The pituitary gland - the hypothalamus - is not capable of producing sex hormones on its own. However, it can produce LHRH, also known as gonatropin releasing hormone. These are able to stimulate the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland, in turn, is able to determine the amounts of LHRH/GnRH through receptors and then decide how much of the LH, the luteinizing hormone, is released. The pituitary gland has a special function
If too much LHRH is provided, the receptors are downregulated, which in turn respond to the high levels of LHRH by reducing testosterone production.
What is strange is that - although the high level of estrogen inhibits the pituitary gland - a certain basal level must not be undercut. This would result in a breakdown of LHRH receptors. In practice, this means that both too high and too low estrogen levels have a negative effect on the production of LH. Within the testes, the availability of DHEA, i.e. dehydro-epi-androsterone, from cholesterol is signaled within the Leydig cells.
DHEA then becomes androstenedione and also testosterone, which is produced as needed. When the need is met, the hypothalamus signals this and the release of LHRH and GnRH is reduced. This is exactly what happens when the hormones are administered externally. The hormone gap occurs after the externally administered hormones are stopped. As a result, the body no longer releases hormones and must first be stimulated to start producing them again. In the meantime, many of the substances that were previously built up are lost, because this phase has a very catabolic, i.e. degrading, effect.
What does this mean in practice? The endogenous DHEA, i.e. the DHEA produced by the body, is no longer needed. This means that the testicles have lost their function and are therefore shrinking.
The resulting further consequence can be loss of libido and impotence. This risk must be reduced, so the following rules apply: Hormones should always be used cyclically. The respective off phase without hormone administration should always exceed the corresponding on phase with an administration of hormones. The rule is that the off phase should be followed by the same on phase plus two weeks.
The effects of estrogens on the body
The term estrogen refers to a group of hormones that have feminizing properties. However, only estadiol and estrone are biologically significant. These two hormones are related to each other like the andros.
Androstenidiol has a hydroxyl group C-OH... or -ol at C3 and C17. This also applies to estradiol. Estrone has a keto group C=O... or -one at the same positions C3 and C17 as androstenione. Estradiol is the stronger natural estrogen and is formed either via testosterone using aromatase or via estrone using specific 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Even though estrone is less potent, this is not very relevant because estrone only needs to be in a higher concentration to have the same effects as estradiol. The original product for estrone is androstenione.
It is formed by aromatase, but it can also be converted back from estradiol. It is also important to note that various hormones such as androstenedione and testosterone, as well as their non-5-alpha-reduced metabolites, have a limited estrogen potential. In practice, this means that the use of such hormones carries an increased risk of increased estrogen levels.
The consequences
One consequence is feminization symptoms. Estrogens cause sodium water retention in the organism and promote body fat deposits. This also promotes gynecomastia. The effect of androgens on the body Androgens are responsible for the formation and development of secondary male sexual characteristics and the expression of the psychological male sex. Do androgens have positive effects? DHT is responsible for androgen-related side effects such as hair loss, severe acne, increased body hair, oily skin and many other side effects. In addition, there is an increased libido and an equally increased potential for aggression. Genetic predisposition and the affinity of conversion enzymes also play a decisive role. While one user feels no effects from one gram of testosterone, another user may experience reduced head hair. This development is less precarious in terms of health than in terms of cosmetics. However, while estrogen is and remains irreversible, acne is a temporary phenomenon.
This should be taken into account, especially in cases of hereditary predisposition. For older people, taking 5-AR inhibitors is recommended. Biochemistry in brief Prohormones do not differ significantly from anabolic and andogenic steroids in their effects, which means that it is worthwhile to briefly outline the general mechanisms of action of AAS, i.e. anabolic and androgenic steroids. Around 98 percent of steroid hormones are bound to SHBGs, i.e. sex hormone-binding globulins, and to albumins. Accordingly, two percent of these are biologically active because they are unbound.
How steroids and prohormones work in the organism Steroid molecules circulate freely in the body and then pass through cell membranes into the cytoplasm, where they form connections with the anrogen receptor, AR for short, which is a key-lock principle. The hormone-receptor complex then penetrates the cell nucleus and forms a connection with specific sequences of DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid. This results in transcription. The newly synthesized mRNA, i.e. messenger ribonucleic acid, now leaves the cell nucleus and returns to the cytoplasm.
There, bound to ribosomes, it releases protein biosynthesis. After its effect has taken place, the hormone-receptor complex separates from the DNA. It then leaves the cell nucleus and subsequently breaks down into its components. The steroid molecule then enters the bloodstream, begins its process again or is metabolized in the liver, i.e. broken down. A small amount of exogenous steroid can be metabolized immediately by the body.
Prohormones are steroids and therefore doping agents. Many new supplements belong to the prohormones category and regardless of legal steroid use or doping, many users still have a great deal of uncertainty. This article is not advice or a recommendation on the topic discussed and is not intended to serve as a recommendation for use, but merely to provide information on the subject.
