Examples of natural, human prohormones include proinsulin and pro-opiomelanocortin. However, neither of these are precursors to the natural hormone testosterone.
The use of prohormones has become popular among bodybuilders, since it helps them gain in muscular strength and growth and increase of the size of muscle cells. The side effects and dangers of using prohormones have been discussed in the earlier sections.
However, the common types of prohormones that were available in the market, prior to the ban, included: More...
Prohormones are precursors to hormones. Prohormones usually have minimal hormonal effect by itself. They were most typically sold to bodybuilders as a precursor to the natural hormone testosterone. This conversion requires naturally occurring enzymes in the body. Side effects are not uncommon, as prohormones can also convert further into DHT and estrogen.
Many side effects are associated with excessive levels of DHT, including male pattern baldness, testicular shrinkage, enlarged prostrate (leading to prostrate cancer) and acne. Excessive estrogen formation in the body leads to gynecomastia, which is the development of abnormally large mammary glands in males resulting in breast enlargement, which can sometimes cause secretion of milkMore...