29-year-old Marco used anabolic steroids for four years to improve his sports performance. He noticed not only many advantages, but also the negative sides of the drug. During and after use he developed high blood pressure, sleeping problems and mood swings. When his girlfriend pointed out their desire to have children, which was endangered by the stuff, he decided to stop.
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Marco started strength training at the age of sixteen. “It’s a lifestyle. I was in the gym six days a week. After eight years of training, I noticed that I reached a ceiling where my muscles grew less and less quickly and my strength decreased.”
The choice for steroids was therefore quickly made. “I was able to buy the drug through friends so I knew what I was buying and what it did. At gyms where many bodybuilders come, you can also easily buy it under the counter. That makes it easy to get started. All toned bodies on social media influenced me too, I think.”
His plan was to stop taking the drug after a while, but things turned out differently. “I started taking pills for four weeks. Then a follow-up cycle is needed to suppress the female hormone estrogen, which is produced when you use steroids. My first period lasted ten weeks in total.”
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“Then it’s a small step to start using again.”
After he stopped, Marco soon noticed that his hormones were changing and that he was suffering from the female hormones. “My muscles collapsed again and I suffered from mood swings. I felt lethargic and tired and I had less sense to exercise. Then it is a small step to start using again.”
Marco started injecting steroids instead of taking pills. Then he also noticed the negative sides of the drug. “I sweated a lot, had high blood pressure and had a hard time sleeping at night. Still, that didn’t outweigh the benefits. I wanted to exercise, had a lot of strength, a lot of sex and I became very muscular.”
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“Anabolic steroids can make you infertile.”
However, he decided to quit after a sermon from his girlfriend. “She threatened to break up after five years because she wanted children. Anabolic steroids can make you infertile. When I heard that, I decided to stop.”
This is how Marco came into contact with Diederik Smit, an internist at the Elizabeth-TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg, who specializes in anabolic steroids. “He has helped me to taper off with gels with anabolics in them. In order not to get complaints such as fatigue and depression, I continue to use a minimal amount.”
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“To ever have a second child, I will continue to get the injections.”
Marco does everything he can to make his wish to have children come true and with success. “I have a tummy tuck every week to remain fertile because luckily I was still. My girlfriend is now pregnant, but I will continue to have a second child in order to have a second child. At least I’m lucky that I’m still going to be a father. “
Looking back on his use, Marco accepts the current situation. “I was stupid enough to start on the steroids. So I will have to accept the injections and the minimum amount that I continue to use. It is no different. I would advise against everyone to start.”
Marco is not his real name. We use this name for its privacy. His real name is known to the editors.
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