Steroids have both medical and non-medical uses, being taken by millions of people worldwide, of different ages, genders and races. They are known to have beneficial effects by stimulating the production of bone marrow, they are recommended for muscle mass increase and added physical strength. Doctors also recommend steroid treatments in case of delayed puberty in males. As for the elderly, it seems that steroids can now be used as support therapy for patients suffering from bone loss.

Among the many recommended uses for steroids, health specialists have recently started to include hormone replacement therapies. Steroid usage is known to lead to increased levels of testosterone in the body, thus the substance being useful for those who have low levels and suffer from impotence. It’s quite easy to increase one’s sexual drive with the aid of steroids, such hormone replacement therapies being particularly useful in elder patients.

Ever since steroids were introduced for the first time, they appealed to those who were in the world of sports. They found that the combination between heavy exercising and steroid usage is perfect, using these substance to increase their muscle mass fast and improve their physique. Regardless of gender, steroids have become increasingly used by athletes pertaining to various sports. Bodybuilding, wrestling, boxing and weightlifting are just few examples that can be given. Trained to compete, these athletes have started to take steroids in order to stand above the competition. In many situations, steroid usage became a common practice when recovering from injuries.

There are various types of steroids out there, some of which are taken on a regular basis. A steroid can be administered in oral forms (e.g.: pills or tablets), through injection (parenteral administration – intramuscularly) and also with transdermal patches. Oral administration provides a good absorption of the drug into the system but it increases the risks for side-effects. Most commonly, steroids are administered through muscle injections. A steroid is not recommended to be administered intravenously, as the substance is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream with immediate serious adverse effects.

Specialists advise that the best way to administer a steroid is through an injection in the muscle, especially if we are talking about water-based steroids. The absorption rate following a muscle injection is good and large doses can be applied. Sometimes, intramuscular injections are preferred to subcutaneous administration as some of these steroids can be quite irritating to the skin. If you are wondering which muscle is indicated for steroid injections, you should know there are three main areas where shots are performed: gluteus medius (buttocks), thigh (only the lateral part, the rest being heavily vascularized) and deltoid muscle in the arm.

As the area of gluteus medius contains a lot of thick muscle fibers, steroids are usually administered here for a good and safe absorption. Thigh steroid injections are recommended for children and toddlers but one should give increased attention to the specific area where the shot is given, as the thigh contains plenty of nerves and blood vessels. As a general rule, the gluteus medius muscle remains the chosen area for steroid administration.

There is probably no other subject as controversial as the one regarding steroids. Some say that these controlled substances should be prohibited for good. Others promote the medical benefits of steroid intake and try to change the legal status concerning these substances. Athletes continue to take them for the obvious benefits they bring. High doses affect vital organs, including the heart, lung and liver. Steroids should be taken with extra care, as they can have serious effects on ones life.