Background

• Testosterone prohormones, such as androstenediol, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), have been marketed as testosterone-enhancing and muscle-building nutritional supplements for the past decade. They have recently become more readily available in many countries through the Internet.
• Androstenediol and other prohormones have been shown to increase androgen prohormone, testosterone, and estradiol levels in humans. However, despite promotional claims, studies have not demonstrated bodybuilding or sexually enhancing effects with prohormone supplements like androstenediol.
• Research suggests that androstenediol may be less effective when taken by mouth.
• Prohormone supplements, including androstenediol, are associated with potentially harmful side effects, including abnormal estrogen, testosterone and lipid levels, and the potential to contribute to cancerous cell growth.
• Due to a lack of human benefit and the potential for negative health effects, the risk to benefit ratio of using androstenediol and other prohormone substances seems unfavorable. Prohormones are currently on the International Olympic Committee's list of banned substances and are banned from many professional athletic sports. Moreover, some forms have been banned for over-the-counter sales by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Androstenediol is not currently listed on the FDA everything added to food in the United States (EAFUS) database, which contains ingredients added directly to food that the FDA has either approved as food additives or listed or affirmed as generally regarded as safe (GRAS).

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