I think I discussed this study - which Ergo-log has just evaluated - last year, but can't find it, so I'm reposting. However it nicely supports the findings of the more recent study demonstrating the difficulty AAS users have in recovering, and the failure of PCT drugs to help.
Probably the easiest overview can be found if you head to Ergo-log's handy article >>here<<. However some of the key findings include the fact that at least half of the men studied failed to recover even what I would call 'modest' natural testosterone levels 3-26 months after ending their cycle.
Given the fact that every bodybuilding site on the internet recommends a PCT, we may assume that many of these men made use of typical drugs such as SERMs and hCG. Which is depressing, since clearly they aren't working.
Even more depressingly, you may also notice that 2 of the men failed to recover normal libido or erectile function despite resorting to testosterone replacement therapy. In other words, the use of supraphysiological doses of AAS for weeks on end may well permanently damage systems responsible for the maintenance of normal sexual function, irrespective of testosterone levels and subsequent cessation of AAS use.
These are serious issues, and I still don't see them being discussed on mainstream bodybuilding forums, despite them habitually recommending frontloading, beginners cycles with upwards of 500mg and/or multiple compounds, the use of deca, and so on.
Anyway, I've reproduced the abstract for you to read below:
[h=2]Abstract[/h][h=3]
Aims[/h]To assess the frequency and severity of hypogonadal symptoms in male long-term anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) misusers who have discontinued AAS use.
[h=3]Participants[/h]Twenty-four male former long-term AAS users and 36 non-AAS-using weightlifters, recruited by advertisement in Massachusetts, USA. Five of the former users were currently receiving treatment with physiological testosterone replacement, leaving 19 untreated users for the numerical comparisons below.
[h=3]Findings[/h]Compared with the 36 non-AAS-using weightlifters, the 19 untreated former AAS users displayed significantly smaller testicular volumes [estimated difference, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.3 (0.1, 4.5) ml; P = 0.042] and lower serum testosterone levels [estimated difference: 95% CI = 131 (25, 227) dl; P = 0.009], with five users showing testosterone levels below 200 ng/dl despite abstinence from AAS for 3–26 months. Untreated former users also displayed significantly lower scores on the IIEF sexual desire subscale [estimated difference: 95% CI = 2.4 (1.3, 3.4) points on a 10-point scale; P < 0.001]. In the overall group of 24 treated plus untreated former users, seven (29%) had experienced major depressive episodes during AAS withdrawal; four of these had not experienced major depressive episodes at any other time. Two men (8%) had failed to regain normal libidinal or erectile function despite adequate replacement testosterone treatment.
[h=3]Conclusions[/h]Among long-term anabolic–androgenic steroid misusers, anabolic–androgenic steroid-withdrawal hypogonadism appears to be common, frequently prolonged and associated with substantial morbidity.
Probably the easiest overview can be found if you head to Ergo-log's handy article >>here<<. However some of the key findings include the fact that at least half of the men studied failed to recover even what I would call 'modest' natural testosterone levels 3-26 months after ending their cycle.
Given the fact that every bodybuilding site on the internet recommends a PCT, we may assume that many of these men made use of typical drugs such as SERMs and hCG. Which is depressing, since clearly they aren't working.
Even more depressingly, you may also notice that 2 of the men failed to recover normal libido or erectile function despite resorting to testosterone replacement therapy. In other words, the use of supraphysiological doses of AAS for weeks on end may well permanently damage systems responsible for the maintenance of normal sexual function, irrespective of testosterone levels and subsequent cessation of AAS use.
These are serious issues, and I still don't see them being discussed on mainstream bodybuilding forums, despite them habitually recommending frontloading, beginners cycles with upwards of 500mg and/or multiple compounds, the use of deca, and so on.
Anyway, I've reproduced the abstract for you to read below:
Prolonged hypogonadism in males following withdrawal from anabolic–androgenic steroids: an under-recognized problem (2015)
[h=2]Abstract[/h][h=3]
Aims[/h]To assess the frequency and severity of hypogonadal symptoms in male long-term anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) misusers who have discontinued AAS use.
[h=3]Participants[/h]Twenty-four male former long-term AAS users and 36 non-AAS-using weightlifters, recruited by advertisement in Massachusetts, USA. Five of the former users were currently receiving treatment with physiological testosterone replacement, leaving 19 untreated users for the numerical comparisons below.
[h=3]Findings[/h]Compared with the 36 non-AAS-using weightlifters, the 19 untreated former AAS users displayed significantly smaller testicular volumes [estimated difference, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.3 (0.1, 4.5) ml; P = 0.042] and lower serum testosterone levels [estimated difference: 95% CI = 131 (25, 227) dl; P = 0.009], with five users showing testosterone levels below 200 ng/dl despite abstinence from AAS for 3–26 months. Untreated former users also displayed significantly lower scores on the IIEF sexual desire subscale [estimated difference: 95% CI = 2.4 (1.3, 3.4) points on a 10-point scale; P < 0.001]. In the overall group of 24 treated plus untreated former users, seven (29%) had experienced major depressive episodes during AAS withdrawal; four of these had not experienced major depressive episodes at any other time. Two men (8%) had failed to regain normal libidinal or erectile function despite adequate replacement testosterone treatment.
[h=3]Conclusions[/h]Among long-term anabolic–androgenic steroid misusers, anabolic–androgenic steroid-withdrawal hypogonadism appears to be common, frequently prolonged and associated with substantial morbidity.
