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BrownUniversity2
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Dear Bodybuilders/steroid users:
I am a student at The College of Brown University. I am conducting research for a research paper on the role steroids play in men and masculinities studies, an area of groundbreaking research that is different from feminist studies. The goal of the research will be to better understand the intersection of masculine personnas with the use of steroids, particularly exogenous testosterone. I have no bias going into this study and have no problem with individuals who use AAS, as I do not judge. My questions are based off of preliminary research from my own personal knowledge of endocrinology as well as the interviews with endocrinologists, who are considered the leading experts in their fields—physicians who have more than 10 years of formal education training past college much in the endocrine system.
I would like to have as many people reply as possible, the stipulations being those who are male, currently or prior CHRONIC users of steroids, particularly pure testosterone (although other precursor steroids are fine as well). I would prefer to have individuals who are younger; however, older individuals will work too. You may respond to all or any of the questions.
You can respond to this survey through one of two ways. You may email anecdotal responses to an email address that I answer: [email protected] or alternatively, you may respond to the questions I will post on this thread. I'd prefer you to respond to me through email, particularly to keep your identity anonymous; however, public posting is fine too.
1.) In what ways does taking steroids increase your 'sense' of being a 'man'?
2.) Along those lines, do you feel especially more virile just after having given yourself an injection of T cyp or applied a T gel? In other words, do you feel a psychological high after using the steroid in the sense that you feel you are on your way to a better body?
3.) What got you started taking steroids, how long have you taken them, and how long do you plan to continue using?
4.) What do you define as 'masculine' in terms of male bodies, and do you believe that taking steroids helps you achieve the male adonis so to speak? How do you feel about men who don't take steroids?
5.) Do you take steroids because you feel pressure from society to be 'more of a man'? Or do you take steroids for other reasons, such as the need to become more bulked for competitions?
6.) Although many individuals take steroids solely for bodybuilding purposes, others take the drugs to enchance their masculinity in very tangible ways. Endocrinologists feel this is dangerous. During this process, side effects can take their toll over a period of years, particularly since there have been no longitudinal studies which have shown that increasing exogenous T levels beyond what is normal is safe. On one website someone mentioned that Arnold who used AAS for years has had no health problems. However, what is interesting is that the oldest users of roids are only now approaching their 60s—an age too young to judge whether insidious diseases like neoplasia will ensue. Other studies have shown exogenous supraphysiologic doses of hGH do increase the risk for neoplasia, at least in some regard. A recent meta-analysis has suggested this. Despite the various possibilities of increased risk for neoplasia, metabolic changes, and CVD, does the idea of being more masculine or at least more "built" trump these risks?
7.) From what I can tell, obtaining hGH and pure testosterone is extremely easy in the United States. That said, aren't costs prohibitive, since gel forms of testosterone can run more than $100 monthly? Also, growth hormone can be extremely expensive. How much do you spend on these drugs, and how do you afford them? Do you buy brand names like humatrope (which is thousands per year) or brand T gels like androgel?
8.) Many individuals who take steroids continue to attempt to monitor their health through diagnostic testing. How do you get tested periodically (let's say every 3 months) for cholesterol, HDL, LDL, T, bio T, LH, FSH, PRL, T3, T4, TSH, IGF1? In other words: why would a doctor "monitor" you if you are on an illegal substance? Do you have home labs in which you run serum hormonal tests? Or alternatively, are many of you physicians and or endocrinologists who can legally order these tests yourself? I know for a fact that physicians are particularly hesitant to test your blood frequently without a diagnosis which would necessitate this. Without an indication medically, insurance companies will not reimburse the hundreds of dollars per year in testing. Are these costs paid out of pocket (yet even then I would think physicians would be hesitant to test on a regular basis)?
10.) After taking steroids do you feel more inclined to 'check out' other male bodies? Do you find yourself particularly cognizant of the male body (I do not mean to suggest you are any more inclined to engage in homosexual activity)?
11.) The use of exogenous T obviously shuts down gonadotropin production. As a result, many men who take steroids attempt to take hCG (clomid) to halt this process. Why do you think clinical endocrinologists, experts in their fields, do not treat male patients on HRT with hCG+testosterone? Many suggest that the concomittant use of hCG with testosterone can accelerate testicular atrophy by over-working the testes.
12.) By shutting down the gonadotropin production, typically men will find a decrease in testicular volume (sometimes even in the face of use with hCG). Does decreased testicular volume frighten you? Do you find it paradoxical that something that 'increases' your masculinity concomittantly shrinks your testicles?
13.) Do you ever worry about fertility issues after taking steroids? Do you associate high fertility potential (as measured by semen analysis, positive fructose, etc) as an indicator manliness? In other words, is it true that men with truly 'bigger balls' are the 'bigger men'? Would you rather have small testes and big muscles or vice versa?
14.) Do you feel in control of your body when taking steroids? How does taking steroids relate to the idea of controlling bodies?
15.) Do you ever fear death?
16.) Do you consider your knowledge of hormones to be on-par with experts in endocrinology and metabolism?
Given the time frame of this paper, I would like to get as many responses as soon as possible. Your anonymity will be protected, and I am not with any sort of agency. Once again, you may respond to any or all the questions so this won't be cumbersome. Thank you for your time!
-Matthew Kerry
I am a student at The College of Brown University. I am conducting research for a research paper on the role steroids play in men and masculinities studies, an area of groundbreaking research that is different from feminist studies. The goal of the research will be to better understand the intersection of masculine personnas with the use of steroids, particularly exogenous testosterone. I have no bias going into this study and have no problem with individuals who use AAS, as I do not judge. My questions are based off of preliminary research from my own personal knowledge of endocrinology as well as the interviews with endocrinologists, who are considered the leading experts in their fields—physicians who have more than 10 years of formal education training past college much in the endocrine system.
I would like to have as many people reply as possible, the stipulations being those who are male, currently or prior CHRONIC users of steroids, particularly pure testosterone (although other precursor steroids are fine as well). I would prefer to have individuals who are younger; however, older individuals will work too. You may respond to all or any of the questions.
You can respond to this survey through one of two ways. You may email anecdotal responses to an email address that I answer: [email protected] or alternatively, you may respond to the questions I will post on this thread. I'd prefer you to respond to me through email, particularly to keep your identity anonymous; however, public posting is fine too.
1.) In what ways does taking steroids increase your 'sense' of being a 'man'?
2.) Along those lines, do you feel especially more virile just after having given yourself an injection of T cyp or applied a T gel? In other words, do you feel a psychological high after using the steroid in the sense that you feel you are on your way to a better body?
3.) What got you started taking steroids, how long have you taken them, and how long do you plan to continue using?
4.) What do you define as 'masculine' in terms of male bodies, and do you believe that taking steroids helps you achieve the male adonis so to speak? How do you feel about men who don't take steroids?
5.) Do you take steroids because you feel pressure from society to be 'more of a man'? Or do you take steroids for other reasons, such as the need to become more bulked for competitions?
6.) Although many individuals take steroids solely for bodybuilding purposes, others take the drugs to enchance their masculinity in very tangible ways. Endocrinologists feel this is dangerous. During this process, side effects can take their toll over a period of years, particularly since there have been no longitudinal studies which have shown that increasing exogenous T levels beyond what is normal is safe. On one website someone mentioned that Arnold who used AAS for years has had no health problems. However, what is interesting is that the oldest users of roids are only now approaching their 60s—an age too young to judge whether insidious diseases like neoplasia will ensue. Other studies have shown exogenous supraphysiologic doses of hGH do increase the risk for neoplasia, at least in some regard. A recent meta-analysis has suggested this. Despite the various possibilities of increased risk for neoplasia, metabolic changes, and CVD, does the idea of being more masculine or at least more "built" trump these risks?
7.) From what I can tell, obtaining hGH and pure testosterone is extremely easy in the United States. That said, aren't costs prohibitive, since gel forms of testosterone can run more than $100 monthly? Also, growth hormone can be extremely expensive. How much do you spend on these drugs, and how do you afford them? Do you buy brand names like humatrope (which is thousands per year) or brand T gels like androgel?
8.) Many individuals who take steroids continue to attempt to monitor their health through diagnostic testing. How do you get tested periodically (let's say every 3 months) for cholesterol, HDL, LDL, T, bio T, LH, FSH, PRL, T3, T4, TSH, IGF1? In other words: why would a doctor "monitor" you if you are on an illegal substance? Do you have home labs in which you run serum hormonal tests? Or alternatively, are many of you physicians and or endocrinologists who can legally order these tests yourself? I know for a fact that physicians are particularly hesitant to test your blood frequently without a diagnosis which would necessitate this. Without an indication medically, insurance companies will not reimburse the hundreds of dollars per year in testing. Are these costs paid out of pocket (yet even then I would think physicians would be hesitant to test on a regular basis)?
10.) After taking steroids do you feel more inclined to 'check out' other male bodies? Do you find yourself particularly cognizant of the male body (I do not mean to suggest you are any more inclined to engage in homosexual activity)?
11.) The use of exogenous T obviously shuts down gonadotropin production. As a result, many men who take steroids attempt to take hCG (clomid) to halt this process. Why do you think clinical endocrinologists, experts in their fields, do not treat male patients on HRT with hCG+testosterone? Many suggest that the concomittant use of hCG with testosterone can accelerate testicular atrophy by over-working the testes.
12.) By shutting down the gonadotropin production, typically men will find a decrease in testicular volume (sometimes even in the face of use with hCG). Does decreased testicular volume frighten you? Do you find it paradoxical that something that 'increases' your masculinity concomittantly shrinks your testicles?
13.) Do you ever worry about fertility issues after taking steroids? Do you associate high fertility potential (as measured by semen analysis, positive fructose, etc) as an indicator manliness? In other words, is it true that men with truly 'bigger balls' are the 'bigger men'? Would you rather have small testes and big muscles or vice versa?
14.) Do you feel in control of your body when taking steroids? How does taking steroids relate to the idea of controlling bodies?
15.) Do you ever fear death?
16.) Do you consider your knowledge of hormones to be on-par with experts in endocrinology and metabolism?
Given the time frame of this paper, I would like to get as many responses as soon as possible. Your anonymity will be protected, and I am not with any sort of agency. Once again, you may respond to any or all the questions so this won't be cumbersome. Thank you for your time!
-Matthew Kerry
