Part 1: Myths, Lies & Truths About Testosterone & Anabolic Steroids

Part 1: The History of Anabolic Steroids

Understanding Testosterone and Anabolic Steroids

First it is important to understand that testosterone is an anabolic steroid. Both testosterone and its synthetic analogs fall under the category of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS). While the term “anabolic steroids” often refers to synthetically manufactured drugs, all AAS originate from testosterone or its metabolites. Going forward, I will use AAS to refer to both testosterone and its synthetic analogs as a single group of male hormones.

Both testosterone and its synthetic analogs are derived from cholesterol, which serves as the precursor to all male and female hormones. In men, the testes primarily produce testosterone, while in women, smaller amounts of testosterone are synthesized in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Despite cholesterol’s negative connotation and its association with heart disease in excessive amounts, cholesterol is essential for life. We make our own cholesterol and there is is no “essential minimum” LDL-cholesterol needed in your blood to make male and female hormones, cortisol and Vitamin D, which are all synthesized from cholesterol. Despite concerns of some regarding driving LDL-cholesterol too low, current evidence supports that LDL-C levels < 20-30 mg/dL  are safe and do not compromise the body’s ability to produce hormones or other essential cholesterol-derived molecules. (30)

Most commercially produced testosterone today comes from plant sterols extracted from yams and soybeans, as this method is both efficient and cost-effective. Although other production methods exist—such as direct cholesterol conversion and microbial *transformation*—they are less commonly used in industrial applications. This plant-derived testosterone is identical to the body’s natural hormone and is often referred to as a “bioidentical hormone.”

Why Create Testosterone Analogs?

Testosterone analogs—what most people associate with the term anabolic steroids— are chemically modified versions of testosterone. These modifications enhance anabolic (anabolic means muscle-building) effects while aiming to reduce androgenic (androgenic means masculinizing) side effects.

Well-known AAS include:

• Nandrolone (Deca-Durabolin)
• Methandrostenolone (Dianabol)
• Oxandrolone (Anavar)
• Stanozolol (Winstrol)
• Boldenone (Equipoise)

Each of these compounds has unique properties, which we will discuss later.

The Role of Testosterone in Both Sexes

Both men and women need testosterone for:

•  Sexual development and reproduction
•  Muscle and bone health
•  Cognitive function

Testosterone is also the precursor to estrogen. While women naturally produce much lower levels than men, testosterone remains vital to their overall health.

The Misinformation About Anabolic Steroids

Misinformation about AAS has been—and continues to be—spread by both medical professionals and the general public. As noted in the introduction, in the 1960s and 1970s, some researchers claimed that AAS did not increase muscle mass, relying on poorly designed studies (23,24).

Today, however, there is no debate—testosterone and its analogs unequivocally enhance muscle growth.

Why Were Testosterone Analogs Created?

If testosterone is so effective, why did pharmaceutical companies develop synthetic analogs? The answer lies in the anabolic-to-androgenic ratio of each compound.

•  Anabolic effects promote muscle growth.
•  Androgenic effects contribute to masculinization (e.g., body hair growth, scalp hair loss, deepening voice, increased aggression, and genital enlargement in women).

The goal was to create *a male hormone with stronger anabolic effects and fewer androgenic side effects*—leading to the development of synthetic AAS for medical use that could be used for both men and women with various medical problems.

Anabolic Steroids Were Created to Treat Disease

Despite their association with athletes and bodybuilders, anabolic steroids were originally developed to treat medical conditions such as:

•  Anemia
•  Osteoporosis
•  Severe weight loss and muscle-wasting diseases
•  Hypogonadism (low testosterone production)
•  Delayed puberty

For full disclosure, I was personally treated with the AAS Stanozolol (Winstrol) for delayed puberty.

Since their creation in the 1930s, AAS have proven valuable for many other medical applications.

The First Anabolic Steroids

•  1935 – Scientists successfully synthesized testosterone for the first time.
•  1950s – The first widely recognized AAS, Methandrostenolone (Dianabol), was synthesized by CIBA Pharmaceuticals.
•  Dianabol’s advantage over testosterone? It was indeed more anabolic and less androgenic, as desired in its synthesis, marking the beginning of efforts to create steroids that build muscle with fewer masculinizing effects.

This was a major advancement—developing a testosterone derivative that treated certain diseases, enhanced muscle growth while reducing unwanted side effects so it could be used for both men and women.

Steroid Use in Sports & Bodybuilding

By the 1950s, AAS use had expanded beyond medical treatments into performance enhancement.

•  1954 – The Soviet Union dominated the World Weightlifting Championships, later revealed to be due to testosterone use.
•  1960s – AAS use exploded in bodybuilding and competitive sports.

1965 – The first Mr. Olympia competition was held, and AAS use became common among professional bodybuilders.

Today, it is highly unlikely that any professional bodybuilder competes without using AAS. In fact, even Arnold Schwarzenegger has admitted to using anabolic steroids.