after photos (above) looks bigger, leaner, and more defined following HGH use. However, his gut has also grown in size, which is indicative of visceral fat gain. This is the fat that wraps around the organs and causes a distended look to the midsection.

HGH is notorious for causing this appearance due to its worsening of insulin sensitivity when used long-term (4). In our experience, there is little you can do to reduce visceral fat once it has accumulated to this level.

FAQs

Are Steroids Prohibited?

Anabolic steroids are controlled substances in almost every country in the world, thus being strictly illegal.

However, some steroids are FDA-approved in medicine, so doctors can prescribe certain compounds (like testosterone) within the confines of the law. However, this is to treat a hormonal imbalance rather than be utilized for cosmetic purposes.

It’s worth noting that there are legal steroid alternatives that can produce positive before and after transformations (see below):



Crazy Bulk manufactures natural and FDA-approved compounds that mimic the anabolic effects of steroids but without deleterious side effects.

Thus, their D-Bal product will increase protein synthesis and nitrogen retention inside the muscle cell (a similar chemical process to Dianabol); however, it won’t cause the following:

• Increased blood pressure
• Raised liver values
• Low testosterone levels

Furthermore, legal steroid alternatives are not prohibited and thus can be purchased online without any legal constraints.

How Long Does it Take to See Results From Steroids?

We have observed the following fast-acting steroids produce results in a matter of days/weeks:

1. Trenbolone
2. Winstrol
3. Dianabol
4. Anadrol

Some of our patients have even reported a visual difference in muscle fullness or dryness in a matter of hours. However, other steroids are slower to take effect due to their longer esters.

Although some compounds take longer to work, this does not mean that they are necessarily inferior, as the end result can be just as advantageous as a shorter ester.

Do Steroids Change Your Face?

We have seen anabolic steroids change the structure of a person’s face, giving it a more masculine appearance, particularly the jawline. This applies to both genders.

• Beard growth on the face can also be accelerated, with enhanced volume and thickness in previously patchy areas.
• This happens due to the 5α-reductase enzyme increasing the conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Consequently, this hormone promotes hair growth on the body and face but has the opposite effect on the scalp (accelerating balding).

One temporary downside of estrogenic steroids (testosterone, Dianabol, and Anadrol) is that they can cause water retention. This can result in a puffy or bloated appearance to the facial region.

After Someone Stops Steroids, Will They Lose Their Results?

We have found fat loss from steroids is commonly retained post-cycle. However, if the person overeats after this time, they may regain fat mass.

The majority of muscle gain from steroids can be retained if the user continues lifting weights. However, should the person cease training, they will lose their steroid-induced results (as well as their natural beginner results).

Scientists now understand that the permanent or long-term effects of steroids can be attributed to an increase in myonuclei. Thus, through the principle of muscle memory, the body is able to recover the steroid-induced muscle size and restore it in the future (5).

How Many Bodybuilders Take Steroids?

In 1989, researchers found that 54% of competitive male bodybuilders in Kansas and Missouri were taking steroids on a regular basis, with 10% of the female bodybuilders also admitting to such.

However, over the last 30 years, there’s been a surge in steroid use among non-competitive bodybuilders, who take them purely for cosmetic reasons. These now make up the majority of our patients.

Currently, 1 million people in Britain are believed to be taking steroids (6), and up to 4 million of the US population (7).

However, the true figure may be higher than this, as many aren’t comfortable admitting to taking illegal drugs.

Conclusion: Are Steroids a Miracle Pill?

Anabolic steroids are very effective for building muscle mass; however, it is important to understand the role that genetics, nutrition, and workouts also contribute to a person’s transformation.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the potential negative health impacts of anabolic steroids. Despite improvements in body composition, there can be underlying cardiac or hepatic damage occurring that we regularly detect.

Disclaimer: We are not definitively claiming the individuals in these before and after pictures have taken any steroids mentioned in this article. They merely illustrate the effects certain steroids have for educational purposes.

Co Authors :