Chances are, you’ve heard the term “steroid hormones” in many contexts, with little explanation as to what it means. Between a biological category of hormones, performance-enhancing drugs, and potent anti-inflammatory drugs with extensive side effect profiles, the word “steroid” has many definitions. So, are steroids hormones? What exactly are steroids?
Our guide will explore all the types of steroid hormones and review some of the best natural alternatives to performance-enhancing kinds.
What Are Steroid Hormones?
Steroid hormones are powerful chemical messengers influencing everything from muscle growth and sexual function to inflammation and mood. They work by directly interacting with cell DNA, triggering significant physiological changes.
You may also want to ask the question, “What are steroid hormones made from?” and “Are steroid hormones hydrophobic?” or “Are steroid hormones lipid soluble?”
Well, steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol. Their structure is based on the cholesterol molecule functional groups: two 6-carbon rings and one 5-carbon ring with double bonds [1].
And yes, they are hydrophobic or fat-soluble and can pass through cell membranes and bind to receptors inside cells. Steroid hormones are also lipid-soluble, which means that they can pass through the plasma membrane.
Where Are Steroids Found in the Body?
Steroids are found throughout the body. Synthesis takes place in the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys or in the ovaries or testes. That said, the brain can also make some steroids, such as pregnenolone and DHEA, without the help of the adrenal glands or sex organs [2].
What Is the Difference Between a Steroid and a Non-Steroid Hormone?
Comparing steroid vs non steroid hormones, the latter are typically produced from amino acids and are water-soluble or hydrophilic. And in the case of protein vs steroid hormones, the former is water-soluble and acts on cell surface receptors.
What Do Steroid Hormones Do?
The question of what do steroid hormones do depends on the specific type. They commonly set off chain reactions inside cells, having indirect effects themselves through steroid hormone receptors.”
Steroid Hormone Mechanism of Action
Steroid hormones have many effects on the body. For physical fitness, the testosterone steroid hormone helps to increase the size of both type I and II muscle fibers. Additionally, it increases the growth and differentiation of satellite cells into mature muscle cells [3].
Estrogens appear to support muscle growth and repair by acting on IGF-1 pathways. Like testosterone, they promote satellite cell growth and may be necessary for women to build muscle. They may also increase heat-shock proteins, which protect muscle tissue from damage during exercise [4].
Endocrine System and Hormonal Regulation
Steroid hormones and the endocrine system work together closely. Your hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain, key components of the central nervous system, alongside your adrenal glands and gonads, control your steroid hormone function [3].
Some, such as cortisol, have daily rhythms, while estrogen and progesterone operate on monthly cycles in menstruating women.
The pituitary gland triggers the production of cortisol and sex hormones, with stimulant hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) [3].
Types of Steroid Hormones
Let’s take a closer look at the examples of steroid hormones below.
Corticosteroids
Cortisol is the primary glucocorticoid in humans and one of the main adrenal cortex steroid hormones. Although it’s known as the “stress hormone,” you also need it to wake up in the morning [2]. High doses of corticosteroids are given as medication to reduce inflammation and dampen the immune system.
Mineralocorticoids
The main mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. It helps regulate the balance between salt-water and other fluids and, as a result, helps control blood pressure [1]. However, the cortisol steroid hormone plays a role in salt balance by increasing sodium uptake.
Androgens
Androgens are considered “male” hormones, but they are present in women at lower levels, too. They include testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most potent form [1]. The adrenal androgens, DHEA, and androstenedione are less understood but may contribute to muscle and bone maintenance [3].
Estrogens and Progesterone
Estrogens and progesterone are the main “female” hormones, and men also have them in small amounts. They have broad tissue-protective effects, such as on the structure and function of your brain [5].
The main estrogen is estradiol (E2), which your body can make from estrone (E1) and testosterone. Estriol (E3) is another minor estrogen that is mainly produced during pregnancy in the placenta. Progesterone is mostly made after ovulation during preparations for potential pregnancy [6].
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids are medications taken for both medical and performance-enhancing purposes. They are chemically related to androgens such as testosterone or, in some cases, the natural androgens themselves. They can be legally used to rescue muscle tissue in certain debilitating conditions [3].
6 Functions and Effects of Steroid Hormones
Steroid hormones play a very important role in several body functions, such as metabolism, sexual function, and maintaining muscle mass.
1. Regulation of Metabolism
The role of steroid hormones in metabolism is to help regulate the breakdown of sugars, fat, and proteins in almost opposite ways to insulin [2]. Hormones like cortisol can increase the availability of sugars in the blood and promote tissue protein breakdown, which is why excessive levels are harmful [7].
This process is often mediated by changes in gene expression, influencing the production of enzymes and proteins involved in metabolic pathways. This is particularly true in the breakdown and rearrangement of carbon atoms within organic molecules, a process significantly impacted by thyroid hormones.
2. Sexual Development and Reproductive Functions
Steroid hormones (estrogen and testosterone) control sexual function, fertility, and secondary sex characteristics. Estrogen supports breast growth and widens the hips during puberty in women, while testosterone deepens the voice and increases body hair in men.
3. Performance Enhancement
A trial of testosterone cream in young women found an increase in time to exhaustion from 250 to 271 seconds on an endurance test. Muscle mass increased by just over 700 grams, compared to 160 grams in the placebo group. Average watts on the Wingate 30s test, a measure of strength, rose from 470 to 485 [8].
Estrogen steroid hormone can also increase muscle mass and strength when kept at healthy, youthful levels. Studies show that both men and premenopausal women have the same level of adductor pollicis strength relative to muscle mass. However, women lose more strength after menopause without estrogen replacement [4].
4. Stress Response
Cortisol is usually associated with stress, and high levels can contribute to agitation, irritability, and anxiety. However, a jump in perceived energy can cause euphoric feelings with the short-term use of corticosteroids [7]. Furthermore, corticosteroids increase blood sugar levels, so you can effectively deal with the potential for short-term, severe threats.
5. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Aldosterone helps to regulate water balance and electrolytes, while cortisol increases sodium absorption for cellular communication and fluid balance [2]. That said, excess cortisol may raise your blood pressure and promote water retention.
6. Impact on the Immune System
Corticosteroids’ anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects make them viable for many use cases. However, there is a higher risk of viral and fungal infections with corticosteroid use [7].
Steroid Hormone Disorders
People with an imbalance in the production or function of steroid hormones may experience disorders like Cushing’s syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s Syndrome, also known as Cushing’s disease, involves excessive cortisol production. It’s usually the result of a pituitary or adrenal tumor. Key visual signs of chronically high cortisol levels include abdominal obesity, a swollen face, muscle loss, and stretch marks [9].
Addison Disease
Addison’s Disease is a deficiency of both cortisol and aldosterone, or simply aldosterone in some cases. Autoimmune diseases, tumors, and adrenal gland damage from certain infections may cause this. People with this condition will likely experience low sodium levels and blood pressure, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea [9].
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Usually happens when the ovaries overproduce testosterone and other hormones. Insulin resistance, overweight or obesity, irregular menstrual cycles, and excess body hair are typical signs [9].
Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism causes low testosterone, with the cutoff point being T levels of 300 ng/dL or less. FSH and LH are measured to see whether the cause is poor testicular function or an inability of the pituitary gland to stimulate them [9].
Medical Uses of Steroid Hormones
Different types of steroid hormones are prescribed to correct deficiencies, reduce inflammation, and enhance fertility.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Hormone replacement therapy is used during menopause, to improve, and for people transitioning genders.
In menopause, HRT has enjoyed a recent return to popularity thanks to its benefits in relieving symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. Both estrogen-only and combined preparations may reduce hot flashes by 70-95%. Local preparations can also relieve genitourinary symptoms more effectively than lubricants [10].
Despite previous fears, updated research shows that estrogen replacement reduces overall mortality after menopause. This is mostly due to fewer deaths from cardiovascular disease and is even more relevant among women who need a total hysterectomy. What’s more, natural estrogens may protect brain health [11] [5].
Treatment of Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases
Corticosteroids are used to treat inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune conditions. Research demonstrates that corticosteroid treatment for diseases such as lupus and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis dramatically reduces antibody levels. For example, autoantibodies in lupus patients taking deflazacort dropped from 830.6IU/mL to 179.6IU/mL [12].
Fertility Treatments
Progesterone is often used during fertility treatments to regulate the luteal phase, which can improve success rates in IVF cycles. Additionally, some research suggests that glucocorticoids could improve pregnancy rates in non-IVF treatments among women with unexplained infertility [13].
Potential Benefits of Steroid Hormones
Both androgens and estrogens benefit muscle and bone growth, as well as the health of connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
Anabolic steroids can boost exercise performance. In one study, using them alone seemed to have stronger effects than exercise alone in increasing muscle mass and strength, but the combination of the two gave the best results. Patients in the study had conditions including heart failure, kidney disease, obesity, and paralysis [14].
Potential Side Effects and Risks of Steroid Hormones
The performance-enhancing types of steroid hormones have several side effects. Adverse effects for men include low sperm count, shrunken testes, and breast growth due to the conversion of steroids to estrogen.
Women may experience menstrual disturbances and body hair growth. Both sexes can develop poor blood sugar control, acne, hair loss, poor fat metabolism, infertility, poor aggression control, and liver damage [3].
Another risk of taking any steroid hormone is a deficiency once you stop treatment. This is because your body works on negative feedback loops, so it will turn down the production of a hormone if its levels are high enough.
Steroid Hormones in Sports and Fitness
Taking steroid hormones to boost performance is prohibited in competitive sports but is common. That said, steroid hormone regulation can vary across countries due to different cultural, legal, and medical practices.
Use of Anabolic Steroids in Bodybuilding
Anabolic steroids are common in amateur bodybuilding, with debates over peptide vs steroid hormones, or the use of both, common in gyms. They range from natural testosterone boosters and DHEA to “designer” steroids with more targeted properties.
Between 1-3% of Americans are estimated to use steroid hormones. An extensive analysis of research came to a global estimate of 3.3%, meaning 1 in 30 people worldwide use anabolic steroids at some point [3].
Doping in Professional Sports
Doping in professional sports is banned by international organizations. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned both natural androgens and synthetic steroids. However, some individuals and teams attempt to get around this with “designer” steroids, which may sometimes be undetectable with current testing methods [3].
Natural Ways To Boost Your Steroid Hormone Levels
While you won’t find anything natural mimicking the potent effects of anabolic steroids, there are natural avenues to nudge your body’s own steroid hormone production. These are, of course, legal and often involve lifestyle adjustments and targeted supplementation. Many athletes also use creatine, a well-regarded supplement known to enhance muscle strength and performance.
Adding to this category are products marketed as “legal steroids,” like CrazyBulk’s HGH-X2, Tren-Max, and their Growth Hormone Stack, which claim to offer similar–although naturally achieved–benefits.
Then, there’s the realm of natural testosterone boosters, exemplified by TestoPrime and Testo-Max. These supplements focus on supporting your body’s own testosterone production through a blend of herbs, vitamins, and minerals.
All these natural options aim to provide a performance boost without the severe risks associated with synthetic steroids. Instead, they focus on optimizing your body’s natural hormonal balance and muscle-building capabilities.
FAQs on Steroid Hormones
If you’re still curious about steroid hormones, we’ll explore other common questions people ask below.
What Do Steroid Hormones Work As?
Steroid hormones act as signaling molecules, regulating various physiological processes by binding to intracellular receptors and influencing gene expression.
What Is the Primary Action of Steroid Hormones?
Steroid hormones’ primary action is to modulate gene expression, thereby influencing protein synthesis and ultimately altering cellular function.
Is Vitamin D Like a Steroid?
No, Vitamin D is not a steroid, though it shares some structural similarities. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin, while steroids are hormones. They have different functions in the body.
Is Insulin a Steroid Hormone?
No, insulin is a peptide hormone, not a steroid. Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol, while insulin is a peptide or protein-based hormone.
What Is a Major Difference Between Steroid and Other Types of Hormones?
Steroids directly alter gene expression within cells for rapid, powerful effects. Meanwhile, other hormones typically work through cell-surface receptors, triggering slower, more nuanced responses.
Final Words on Steroid Hormones
Are steroids hormones? The short answer is yes, and they offer several benefits. For instance, a popular type of steroid hormones are anabolic steroids that people use illegally for bodybuilding.
However, they come with a wide range of risks and side effects, so you might want to consider natural alternatives.
References
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